11 research outputs found
Nigral overexpression of alpha-synuclein in the absence of parkin enhances alpha-synuclein phosphorylation but does not modulate dopaminergic neurodegeneration
PARK2-mediated mitophagy is involved in regulation of HBEC senescence in COPD pathogenesis
Pink1 interacts with α-synuclein and abrogates α-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity by activating autophagy
Bee venom phospholipase A2 ameliorates motor dysfunction and modulates microglia activation in Parkinsonâs disease alpha-synuclein transgenic mice
Rgs6 is Required for Adult Maintenance of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Ventral Substantia Nigra
Synapsin III deficiency hampers α-synuclein aggregation, striatal synaptic damage and nigral cell loss in an AAV-based mouse model of Parkinsonâs disease
Characterization of Dopaminergic System in the Striatum of Young Adult Park2â/â Knockout Rats
Abstract Mutations in parkin gene (Park2) are linked to early-onset autosomal recessive Parkinsonâs disease (PD) and young-onset sporadic PD. Park2 knockout (PKO) rodents; however, do not display neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway, suggesting age-dependent compensatory changes. Our goal was to examine dopaminergic (DAergic) system in the striatum of 2 month-old PKO rats in order to characterize compensatory mechanisms that may have occurred within the system. The striata form wild type (WT) and PKO Long Evans male rats were assessed for the levels of DAergic markers, for monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B activities and levels, and for the levels of their respective preferred substrates, serotonin (5-HT) and Ă-phenylethylamine (Ă-PEA). The PKO rats displayed lower activities of MAOs and higher levels of Ă-PEA in the striatum than their WT counterparts. Decreased levels of Ă-PEA receptor, trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR-1), and postsynaptic DA D2 (D2L) receptor accompanied these alterations. Drug-naive PKO rats displayed normal locomotor activity; however, they displayed decreased locomotor response to a low dose of psychostimulant methamphetamine, suggesting altered DAergic neurotransmission in the striatum when challenged with an indirect agonist. Altogether, our findings suggest that 2 month-old PKO male rats have altered DAergic and trace aminergic signaling