DJ-1 as a Modulator of Autophagy: An Hypothesis

作者:Gonzalez Polo Rosa A; Niso Santano Mireia; Gomez Sanchez Ruben; Bravo San Pedro Jose M; Fuentes Jose M*
来源:The Scientific World Journal, 2010, 10: 1574-1579.
DOI:10.1100/tsw.2010.165

摘要

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not completely defined, although environmental factors (for example, exposure to the herbicide paraquat [PQ]) and genetic susceptibility (such as DJ-1 mutations that have been associated with an autosomal-recessive form of early-onset PD) have been demonstrated to contribute. Alterations in macroautophagy have been described in the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disease. We have established a model system to study the involvement of the DJ-1 protein in PQ-induced autophagy. When we transfected cells exposed to PQ with DJ-1-specific siRNA, we observed an inhibition of the autophagic events induced by the herbicide, as well as sensitization additive with PQ-induced apoptotic cell death and exacerbation of this cell death in the presence of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. These results suggest, for the first time, an active role for DJ-1 in the autophagic response produced by PQ, opening the door to new strategies for PD therapy.

  • 出版日期2010