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Selective neuroprotective effects of the S18Y polymorphic variant of UCH-L1 in the dopaminergic system

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Author

  • Maria Xilouri
  • Elli Kyratzi
  • Pothitos M. Pitychoutis
  • Zoi Papadopoulou-Daifoti
  • Celine Perier
  • Miquel Vila
  • Matina Maniati
  • Ayse Ulusoy
  • Deniz Kirik
  • David S. Park
  • Keiji Wada
  • Leonidas Stefanis
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Summary, in English

Genetic studies have implicated the neuronal ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) protein UCH-L1 in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Moreover, the function of UCH-L1 may be lost in the brains of PD and Alzheimer's disease patients. We have previously reported that the UCH-L1 polymorphic variant S18Y, potentially protective against PD in population studies, demonstrates specific antioxidant functions in cell culture. Albeit genetic, biochemical and neuropathological data support an association between UCH-L1, PD, synaptic degeneration and oxidative stress, the relationship between the dopaminergic system and UCH-L1 status remains obscure. In the current study, we have examined the dopaminergic system of mice lacking endogenous UCH-L1 protein (gracile axonal dystrophy mice). Our findings show that the lack of wild-type (WT) UCH-L1 does not influence to any significant degree the dopaminergic system at baseline or following injections of the neurotoxin methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Furthermore, using a novel intrastriatal adenoviral injection protocol, we have found that mouse nigral neurons retrogradely transduced with S18Y UCH-L1, but not the WT protein, are significantly protected against MPTP toxicity. Overall, these data provide evidence for an antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of the S18Y variant of UCH-L1, but not of the WT protein, in the dopaminergic system, and may have implications for the pathogenesis of PD or related neurodegenerative conditions, in which oxidative stress might play a role.

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

874-889

Publication/Series

Human Molecular Genetics

Volume

21

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Topic

  • Medical Genetics

Status

Published

Research group

  • Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems (BRAINS)

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0964-6906