Journal of Capital Medical University ›› 2013, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 385-390.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2013.03.013

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Autophagy is involved in DJ-1 protecting against rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurons injuries of substantia nigra in rats

LIU Huifeng1, YANG Weiwei2, GAO Hua3, YANG Hui2   

  1. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Wangfu Integrative Medicine Hospital, Beijing 100049;
    2. Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069;
    3. Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
  • Received:2013-04-08 Online:2013-06-21 Published:2013-06-17
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB504102,2012CB722407), National Natural Science Foundation of China (30970940), Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (7131001).

Abstract:

Objective To observe whether DJ-1 overexpression could attenuate rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurons injuries in substantia nigra (SN) of rats and its mechanism. Methods AAV vectors encoding human wild-type DJ-1, LacZ or GFP-DJ-1, GFP genes were stereotactically injected into the rat SN 4 weeks prior to rotenone lesion in SN. As identification of DJ-1 gene expression by immunohistochemistry, the numbers of TH positive neurons were detected to verify the neuron-protective effect of DJ-1. Autophagy-related proteins expression were investigated via Western blotting. Results After 4 weeks rotenone injected, the numbers of TH positive neurons increased significantly in impaired SN of rats in DJ-1 overexpressing group compared to rotenone-injected rats (P<0.05). Autophagy-related protein Beclin1, p-mTOR expression and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio were detected in impaired SN of animals according to Western blotting. In DJ-1 overexpression group, Beclin 1 expression and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ to LC3I increased significantly compared with control groups, while p-mTOR protein expression decreased significantly compared with control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion DJ-1 could attenuate dopaminergic cells injuries induced by rotenone and upregulated autophagy level.

Key words: DJ-1, rotenone, autophagy, rat

CLC Number: