Genes critical for development and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons are downregulated in Parkinson’s disease

• DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02604-x
• Publication Date: 2023-02-23T07:03:11Z
• Authors: Aditi Verma; Reddy Peera Kommaddi; Barathan Gnanabha...; Etienne C. Hirsch; Vijayalakshmi Rav...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Dopaminergic Neurons; Dopamine; Microfilament Proteins; Down-Regulation; Parkinson Disease; SH-SY5Y; [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Substantia Nigra; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Disease Models, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; Substantia nigra.; Humans; Animals; Neurodegeneration; RNA-seq; LMX1B; Transcription Factors

AbstractWe performed transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing on substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) from mice after acute and chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Acute and chronic exposure to MPTP resulted in decreased expression of genes involved in sodium channel regulation. However, upregulation of pro-inflammatory pathways was seen after single dose but not after chronic MPTP treatment. Dopamine biosynthesis and synaptic vesicle recycling pathways were downregulated in PD patients and after chronic MPTP treatment in mice. Genes essential for midbrain development and determination of dopaminergic phenotype such as, LMX1B, FOXA1, RSPO2, KLHL1, EBF3, PITX3, RGS4, ALDH1A1, RET, FOXA2, EN1, DLK1, GFRA1, LMX1A, NR4A2, GAP43, SNCA, PBX1, and GRB10 were downregulated in human PD and overexpression of LMX1B rescued MPP+induced death in SH-SY5Y neurons. Downregulation of gene ensemble involved in development and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons indicate their critical involvement in pathogenesis and progression of human PD.