Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) contributes to neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson's disease

Julio Salazar, Natalia Mena, Stephane Hunot, Annick Prigent, Daniel Alvarez-Fischer, Miguel Arredondo, Charles Duyckaerts, Veronique Sazdovitch, Lin Zhao, Laura M Garrick, Marco T Nuñez, Michael D Garrick, Rita Raisman-Vozari, Etienne C Hirsch

Abstract

Dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra (SN) is central to Parkinson's disease (PD), but the neurodegenerative mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. Iron accumulation in dopaminergic and glial cells in the SN of PD patients may contribute to the generation of oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and neuronal death. The mechanisms involved in iron accumulation also remain unclear. Here, we describe an increase in the expression of an isoform of the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1/Nramp2/Slc11a2) in the SN of PD patients. Using the PD animal model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxication in mice, we showed that DMT1 expression increases in the ventral mesencephalon of intoxicated animals, concomitant with iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and dopaminergic cell loss. In addition, we report that a mutation in DMT1 that impairs iron transport protects rodents against parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxins MPTP and 6-hydroxydopamine. This study supports a critical role for DMT1 in iron-mediated neurodegeneration in PD.

Original languageEnglish
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume105
Issue number47
Pages (from-to)18578-83
Number of pages6
ISSN0027-8424
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25.11.2008

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