Emerging (and converging) pathways in Parkinson's disease: keeping mitochondrial wellness
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova (Italy)
- Dept. of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova (Italy)
The selective cell loss in the ventral component of the substantia nigra pars compacta and the presence of alpha-synuclein (α-syn)-rich intraneuronal inclusions called Lewy bodies are the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common motor system disorder whose aetiology remains largely elusive. Although most cases of PD are idiopathic, there are rare familial forms of the disease that can be traced to single gene mutations that follow Mendelian inheritance pattern. The study of several nuclear encoded proteins whose mutations are linked to the development of autosomal recessive and dominant forms of familial PD enhanced our understanding of biochemical and cellular mechanisms contributing to the disease and suggested that many signs of neurodegeneration result from compromised mitochondrial function. Here we present an overview of the current understanding of PD-related mitochondrial dysfunction including defects in bioenergetics and Ca{sup 2+} homeostasis, mitochondrial DNA mutations, altered mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy. We emphasize, in particular, the convergence of many “apparently” different pathways towards a common route involving mitochondria. Understanding whether mitochondrial dysfunction in PD represents the cause or the consequence of the disease is challenging and will help to define the pathogenic processes at the basis of the PD onset and progression. - Highlights: • Mitochondrial dysfunctions are a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. • Many familial PD related proteins ensure mitochondrial function. • Mutations in PD genes differently affect mitochondria related activities.
- OSTI ID:
- 22696861
- Journal Information:
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 483, Issue 4; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Region-Specific Protein Abundance Changes in the Brain of MPTP-induced Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model
Amentoflavone protects dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model mice through PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways