Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized in part by the presence of a-synuclein (a-syn) rich intracellular inclusions (Lewy bodies). Mutations and multiplication of the a-synuclein gene (SNCA) are associated with familial PD. Since Ca 2+ dyshomeostasis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, we used fluorimetry in fura-2 loaded SH-SY5Y cells to monitor Ca 2+ homeostasis in cells stably transfected with either wild-type a-syn, the A53T mutant form, the S129D phosphomimetic mutant or with empty vector (which served as control homeostasis.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible enzyme up-regulated in Alzheimer's disease, catabolises heme to biliverdin, Fe2+ and carbon monoxide (CO). CO can protect neurones from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by inhibiting Kv2.1 channels, which mediates cellular K+ efflux as an early step in the apoptotic cascade. Since apoptosis contributes to the neuronal loss associated with amyloid β peptide (Aβ) toxicity in AD, we investigated the protective effects of HO-1 and CO against Aβ1-42 toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, employing cells stably transfected with empty vector or expressing the cellular prion protein, PrPc, and rat primary hippocampal neurons. Aβ1-42 (containing protofibrils) caused a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability, attributable at least in part to induction of apoptosis, with the PrPc-expressing cells showing greater susceptibility to Aβ1-42 toxicity. Pharmacological induction or genetic over-expression of HO-1 significantly ameliorated the effects of Aβ1-42. The CO-donor CORM-2 protected cells against Aβ1-42 toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Electrophysiological studies revealed no differences in the outward current pre- and post-Aβ1-42 treatment suggesting that K+ channel activity is unaffected in these cells. Instead, Aβ toxicity was reduced by the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine, and by the CaMKKII inhibitor, STO-609. Aβ also activated the downstream kinase, AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK). CO prevented this activation of AMPK. Our findings indicate that HO-1 protects against Aβ toxicity via production of CO. Protection does not arise from inhibition of apoptosis-associated K+ efflux, but rather by inhibition of AMPK activation, which has been recently implicated in the toxic effects of Aβ. These data provide a novel, beneficial effect of CO which adds to its growing potential as a therapeutic agent.

Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is extensively studied, and the involvement of astrocytes and other cell types in this process has been described. However, the responses of astrocytes themselves to amyloid β peptides ((Aβ; the widely accepted major toxic factor in AD) is less well understood. Here, we show that Aβ(1-42) is toxic to primary cultures of astrocytes. Toxicity does not involve disruption of astrocyte Ca2+ homeostasis, but instead occurs via formation of the toxic reactive species, peroxynitrite. Thus, Aβ(1-42) raises peroxynitrite levels in astrocytes, and Aβ(1-42) toxicity can be inhibited by antioxidants, or by inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) formation (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO combine to form peroxynitrite), or by a scavenger of peroxynitrite. Increased ROS levels observed following Aβ(1-42) application were derived from NADPH oxidase. Induction of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protected astrocytes from Aβ(1-42) toxicity, and this protective effect was mimicked by application of the carbon monoxide (CO) releasing molecule CORM-2, suggesting HO-1 protection was attributable to its formation of CO. CO suppressed the rise of NADPH oxidase-derived ROS caused by Aβ(1-42). Under hypoxic conditions (0.5% O2, 48 h) HO-1 was induced in astrocytes and Aβ(1-42) toxicity was significantly reduced, an effect which was reversed by the specific HO-1 inhibitor, QC-15. Our data suggest that Aβ(1-42) is toxic to astrocytes, but that induction of HO-1 affords protection against this toxicity due to formation of CO. HO-1 induction, or CO donors, would appear to present attractive possible approaches to provide protection of both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types from the degenerative effects of AD in the central nervous system.

Background:The C452F mutation in the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 leads to heart failure through an unknown mechanism. Results: C452F impairs Drp1 disassembly, leading to impaired mitophagy, failed bioenergetics, and inflammation. Conclusion: Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission is essential for normal cardiac function. Significance: Mutations in mitochondrial quality control proteins are a likely cause of human cardiomyopathy.

Brain iron accumulation has been associated with inciting the generation of oxidative stress in a host of chronic neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Using the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine to lesion cellular dopaminergic pathways as a model of Parkinson's disease in culture, a selection of 1-hydroxypyridin-2-one (1,2-HOPO) metal chelators were synthesized and their neuroprotective properties were compared to the 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one; deferiprone (3,4-HOPO; DFP). Protection against 6-OHDA and iron insult by the novel compounds 6 and 9 was comparable to DFP. Iron associated changes by 6-OHDA imply that the neuroprotective capacity of these compounds are due to chelation of the neuronal labile iron pool and the requirement of the iron binding moiety of compound 6 for efficacy supported this hypothesis. In conclusion, two novel 1,2-HOPO's and DFP have comparable neuroprotection against Parkinsonian-associated neurotoxins and supports the continued development of hydroxypyridinone compounds as a non-toxic therapeutic agent in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.