title: Multifunctional tellurium molecule protects and restores dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease models.
abstract: In Parkinson's disease (PD) dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) become dysfunctional and many ultimately die. We report that the tellurium immunomodulating compound ammonium trichloro(dioxoethylene-O,O'-)tellurate (AS101) protects dopaminergic neurons and improves motor function in animal models of PD. It is effective when administered systemically or by direct infusion into the brain. Multifunctional activities of AS101 were identified in this study. These were mainly due to the peculiar Tellur(IV)-thiol chemistry of the compound, which enabled the compound to interact with cysteine residues on both inflammatory and apoptotic caspases, resulting in their inactivation. Conversely, its interaction with a key cysteine residue on p21(ras), led to its activation, an obligatory activity for AS101-induced neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, AS101 inhibited IL-10, resulting in up-regulation of GDNF in the SN. This was associated with activation of the neuroprotective kinases Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and up-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Inhibition of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activities were associated with decreased neuronal death and inhibition of IL-1beta. We suggest that, because multiple mechanisms are involved in the dysfunction and death of neurons in PD, use of a multifunctional compound, exerting antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic-inducing capabilities may be potentially efficacious for the treatment of PD.
authors.affiliation: CAIR Institute, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Keren Hayessod St., Ramat Gan, Israel. srednib@mail.biu.ac.il
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sredni
authors.forename: Revital
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geffen-Aricha
authors.forename: Wenzhen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albeck
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shalit
authors.forename: Harry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lander
authors.forename: Noa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kinor
authors.forename: Ortal
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sagi
authors.forename: Amnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albeck
authors.forename: Sigal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yosef
authors.forename: Miri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brodsky
authors.forename: Dvora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sredni-Kenigsbuch
authors.forename: Tali
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sonino
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yadid
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013691:Tellurium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005030:Ethylenes; D020011:Protective Agents; C054105:ammonium trichloro(dioxoethylene-O,O'-)tellurate; D013691:Tellurium; D004298:Dopamine