title: Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases is neuroprotective in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced apoptosis in neurons.
abstract: The biochemical pathways involved in neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease are not completely characterized. Mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically alteration of the mitochondrial complex I, is the primary target of the parkinsonian neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced apoptosis in neurons. In the present study, we examine the role of caspase-dependent and -independent routes in MPP+-induced apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). We show a distinct increase in the expression of the cell cycle proteins cyclin D, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4 and the transcription factor E2F-1 following a MPP+ treatment of CGNs. Flavopiridol (FLAV), a broad inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), attenuated the neurotoxic effects of MPP+ and significantly attenuates apoptosis mediated by MPP+ 200 microM. Likewise, the antioxidant vitamin E (vit E) increases neuronal cell viability and attenuates apoptosis induced by MPP+. Moreover, the expression levels of cyclin D and E2F-1 induced by this parkinsonian neurotoxin were also attenuated by vit E. Since, the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk did not attenuate MPP+-induced apoptosis in CGNs, our data provide a caspase-independent mechanism mediated by neuronal reentry in the cell cycle and increased expression of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor E2F-1. Our results also suggest a potential role of oxidative stress in neuronal reentry in the cell cycle mediated by MPP+. Finally, our data further support the therapeutic potential of flavopiridol, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verdaguer
authors.forename: S García
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: de Arriba
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allgaier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matute
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trullas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pallàs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camins
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D050687:E2F1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012402:Rotenone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D050687:E2F1 Transcription Factor; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006540:Herbicides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012402:Rotenone; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; D020169:Caspases; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium