title: Targeted toxicants to dopaminergic neuronal cell death.
abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD ) is mainly characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra resulting in chronic deficits in motor functions. Administration of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP ) produces PD symptoms and recapitulates the main features of PD in human and animal models. MPTP is converted to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+ ), which is the active toxic compound that selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons. Here, we describe methods and protocols to evaluate MPTP/MPP+-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in both murine primary mesencephalic cultures and animal models. The ability of MPTP/MPP+ to cause dopaminergic neuronal cell death is assessed by immunostaining of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH).
authors.affiliation: Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, IA Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Iowa State University, 1600 S. 16th Street, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Huajun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Arthi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanthasamy
authors.forename: Dilshan S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Harischandra
authors.forename: Vellareddy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anantharam
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.forename: Anumantha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanthasamy
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D004298:Dopamine