p73 gene in dopaminergic neurons is highly susceptible to manganese neurotoxicity.
Chronic exposure to elevated levels of manganese (Mn) has been linked to a Parkinsonian-like movement disorder, resulting from dysfunction of the extrapyramidal motor system within the basal ganglia. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of Mn-induced neurotoxicity remain elusive. In this study, we treated C57BL/6J mice with 30mg/kg Mn via oral gavage for 30 days. Interestingly, in nigral tissues of Mn-exposed mice, we found a significant downregulation of the truncated isoform of p73 protein at the N-terminus (ΔNp73). To further determine the functional role of Mn-induced p73 downregulation in Mn neurotoxicity, we examined the interrelationship between the effect of Mn on p73 gene expression and apoptotic cell death in an N27 dopaminergic neuronal model. Consistent with our animal study, 300μM Mn treatment significantly suppressed p73 mRNA expression in N27 dopaminergic cells. We further determined that protein levels of the ΔNp73 isoform was also reduced in Mn-treated N27 cells and primary striatal cultures. Furthermore, overexpression of ΔNp73 conferred modest cellular protection against Mn-induced neurotoxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Mn exposure downregulates p73 gene expression resulting in enhanced susceptibility to apoptotic cell death. Thus, further characterization of the cellular mechanism underlying p73 gene downregulation will improve our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of Mn neurotoxicity.
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
Dong-Suk
DS
Kim
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
Huajun
H
Jin
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
Vellareddy
V
Anantharam
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
Richard
R
Gordon
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
Arthi
A
Kanthasamy
Parkinson's Disorder Research Laboratory, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States. Electronic address: akanthas@iastate.edu.
Anumantha G
AG
Kanthasamy
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000166:cytology; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000633:toxicity*; D014162:Transfection; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D009498:Neurotoxins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014131:Trace Elements; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D008345:Manganese
Manganese; Neurotoxicity; p73; ΔNp73