Selective Enrichment of DJ-1 Protein in Primate Striatal Neuronal Processes: Implications for Parkinson's Disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: James A. Olzmann, Emory University; Jill R. Bordelon, Emory University; E Christopher Muly, Emory University; Howard D Rees III, Emory University; Allan I Levey, Emory University; Lian Li, Emory University; Lih-Shen Chin, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2007-01-20
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cne.21191/abstract
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Comparative Neurology
• ISSN: 0021-9967
• Volume: 500
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 585
• End Page: 599
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health (NS054597, NS047199, NS050650, AG021489, MH01194, and RR00165).
• Keywords: primate brain; PARK7; substantia nigra; distribution; electron microscopy; striatum
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Mutations in DJ-1 cause autosomal recessive, early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). The precise function and distribution of DJ-1 in the central nervous system remain unclear. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of DJ-1 expression in human, monkey, and rat brains using antibodies that recognize distinct, evolutionarily conserved epitopes of DJ-1. We found that DJ-1 displays region-specific neuronal and glial labeling in human and non-human primate brain, sharply contrasting the primarily neuronal expression pattern observed throughout rat brain. Further immunohistochemical analysis of DJ-1 expression in human and non-human primate brains showed that DJ-1 protein is expressed in neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum, two regions critically involved in PD pathogenesis. Moreover, immunoelectron microscopic analysis revealed a selective enrichment of DJ-1 within primate striatal axons, presynaptic terminals, and dendritic spines with respect to the DJ-1 expression in prefrontal cortex. Together, these findings indicate neuronal and synaptic expression of DJ-1 in primate subcortical brain regions and suggest a physiological role for DJ-1 in the survival and/or function of nigral-striatal neurons.