Tat-fused recombinant human SAG prevents dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model

Mol Cells. 2014 Mar;37(3):226-33. doi: 10.14348/molcells.2014.2314. Epub 2014 Mar 13.

Abstract

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from abnormal cellular process lead to various human diseases such as inflammation, ischemia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG), a RING-FINGER protein, has anti-apoptotic activity and anti-oxidant activity. In this study, we investigate whether Tat-SAG, fused with a Tat domain, could protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that, unlike SAG, Tat-SAG transduced efficiently into SH-SY5Y cells and into the brain, respectively. Tat-SAG remarkably suppressed ROS generation, DNA damage, and the progression of apoptosis, caused by MPP(+) in SH-SY5Y cells. Also, immunohistochemical data using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and cresyl violet staining demonstrated that Tat-SAG obviously protected DA neurons in the SN against MPTP toxicity in a PD mouse model. Tat-SAG-treated mice showed significant enhanced motor activities, compared to SAG- or Tat-treated mice. Therefore, our results suggest that Tat-SAG has potential as a therapeutic agent against ROS-related diseases such as PD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / pathology*
  • Gene Products, tat / biosynthesis
  • Gene Products, tat / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nerve Degeneration
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / pathology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / biosynthesis*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics

Substances

  • Gene Products, tat
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • RNF7 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases