Tat-DJ-1 protects neurons from ischemic damage in the ventral horn of rabbit spinal cord via increasing antioxidant levels.

Abstract

The DJ-1 gene is highly conserved in diverse species and DJ-1 is known as an anti-oxidative stress factor. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of DJ-1 against ischemic damage in the rabbit spinal cord. Tat-DJ-1 fusion proteins were constructed to facilitate the penetration of DJ-1 protein into the neurons. Tat-1-DJ-1 fusion protein was administered to the rabbit 30 min after ischemia/reperfusion, and transient spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the aorta at the subrenal region for 15 min. The administration of Tat-DJ-1 significantly improved the Tarlov score compared to that in the Tat (vehicle)-treated group at 24, 48 and 72 h after ischemia/reperfusion. At 72 h after ischemia/reperfusion, the number of cresyl violet-positive neurons was significantly increased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. Lipid peroxidation as judged from the malondialdehyde levels was significantly decreased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. In contrast, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly increased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. This result suggests that DJ-1 protects neurons from ischemic damage in the ventral horn of the spinal cord via its antioxidant effects.

• Authors: Woosuk Kim, Dae Won Kim, Hoon Jae Jeong, Dae Young Yoo, Hyo Young Jung, Sung Min Nam, Jong Hwi Kim, Jung Hoon Choi, Moo-Ho Won, Yeo Sung Yoon, Seung Myung Moon, Soo Young Choi, In Koo Hwang
• Journal: Neurochemical research (Neurochem Res) Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. 187-93 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1573-6903 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24293249 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Oncogene Proteins
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• Tat-DJ-1 fusion protein, human
• Catalase
• Superoxide Dismutase

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Catalase (biosynthesis)
• Hindlimb (physiology)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Male
• Oncogene Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Rabbits
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Reperfusion Injury (physiopathology)
• Spinal Cord (drug effects, metabolism)
• Spinal Cord Ischemia (prevention & control)
• Superoxide Dismutase (biosynthesis)