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Apoptosis‐inducing factor in nigral dopamine neurons: Higher levels in primates than in mice
Author(s) -
Peneder Tamara M.,
Bauer Jan,
Pifl Christian
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.26695
Subject(s) - mptp , neurodegeneration , dopaminergic , tyrosine hydroxylase , dopamine , parkinson's disease , nigrostriatal pathway , apoptosis , biology , neuroscience , substantia nigra , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , disease
The nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway is more susceptible to neurodegeneration in primates than in mice, including the neurotoxic effect of MPTP. Apoptosis‐inducing‐factor was shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of dopaminergic degeneration. We therefore compared its occurrence in nigral dopamine neurons of mice, monkeys, and humans. Methods Paraffin‐embedded brain slices, including the SNpc of C57BL/6J mice, rhesus monkeys, and humans, were immunohistochemically labeled for tyrosine hydroxylase (an enzyme of dopamine synthesis), microtubule‐associated protein 2 (a neuronal marker), and apoptosis‐inducing factor and examined by confocal laser scan microscopy. Results The amount of apoptosis‐inducing factor in TH‐containing SN neurons was 15 times higher in monkeys and 50 times higher in humans than in mice in terms of apoptosis‐inducing factor immunoreactive neuronal area excluding the nucleus. Conclusion The difference of apoptosis‐inducing factor levels between primates and mice might contribute to the higher sensitivity of primates to MPTP‐induced neurodegeneration of their nigrostriatal dopamine system. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society