Open AccessExogenous expression of Drp1 plays neuroprotective roles in the Alzheimer's disease in the Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila model
Author(s) -
Fengshou Lv,
Xiaopeng Yang,
Chuanju Cui,
Chunhe Su
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0176183
Subject(s) - transgene , neuroprotection , biology , genetically modified mouse , neurodegeneration , microbiology and biotechnology , mitochondrion , drosophila melanogaster , drosophila (subgenus) , neuroscience , disease , genetics , medicine , pathology , gene
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is a causative factor of AD. Drp1 (Dynamin-related protein 1), a regulator of mitochondrial fission, shows neuroprotective effects on Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we investigate the effect and mechanism of Drp1 on Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila . Methods Elav-gal4/UAS>Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila model was constructed using Elav-gal4 promoter. The effects of Drp1 on the lifespan, motor ability and neuronal degeneration of the transgenic Drosophila were explored by over-expressing Drp1 in the Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila . ATP levels in the brain tissues of Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila were detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results Exogenous expression of Drp1 promoted crawling ability, reduced the levels of ATP in Drosophila brain and suppressed the neuronal degeneration. Conclusion The protective effect of Drp1 on the Aβ42 transgenic Drosophila was achieved by protecting the mitochondrial function, suggesting that Drp1 may be a potential therapeutic strategies for AD.