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One more factor joins the plot: Pbx1 regulates differentiation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Author(s) -
Castro Diogo S
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.201695353
Subject(s) - dopaminergic , biology , midbrain , transcription factor , neuroscience , substantia nigra , parkinson's disease , dopamine , disease , medicine , gene , central nervous system , genetics
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons have been the subject of intense research, because of their importance in pathologies such as Parkinson's disease. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Villaescusa et al ([Villaescusa JC, 2016]) show the transcription factor Pbx1 is required for the differentiation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Notably, Pbx1 protects from oxidative stress by inducing Nfe2l1, and the expression of both genes is reduced in dopaminergic neurons from Parkinson's patients. This is an important study, with possible implications in regenerative medicine and drug design.