Oxidative damage and Parkinson’s Disease

Nucleolar dysfunction has been found in Parkinson’s Disease patients and in the Parkinson’s model induced by the neurotoxin 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine hydrochloride (MPTP). Nucleolar disruption restricted to dopaminergic neurons produces symptoms resembling Parkinson’s, such as progressive and differential loss of dopamine neurons and locomotor abnormalities. At the molecular level, mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress are observed, similar to Parkinson’s. The interplay between nucleolar dysfunction and increased oxidative stress may constitute a destructive axis in experimental and sporadic Parkinson’s Disease.
Rieker C et al.: Nucleolar Disruption in Dopaminergic Neurons Leads to Oxidative Damage and Parkinsonism through Repression of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling. J. Neuroscience 31: 453-460 (2011).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21228155