Parkinson's-linked Mutation Makes Neurons Vulnerable To Calcium-induced Death

PD is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific loss of dopamine neurons. Several genes have been linked with inherited forms of PD. Many of these genes encode proteins that are targeted to mitochondria, tiny intracellular "power plants" that metabolize oxygen and generate energy. Mitochondria also play a major role in maintaining appropriate calcium levels inside of cells. Abnormal calcium levels can be toxic to neurons and are associated with a range of neurodegenerative diseases.

Mutations in the PINK1 gene cause an inherited form of PD and research has shown that PINK1 is localized to mitochondria. "We previously demonstrated that PINK1 deficiency results in an age related loss of neuronal viability, and an increased sensitivity to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms underlying this mitochondrial pathophysiology remained unknown," explains senior study author Dr. Andrey Y. Abramov from the Institute of Neurology in London.

Dr. Abramov and colleagues used a sophisticated and dynamic imaging technique to explore the mitochondrial pathophysiology of PINK1-dependent PD. They found that loss of PINK1 resulted in an aberrant calcium overload inside the mitochondria. This overload stimulated production of dangerous reactive oxygen species that interfered with the ability of the mitochondria to transport sugar needed for energy production. This phenomenon could be reversed by providing substrates for energy production. "These data strongly suggest that the respiratory complexes in PINK1 deficiency are still intact and that their functional inhibition is in fact secondary to reduced substrate supply," offers Dr. Abramov.

Importantly, adult dopamine-producing neurons are frequently exposed to large influxes of calcium that must be buffered by the mitochondria. Mitochondria dysfunction and an inability to process these calcium loads are likely to make the dopamine neurons quite vulnerable to injury "Our findings define a mechanism whereby PINK1 dysfunction may cause the death of dopamine neurons," concludes Dr. Abramov.

The researchers include Sonia Gandhi, Institute of Neurology, London, UK, Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Alison Wood-Kaczmar, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Zhi Yao, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Helene Plun-Favreau, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Emma Deas, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Kristina Klupsch, Cancer Research UK, London, UK; Julian Downward, Cancer Research UK, London, UK; David S. Latchman, Institute of Child Health, London, UK, University of London, London, UK; Sarah J. Tabrizi, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Nicholas W. Wood, Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Michael R. Duchen, University College London, London, UK; and Andrey Y. Abramov, Institute of Neurology, London, UK.