Frataxin Deficiency Leads to Reduced Expression and Impaired Translocation of NF-E2-Related Factor (Nrf2) in Cultured Motor Neurons

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Valentina D’Oria²  Stefania Petrini²  Lorena Travaglini¹  Chiara Priori¹  Emanuela Piermarini¹  Sara Petrillo¹  Barbara Carletti¹  Enrico Bertini¹ 

[1] Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza S’Onofrio, 4, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails:;Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails:

关键词: FRDA;    frataxin;    Nrf2;    GSSG;    oxidative stress;    NSC34 neurons;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms14047853

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA), a neurodegenerative disease caused by the decreased expression of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein responsible of iron homeostasis. Under conditions of oxidative stress, the activation of the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) triggers the antioxidant cellular response by inducing antioxidant response element (ARE) driven genes. Increasing evidence supports a role for the Nrf2-ARE pathway in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we analyzed the expression and the distribution of Nrf2 in silenced neurons for frataxin gene. Decreased Nrf2 mRNA content and a defective activation after treatment with pro-oxidants have been evidenced in frataxin-silenced neurons by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy. The loss of Nrf2 in FRDA may greatly enhance the cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress and make FRDA neurons more vulnerable to injury. Our findings may help to focus on this promising target, especially in its emerging role in the neuroprotective response.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland