Protective effects of transduced Tat-DJ-1 protein against oxidative stress and ischemic brain injury

Exp Mol Med. 2012 Oct 31;44(10):586-93. doi: 10.3858/emm.2012.44.10.067.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the development of a number of neuronal diseases including ischemia. DJ-1, also known to PARK7, plays an important role in transcriptional regulation, acting as molecular chaperone and antioxidant. In the present study, we investigated whether DJ-1 protein shows a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death in vitro and in ischemic animal models in vivo. To explore DJ-1 protein's potential role in protecting against ischemic cell death, we constructed cell permeable Tat-DJ-1 fusion proteins. Tat-DJ-1 protein efficiently transduced into neuronal cells in a doseand time-dependent manner. Transduced Tat-DJ-1 protein increased cell survival against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) toxicity and also reduced intracellular ROS. In addition, Tat-DJ-1 protein inhibited DNA fragmentation induced by H2O2. Furthermore, in animal models, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Tat-DJ-1 protein prevented neuronal cell death induced by transient forebrain ischemia in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. These results demonstrate that transduced Tat-DJ-1 protein protects against cell death in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the transduction of Tat-DJ-1 may be useful as a therapeutic agent for ischemic injuries related to oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain Ischemia / metabolism*
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology
  • Brain Ischemia / prevention & control
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / drug effects
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / metabolism
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Gerbillinae
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neuroprotective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Oncogene Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Prosencephalon / drug effects
  • Prosencephalon / metabolism
  • Prosencephalon / pathology
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / administration & dosage*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / biosynthesis
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Malondialdehyde
  • PARK7 protein, human
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1