Distribution of DJ-1, Parkinson's disease-related protein PARK7, and its alteration in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated hemiparkinsonian rat brain

Abstract

DJ-1 has multiple functions and its dysfunction may be linked to the onset of familial Parkinson's disease PARK7. However, the function and distribution of DJ-1 is unclear. In this study, we determined DJ-1 distribution and change after intranigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Although distribution of DJ-1 immunoreactivity was not changed in cerebral cortex and striatum, 6-OHDA caused increase of DJ-1 in the particulate fraction and decrease in the cytosolic fraction in substantia nigra. At that time, DJ-1 shifted to acid forms. These results suggest that distributional changes, translocation, and acidic shift of DJ-1 may be compensatory responses to protect against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress. ©2006 The Japanese Pharmacological Society.