| Summary |
Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by extensive loss of A9 dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). A strong association has been reported between PD and exposure to mitochondrial toxins such as the environmental pesticides paraquat, maneb, and rotenone. Here, using a robust, patient-derived, stem cell model of PD that allows comparison of -synuclein ( -syn) mutant cells and isogeneic mutation-corrected controls, we identify mitochondrial toxin-induced perturbations specific to A53T -syn mutant A9-DA neurons (hNs). We report a novel molecular pathway whereby basal as well as toxin-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress inhibits the MEF2C-PGC1 transcription network in A53T hNs compared to corrected controls, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death. Our data provide mechanistic insight into gene-environmental interaction (GxE) in the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, using small molecule high-throughput screening, we identify the MEF2C-PGC1 pathway as a new drug target for therapeutic benefit in PD. |
