Recessively inherited loss-of-function mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(Pink1), DJ-1 (Park7) and
Parkin (Park2) genes are linked to familial cases of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). As part of its strategy to
provide more tools for the research community, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)
funded the generation of novel rat models with targeted disruption ofPink1, DJ-1 or Parkin genes and determined
if the loss of these proteins would result in a progressive PD-like phenotype. Pathological, neurochemical and
behavioral outcome measures were collected at 4, 6 and 8 months of age in homozygous KO rats and compared
to wild-type (WT) rats. Both Pink1 and DJ-1 KO rats showed progressive nigral neurodegeneration with about
50% dopaminergic cell loss observed at 8 months of age. ThePink1 KO and DJ-1 KO rats also showed a two to
three fold increase in striatal dopamine and serotonin content at 8 months of age. Both Pink1 KO and DJ-1 KO
rats exhibited significant motor deficits starting at 4 months of age. However, Parkin KO rats displayed normal
behaviors with no neurochemical or pathological changes. These results demonstrate that inactivation of the
Pink1 or DJ-1 genes in the rat produces progressive neurodegeneration and early behavioral deficits, suggesting
that these recessive genes may be essential for the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN).
These MJFF-generated novel rat models will assist the research community to elucidate the mechanisms by
which these recessive genes produce PD pathology and potentially aid in therapeutic development
Recessively inherited loss-of-function mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(Pink1), DJ-1 (Park7) andParkin (Park2) genes are linked to familial cases of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). As part of its strategy toprovide more tools for the research community, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)funded the generation of novel rat models with targeted disruption ofPink1, DJ-1 or Parkin genes and determinedif the loss of these proteins would result in a progressive PD-like phenotype. Pathological, neurochemical andbehavioral outcome measures were collected at 4, 6 and 8 months of age in homozygous KO rats and comparedto wild-type (WT) rats. Both Pink1 and DJ-1 KO rats showed progressive nigral neurodegeneration with about50% dopaminergic cell loss observed at 8 months of age. ThePink1 KO and DJ-1 KO rats also showed a two tothree fold increase in striatal dopamine and serotonin content at 8 months of age. Both Pink1 KO and DJ-1 KOrats exhibited significant motor deficits starting at 4 months of age. However, Parkin KO rats displayed normalbehaviors with no neurochemical or pathological changes. These results demonstrate that inactivation of thePink1 or DJ-1 genes in the rat produces progressive neurodegeneration and early behavioral deficits, suggestingthat these recessive genes may be essential for the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN).These MJFF-generated novel rat models will assist the research community to elucidate the mechanisms bywhich these recessive genes produce PD pathology and potentially aid in therapeutic development
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