The Crucial Roles of Pitx3 in Midbrain Dopaminergic Neuron Development and Parkinson's Disease-Associated Neurodegeneration.

ABSTRACT: The degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), is one of the most prominent pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). To uncover the pathogenic mechanisms of mDA neuronal death during PD may provide therapeutic targets to prevent mDA neuronal loss and slow down the disease's progression. Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 3 (Pitx3) is selectively expressed in the mDA neurons as early as embryonic day 11.5 and plays a critical role in mDA neuron terminal differentiation and subset specification. Moreover, Pitx3-deficient mice exhibit some canonical PD-related features, including the profound loss of SNc mDA neurons, a dramatic decrease in striatal dopamine (DA) levels, and motor abnormalities. However, t

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10218497 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature