biostudies-literatureMalik MYBritish Heart FoundationRCUK | MRC | Medical Research FoundationMedical Research CouncilBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council2100-2117https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11599059biostudies-literatureUnknown6(11)Identifying initial triggering events in neurodegenerative disorders is critical to developing preventive therapies. In Huntington's disease (HD), hyperdopaminergia-probably triggered by the dysfunction of the most affected neurons, indirect pathway spiny projection neurons (iSPNs)-is believed to induce hyperkinesia, an early stage HD symptom. However, how this change arises and contributes to HD pathogenesis is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that genetic disruption of iSPNs function by Ntrk2/Trkb deletion in mice results in increased striatal dopamine and midbrain dopaminergic neurons, preceding hyperkinetic dysfunction. Transcriptomic analysis of iSPNs at the pre-symptomatic stage showed de-regulation of metabolic pathways, including upregulation of Gsto2, encoding glutathione S-transferase omega-2 (GSTO2). Selectively reducing Gsto2 in iSPNs in vivo effectively prevented dopaminergic dysfunction and halted the onset and progression of hyperkinetic symptoms. This study uncovers a functional link between altered iSPN BDNF-TrkB signalling, glutathione-ascorbate metabolism and hyperdopaminergic state, underscoring the vital role of GSTO2 in maintaining dopamine balance.Nature metabolismImpaired striatal glutathione-ascorbate metabolism induces transient dopamine increase and motor dysfunction.PMC11599059RE/18/3/34214MC_UU_12009/7MR/W005166/1BB/L021382/1BB/M024350/1MC_UU_00003/5Timm KNNerlov CMinichiello LAsif-Malik AMalik MYBergin Dvon Horsten SWalton MEEliseeva ERatz-Wirsching VZonta BGuo FEftychidis VBarkas NWolska AMagill PJfalseImpaired striatal glutathione-ascorbate metabolism induces transient dopamine increase and motor dysfunction.Identifying initial triggering events in neurodegenerative disorders is critical to developing preventive therapies. In Huntington's disease (HD), hyperdopaminergia-probably triggered by the dysfunction of the most affected neurons, indirect pathway spiny projection neurons (iSPNs)-is believed to induce hyperkinesia, an early stage HD symptom. However, how this change arises and contributes to HD pathogenesis is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that genetic disruption of iSPNs function by Ntrk2/Trkb deletion in mice results in increased striatal dopamine and midbrain dopaminergic neurons, preceding hyperkinetic dysfunction. Transcriptomic analysis of iSPNs at the pre-symptomatic stage showed de-regulation of metabolic pathways, including upregulation of Gsto2, encoding glutathione S-transferase omega-2 (GSTO2). Selectively reducing Gsto2 in iSPNs in vivo effectively prevented dopaminergic dysfunction and halted the onset and progression of hyperkinetic symptoms. This study uncovers a functional link between altered iSPN BDNF-TrkB signalling, glutathione-ascorbate metabolism and hyperdopaminergic state, underscoring the vital role of GSTO2 in maintaining dopamine balance.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-01T10:00:13.129Z2025-04-04T00:46:00.113ZS-EPMC115990593946820510.1038/s42255-024-01155-z