Brain iron pathways and their relevance to Parkinson's disease

A central role of iron in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), due to its increase in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons and reactive microglia and its capacity to enhance production of toxic reactive oxygen radicals, has been discussed for many years. Recent transcran...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neurochemistry 2001-10, Vol.79 (2), p.225-236
Main Authors: Berg, D, Gerlach, M., Youdim, M. B. H., Double, K. L., Zecca, L., Riederer, P., Becker, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
a-Synuclein
alpha-Synuclein
Animals
auto‐oxidation
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - cytology
Brain - metabolism
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Homeostasis - physiology
Humans
Iron - metabolism
Medical sciences
Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology
Neurology
Neurons - metabolism
oxidative stress
Parkinson Disease - etiology
Parkinson’s disease
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Synucleins
transcranial ultrasound
α‐synuclein aggregation
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Summary:A central role of iron in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), due to its increase in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons and reactive microglia and its capacity to enhance production of toxic reactive oxygen radicals, has been discussed for many years. Recent transcranial ultrasound findings and the observation of the ability of iron to induce aggregation and toxicity of α‐synuclein have reinforced the critical role of iron in the pathogenesis of nigrostriatal injury. Presently the mechanisms involved in the disturbances of iron metabolism in PD remain obscure. In this review we summarize evidence from recent studies suggesting disturbances of iron metabolism in PD at possibly different levels including iron uptake, storage, intracellular metabolism, release and post‐transcriptional control. Moreover we outline that the interaction of iron with other molecules, especially α‐synuclein, may contribute to the process of neurodegeneration. Because many neurodegenerative diseases show increased accumulation of iron at the site of neurodegeneration, it is believed that maintenance of cellular iron homeostasis is crucial for the viability of neurons.
ISSN:0022-3042
1471-4159
DOI:10.1046/j.1471-4159.2001.00608.x