Dopaminergic marker proteins in the substantia nigra of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected brains

• Published in: Journal of neurovirology 2006-04, Vol.12 (2), p.140-145
• Main Authors: Silvers, Janelle M, Aksenov, Michael Y, Aksenova, Marina V, Beckley, Jacob, Olton, Petra, Mactutus, Charles F, Booze, Rosemarie M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; Brain - metabolism; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism; Female; HIV Seropositivity - metabolism; HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Nervous System Diseases - metabolism; Neurology; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - metabolism; Substantia Nigra - metabolism; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - metabolism; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Viral diseases of the nervous system
• ISSN: 1355-0284; 1538-2443
• DOI: 10.1080/13550280600724319

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is becoming a more chronic, manageable disease; nevertheless, the prevalence of neurological complications of AIDS is increasing. In this study, protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in the substantia nigra of HIV-infected brains and -seronegative controls were determined by immunoblotting. The immunoreactivity of neuronal specific enolase (NSE) was used to assess cell loss. Although there were no changes in levels of immunoreactive DAT or NSE proteins in HIV brains, levels of immunoreactive TH were significantly reduced, relative to controls. These results suggest that decreases in TH, the rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine synthesis, may be a factor in the neurological manifestations of HIV infection.