JAC4 Alleviates Rotenone-Induced Parkinson's Disease through the Inactivation of the NLRP3 Signal Pathway

JWA binding to NCOA4 alleviates degeneration in dopaminergic neurons through suppression of ferritinophagy in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) poses a significant challenge in neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The intricate mechanisms orchestrating DA neurodegeneration in PD are not fully understood, necessitating the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches. Recent studies have implicated ferroptosis as a major contributor to the loss of DA neurons, revealing a complex interplay between iron accumulation and neurodegeneration. However, the sophisticated nature of this process challenges the conventional belief that mere iron removal could effectively prevent DA neuronal ferroptosis. Here, we report JWA, alternatively referred to as ARL6IP5, as a negative regulator of ferroptosis, capable of ameliorating DA neuronal loss in the context of PD. In this study, synchronized expression patterns of JWA and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in PD patients and mice were observed, underscoring the importance of JWA for DA neuronal survival. Screening of ferroptosis-related genes unraveled the engagement of iron metabolism in the JWA-dependent inhibition of DA neuronal ferroptosis. Genetic manipulation of JWA provided compelling evidence linking its neuroprotective effects to the attenuation of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy. Molecular docking, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence studies confirmed that JWA mitigated DA neuronal ferroptosis by occupying the ferritin binding site of NCOA4. Moreover, the JWA-activating compound, JAC4, demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal PD models by elevating JWA expression, offering a potential avenue for neuroprotection in PD. Collectively, our work establishes JWA as a novel regulator of ferritinophagy, presenting a promising therapeutic target for addressing DA neuronal ferroptosis in PD.

Role of the RIP3-PGAM5-Drp1 pathway in aluminum-induced PC12 cells necroptosis

Epidemiological studies from diverse global regions suggest a correlation between the accumulation of aluminum in the brain and the onset of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, of which, neuronal cells death happen. Our previous research has found the potential of aluminum to induce neuronal cell death. A comprehensive exploration of the regulatory pathways influenced by aluminum in neuronal cell death could contribute to the development of strategies aimed at preventing the detrimental impact of aluminum on neuronal cells. This study is dedicated to exploring the impact of aluminum on mitochondrial homeostasis through the RIP3-PGAM5-Drp1 pathway, with a specific focus on its potential role in necroptosis. We observed that the inhibition of RIP3 function and the reduction in PGAM5 protein expression both mitigate aluminum-induced necroptosis in PC12 cells and enhance mitochondrial function. However, the inhibition of PGAM5 protein expression does not exert an impact on the expression of RIP3 and MLKL proteins. In summary, our study posits that aluminum can induce necroptosis in PC12 cells through the RIP3-PGAM5-Drp1 pathway.