The transcription factor Nurr1 has been implicated in Parkinson disease (PD)—a movement disorder caused by selective destruction of dopaminergic neurons. Researchers have now shown that targeted ablation of Nurr1 in dopaminergic neurons in adult mice recapitulates early features of PD, including motor impairment. Next-generation RNA sequencing of these neurons revealed that mitochondrial genes are a key regulatory target of Nurr1, in line with the known involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. Together, the findings suggest Nurr1 as a potential therapeutic target in PD.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Kadkhodaei, B. et al. Transcription factor Nurr1 maintains fiber integrity and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene expression in dopamine neurons. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 110, 2360–2365 (2013)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Transcription factor Nurr1 maintains dopaminergic neurons. Nat Rev Neurol 9, 122 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2013.25
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2013.25
