1. ¹Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Molecular Medicine, K.U. Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 VCTB+5, B-3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
2. ²Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Molecular Medicine, K.U. Leuven and IRC KULAK, B-3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium

Correspondence: Veerle Baekelandt, Fax: +32 16 336 336. E-mail: Veerle.Baekelandt@med.kuleuven.be

^*Current address: Protein Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Pathology, Enkam Pharmaceuticals A/S, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.

^#Shared last authors.

Received 15 December 2005; Revised 6 June 2006; Accepted 23 June 2006.

Abstract

Loss-of-function mutations in the PARK2 gene are the major cause of early onset familial Parkinson's disease. The gene product, parkin, is an E3 ligase of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway involved in protein degradation. Dopaminergic neuron loss may result from the toxic accumulation of parkin substrates, suggesting a key role for parkin in dopaminergic neuron survival. In this study, we have investigated the neuroprotective capacity of parkin in the 6-OHDA rat model for Parkinson's disease. 6-OHDA induces the generation of reactive oxygen species leading to the degeneration of catecholaminergic neurons, but may also impair proteasome activity. Lentiviral vectors encoding human wild-type parkin or green fluorescent protein were stereotactically injected into the substantia nigra 2 weeks prior to a striatal 6-OHDA lesion. Histological analysis 1 and 3 weeks after lesioning showed a significant preservation of dopaminergic cell bodies and nerve terminals. Moreover, lesioned rats overexpressing parkin displayed a corresponding behavioral improvement as measured by the amphetamine-induced rotation test and the cylinder test. The improved performance in the amphetamine-induced rotation test lasted until 20 weeks after lesioning. Our results demonstrate that parkin acts as a potent neuroprotective agent in vivo against 6-OHDA toxic insults. These data support the therapeutic potential of parkin for the treatment of not only familial but also sporadic Parkinson's disease.