Biology subjects

Valencia-Alarcon, E. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Valencia-Alarcon, E. P..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

NATO3 protects dopaminergic neurons in mouse in vivo and human in vitro Parkinson's disease models

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by the progressive and unstoppable loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. We previously identified NATO3 (FERD3L), a conserved developmental transcription factor, as essential for maintaining DA neuron function during aging. Here, we show that AAV-mediated Nato3 gene transfer into the mouse substantia nigra prevents DA neuron degeneration in both MPTP-induced and -synuclein (-Syn) overexpression PD models. This neuroprotective effect is achieved by improving autophagic flux and -Syn clearance. Furthermore, lentiviral-mediated NATO3 overexpression in human midbrain DA neurons, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells carrying the pathological -Syn A53T mutation, effectively reversed key disease hallmarks. These include -Syn accumulation, aberrant mitochondrial morphology, autophagic impairments, and compromised neurite structure. Collectively, these in vivo and in vitro findings highlight NATO3s role in safeguarding DA neurons against pathological cellular events, positioning NATO3 as a therapeutic target for PD.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Maintenance of mitochondrial integrity in midbrain dopaminergic neurons governed by a conserved developmental transcription factor

The degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra is a hallmark of Parkinsons disease (PD). Dysregulation of developmental transcription factors is implicated in dopaminergic neurodegeneration, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Drosophila Fer2 is a prime example of a developmental transcription factor required for the birth and maintenance of midbrain DA neurons. Using an approach combining ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, and genetic epistasis experiments with PD-linked genes, here we demonstrate that Fer2 controls a transcriptional network to maintain mitochondrial structure and function, and thus confers dopaminergic neuroprotection against genetic and oxidative insults. We further show that conditional ablation of Nato3, a mouse homolog of Fer2, in differentiated DA neurons results in locomotor impairments and mitochondrial abnormality in aged mice. Our results reveal the essential and conserved role of Fer2 homologs in the mitochondrial maintenance of midbrain DA neurons, opening new perspectives for modelling and treating PD.

neuroscience↗