DATmRNA Transcription on Parkinsonism Animal Models

Objective To analyse the transcription of DATmRNA in the substantia nigra of Parkinsonism animal models. Methods To make PD mouse models, C57BL mice were treated with 1-methy1-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) hydrochloride (35mg/kg) and they were divided into two 10d and 18d groups. Another group of mice were treated with the same volume of sodium chloride as normal controls. Then the levels of DATmRNA were detected by the Dot-blot method. Results As compared with the normal controls, the MPTP-treated mice had abnormal behaviour. The positive cells of TH were diminished and the expression of DAT gene was significantly decreased (P0.05) in the substantia nigra. In normal controls, the expression of DAT gene in the substantia nigra was higher than that in the cerebellum. Conclusion The dopaminergic neurons and the transcription of DATmRNA were reduced along with the occurence of Parkinson's disease. The result suggested that the transcription of DATmRNA might express the amount and the function of surviving dopaminergic neurons and the state of Parkinson's disease. The cells with a higher transcription of DATmRNA were more sensitive to MPTP.