Blocking c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) Translocation to the Mitochondria Prevents 6-Hydroxydopamine-induced Toxicity in Vitro and in Vivo

Because oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are well known contributors to Parkinson disease (PD), we set out to investigate the role mitochondrial JNK plays in the etiology of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced (6-OHDA) oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotoxicity in SHSY5Y cells and neuroprotection and motor behavioral protection in vivo. To do this, we utilized a cell-permeable peptide of the outer mitochondrial membrane protein, Sab (SH3BP5), as an inhibitor of JNK mitochondrial translocation. In vitro studies showed that 6-OHDA induced JNK translocation to the mitochondria and that inhibition of mitochondrial JNK signaling by Tat-Sab_KIM1 protected against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotoxicity. Administration of Tat-Sab_KIM1 via an intracerebral injection into the mid-forebrain bundle increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta by 2-fold (p < 0.05) in animals lesioned with 6-OHDA, compared with animals treated only with 6-OHDA into the nigrostriatal pathway. In addition, Tat-Sab_KIM1 decreased the d-amphetamine-induced unilateral rotations associated with the lesion by 30% (p < 0.05). Steady-state brain levels of Tat-Sab_KIM1 at day 7 were 750 nm, which was ∼3.4-fold higher than the IC₅₀ for this peptide versus Sab protein. Collectively, these data suggest that 6-OHDA induced JNK translocation to the mitochondria and that blocking this translocation reduced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the data suggest that inhibitors that block association of JNKs with the mitochondria may be useful neuroprotective agents for the treatment of Parkinson disease.