Grantee Research Project Results
Mechanism of Manganese-Induced Neurotoxicity
EPA Grant Number: R826248Title: Mechanism of Manganese-Induced Neurotoxicity
Investigators:
Institution: The State University of New York at Buffalo
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000
Project Amount: $355,000
RFA: Ambient Air Quality (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air
Description:
Atmospheric levels of manganese (Mn) have significantly increased in urban cities since its introduction as a fuel additive. This is particularly relevant based on recent studies indicating that people with compromised liver function may be at considerably greater risk than the normal population to the toxic actions of Mn. Mn is a potent neurotoxin which is capable of producing a variety of neurological symptoms characterized by severe extrapyramidal dysfunction resembling the dystonic movements associated with Parkinson's disease. With the realization of increased environmental exposure to Mn, it becomes necessary to delineate the fundamental biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for its selective neurotoxic actions in order to prevent and identify individuals with Mn toxicity.Approach:
Dopaminergic neurons in the striatum have been proposed to be one of the primary target for the toxic actions of Mn. We have utilized rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) grown in culture as a model system to study Mn toxicity since these cells contain the complete biological machinery for synthesis, storage, release and metabolism of dopamine. Our initial findings demonstrate that Mn is capable of not only provoking the expected toxic response in PC12 cells, as seen in the dopaminergic neurons, but is also capable of inducing neuronal differentiation similar to that observed with nerve growth factor (NGF). Preliminary evidence suggests that Mn-induced cell toxicity and differentiation may be linked to a common signal transduction pathway which may lead to altered gene expression and apoptitic cell death. We propose to determine the mechanism and signal transduction pathways by which Mn promotes PC12 cell death.
- Determine the role of oxidative stress and altered mitochondrial function in influencing Mn toxicity
- Determine intracellular concentrations of Mn inducing PC12 cell death
- Assess Mn effect on oxidative stress and other related metabolic processes
- Assess the effects of Mn on changes in DNA structure associated with apoptosis in PC12 cells
- Assess effects of Mn on DNA and nuclear changes
- Examine effects of Mn on signal transduction systems known to promote apoptosis ( MAP kinase RAS, p38 protein, JNK protein, c-jun levels
Expected Results:
The autoxidation of dopamine, induced by heavy metals such as iron, has been proposed to be responsible for the neuropathological lesions exhibited in Parkinson disease. A similar mechanism may be responsible for the toxic actions of Mn. Studies in our laboratory and those reported in the literature, suggest we are likely to see a direct correlation between oxidative-stress and Mn-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. We also expect to show that the autoxidation of dopamine facilitates the toxic actions of Mn and that this will likely lead to changes in mitochondrial function and induce alterations in the MAP kinases known to provoke apoptosis. We anticipate that Mn will also induce alterations in the expression of the oncogenes associated with programmed cell death. Identification of the biochemical and molecular processes responsible for Mn toxicity in PC12 cells will eventually aid in our understanding of the events that provoke cell death in dopaminergic neurons.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 16 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 10 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
neurotoxicology, heavy metals, manganese, urban exposure, human health, enzymes, cellular metabolism, apoptosis, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Air, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Disease & Cumulative Effects, Biochemistry, Physical Processes, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Biology, acute effects, ambient air quality, health effects, urban air toxics, exposure and effects, air pollutants, cellular metabolism, effects assessment, hazardous air pollutants, airway disease, ambient air, exposure, urban air pollutants, enzyme systems, neurotoxicity, human exposure, chronic effects, manganese, toxicity, inner city toxicants, public health, acute toxicity, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), environmental toxicant, harmful environmental agents, toxicodynamics, human health, fuel additives, Parkinson's Disease, acute exposure, atmospheric chemistry, chronic toxicity, disease, heavy metals, exposure assessmentProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.