The Role of Transcription Factor Pitx3 in Dopamine Neuron Development and Parkinsons Disease

Title: The Role of Transcription Factor Pitx3 in Dopamine Neuron Development and Parkinsons Disease

Volume: 9 Issue: 10

Author(s): Jia Li, John A. Dani and Weidong Le

Affiliation:

Keywords: Mesostriatal, substantia nigra, pituitary homeobox, transcription factor 3, Rieg1, parkinsonian, Nurr1, aphakia

Abstract: Parkinsons disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc). The transcription factor Pitx3 is important for the differentiation and maintenance of midbrain DA neurons during development. There is highly restricted and constitutive expression of Pitx3 in the SNc and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain after birth. In addition to its importance during development, Pitx3 also has roles in the long-term survival and maintenance of the midbrain DA neurons. In this review, we discuss the function of Pitx3 throughout the life of midbrain neurons and the contribution of Pitx3 to disease mechanisms.

Cite this article as:

Li Jia, Dani A. John and Le Weidong, The Role of Transcription Factor Pitx3 in Dopamine Neuron Development and Parkinsons Disease, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 9 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802609789378236