Assessment of dopaminergic neuron degeneration in a C. elegans model of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Summary: Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans that expresses the full-length wild-type human α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons provides a well-established Parkinson’s disease (PD) nematode model. Here, we present a detailed protocol to monitor and dissect the molecular underpinnings of age-associated neurodegeneration using this PD nematode model. This protocol includes preparation of nematode growth media and bacterial food sources, as well as procedures for nematode growth, synchronization, and treatment. We then describe procedures to assess dopaminergic neuronal death in vivo using fluorescence imaging.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to SenGupta et al. (2021).

Keywords

• Cell Biology
• Model Organisms
• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience