Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (Nov 2020)

AMI, an Indazole Derivative, Improves Parkinson’s Disease by Inhibiting Tau Phosphorylation

  • Zhang Mao,
  • Zhu Wen-ting,
  • Wang Hai-tao,
  • Yu Hui,
  • Lan Shi-yi,
  • Xu Jiang-ping,
  • Wang Wen-ya

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2020.00165
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Dopaminergic neuronal loss is the main pathological character of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Abnormal tau hyperphosphorylation will lead to dopaminergic neuronal loss. An indazole derivative 6-amino-1-methyl-indazole (AMI) successfully synthesized to inhibit tau hyperphosphorylation may exert a neuroprotective effect. The in vitro study showed that AMI effectively increased cell viability and alleviated the apoptosis induced by MPP+ in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, AMI treatment significantly decreased the expression of p-tau and upstream kinases GSK-3β. In the MPTP-induced PD mice models, we found AMI apparently preserved dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and improved the PD behavioral symptoms. Our results demonstrate that AMI exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation, representing a promising new candidate for PD treatment.

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