ePrints

Phycocyanin protects against Alpha-Synuclein toxicity in yeast

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Tiago OuteiroORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder associated with the misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in proteinaceous inclusions. These inclusions are common to a wider spectrum of disorders known as synucleinopathies. While the molecular bases of PD are still unclear, oxidative stress and impairment of protein quality-control systems play an important role, and are regarded as valuable targets for therapeutic interventions. We employed a yeast model of synucleinopathies to test the cytoprotective potential of phycocyanin, a biliprotein used as a nutritional supplement. We found that phycocyanin effectively protected against aSyn toxicity in yeast and, importantly, the mechanism of action involves the reduction of aSyn inclusions and superoxide levels, through the regulation of genes and enzymes involved in oxidative stress response, glutathione metabolism, and cellular protein quality-control systems. Overall, this study highlights the potential of phycocyanin as a nutraceutical in neurodegenerative diseases associated with proteotoxicity, such as synucleinopathies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Macedo D, Bertolin TE, Oro T, Backes LTH, Brás IC, Santos CN, Tenreiro S, Outeiro TF

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Functional Foods

Year: 2017

Volume: 38

Issue: Part A

Pages: 553-560

Print publication date: 01/11/2017

Online publication date: 04/10/2017

Acceptance date: 14/09/2017

ISSN (print): 1756-4646

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.09.044

DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2017.09.044

Altmetrics

Share