Effect of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway on JNK3 in Parkinsonian rats

Abstract

Effect of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway on the expression of JNK3 in Parkinsonian rats was investigated. A total of 200 rats were used for Parkinson s disease (PD) modeling and 180 models were successfully established. Rats were randomly divided into four groups including A, B, C, and D, 45 in each group. Group A was control group and no inhibitor was given. Group B was given PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Group C was given rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin; and group D was given inhibitor LY294002 and inhibitor rapamycin. JNK3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-qPCR and expression of p-mTOR protein and JNK3 protein was detected by western blot analysis. Expression level of JNK3 mRNA and protein in groups C and D was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.01). Expression level of JNK3 mRNA and protein in group D was significantly lower than that in group C (P<0.01). Relative expression level of p-mTOR protein in groups C and D was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.01). Relative expression level of JNK3 protein in group D was significantly lower than that in group C (P<0.01). Pearson s correlation analysis showed that expression of JNK3 mRNA was positively correlated with the expression of JNK3 protein and Pearson s correlation coefficient was 0.98 (P<0.01). There was also a positive correlation between the expression of JNK3 mRNA and the expression of p-mTOR protein and Pearson s correlation coefficient was 0.95 (P<0.01). Expression of JNK3 protein was positively correlated with the expression of p-mTOR protein, and the Pearson s correlation coefficient was 0.93 (P<0.01). Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is negatively correlated with the expression of JNK3. Inhibition of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway leads to a decrease in the expression of JNK3, which protects dopaminergic neurons and improves PD.