Down-Regulation of m6A mRNA Methylation Is Involved in Dopaminergic Neuronal Death.

N-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification that occurs in the mRNA of eukaryotes and plays a vital role in the post-transcriptional regulation. Recent studies highlighted the biological significance of m6A modification in the nervous system, and its dysregulation has been shown to be related to degenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurological disorder with its pathogenesis still not fully elucidated.

[Research progress of neurobiological function of 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline].

1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Sal) is a kind of catechol isoquinoline compound, which mainly exists in mammalian brain and performs a variety of biological functions. Through metabolism, Sal can be transformed into endogenous neurotoxins and can participate the occurrence of Parkinson's disease (PD). This has attracted widespread concern of researchers.

Isolation and Sequencing of Salsolinol Synthase, an Enzyme Catalyzing Salsolinol Biosynthesis.

Salsolinol (1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline), a derivate of dopamine, is suspected to be the most probable neurotoxin in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Numerous hypotheses regarding its pathophysiological roles have been raised, especially related to Parkinson's disease and alcohol addiction. In the mammalian brain, salsolinol may be enzymatically synthesized by salsolinol synthase from dopamine and acetaldehyde.

Changes in salsolinol production and salsolinol synthase activity in Parkinson's disease model.

Salsolinol is an endogenous neurotoxin derived from dopamine, and has been proved to cause the apoptosis of the dopaminergic neurons involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Salsolinol synthase is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of salsolinol, and its activity exists in most regions of rat brain. However, the activity distribution and its catalyzed function in vivo are still unknown.

mA RNA Modification Determines Cell Fate by Regulating mRNA Degradation.

Emerging evidence suggests that epitranscriptional modifications influence multiple cellular processes. N6-methyladenosine (mA), as the most abundant reversible methylation of mRNA, has also been reported to play critical roles in modulating embryonic stem cell differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming by regulating gene expression. This review examined the characteristics of mA, including the distribution profile and currently discovered "writer," "eraser," and "reader" proteins.