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The Journal of Neuroscience, August 11, 2004, 24(32):7043-7050; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1626-04.2004

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Cellular/Molecular
Identification and Characterization of Metallothionein-1 and -2 Gene Expression in the Context of (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Induced Toxicity to Brain Dopaminergic Neurons

Tao Xie,¹ Liqiong Tong,¹ Una D. McCann,² Jie Yuan,¹ Kevin G. Becker,³ Annis O. Mechan,¹ Christopher Cheadle,³ David M. Donovan,⁴ and George A. Ricaurte¹

Departments of ¹Neurology and ²Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, ³cDNA Microarray Unit, Research Resources Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224-6825, and ⁴Biotechnology and Germplasm Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and National Resources Institute, Beltsville, Maryland 20705

In mice, the recreational drug (±)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA ("ecstasy")] produces a selective toxic effect on brain dopamine (DA) neurons. Using cDNA microarray technology in combination with an approach designed to facilitate recognition of relevant changes in gene expression, the present studies sought to identify genes potentially involved in murine MDMA-induced toxicity to DA neurons. Of 15,000 mouse cDNA fragments studied, metallothionein (Mt)-1 and Mt2 emerged as candidate genes possibly involved in MDMA-induced toxicity to DA neurons. Northern blot analysis confirmed the microarray findings and revealed a dynamic upregulation of Mt1 and Mt2 mRNA in the ventral midbrain within 4-12 hr after MDMA treatment. Western blot analysis showed a similar increase in MT protein levels, with peak times occurring subsequent to increases in mRNA levels. Mt1-2 double knock-out mice were more vulnerable to MDMA-induced toxicity to DA neurons than corresponding wild-type mice. Stimulation of endogenous expression of MT protein with zinc acetate conferred complete protection against MDMA-induced toxicity to DA neurons, and administration of exogenous MT protein afforded partial protection. Collectively, these results indicate that MDMA-induced toxicity to DA neurons is associated with increased Mt1 and Mt2 gene transcription and translation, possibly as part of a neuroprotective mechanism. The present findings may have therapeutic implications for neuropathological conditions involving DA neurons.

Key words: dopamine; MDMA; neurotoxicity; metallothioneins; amphetamines; microarray

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Received Feb 5, 2004; revised May 28, 2004; accepted June 2, 2004.

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