| Evidence Sentence: |
Gene array analysis revealed that 22 (10 annotated genes: Cdh1, Itih2, Mpzl2, Rdh9, Serping1, Slc6a13, Slc6a20a, Slc6a4, Tph2, and Ucma) probes that were up-regulated in MPTP animals relative to controls were exclusively down-regulated by acupuncture stimulation. |
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Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), with a molecular weight of 56 kDa, is the predominant form of this enzyme present in brain extracts from the mesencephalic tegmentum, striatum, and hippocampus. |
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Tph2 initiates serotonin synthesis in mammals with Tph1, and plays a critical role in the maintenance of brain serotonin homeostasis. |
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Tph2-derived serotonin is involved in the regulation of behavior and autonomic pathways but is not essential for adult life . |
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However, Tph2 is known to be highly labile to oxidation. |
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Therefore, the oxidative processes that prevail in PD may cause a misfolding of Tph2 and result in the modification of serotonin function such as is seen in dopamine neurons. |
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Tph2 oxidation inhibits its activity and leads to the formation of high-molecular-weight aggregates in a dithiothreitol-reversible manner. |
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Alteration of serotonin levels by Tph2 hyperinnervation affects the wiring of the brain and can produce long-lasting changes leading to the development of neurodevelopmental disorders such as PD. |
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Tph2 was involved in tryptophan metabolism and serotonergic synapse at significant levels. |
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These findings demonstrate that both MPTP and acupuncture at acupoints influence Cdh1, Tph2, Slc6a4, Serping1, Slc6a13, and Gm13931 expression in the indicated pathways in the SN region. |
| Evidence Sentence: |
Expression levels of Rdh9, Slc6a4, Tph2 and Ucma, which were up-down regulated in the microarray analysis, also showed up-down regulation in real time RT-PCR (Figure 3). |
| Evidence Sentence: |
The microarray results indicate that Slc6a4 and Tph2, which are involved in PD, and Mpzl2 and Serping1, which are involved in inflammation, are primary causes of neurodegenerative disorders, and their expression can be maintained at similar to normal levels by acupuncture. |