Gene expression of proteins of the vesicle cycle in the striatum and motor cortex under functional failure of nigrostriatal system.

Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the decrease in the dopamine level in the striatum lead to dysfunctions of motor behavior. This is accompanied by dysregulation of neuro-transmission in glutamatergic neurons of the motor cortex and GABA-ergic neurons of the striatum. It is shown that dysregulation of the gene expression of vesicle cycle proteins in neurons of the motor cortex occurs at an early (presymptomatic) stage of degeneration of the nigrostriatal system, and in more severe degeneration (symptomatic stage) the level of gene expression of vesicle cycle proteins in the striatum decreases.