Modulation of Bromo- and Extra-Terminal Domain (BET) Proteins Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in Cell Culture Models of Parkinson's Disease.

Background/

Objectives

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. Despite its multifactorial etiology, PD pathophysiology shared specific features such as cytoplasmic α-synuclein inclusions, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired autophagy. Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal domain (BET) proteins, functioning as epigenetic readers, have recently emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their regulatory role in redox homeostasis, neuroinflammation, and autophagy. However, their potential involvement in PD pathophysiology remains largely unexplored. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating whether BET modulation could ameliorate the parkinsonian phenotype in two cellular models.

Methods

Differentiated SH-SY5Y and N1E-115 neuronal cells were exposed to rotenone toxin to mimic PD phenotype and co-treated with the small BET inhibitor JQ1.

Results

BET inhibition significantly counteracted rotenone-induced cell death, neuromorphological alterations, and α-synuclein accumulation. These protective effects were accompanied by restoration of redox balance, as indicated by enhanced activation of the antioxidant system and suppression of the pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase complex. Moreover, JQ1 treatment alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and corrected autophagy impairments triggered by rotenone.

Conclusions

These data highlight a novel role for BET proteins in neurodegeneration, suggesting that their modulation may represent a promising approach to counteract PD neuropathology.