Recombinant adenovirus-mediated DHCR24 inhibits neural apoptosis

3β-Hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24) is a multifunctional enzyme that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and has neuroprotective and cholesterol-synthesizing activities. DHCR24 overexpression confers neuroprotection against apoptosis caused by amyloid β deposition. Dr. Xiuli Lu and colleagues from Liaoning University in China constructed two recombinant adenoviruses (Ad-rSYN1-DHCR24-myc and Ad-hSYN1-DHCR24-myc) that drive DHCR24 expression specifically in neuronal cells. They also found that adenovirus transfection inhibits apoptosis through scavenging excess reactive oxygen species. In summary, these researchers have for the first time successfully constructed an adenovirus that induces DHCR24 specifically in neuronal cells. These findings published in the Neural Regeneration Research will lay the foundation for further studies on DHCR24 gene therapy and neuronal functional research in animal models. INFORMATION:Article: " Recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase," by Xiuli Lu1, Dan Jia1, Chenguang Zhao1, Weiqi Wang1, Ting Liu1, Shuchao Chen1, Xiaoping Quan1, Deliang Sun1, Bing Gao2 (1 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China; 2 Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China) Lu XL, Jia D, Zhao CG, Wang WQ, Liu T, Chen SC, Quan XP, Sun DL, Gao B. Recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(5):504-512. Contact: Meng Zhao
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