Wnt2 overexpression protects against PINK1 mutant‑induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

The PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) mutation is the second most common cause of autosomal recessive adolescent Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, mitochondrial disorders and oxidative stress are important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PD. Numerous members of the Wnt family have been found to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of the Wnt2 gene in PINK1(B9) transgenic flies, which is a PD model, and its underlying mechanism. It was identified that overexpression of Wnt2 reduced the abnormality rate of PD transgenic Drosophila and improved their flight ability, while other intervention groups had no significant effect. Furthermore, an increase in ATP concentration normalized mitochondrial morphology, and increased the mRNA expression levels of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 1 (ND1), ND42, ND75, succinate dehydrogenase complex subunits B, Cytochrome b and Cyclooxygenase 1, which are associated with Wnt2 overexpression. Moreover, overexpression of Wnt2 in PD transgenic Drosophila resulted in the downregulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production, and increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), while glutathione was not significantly affected. It was found that overexpression of Wnt2 did not alter the protein expression of beta-catenin in PINK1(B9) transgenic Drosophila, but did increase the expression levels of PPARG coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) and forkhead box sub-group O (FOXO). Collectively, the present results indicated that the Wnt2 gene may have a protective effect on PD PINK1(B9) transgenic Drosophila. Thus, it was speculated that the reduction of oxidative stress and the restoration of mitochondrial function via Wnt2 overexpression may be related to the PGC-1 alpha/FOXO/MnSOD signaling pathway in PINK1 mutant transgenic Drosophila.