Abstract
Objective
The aims of this study were to determine the effects of heavy metals such as manganese on nicotinamideN-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.1) (NNMT) activity and to consider the possibility of involvement of NNMT activation in the pathogenesis of heavy metal induced Parkinson’s disease.
Methods
NNMT activity in supernatants separated from brain, liver and kidney homogenates of 5 elderly male Wistar rats by centrifugation were measured by high performance liquid chromatography system with fluorescence. NNMT activity under the conditon of 0.5 or 5.0 mM Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+ or Cd2+ was compared with control (no metal ion existence).
Results
NNMT activities in rat brain, liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cu2+, and those in the liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cd2+. Mn2+ reduced NNMT activity only in the liver. Fe2+ had no effect on NNMT activity.
Conclusions
No metal increased NNMT activity in this study, contrary to our hypothesis. Further study is needed to clarify the reason why the effects of Mn2+ and Fe2+ which have a high relevance to Parkinson’s disease on NNMT activity differ from those of Cu2+ and Cd2+
Key words: Parkinson’s disease, nicotinamideN-methyltransferase, heavy metal, sulfhydryl group
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