Reduction of Protein Translation and Activation of Autophagy Protect against PINK1 Pathogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster
Figure 6
Atg1 OE rescues PINK1 RNAi phenotype by inducing autophagy.
(A, B) The rescuing effect of Atg1 OE in PINK1 RNAi flies was not dependent on S6K inhibition. Atg1 OE, as well as Parkin OE or Marf RNAi, efficiently rescued the abnormal wing posture (A) and muscle energy depletion (B) in PINK1 RNAi/S6K-TE flies. In contrast, overexpression of 4E-BP and the antioxidant genes were not as effective. Data are presented as mean ± s.e.m. Statistical significance was determined by Student's t test (*P<0.001). (C) Overexpression of Atg1 was sufficient to induce autophagy in fly muscle. UAS-LC3-GFP was expressed in the muscle of flies with the indicated genetic background, and the level of autophagy was determined by Western Blot using anti-GFP antibody. Overexpression of Atg1 significantly increased the level of LC3-II in the muscle, indicating increased autophagy. Increased autophagy was also observed in PINK1 RNAi and PINK1 mutant flies. (* indicates a cross-reaction band).