MitoNEET (CISD1) knockout mice show signs of striatal mitochondrial dysfunction and a Parkinson’s disease phenotype

Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a significant role in neurodegeneration observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the mechanisms underlying this pathology remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that loss of mitoNEET (CISD1), an iron-sulfur containing protein which regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics, results in mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase. Mitochondria isolated from mice lacking mitoNEET were dysfunctional as revealed by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced capacity to produce ATP. Gait analysis revealed a shortened stride length and decreased rotarod performance in knockout mice, consistent with the loss of striatal dopamine. Together, these data suggest mitoNEET KO mice exhibit many of the characteristics of early neurodegeneration in PD and may provide a novel drug discovery platform to evaluate compounds for enhancing mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disorders.