Parkin modulates gene expression in control and ceramide-treated PC12 cells

Mutations in the parkin gene cause autosomal-recessive early-onset parkinsonism as a result of the degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. In cell culture models, parkin expression has been shown to protect against cell death mediated by the sphingolipid ceramide. To determine whether the antiapoptotic effect of parkin involves changes in gene expression, we used Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays to analyse gene expression in stably transfected PC12 cells which conditionally overexpress parkin, that were treated or not with C2-ceramide. Overexpression of parkin and ceramide treatment both modula…