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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
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Published on: March 22, 2024
DJ-1: Potential target for treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Yan-Wei Ji1, Xin-Yu Wen1, He-Peng Tang1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Insights
DJ-1 protein protects the heart from injury after reperfusion in ischemic heart disease. This review explores DJ-1
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death globally.
- Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) complicates reperfusion therapy for IHD.
- Existing treatments for myocardial IRI are insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the protective mechanisms of DJ-1 in myocardial IRI.
- To explore the structural basis of DJ-1's functions in myocardial IRI.
- To highlight DJ-1 as a therapeutic target for myocardial IRI.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of DJ-1's role in myocardial IRI.
- Analysis of DJ-1's cytoprotective functions.
- Examination of DJ-1's involvement in cardioprotective strategies.
Main Results:
- DJ-1 enhances mitochondrial function and scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- DJ-1 regulates autophagy, inhibits apoptosis, and modulates anaerobic metabolism.
- DJ-1 is crucial for various protective conditioning strategies.
Conclusions:
- DJ-1 exhibits multifaceted protective effects against myocardial IRI.
- DJ-1's functions are linked to its molecular structure.
- DJ-1 represents a promising therapeutic target for mitigating myocardial IRI.
Abstract:
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a significant global health concern, resulting in high rates of mortality and disability among patients. Although coronary blood flow reperfusion is a key treatment for IHD, it often leads to acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Current intervention strategies have limitations in providing adequate protection for the ischemic myocardium. DJ-1, originally known as a Parkinson's disease related protein, is a highly conserved cytoprotective protein. It is involved in enhancing mitochondrial function, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulating autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, modulating anaerobic metabolism, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. DJ-1 is also required for protective strategies, such as ischemic preconditioning, ischemic postconditioning, remote ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological conditioning. Therefore, DJ-1 emerges as a potential target for the treatment of myocardial IRI. Our comprehensive review delves into its protective mechanisms in myocardial IRI and the structural foundations underlying its functions.
