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Sigurðardóttir H, Boije H, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjansson T, Rhodin M, Lindgren G, Eriksson S. The genetics of gaits in Icelandic horses goes beyond DMRT3, with RELN and STAU2 identified as two new candidate genes. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:89. [PMID: 38082412 PMCID: PMC10712087 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In domesticated animals, many important traits are complex and regulated by a large number of genes, genetic interactions, and environmental influences. The ability of Icelandic horses to perform the gait 'pace' is largely influenced by a single mutation in the DMRT3 gene, but genetic modifiers likely exist. The aim of this study was to identify novel genetic factors that influence pacing ability and quality of the gait through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and correlate new findings to previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) and mutations. RESULTS Three hundred and seventy-two Icelandic horses were genotyped with the 670 K+ Axiom Equine Genotyping Array, of which 362 had gait scores from breeding field tests. A GWAS revealed several SNPs on Equus caballus chromosomes (ECA) 4, 9, and 20 that were associated (p < 1.0 × 10-5) with the breeding field test score for pace. The two novel QTL on ECA4 and 9 were located within the RELN and STAU2 genes, respectively, which have previously been associated with locomotor behavior in mice. Haplotypes were identified and the most frequent one for each of these two QTL had a large favorable effect on pace score. The second most frequent haplotype for the RELN gene was positively correlated with scores for tölt, trot, gallop, and canter. Similarly, the second most frequent haplotype for the STAU2 gene had favorable effects on scores for trot and gallop. Different genotype ratios of the haplotypes in the RELN and STAU2 genes were also observed in groups of horses with different levels of pacing ability. Furthermore, interactions (p < 0.05) were detected for the QTL in the RELN and STAU2 genes with the DMRT3 gene. The novel QTL on ECA4, 9, and 20, along with the effects of the DMRT3 variant, were estimated to account jointly for 27.4% of the phenotypic variance of the gait pace. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide valuable information about the genetic architecture of pace beyond the contribution of the DMRT3 gene and indicate genetic interactions that contribute to the complexity of this trait. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the underlying genetic factors and interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiðrún Sigurðardóttir
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarbyggð, 311, Hvanneyri, Iceland.
| | - Henrik Boije
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elsa Albertsdóttir
- The Icelandic Agricultural Advisory Centre, Hagatorgi 1, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thorvaldur Kristjansson
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarbyggð, 311, Hvanneyri, Iceland
| | - Marie Rhodin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7011, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susanne Eriksson
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
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Rodriguez-Contreras D, Gong S, Lebowitz JJ, Fedorov LM, Asad N, Dore TM, Phillips TJ, Ford CP, Williams JT, Neve KA. Gait Abnormalities and Aberrant D2 Receptor Expression and Signaling in Mice Carrying the Human Pathogenic Mutation DRD2I212F. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 103:188-198. [PMID: 36456191 PMCID: PMC11033946 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.122.000606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A dopamine D2 receptor mutation was recently identified in a family with a novel hyperkinetic movement disorder. That allelic variant D2-I212F is a constitutively active and G protein-biased receptor. We now describe mice engineered using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing technology to carry the D2-I212F variant. Drd2I212F mice exhibited gait abnormalities resembling those in other mouse models of chorea and/or dystonia and had striatal D2 receptor expression that was decreased approximately 30% per Drd2I212F allele. Electrically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic conductances in midbrain dopamine neurons and striatum from Drd2I212F mice, caused by G protein activation of potassium channels, exhibited slow kinetics (e.g., approximately four- to sixfold slower decay) compared with Drd2 +/+ mice. Current decay initiated by photolytic release of the D2 antagonist sulpiride from CyHQ-sulpiride was also ∼fourfold slower in midbrain slices from Drd2I212F mice than Drd2 +/+ mice. Furthermore, in contrast to Drd2 +/+ mice, in which dopamine is several-fold more potent at neurons in the nucleus accumbens than in the dorsal striatum, reflecting activation of Gα o versus Gα i, dopamine had similar potencies in those two brain regions of Drd2I212F mice. Repeated cocaine treatment, which decreases dopamine potency in the nucleus accumbens of Drd2 +/+ mice, had no effect on dopamine potency in Drd2 I212F mice. The results demonstrate the pathogenicity of the D2-I212F mutation and the utility of this mouse model for investigating the role of pathogenic DRD2 variants in early-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The first dopamine receptor mutation to cause a movement disorder, D2-I212F, was recently identified. The mutation makes receptor activation of G protein-mediated signaling more efficient. To confirm the pathogenesis of D2-I212F, this study reports that mice carrying this mutation have gait abnormalities consistent with the clinical phenotype. The mutation also profoundly alters D2 receptor expression and function in vivo. This mouse model will be useful for further characterization of the mutant receptor and for evaluation of potential therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayana Rodriguez-Contreras
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Sheng Gong
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Joseph J Lebowitz
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Lev M Fedorov
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Naeem Asad
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Timothy M Dore
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Tamara J Phillips
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Christopher P Ford
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - John T Williams
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
| | - Kim A Neve
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.); Department of Behavioral Neuroscience (D.R.-C., T.J.P., K.A.N.), Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource (L.M.F.), and Vollum Institute (J.J.L., J.T.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.G., C.P.F.); Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., C.P.F.); and New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (N.A., T.M.D.)
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Bagrowski B, Czapracka M, Kraśny J, Prendecki M, Dorszewska J, Jóźwiak M. Assessment of the relationship between Val66Met BDNF polymorphism and the effectiveness of gait rehabilitation in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2022; 82:1-11. [PMID: 35451419 DOI: 10.55782/ane-2022-001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with the non‑progressive damage of upper motor neurons, which is manifested by a variety of symptoms, particularly motor and functional deficits. During the rehabilitation of patients with CP, attention is paid to improving mobility which can have a significant impact on the child's development. The effectiveness of rehabilitation depends on the plasticity of the nervous system, which may be genetically determined. Of importance are the various polymorphisms of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. It has been shown that the Val/Val genotype may predispose children to greater improvements in function and its maintenance. However, subjects with the Met allele showed a reduced tendency to improve their motor functions but had significantly better results on indirect tests assessing gait function. Fifty subjects with CP participated in this study. They were divided into two groups by genotype and examined on their rehabilitation progress in terms of improved gait function. The results correlated with other studies describing the relationship between the BDNF genotype and learning motor functions in CP, and with numerous studies on the relationship between BDNF genotype and neuroplasticity in stroke patients. This research provides a basis for the identification of genetic biomarkers in patients with CP which can be used to predict the effects of rehabilitation therapy and help with the development of personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Bagrowski
- Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital No. 4 of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Clinic of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marta Czapracka
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Kraśny
- Department of Pediatrics Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał Prendecki
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jolanta Dorszewska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marek Jóźwiak
- Department of Pediatrics Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Santanasto AJ, Wojczynski MK, Cvejkus RK, Lin S, Wang L, Thyagarajan B, Christensen K, Schupf N, Feitosa MF, An P, Zmuda JM. Identification of a Novel Locus for Gait Speed Decline With Aging: The Long Life Family Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:e307-e313. [PMID: 34156441 PMCID: PMC8436996 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gait speed is a powerful indicator of health with aging. Potential genetic contributions to gait speed and its decline with aging are not well defined. We determined the heritability of and potential genetic regions underlying change in gait speed using longitudinal data from 2379 individuals belonging to 509 families in the Long Life Family Study (mean age 64 ± 12, range 30-110 years; 45% men). METHODS Gait speed was measured over 4 m at baseline and follow-up (7 ± 1 years). Quantitative trait linkage analyses were completed using pedigree-based maximum likelihood methods with logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores greater than 3.0, indicating genome-wide significance. We also performed linkage analysis in the top 10% of families contributing to LOD scores to allow for heterogeneity among families (HLOD). Data were adjusted for age, sex, height, and field center. RESULTS At baseline, 26.9% of individuals had "slow" gait speed less than 1.0 m/s (mean: 1.1 ± 0.2 m/s) and gait speed declined at a rate of -0.02 ± 0.03 m/s per year (p < .0001). Baseline and change in gait speed were significantly heritable (h2 = 0.24-0.32, p < .05). We did not find significant evidence for linkage for baseline gait speed; however, we identified a significant locus for change in gait speed on chromosome 16p (LOD = 4.2). A subset of 21 families contributed to this linkage peak (HLOD = 6.83). Association analyses on chromosome 16 showed that the strongest variant resides within the ADCY9 gene. CONCLUSION Further analysis of the chromosome 16 region, and ADCY9 gene, may yield new insight on the biology of mobility decline with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Santanasto
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary K Wojczynski
- Department of Genetics, Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ryan K Cvejkus
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shiow Lin
- Department of Genetics, Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Department of Genetics, Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Bharat Thyagarajan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Kaare Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Mary F Feitosa
- Department of Genetics, Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ping An
- Department of Genetics, Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Joseph M Zmuda
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Miller B, Kostrominova TY, Geurts AM, Sorokin A. Double p52Shc/p46Shc Rat Knockout Demonstrates Severe Gait Abnormalities Accompanied by Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5237. [PMID: 34063460 PMCID: PMC8155973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitously expressed adaptor protein Shc exists in three isoforms p46Shc, p52Shc, and p66Shc, which execute distinctly different actions in cells. The role of p46Shc is insufficiently studied, and the purpose of this study was to further investigate its functional significance. We developed unique rat mutants lacking p52Shc and p46Shc isoforms (p52Shc/46Shc-KO) and carried out histological analysis of skeletal and cardiac muscle of parental and genetically modified rats with impaired gait. p52Shc/46Shc-KO rats demonstrate severe functional abnormalities associated with impaired gait. Our analysis of p52Shc/46Shc-KO rat axons and myelin sheets in cross-sections of the sciatic nerve revealed the presence of significant anomalies. Based on the lack of skeletal muscle fiber atrophy and the presence of sciatic nerve abnormalities, we suggest that the impaired gait in p52Shc/46Shc-KO rats might be due to the sensory feedback from active muscle to the brain locomotor centers. The lack of dystrophin in some heart muscle fibers reflects damage due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Since rats with only p52Shc knockout do not display the phenotype of p52Shc/p46Shc-KO, abnormal locomotion is likely to be caused by p46Shc deletion. Our data suggest a previously unknown role of 46Shc actions and signaling in regulation of gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Miller
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53266, USA;
| | - Tatiana Y. Kostrominova
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest, Gary, IN 46408, USA;
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53266, USA;
| | - Andrey Sorokin
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53266, USA;
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Rosengren MK, Sigurðardóttir H, Eriksson S, Naboulsi R, Jouni A, Novoa-Bravo M, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjánsson Þ, Rhodin M, Viklund Å, Velie BD, Negro JJ, Solé M, Lindgren G. A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:267. [PMID: 33853519 PMCID: PMC8048352 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The back plays a vital role in horse locomotion, where the spine functions as a spring during the stride cycle. A complex interaction between the spine and the muscles of the back contribute to locomotion soundness, gait ability, and performance of riding and racehorses. Conformation is commonly used to select horses for breeding and performance in multiple horse breeds, where the back and croup conformation plays a significant role. The conformation of back and croup plays an important role on riding ability in Icelandic horses. However, the genes behind this trait are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with conformation of back and croup in Icelandic horses and to investigate their effects on riding ability. One hundred seventy-seven assessed Icelandic horses were included in the study. A genome-wide association analysis was performed using the 670 K+ Axiom Equine Genotyping Array, and the effects of different haplotypes in the top associated region were estimated for riding ability and additional conformation traits assessed during breeding field tests. RESULTS A suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the score of back and croup was detected on Equus caballus (ECA) 22 (p-value = 2.67 × 10- 7). Haplotype analysis revealed two opposite haplotypes, which resulted in higher and lower scores of the back and croup, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Horses with the favorable haplotype were more inclined to have a well-balanced backline with an uphill conformation and had, on average, higher scores for the lateral gaits tölt (p-value = 0.02) and pace (p-value = 0.004). This genomic region harbors three genes: C20orf85, ANKRD60 and LOC100056167. ANKRD60 is associated with body height in humans. C20orf85 and ANKRD60 are potentially linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in humans. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the detected QTL for conformation of back and croup is of importance for quality of lateral gaits in Icelandic horses. These findings could result in a genetic test to aid in the selection of breeding horses, thus they are of major interest for horse breeders. The results may also offer a gateway to comparative functional genomics by potentially linking both motor laterality and back inclination in horses with scoliosis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Rosengren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Heiðrún Sigurðardóttir
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarnes, Iceland
| | - Susanne Eriksson
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rakan Naboulsi
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ahmad Jouni
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miguel Novoa-Bravo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Marie Rhodin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åsa Viklund
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Brandon D Velie
- School of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Juan J Negro
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Marina Solé
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Carneiro M, Vieillard J, Andrade P, Boucher S, Afonso S, Blanco-Aguiar JA, Santos N, Branco J, Esteves PJ, Ferrand N, Kullander K, Andersson L. A loss-of-function mutation in RORB disrupts saltatorial locomotion in rabbits. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009429. [PMID: 33764968 PMCID: PMC7993613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Saltatorial locomotion is a type of hopping gait that in mammals can be found in rabbits, hares, kangaroos, and some species of rodents. The molecular mechanisms that control and fine-tune the formation of this type of gait are unknown. Here, we take advantage of one strain of domesticated rabbits, the sauteur d'Alfort, that exhibits an abnormal locomotion behavior defined by the loss of the typical jumping that characterizes wild-type rabbits. Strikingly, individuals from this strain frequently adopt a bipedal gait using their front legs. Using a combination of experimental crosses and whole genome sequencing, we show that a single locus containing the RAR related orphan receptor B gene (RORB) explains the atypical gait of these rabbits. We found that a splice-site mutation in an evolutionary conserved site of RORB results in several aberrant transcript isoforms incorporating intronic sequence. This mutation leads to a drastic reduction of RORB-positive neurons in the spinal cord, as well as defects in differentiation of populations of spinal cord interneurons. Our results show that RORB function is required for the performance of saltatorial locomotion in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Carneiro
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail: (MC); (LA)
| | | | - Pedro Andrade
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Samuel Boucher
- Labovet Conseil (Réseau Cristal), Les Herbiers Cedex, France
| | - Sandra Afonso
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - José A. Blanco-Aguiar
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santos
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - João Branco
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro J. Esteves
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Ferrand
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Auckland, South Africa
| | - Klas Kullander
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leif Andersson
- Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail: (MC); (LA)
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8
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Meyer A, Schloissnig S, Franchini P, Du K, Woltering JM, Irisarri I, Wong WY, Nowoshilow S, Kneitz S, Kawaguchi A, Fabrizius A, Xiong P, Dechaud C, Spaink HP, Volff JN, Simakov O, Burmester T, Tanaka EM, Schartl M. Giant lungfish genome elucidates the conquest of land by vertebrates. Nature 2021; 590:284-289. [PMID: 33461212 PMCID: PMC7875771 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03198-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Lungfishes belong to lobe-fined fish (Sarcopterygii) that, in the Devonian period, 'conquered' the land and ultimately gave rise to all land vertebrates, including humans1-3. Here we determine the chromosome-quality genome of the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri), which is known to have the largest genome of any animal. The vast size of this genome, which is about 14× larger than that of humans, is attributable mostly to huge intergenic regions and introns with high repeat content (around 90%), the components of which resemble those of tetrapods (comprising mainly long interspersed nuclear elements) more than they do those of ray-finned fish. The lungfish genome continues to expand independently (its transposable elements are still active), through mechanisms different to those of the enormous genomes of salamanders. The 17 fully assembled lungfish macrochromosomes maintain synteny to other vertebrate chromosomes, and all microchromosomes maintain conserved ancient homology with the ancestral vertebrate karyotype. Our phylogenomic analyses confirm previous reports that lungfish occupy a key evolutionary position as the closest living relatives to tetrapods4,5, underscoring the importance of lungfish for understanding innovations associated with terrestrialization. Lungfish preadaptations to living on land include the gain of limb-like expression in developmental genes such as hoxc13 and sall1 in their lobed fins. Increased rates of evolution and the duplication of genes associated with obligate air-breathing, such as lung surfactants and the expansion of odorant receptor gene families (which encode proteins involved in detecting airborne odours), contribute to the tetrapod-like biology of lungfishes. These findings advance our understanding of this major transition during vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Meyer
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | | | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Kang Du
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | | | - Iker Irisarri
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Wai Yee Wong
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Susanne Kneitz
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Akane Kawaguchi
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peiwen Xiong
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Corentin Dechaud
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, École Normale Superieure, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
| | - Herman P Spaink
- Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Nicolas Volff
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, École Normale Superieure, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
| | - Oleg Simakov
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA.
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9
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Kawaguchi M, Sassa T, Kidokoro H, Nakata T, Kato K, Muramatsu H, Okuno Y, Yamamoto H, Kaname T, Kihara A, Natsume J. Novel biallelic FA2H mutations in a Japanese boy with fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration. Brain Dev 2020; 42:217-221. [PMID: 31837835 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
FA2H encodes fatty acid 2-hydroxylase, which plays a significant role in maintaining the neuronal myelin sheath. Previous reports have revealed that a FA2H mutation leads to spastic paraplegia, leukodystrophy, and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, collectively referred to as fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration (FAHN). The disease severity of FAHN varies among individual patients and may be explained by the enzyme activity of FA2H mutant proteins. Here we report a 10-year-old Japanese boy with FAHN having novel heterozygous mutations in FA2H. The patient presented with a spastic gait since the age of 5 years and was unable to walk without a cane by the time he was 8 years old. Brain MRI demonstrated a partial thinning of the corpus callosum, slight reduction of cerebellar volume, and posterior dominant periventricular leukodystrophy. Whole exome sequencing revealed two novel missense mutations in FA2H with compound heterozygous inheritance (NM_024306, p.Val149Leu, and p.His260Gln mutations). The enzyme activities of the p.Val149Leu and p.His260Gln variants were 60%-80% and almost 0%, respectively. Our cell-based enzyme assay demonstrated partial functionality for one of the variants, indicating a milder phenotype. However, considered along with previous reports, there was no definite relationship between the disease severity and residual enzyme activity measured using a similar method. Further research is needed to precisely predict the phenotypic severity of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sassa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kidokoro
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Tomohiko Nakata
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kohji Kato
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Muramatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuno
- Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kaname
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akio Kihara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jun Natsume
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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10
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Wegrzynowicz M, Bar-On D, Calo' L, Anichtchik O, Iovino M, Xia J, Ryazanov S, Leonov A, Giese A, Dalley JW, Griesinger C, Ashery U, Spillantini MG. Depopulation of dense α-synuclein aggregates is associated with rescue of dopamine neuron dysfunction and death in a new Parkinson's disease model. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 138:575-595. [PMID: 31165254 PMCID: PMC6778064 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of α-synuclein aggregates known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, whose formation is linked to disease development. The causal relation between α-synuclein aggregates and PD is not well understood. We generated a new transgenic mouse line (MI2) expressing human, aggregation-prone truncated 1–120 α-synuclein under the control of the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. MI2 mice exhibit progressive aggregation of α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and their striatal terminals. This is associated with a progressive reduction of striatal dopamine release, reduced striatal innervation and significant nigral dopaminergic nerve cell death starting from 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. In the MI2 mice, alterations in gait impairment can be detected by the DigiGait test from 9 months of age, while gross motor deficit was detected by rotarod test at 20 months of age when 50% of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta are lost. These changes were associated with an increase in the number and density of 20–500 nm α-synuclein species as shown by dSTORM. Treatment with the oligomer modulator anle138b, from 9 to 12 months of age, restored striatal dopamine release, prevented dopaminergic cell death and gait impairment. These effects were associated with a reduction of the inner density of large α-synuclein aggregates and an increase in dispersed small α-synuclein species as revealed by dSTORM. The MI2 mouse model recapitulates the progressive dopaminergic deficit observed in PD, showing that early synaptic dysfunction is associated to fine behavioral motor alterations, precedes dopaminergic axonal loss and neuronal death that become associated with a more consistent motor deficit upon reaching a certain threshold. Our data also provide new mechanistic insight for the effect of anle138b’s function in vivo supporting that targeting α-synuclein aggregation is a promising therapeutic approach for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Wegrzynowicz
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dana Bar-On
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Laura Calo'
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Oleg Anichtchik
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Mariangela Iovino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Sergey Ryazanov
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG Research Centre Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, 37070, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andrei Leonov
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG Research Centre Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, 37070, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2SZ, UK
| | - Christian Griesinger
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG Research Centre Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, 37070, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uri Ashery
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maria Grazia Spillantini
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
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11
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McCoy AM, Beeson SK, Rubin CJ, Andersson L, Caputo P, Lykkjen S, Moore A, Piercy RJ, Mickelson JR, McCue ME. Identification and validation of genetic variants predictive of gait in standardbred horses. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008146. [PMID: 31136578 PMCID: PMC6555539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several horse breeds have been specifically selected for the ability to exhibit alternative patterns of locomotion, or gaits. A premature stop codon in the gene DMRT3 is permissive for “gaitedness” across breeds. However, this mutation is nearly fixed in both American Standardbred trotters and pacers, which perform a diagonal and lateral gait, respectively, during harness racing. This suggests that modifying alleles must influence the preferred gait at racing speeds in these populations. A genome-wide association analysis for the ability to pace was performed in 542 Standardbred horses (n = 176 pacers, n = 366 trotters) with genotype data imputed to ~74,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Nineteen SNPs on nine chromosomes (ECA1, 2, 6, 9, 17, 19, 23, 25, 31) reached genome-wide significance (p < 1.44 x 10−6). Variant discovery in regions of interest was carried out via whole-genome sequencing. A set of 303 variants from 22 chromosomes with putative modifying effects on gait was genotyped in 659 Standardbreds (n = 231 pacers, n = 428 trotters) using a high-throughput assay. Random forest classification analysis resulted in an out-of-box error rate of 0.61%. A conditional inference tree algorithm containing seven SNPs predicted status as a pacer or trotter with 99.1% accuracy and subsequently performed with 99.4% accuracy in an independently sampled population of 166 Standardbreds (n = 83 pacers, n = 83 trotters). This highly accurate algorithm could be used by owners/trainers to identify Standardbred horses with the potential to race as pacers or as trotters, according to the genotype identified, prior to initiating training and would enable fine-tuning of breeding programs with designed matings. Additional work is needed to determine both the algorithm’s utility in other gaited breeds and whether any of the predictive SNPs play a physiologically functional role in the tendency to pace or tag true functional alleles. Certain horse breeds have been developed over generations specifically for the ability to perform alternative patterns of movement, or gaits. Current understanding of the genetic basis for these gaits is limited to one known mutation apparently necessary, but not sufficient, for explaining variability in “gaitedness.” The Standardbred breed includes two distinct groups, trotters, which exhibit a two-beat gait in which the opposite forelimb and hind limb move together, and pacers, which exhibit an alternative two-beat gait where the legs on the same side of the body move together. Our long-term objective is to identify variants underlying the ability of certain Standardbreds to pace. In this study, we were able to identify several regions of the genome highly associated with pacing and, within these regions, a number of specific highly associated variants. Although the biological function of these variants has yet to be determined, we developed a model based on seven variants that was > 99% accurate in predicting whether an individual was a pacer or a trotter in two independent populations. This predictive model can be used by horse owners to make breeding and training decisions related to this economically important trait, and by scientists interested in understanding the biology of coordinated gait development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M McCoy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Samantha K Beeson
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Carl-Johan Rubin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leif Andersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Paul Caputo
- Paul Caputo, DVM, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sigrid Lykkjen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alison Moore
- Moore Equine Services, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard J Piercy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - James R Mickelson
- Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Molly E McCue
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
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12
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Abstract
Bipedal hopping is an efficient form of locomotion, yet it remains relatively rare in the natural world. Previous research has suggested that the tail balances the angular momentum of the legs to produce steady state bipedal hopping. In this study, we employ a 3D physics simulation engine to optimize gaits for an animat whose control and morphological characteristics are subject to computational evolution, which emulates properties of natural evolution. Results indicate that the order of gene fixation during the evolutionary process influences whether a bipedal hopping or quadrupedal bounding gait emerges. Furthermore, we found that in the most effective bipedal hoppers the tail balances the angular momentum of the torso, rather than the legs as previously thought. Finally, there appears to be a specific range of tail masses, as a proportion of total body mass, wherein the most effective bipedal hoppers evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared M Moore
- Grand Valley State University, School of Computing and Information Systems.
| | | | | | - Philip K McKinley
- Michigan State University, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
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13
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Novoa-Bravo M, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Rhodin M, Strand E, García LF, Lindgren G. Selection on the Colombian paso horse's gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202584. [PMID: 30118522 PMCID: PMC6097835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Colombian paso horse, the most important horse breed in Colombia, performs specific and particular gaits (paso fino, trocha, and Colombian trot), which display different footfall patterns and stride frequencies. The breed has been selected for gait and conformation for more than 50 years and we hypothesize that this selection has led to kinematic differences of the gaits that can be explained by different genetic variants. Hence, the aims of the study were: 1. To identify if there are any differences in the kinematic and genetic variants between the Colombian paso horse’s gaits. 2. To evaluate if and how much the gait differences were explained by the nonsense mutation in the DMRT3 gene and 3. To evaluate these results for selecting and controlling the horses gait performance. To test our hypotheses, kinematic data, microsatellites and DMRT3 genotypes for 187 Colombian paso horses were analyzed. The results indicated that there are significant kinematic and DMRT3 differences between the Colombian paso horse’s gaits, and those parameters can be used partially to select and control the horses gait performance. However, the DMRT3 gene does not play a major role in controlling the trocha and the Colombian trot gaits. Therefore, modifying genes likely influence these gaits. This study may serve as a foundation for implementing a genetic selection program in the Colombian paso horse and future gene discovery studies for locomotion pattern in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Novoa-Bravo
- Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda. Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kim Jäderkvist Fegraeus
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Rhodin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eric Strand
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luis Fernando García
- Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
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14
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Cao JK, Detloff PJ, Gardner RG, Stella N. Sex-dependent behavioral impairments in the HdhQ350/+ mouse line. Behav Brain Res 2018; 337:34-45. [PMID: 28927719 PMCID: PMC5659761 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradual deterioration of motor and cognitive functions and development of psychiatric deficits. Animal models provide powerful means to study the pathological processes, molecular dysfunctions and symptoms associated with HD. We performed a longitudinal behavioral study of the newly developed HdhQ350/+ mouse line, a knock-in model that expresses a repeat of 350 glutamines. We found remarkable sex-dependent differences on symptom onset and severity. While both sexes lose weight and grip strength, only HdhQ350/+ males have impaired motor coordination as measured by the rotarod and alterations in gait as measured by the catwalk assay. While HdhQ350/+ females do not exhibit impairment in motor coordination, we found a reduction in dark phase locomotor activity. Male and female HdhQ350/+ mice do not show anxiety as measured by the elevated plus maze or changes in exploration as measured by the open field test. To investigate these sex-dependent differences, we performed western blot analyses of striatal tissue. We measured equal mutant huntingtin protein expression in both sexes and found evidence of aggregation. We found the expected decrease of DARPP-32 expression only in female HdhQ350/+ mice. Remarkably, we found no evidence of reduction in synaptophysin or CB1 receptors in HdhQ350/+ tissue of either sex. Our study indicates that male and female HdhQ350/+ mice differentially recapitulate select behavioral impairments commonly measured in other HD mouse models with limited sex-dependent changes in recognized histopathological markers. We conclude that expanded polyglutamine repeats influence HD pathogenesis in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Peter J Detloff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Richard G Gardner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States.
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15
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Huertas I, Jesús S, Lojo JA, García-Gómez FJ, Cáceres-Redondo MT, Oropesa-Ruiz JM, Carrillo F, Vargas-Gonzalez L, Martín Rodríguez JF, Gómez-Garre P, García-Solís D, Mir P. Lower levels of uric acid and striatal dopamine in non-tremor dominant Parkinson's disease subtype. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174644. [PMID: 28358829 PMCID: PMC5373593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who present with tremor and maintain a predominance of tremor have a better prognosis. Similarly, PD patients with high levels of uric acid (UA), a natural neuroprotectant, have also a better disease course. Our aim was to investigate whether PD motor subtypes differ in their levels of UA, and if these differences correlate with the degree of dopamine transporter (DAT) availability. We included 75 PD patients from whom we collected information about their motor symptoms, DAT imaging and UA concentration levels. Based on the predominance of their motor symptoms, patients were classified into postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD, n = 36), intermediate (I, n = 22), and tremor-dominant (TD, n = 17) subtypes. The levels of UA and striatal DAT were compared across subtypes and the correlation between these two measures was also explored. We found that PIGD patients had lower levels of UA (3.7 vs 4.5 vs 5.3 mg/dL; P<0.001) and striatal DAT than patients with an intermediate or TD phenotype. Furthermore, UA levels significantly correlated with the levels of striatal DAT. We also observed that some PIGD (25%) and I (45%) patients had a predominance of tremor at disease onset. We speculate that UA might be involved in the maintenance of the less damaging TD phenotype and thus also in the conversion from TD to PIGD. Low levels of this natural antioxidant could lead to a major neuronal damage and therefore influence the conversion to a more severe motor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Huertas
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Silvia Jesús
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - José Antonio Lojo
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear. UDIM. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | | | - María Teresa Cáceres-Redondo
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Oropesa-Ruiz
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Fátima Carrillo
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Laura Vargas-Gonzalez
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Martín Rodríguez
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Pilar Gómez-Garre
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David García-Solís
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear. UDIM. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Mir
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Haack TB, Ignatius E, Calvo-Garrido J, Iuso A, Isohanni P, Maffezzini C, Lönnqvist T, Suomalainen A, Gorza M, Kremer LS, Graf E, Hartig M, Berutti R, Paucar M, Svenningsson P, Stranneheim H, Brandberg G, Wedell A, Kurian MA, Hayflick SA, Venco P, Tiranti V, Strom TM, Dichgans M, Horvath R, Holinski-Feder E, Freyer C, Meitinger T, Prokisch H, Senderek J, Wredenberg A, Carroll CJ, Klopstock T. Absence of the Autophagy Adaptor SQSTM1/p62 Causes Childhood-Onset Neurodegeneration with Ataxia, Dystonia, and Gaze Palsy. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:735-743. [PMID: 27545679 PMCID: PMC5010644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1; also known as p62) encodes a multidomain scaffolding protein involved in various key cellular processes, including the removal of damaged mitochondria by its function as a selective autophagy receptor. Heterozygous variants in SQSTM1 have been associated with Paget disease of the bone and might contribute to neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Using exome sequencing, we identified three different biallelic loss-of-function variants in SQSTM1 in nine affected individuals from four families with a childhood- or adolescence-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gait abnormalities, ataxia, dysarthria, dystonia, vertical gaze palsy, and cognitive decline. We confirmed absence of the SQSTM1/p62 protein in affected individuals' fibroblasts and found evidence of a defect in the early response to mitochondrial depolarization and autophagosome formation. Our findings expand the SQSTM1-associated phenotypic spectrum and lend further support to the concept of disturbed selective autophagy pathways in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Erika Ignatius
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Javier Calvo-Garrido
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Arcangela Iuso
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Pirjo Isohanni
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Camilla Maffezzini
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Tuula Lönnqvist
- Department of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Anu Suomalainen
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matteo Gorza
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Laura S Kremer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Graf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Monika Hartig
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Riccardo Berutti
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Paucar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Per Svenningsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Henrik Stranneheim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Göran Brandberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Falu lasarett, 79182 Falun, Sweden
| | - Anna Wedell
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Susan A Hayflick
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Paola Venco
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics - Pierfranco and Luisa Mariani Center for the study of Mitochondrial Disorders in Children, IRCCS Foundation Neurological Institute "C. Besta," 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Tiranti
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics - Pierfranco and Luisa Mariani Center for the study of Mitochondrial Disorders in Children, IRCCS Foundation Neurological Institute "C. Besta," 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Tim M Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336 Munich, Germany; DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Rita Horvath
- MGZ - Medical Genetics Center, 80335 Munich, Germany; Institute of Genetic Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | | | - Christoph Freyer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Thomas Meitinger
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jan Senderek
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Wredenberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| | - Christopher J Carroll
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336 Munich, Germany; DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 80336 Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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MacAulay RK, Allaire T, Brouillette R, Foil H, Bruce-Keller AJ, Keller JN. Apolipoprotein E Genotype Linked to Spatial Gait Characteristics: Predictors of Cognitive Dual Task Gait Change. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156732. [PMID: 27486898 PMCID: PMC4972432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Developing measures to detect preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease is vital, as prodromal stage interventions may prove more efficacious in altering the disease’s trajectory. Gait changes may serve as a useful clinical heuristic that precedes cognitive decline. This study provides the first systematic investigation of gait characteristics relationship with relevant demographic, physical, genetic (Apolipoprotein E genotype), and health risk factors in non-demented older adults during a cognitive-load dual task walking condition. Methods The GAITRite system provided objective measurement of gait characteristics in APOE-e4 “carriers” (n = 75) and “non-carriers” (n = 224). Analyses examined stride length and step time gait characteristics during simple and dual-task (spelling five-letter words backwards) conditions in relation to demographic, physical, genetic, and health risk factors. Results Slower step time and shorter stride length associated with older age, greater health risk, and worse physical performance (ps < .05). Men and women differed in height, gait characteristics, health risk factors and global cognition (ps < .05). APOE-e4 associated with a higher likelihood of hypercholesterolemia and overall illness index scores (ps < .05). No genotype-sex interactions on gait were found. APOE-e4 was linked to shorter stride length and greater dual-task related disturbances in stride length. Conclusions Stride length has been linked to heightened fall risk, attention decrements and structural brain changes in older adults. Our results indicate that stride length is a useful behavioral marker of cognitive change that is associated with genetic risk for AD. Sex disparities in motor decline may be a function of health risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K. MacAulay
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ted Allaire
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Robert Brouillette
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Heather Foil
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Annadora J. Bruce-Keller
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey N. Keller
- Institute of Dementia Research and Prevention, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
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Tan U. Siblings in Kars, Turkey, with Uner Tan syndrome (quadrupedal locomotion, severe mental retardation, and no speech): a novel theory for the evolution of human bipedalism. Neurol Res 2014; 37:139-46. [PMID: 25082551 DOI: 10.1179/1743132814y.0000000433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate siblings from Kars (n = 2), Turkey, with diagonal-sequence quadrupedal locomotion (QL), severe mental retardation, and no speech (Uner Tan syndrome, UTS), in relation to the evolutionary emergence of human bipedal locomotion (BL). METHODS Video recordings were made to assess gaits. Brain MRI scanning was performed to visualize the cerebro-cerebellar malformations. Genome-wide association analyses were performed in venous blood samples. RESULTS One of the two men with UTS showed early-onset QL and late-onset BL without infantile hypotonia, the other consistent QL with infantile hypotonia. No homozygosity was found in the genetic analysis. The family lived under extremely poor socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Low socioeconomic status may be a triggering factor for the epigenetic emergence of UTS. The neural networks responsible for the ancestral diagonal-sequence QL, evolutionarily preserved since about 400 MYA, may be selected during locomotor development, under the influence of self-organizing processes during pre- and postnatal periods. The diagonal-sequence QL induced ipsilateral limb interference in UTS cases as in nonhuman primates. To overcome this condition, our ancestors would prefer the attractor BL. This novel theory for the evolution of human bipedalism was evaluated in light of dynamical systems theory.
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Faroni A, Castelnovo LF, Procacci P, Caffino L, Fumagalli F, Melfi S, Gambarotta G, Bettler B, Wrabetz L, Magnaghi V. Deletion of GABA-B receptor in Schwann cells regulates remak bundles and small nociceptive C-fibers. Glia 2014; 62:548-65. [PMID: 24474699 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms regulating the differentiation into non-myelinating Schwann cells is not completely understood. Recent evidence indicates that GABA-B receptors may regulate myelination and nociception in the peripheral nervous system. GABA-B receptor total knock-out mice exhibit morphological and molecular changes in peripheral myelin. The number of small myelinated fibers is higher and associated with altered pain sensitivity. Herein, we analyzed whether these changes may be produced by a specific deletion of GABA-B receptors in Schwann cells. The conditional mice (P0-GABA-B1(fl/fl)) show a morphological phenotype characterized by a peculiar increase in the number of small unmyelinated fibers and Remak bundles, including nociceptive C-fibers. The P0-GABA-B1(fl/fl) mice are hyperalgesic and allodynic. In these mice, the morphological and behavioral changes are associated with a downregulation of neuregulin 1 expression in nerves. Our findings suggest that the altered pain sensitivity derives from a Schwann cell-specific loss of GABA-B receptor functions, pointing to a role for GABA-B receptors in the regulation of Schwann cell maturation towards the non-myelinating phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Faroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy; Blond McIndoe Laboratories, The University of Manchester, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, M13 9PT, Manchester, United Kingdom
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20
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Dranka BP, Gifford A, Ghosh A, Zielonka J, Joseph J, Kanthasamy AG, Kalyanaraman B. Diapocynin prevents early Parkinson's disease symptoms in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2R¹⁴⁴¹G) transgenic mouse. Neurosci Lett 2013; 549:57-62. [PMID: 23721786 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The most prominent mechanism proposed for death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is elevated generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Recent studies suggest that ROS produced during PD pathogenesis may contribute to cytotoxicity in cell culture models of PD. We hypothesized that inhibition of ROS production would prevent PD symptoms in the LRRK2(R1441G) transgenic (tg) mouse model of PD. These mice overexpress a mutant form of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and are reported to develop PD-like symptoms at approximately 10 months of age. Despite similar expression of the transgene, our colony did not recapitulate the same type of motor dysfunction originally reported. However, tests of motor coordination (pole test, Rotor-Rod) revealed a significant defect in LRRK2(R1441G) mice by 16 months of age. LRRK2(R1441G) tg mice, or wild type littermates, were given diapocynin (200mg/kg, a proposed NADPH oxidase inhibitor) three times per week by oral gavage starting at 12 weeks of age. Decreased performance on the pole test and Rotor-Rod in the LRRK2(R1441G) mice was prevented with diapocynin treatment. No loss in open field movement or rearing was found. As expected, tyrosine hydroxylase staining was similar in both the substantia nigra and striatum in all treatment groups. Together these data demonstrate that diapocynin is a viable agent for protection of neurobehavioral function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Dranka
- Department of Biophysics, and Free Radical Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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21
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van Drongelen S, Dreher T, Heitzmann DWW, Wolf SI. Gait patterns in twins with cerebral palsy: similarities and development over time after multilevel surgery. Res Dev Disabil 2013; 34:1595-1601. [PMID: 23475009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
To examine gait patterns and gait quality, 7 twins with cerebral palsy were measured preoperatively and after surgical intervention. The aim was to study differences and/or similarities in gait between twins, the influence of personal characteristics and birth conditions, and to describe the development of gait over time after single event multilevel surgery. A standardized clinical exam and a three-dimensional gait analysis were performed. Gait patterns were classified according to Sutherland and Davids, and the Gillette Gait Index was calculated as a global measure of the gait impairment. Next to subject characteristics at time of first measurement, and at time of birth, birth conditions were collected. Gait patterns were determined as crouch gait in 13 legs, as stiff gait in 6 legs and as jump gait in 8 legs. One leg showed a normal gait pattern. The knee flexion-extension angle correlated most constant with the knee flexion-extension angle of the contralateral leg (range 0.91-0.99). Correlations with the legs of the sibling showed variable correlations (range 0.44-0.99); with all other legs medium to high correlations of 0.73-0.91 were found. The Gillette Gait Index was found to initially decrease after surgical intervention. Similar correlations were found between twins or between legs for the gait pattern expressed by the knee flexion-extension angle, and the Gillette Gait Index improved after surgery. It seems that gait quality in twins with cerebral palsy is characterized predominantly by the traumatic disorder: genetic dispositions and personal characteristics only play a negligible role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan van Drongelen
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Lee JY, Bang HW, Ko JH, Kim JH, Lee DC. Leukocyte telomere length is independently associated with gait speed in elderly women. Maturitas 2013; 75:165-9. [PMID: 23567265 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Declining gait speed is common in the elderly population and is associated with age-related conditions. Because telomere length is a reflection of aging and known to affect degenerative changes in organ systems, gait speed may be associated with telomere length. We therefore investigated the relationship between gait speed and leukocyte telomere length in elderly Korean women. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A total of 117 Korean elderly women participated. Metabolic variables were assessed along with gait speed calculated as walking distance (6m) divided by time. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Gait speed correlated with telomere length (r=0.38, p<0.01), fasting insulin (r=-0.19, p=0.04), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR; r=-0.22, p=0.02), triglyceride (r=-0.20, p=0.03), and Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE; r=0.20, p=0.03) after adjusting for age. On step-wise multiple regression analysis, telomere length (β=0.35, p<0.01), K-MMSE (β=0.16, p=0.02), age (β=-0.23, p=0.01), and HOMA-IR (β=-0.19, p=0.03) were identified as independent variables associated with gait speed. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that telomere length may have a role in maintaining overall health status as well as preserving gait speed in the elderly population. Further studies are required to better understand the significance of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Yon Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, 120-752 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kirshenbaum GS, Dawson N, Mullins JGL, Johnston TH, Drinkhill MJ, Edwards IJ, Fox SH, Pratt JA, Brotchie JM, Roder JC, Clapcote SJ. Alternating hemiplegia of childhood-related neural and behavioural phenotypes in Na+,K+-ATPase α3 missense mutant mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60141. [PMID: 23527305 PMCID: PMC3603922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in ATP1A3 encoding Na+,K+-ATPase α3 have been identified as the primary cause of alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), a motor disorder with onset typically before the age of 6 months. Affected children tend to be of short stature and can also have epilepsy, ataxia and learning disability. The Na+,K+-ATPase has a well-known role in maintaining electrochemical gradients across cell membranes, but our understanding of how the mutations cause AHC is limited. Myshkin mutant mice carry an amino acid change (I810N) that affects the same position in Na+,K+-ATPase α3 as I810S found in AHC. Using molecular modelling, we show that the Myshkin and AHC mutations display similarly severe structural impacts on Na+,K+-ATPase α3, including upon the K+ pore and predicted K+ binding sites. Behavioural analysis of Myshkin mice revealed phenotypic abnormalities similar to symptoms of AHC, including motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment. 2-DG imaging of Myshkin mice identified compromised thalamocortical functioning that includes a deficit in frontal cortex functioning (hypofrontality), directly mirroring that reported in AHC, along with reduced thalamocortical functional connectivity. Our results thus provide validation for missense mutations in Na+,K+-ATPase α3 as a cause of AHC, and highlight Myshkin mice as a starting point for the exploration of disease mechanisms and novel treatments in AHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greer S. Kirshenbaum
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neil Dawson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan G. L. Mullins
- Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Tom H. Johnston
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour – Systems Neuroscience, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark J. Drinkhill
- Division of Cardiovascular and Neuronal Remodelling, Leeds Institute for Genetics, Health and Therapeutics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ian J. Edwards
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Susan H. Fox
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour – Systems Neuroscience, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Judith A. Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M. Brotchie
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour – Systems Neuroscience, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John C. Roder
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven J. Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Emre Onat O, Gulsuner S, Bilguvar K, Nazli Basak A, Topaloglu H, Tan M, Tan U, Gunel M, Ozcelik T. Missense mutation in the ATPase, aminophospholipid transporter protein ATP8A2 is associated with cerebellar atrophy and quadrupedal locomotion. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 21:281-5. [PMID: 22892528 PMCID: PMC3573203 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2012.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation and dysequilibrium syndrome is a rare and heterogeneous condition. We investigated a consanguineous family from Turkey with four affected individuals exhibiting the condition. Homozygosity mapping revealed that several shared homozygous regions, including chromosome 13q12. Targeted next-generation sequencing of an affected individual followed by segregation analysis, population screening and prediction approaches revealed a novel missense variant, p.I376M, in ATP8A2. The mutation lies in a highly conserved C-terminal transmembrane region of E1 E2 ATPase domain. The ATP8A2 gene is mainly expressed in brain and development, in particular cerebellum. Interestingly, an unrelated individual has been identified, in whom mental retardation and severe hypotonia is associated with a de novo t(10;13) balanced translocation resulting with the disruption of ATP8A2. These findings suggest that ATP8A2 is involved in the development of the cerebro-cerebellar structures required for posture and gait in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Emre Onat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Gulsuner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kaya Bilguvar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Human Genetics and Genomics and Program on Neurogenetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ayse Nazli Basak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NDAL Laboratory, School of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Haluk Topaloglu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meliha Tan
- Department of Neurology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Uner Tan
- Department of Physiology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Murat Gunel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Human Genetics and Genomics and Program on Neurogenetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tayfun Ozcelik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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Jia J, Arif A, Stuehr DJ, Hazen SL, Fox PL. Protection of extraribosomal RPL13a by GAPDH and dysregulation by S-nitrosylation. Mol Cell 2012; 47:656-63. [PMID: 22771119 PMCID: PMC3635105 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple eukaryotic ribosomal proteins (RPs) are co-opted for extraribosomal "moonlighting" activities, but paradoxically, RPs exhibit rapid turnover when not ribosome-bound. In one illustrative case of a functional extraribosomal RP, interferon (IFN)-γ induces ribosome release of L13a and assembly into the IFN-gamma-activated inhibitor of translation (GAIT) complex for translational control of a subset of inflammation-related proteins. Here we show GAPDH functions as a chaperone, shielding newly released L13a from proteasomal degradation. However, GAPDH protective activity is lost following cell treatment with oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein and IFN-γ. These agonists stimulate S-nitrosylation at Cys(247) of GAPDH, which fails to interact with L13a, causing proteasomal degradation of essentially the entire cell complement of L13a and defective translational control. Evolution of extraribosomal RP activities might require coevolution of protective chaperones, and pathological disruption of either protein, or their interaction, presents an alternative mechanism of diseases due to RP defects, and targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jia
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Abul Arif
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Dennis J. Stuehr
- Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Stanley L. Hazen
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Paul L. Fox
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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26
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Rising AC, Xu J, Carlson A, Napoli VV, Denovan-Wright EM, Mandel RJ. Longitudinal behavioral, cross-sectional transcriptional and histopathological characterization of a knock-in mouse model of Huntington's disease with 140 CAG repeats. Exp Neurol 2010; 228:173-82. [PMID: 21192926 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of the gene mutation responsible for Huntington's disease (HD), huntingtin, in 1993 allowed for a better understanding of the pathology of and enabled the development of animal models. HD is caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat region in the N-terminal of the huntingtin protein. Here we examine the behavioral, transcriptional, histopathological and anatomical characteristics of a knock-in HD mouse model with a 140 polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. This CAG 140 model contains a portion of the human exon 1 with 140 CAG repeats knocked into the mouse huntingtin gene. We have longitudinally examined the rearing behavior, accelerating rotarod, constant speed rotarod and gait for age-matched heterozygote, homozygote and non-transgenic mice and have found a significant difference in the afflicted mice. However, while there were significant differences between the non-transgenic and the knock-in mice, these behaviors were not progressive. As in HD, we show that the CAG 140 mice also have a significant decrease in striatally enriched mRNA transcripts. In addition, striatal neuronal intranuclear inclusion density increases with age. Lastly these CAG 140 mice show slight cortical thinning compared to non-transgenic mice, similarly to the cortical thinning recently reported in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C Rising
- Department of Neuroscience, Powell Gene Therapy Center, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100244, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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27
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Valera M, Galisteo AM, Molina A, Miró F, Gómez MD, Cano MR, Agüera E. Genetic parameters of biokinematic variables of the trot in Spanish Purebred horses under experimental treadmill conditions. Vet J 2008; 178:219-26. [PMID: 17897847 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2006] [Revised: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of biokinematic variables in Spanish Purebred (SPB) horses in order to select those of sufficient interest to be measured in the pre-selection of the animals for possible inclusion in the breeding programme. Kinematic analysis of 130 SPB horses 4.6+/-1.5 years old were recorded at the trot (4m/s) on a treadmill. Genetic parameters were estimated using VCE software and a bivariate mixed animal model including age and stud as fixed effects and animal additive genetic effect and residual error as random effects. In general, heritabilities were high (0.33-0.88). The angular variables presented the lowest heritabilities, whereas the maximum height of the fore-hoof and the duration of swing phase in the hindlimb gave the highest scores. Genetic correlations were also very high, so it was possible to reduce the number of breeding programme characteristics to stride duration, hindlimb swing phase duration, range of stifle and elbow angles, minimal angle of carpus, and minimal retraction-protraction angle of the hindlimb.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Valera
- Department of Agro-Forestry Sciences, EUIT, University of Sevilla, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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28
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Xie G, Clapcote SJ, Nieman BJ, Tallerico T, Huang Y, Vukobradovic I, Cordes SP, Osborne LR, Rossant J, Sled JG, Henderson JT, Roder JC. Forward genetic screen of mouse reveals dominant missense mutation in the P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channel, CACNA1A. Genes, Brain and Behavior 2007; 6:717-27. [PMID: 17376154 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2007.00302.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dominant mutations of the P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel (CACNA1A) underlie several human neurological disorders, including episodic ataxia type 2, familial hemiplegic migraine 1 (FHM1) and spinocerebellar ataxia 6, but have not been found previously in the mouse. Here we report the first dominant ataxic mouse model of Cacna1a mutation. This Wobbly mutant allele of Cacna1a was identified in an ethylnitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis dominant behavioral screen. Heterozygotes exhibit ataxia from 3 weeks of age and have a normal life span. Homozygotes have a righting reflex defect from postnatal day 8 and later develop severe ataxia and die prematurely. Both heterozygotes and homozygotes exhibit cerebellar atrophy with focal reduction of the molecular layer. No obvious loss of Purkinje cells or decrease in size of the granule cell layer was observed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed altered expression levels of Cacna1g, Calb2 and Th in Wobbly cerebella, but Cacna1a messenger RNA and protein levels were unchanged. Positional cloning revealed that Wobbly mice have a missense mutation leading to an arginine to leucine (R1255L) substitution, resulting in neutralization of a positively charged amino acid in repeat III of voltage sensor segment S4. The dominance of the Wobbly mutation more closely resembles patterns of CACNA1A mutation in humans than previously described mouse recessive mutants (tottering, leaner, rolling Nagoya and rocker). Positive-charge neutralization in S4 has also been shown to underlie several cases of human dominant FHM1 with ataxia. The Wobbly mutant thus highlights the importance of the voltage sensor and provides a starting point to unravel the neuropathological mechanisms of this disease.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Substitution/genetics
- Animals
- Ataxia/genetics
- Atrophy/genetics
- Calcium Channels, N-Type
- Calcium Channels, P-Type/genetics
- Calcium Channels, P-Type/metabolism
- Calcium Channels, Q-Type/genetics
- Calcium Channels, Q-Type/metabolism
- Cerebellum/metabolism
- Cerebellum/pathology
- Dystonia/genetics
- Female
- Gait/genetics
- Genes, Dominant/genetics
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Mutant Strains
- Mutation, Missense/genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- G Xie
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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29
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Oliver PL, Keays DA, Davies KE. Behavioural characterisation of the robotic mouse mutant. Behav Brain Res 2007; 181:239-47. [PMID: 17532061 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2006] [Revised: 04/12/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ataxic mouse mutant robotic is characterised by progressive adult-onset Purkinje cell loss that occurs in a distinctive region-specific pattern. We report the first behavioural characterisation of this mutant and quantify its performance on tests of motor function, locomotor and exploratory activity over a time course that reflects specific stages of cell loss in the cerebellum. Robotic mutants are significantly impaired on the rotarod and static rod tests of coordination and their performance declined during aging. In addition, gait analysis revealed an increase in the severity of the ataxia displayed by mutants over time. Interestingly, spontaneous alternation testing in a T-maze was not significantly affected in robotic mice, unlike other ataxic mutants with more rapid and extensive cerebellar degeneration; robotic therefore provides an opportunity to investigate the necessity of specific Purkinje cell populations for various behavioural tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Oliver
- MRC Functional Genetics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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Abstract
Results of mare performance tests in the field (MPT-F) of 10,949 mares, mare performance tests at station (MPT-S) of 1,712 mares, and inspections of horses intended for sale at riding horse auctions (AU) of 4,772 horses were used to investigate genetic correlations between corresponding performance traits. Mare performance tests were held in 1995 to 2004 and auction inspections in 1999 to 2004. Scores on a scale from 0 to 10 were given for gaits under rider (walk, trot, canter), rideability (evaluated by judging commission and test rider), free-jumping (ability, style, total), and character. Radiography results of 5,102 Hanoverian Warmblood horses were used to investigate genetic correlations between performance traits and particular radiographic findings. The radiographic findings included osseous fragments in fetlock and hock joints, deforming arthropathy in hock joints, and distinct radiographic findings in the navicular bones, which were analyzed as binary traits, and radiographic appearance of the navicular bones, which was analyzed as a quasi-linear trait. Genetic parameters were estimated multivariately in linear animal models with REML using information on the horses radiographed and their contemporaries (n = 18,609). Heritability of performance traits ranged between 0.14 and 0.61, and heritability of radiographic findings between 0.14 and 0.33. Additive genetic correlations between corresponding performance traits were close to unity for MPT-F and MPT-S, ranged from 0.81 to 0.90 for MPT-F and AU, and were 0.75 to 0.92 for MPT-S and AU. Genetic correlations between performance and radiography results were mostly close to zero. Indications of negative additive genetic correlations were observed for deforming arthropathy in hock joints and canter, rideability evaluated by test rider, jumping traits and character, and osseous fragments in hock joints and character. Selection of horses for radiological health of their limbs will assist further genetic improvement of the performance of young Warm-blood riding horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- K F Stock
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover (Foundation), Hannover, Germany.
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31
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Van Dam D, Errijgers V, Kooy RF, Willemsen R, Mientjes E, Oostra BA, De Deyn PP. Cognitive decline, neuromotor and behavioural disturbances in a mouse model for fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Behav Brain Res 2006; 162:233-9. [PMID: 15876460 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2005] [Revised: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 03/18/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Carriers of premutation alleles (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene are spared the major neurodevelopmental symptomatology of fragile X syndrome patients carrying a full mutation (>200 repeats). In a proportion of premutation carriers, the repeat expansion is associated with a specific neurological profile involving intention tremor, ataxia, intellectual decline compatible with dementia syndrome, Parkinsonism and autonomic dysfunction at older age, commonly referred to as fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Typical CNS changes include hyperintense signals on T2 weighted magnetic resonance images and the presence of ubiquitin-positive intranuclear neuronal inclusions. A knock-in mouse model with a (CGG)98 repeat in the premutation range has been generated and shown to exhibit elevated Fmr1 mRNA levels and ubiquitin-positive intranuclear neuronal inclusions, suggesting it may be a valid model for the human disease. Given the specific clinical profile of FXTAS patients, the expanded CGG repeat model was assessed for cognitive, behavioural and neuromotor performance at different ages (20, 52 and 72 weeks). The Morris water maze task exposed age-dependent decline of visual-spatial memory. Open field recordings revealed decreased exploration of the centre of the arena in the oldest group of expanded CGG repeat mice, potentially reflecting increased anxiety. Neuromotor tasks primarily showed decline of performance on the accelerating rotarod with age in the premutation carriers but not in control littermates. The age-dependent cognitive decline and neuromotor disturbances may be related to the progressive cognitive and behavioural difficulties observed in FXTAS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behaviour, Institute Born-Bunge, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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32
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Abstract
The degradation of the extracellular matrix is regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Matrix components of the basement membrane play critical roles in the development and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), yet almost nothing is known about the regulation of MMP and TIMP expression in either the pre- or postsynaptic compartments. Here, we demonstrate that TIMP-2 is expressed by both spinal motor neurons and skeletal muscle. To determine whether motor function is altered in the absence of TIMP-2, motor behavior was assessed using a battery of tests (e.g., RotaRod, balance beam, hindlimb extension, grip strength, loaded grid, and gait analysis). TIMP-2(-/-) mice fall off the RotaRod significantly faster than wild-type littermates. In addition, hindlimb extension is reduced and gait is both splayed and lengthened in TIMP-2(-/-) mice. Motor dysfunction is more pronounced during early postnatal development. A preliminary analysis revealed NMJ alterations in TIMP-2(-/-) mice. Juvenile TIMP-2(-/-) mice have increased nerve branching and acetylcholine receptor expression. Adult TIMP-2(-/-) endplates are enlarged and more complex. This suggests a role for TIMP-2 in NMJ sculpting during development. In contrast to the increased NMJ nerve branching, cerebellar Purkinje cells have decreased neurite outgrowth. Thus, the TIMP-2(-/-) motor phenotype is likely due to both peripheral and central defects. The tissue specificity of the nerve branching phenotype suggests the involvement of different MMPs and/or extracellular matrix molecules underlying the TIMP-2(-/-) motor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane M Jaworski
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, 05405, USA.
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Dang MT, Yokoi F, McNaught KSP, Jengelley TA, Jackson T, Li J, Li Y. Generation and characterization of Dyt1 DeltaGAG knock-in mouse as a model for early-onset dystonia. Exp Neurol 2005; 196:452-63. [PMID: 16242683 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Revised: 08/29/2005] [Accepted: 08/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A trinucleotide deletion of GAG in the DYT1 gene that encodes torsinA protein is implicated in the neurological movement disorder of Oppenheim's early-onset dystonia. The mutation removes a glutamic acid in the carboxy region of torsinA, a member of the Clp protease/heat shock protein family. The function of torsinA and the role of the mutation in causing dystonia are largely unknown. To gain insight into these unknowns, we made a gene-targeted mouse model of Dyt1 DeltaGAG to mimic the mutation found in DYT1 dystonic patients. The mutated heterozygous mice had deficient performance on the beam-walking test, a measure of fine motor coordination and balance. In addition, they exhibited hyperactivity in the open-field test. Mutant mice also showed a gait abnormality of increased overlap. Mice at 3 months of age did not display deficits in beam-walking and gait, while 6-month mutant mice did, indicating an age factor in phenotypic expression as well. While striatal dopamine and 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in Dyt1 DeltaGAG mice were similar to that of wild-type mice, a 27% decrease in 4-hydroxy, 3-methoxyphenacetic acid (homovanillic acid) was detected in mutant mice. Dyt1 DeltaGAG tissues also have ubiquitin- and torsinA-containing aggregates in neurons of the pontine nuclei. A sex difference was noticed in the mutant mice with female mutant mice exhibiting fewer alterations in behavioral, neurochemical, and cellular changes. Our results show that knocking in a Dyt1 DeltaGAG allele in mouse alters their motor behavior and recapitulates the production of protein aggregates that are seen in dystonic patients. Our data further support alterations in the dopaminergic system as a part of dystonia's neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai T Dang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, NeuroTech Group, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Hampton TG, Stasko MR, Kale A, Amende I, Costa ACS. Gait dynamics in trisomic mice: quantitative neurological traits of Down syndrome. Physiol Behav 2005; 82:381-9. [PMID: 15276802 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2003] [Revised: 04/05/2004] [Accepted: 04/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The segmentally trisomic mouse Ts65Dn is a model of Down syndrome (DS). Gait abnormalities are almost universal in persons with DS. We applied a noninvasive imaging method to quantitatively compare the gait dynamics of Ts65Dn mice (n=10) to their euploid littermates (controls) (n=10). The braking duration of the hind limbs in Ts65Dn mice was prolonged compared to that in control mice (60+/-3 ms vs. 49+/-2 ms, P<.05) at a slow walking speed (18 cm/s). Stride length and stride frequency of forelimbs and hind limbs were comparable between Ts65Dn mice and control mice. Stride dynamics were significantly different in Ts65Dn mice at a faster walking speed (36 cm/s). Stride length was shorter in Ts65Dn mice (5.9+/-0.1 vs. 6.3+/-0.3 cm, P<.05), and stride frequency was higher in Ts65Dn compared to control mice (5.9+/-0.1 vs. 5.3+/-0.1 strides/s, P<.05). Hind limb swing duration was prolonged in Ts65Dn mice compared to control mice (93+/-3 vs. 76+/-3 ms, P<.05). Propulsion of the forelimbs contributed to a significantly larger percentage of stride duration in Ts65Dn mice than in control mice at the faster walking speed. Indices of gait dynamics in Ts65Dn mice correspond to previously reported findings in children with DS. The methods used in the present study provide quantitative markers for genotype and phenotype relationship studies in DS. This technique may provide opportunities for testing the efficacy of therapies for motor dysfunction in persons with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Hampton
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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35
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Lalonde R, Dumont M, Staufenbiel M, Strazielle C. Neurobehavioral characterization of APP23 transgenic mice with the SHIRPA primary screen. Behav Brain Res 2005; 157:91-8. [PMID: 15617775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2004] [Revised: 06/12/2004] [Accepted: 06/16/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The SHIRPA primary screen comprises 40 measures covering various reflexes and basic sensorimotor functions. This multi-test battery was used to compare non-transgenic controls with APP23 transgenic mice, expressing the 751 isoform of human beta-amyloid precursor protein and characterized by amyloid deposits in parenchyma and vessel walls. The APP23 mice were distinguishable from controls by pathological limb reflexes, myoclonic jumping, seizure activity, and tail malformation. In addition, this mouse model of Alzheimer's disease was also marked by a crooked swimming trajectory. APP23 mice were also of lighter weight and were less inclined to stay immobile during a transfer arousal test. Despite the neurologic signs, APP23 transgenic mice were not deficient in stationary beam, coat-hanger, and rotorod tests, indicating intact motor coordination abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lalonde
- Université de Rouen, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, INSERM U614, IFRMP23, Bâtiment de Recherche, 76183 Rouen Cedex, France.
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36
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Swerdlow NR, Shoemaker JM, Platten A, Pitcher L, Goins J, Auerbach PP. Heritable differences in the dopaminergic regulation of sensorimotor gating. I. Apomorphine effects on startle gating in albino and hooded outbred rat strains and their F1 and N2 progeny. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2004; 174:441-51. [PMID: 15300358 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-003-1481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2002] [Accepted: 03/10/2003] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sensorimotor gating, measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex, is reduced in schizophrenia patients and in rats treated with dopamine (DA) agonists. Strain and substrain differences in the sensitivity to the PPI-disruptive effects of DA agonists may provide insight into the basis for human population differences in sensorimotor gating. We have reported greater sensitivity to the PPI disruptive effects of the D(1)/D(2) agonist apomorphine in Harlan Sprague-Dawley (SDH) versus Long Evans (LEH) rats. In the present study, we assessed the generational pattern of this phenotypic difference across parental SDH and LEH strains under in- and cross-fostering conditions, offspring (F1) of an SDHxLEH cross, and subsequent offspring (N2) of an SDHxF1 cross. Apomorphine sensitivity followed a gradient across generations that suggested relatively simple additive effects of multiple genes. Cross fostering studies confirmed that SDH>LEH apomorphine sensitivity did not reflect post-natal maternal influences. Generational patterns of PPI apomorphine sensitivity were not associated with albino versus hooded phenotypes per se, but apomorphine sensitivity in hooded N2 rats was strongly related to body surface area of fur pigmentation. The association between pigmentation and PPI apomorphine sensitivity may provide an important clue to specific biochemical and genetic substrates responsible for population differences in the regulation of sensorimotor gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal R Swerdlow
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA.
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Swerdlow NR, Shoemaker JM, Auerbach PP, Pitcher L, Goins J, Platten A. Heritable differences in the dopaminergic regulation of sensorimotor gating. II. Temporal, pharmacologic and generational analyses of apomorphine effects on prepulse inhibition. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2004; 174:452-62. [PMID: 15300359 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-003-1480-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2002] [Accepted: 03/10/2003] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle in rats by dopamine agonists has been used in a predictive model for antipsychotics, and more recently, to study the neural basis of strain differences in dopaminergic function. We have previously reported that Sprague-Dawley (SDH) and Long Evans (LEH) rats differed in their sensitivity to the PPI-disruptive effects of the D(1)/D(2) agonist apomorphine (APO) in two distinct ways: 1) compared to LEH rats, SDH rats were more sensitive to the ability of APO to disrupt PPI with relatively long prepulse intervals (60-120 ms), and 2) APO enhanced PPI in LEH rats with 10-30 ms prepulse intervals, but this effect was limited to 10 ms prepulse intervals in SDH rats. METHODS In the present study, we replicated this temporal profile in SDH versus LEH rats, assessed the role of D(1) versus D(2) substrates in the two components of this strain difference, and assessed the heritability of these temporally distinct processes. RESULTS Pharmacologic studies revealed that: 1) D(2) blockade prevented the long interval PPI-disruptive effects of APO in both strains, and extended the temporal range of the PPI-enhancing effects of APO from 10 to 30 ms in SDH rats, and 2) D(1) blockade increased PPI and blocked the PPI-enhancing effects of APO at short intervals in both strains. Generational studies in adult F0 (SDH and LEH), F1 (SDHxLEH) and N2 (SDHxF1) rats demonstrated that sensitivity to APO of both short and long interval PPI were inherited in a manner suggestive of relatively simple additive effects of multiple genes. CONCLUSIONS The present findings demonstrate that inherited differences in the dopaminergic regulation of sensorimotor gating are manifested not only in quantitative shifts (more versus less), but also in qualitative shifts in the temporal properties of sensorimotor gating that appear to be under separate control of D(1) and D(2) substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal R Swerdlow
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA.
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Abstract
One of the characteristic manifestations in several neurodegenarative diseases is the loss of voluntary motor control and the development of involuntary movements. In order to determine the suitability of six mouse strains as transgenic background strains we investigated performance on a variety of tasks designed to identify subtle changes in motor control. On both the accelerating and the staggered speed rotarod all six mouse strains performed well. However, latency to fall from the rod was sensitive to both rotarod speed and repeated exposure to the apparatus. Performance of the DBA/2 mouse strain was highly variable across the time points used. On the acoustic startle test CBA mice showed the greatest degree of reactivity to the acoustic startle stimuli with both the C57 and DBA showing the least. Complex strain differences were also identified on measures of habituation to the startle stimuli and variations in the prepulse noise level, and prepulse/startle delay. Gait analysis using the footprint test did not reveal strain differences on measures of base width, overlap or stride length but the 129S2/Sv strain took significantly longer to traverse the runway than the other mouse strains. Finally, the swim tank test detected complex strain differences in swim speed, and the number of fore- and hindpaw paddles required to swim the length of the tank. These data taken together suggest that choice of background strain is a crucial consideration for the repeated behavioural assessment of motor deficits in transgenic mouse models of disease.
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MESH Headings
- Acoustic Stimulation
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Arousal/physiology
- Gait/genetics
- Gait/physiology
- Genetic Engineering
- Habituation, Psychophysiologic/genetics
- Habituation, Psychophysiologic/physiology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Mice, Transgenic
- Models, Animal
- Neural Inhibition/genetics
- Neural Inhibition/physiology
- Psychomotor Performance/physiology
- Reaction Time
- Reflex, Startle/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Rotarod Performance Test
- Species Specificity
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Brooks
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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39
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Abstract
Reeler (rl/rl) and reeler/wild-type (+/rl) mice synthesize Reln at subnormal rates, as do patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism, thereby forming the basis for a Reln hypothesis for vulnerability to these psychopathologies and justifying attention to the behavioral phenotypes of Reln-deficient mice. Tests of gait, emotionality, social aggression, spatial working memory, novel-object detection, fear conditioning, and sensorimotor reflex modulation revealed the behavioral phenotype of rl/rl, but not +/rl, mice to be different from that of wild-type (+/+) mice. These results reveal no effect of Reln gene dosage and provide significant challenges to both the Reln and the neurodevelopmental hypotheses of the etiology of major psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter L Salinger
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 27402-6170, USA.
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40
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Hong HK, Chakravarti A, Takahashi JS. The gene for soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein alpha is mutated in hydrocephaly with hop gait (hyh) mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:1748-53. [PMID: 14755058 PMCID: PMC341847 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0308268100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spontaneous autosomal recessive mouse mutant for hydrocephaly with hop gait (hyh) exhibits dramatic cystic dilation of the ventricles at birth and invariably develops hopping gait. We show that the gene for soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein alpha, also known as alpha-SNAP, is mutated in hyh mice. alpha-SNAP plays a key role in a wide variety of membrane fusion events in eukaryotic cells, including the regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitters. Homozygous mutant mice harbor a missense mutation M105I in a conserved residue in one of the alpha-helical domains. We demonstrate that the hyh mutant is not a null allele and is expressed; however, the mutant protein is 40% less abundant in hyh mice. The hyh mutant provides a valuable in vivo model to study vesicle/membrane trafficking and provides insight into the potential roles of alpha-SNAP in embryogenesis and brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Kyung Hong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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41
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Teichtahl AJ, Morris ME, Wluka AE, Bach TM, Cicuttini FM. A comparison of gait patterns between the offspring of people with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and normal controls. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003; 21:421-3. [PMID: 12942691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore the contribution of biomechanical factors to the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) by investigating whether the offspring of subjects with medial tibiomfemoral OA demonstrate gait abnormalities in the absence of OA. METHODS Three-dimensional gait analyses were performed on 9 offspring of people with medial tibiofemoral OA and 9 age, gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) matched individuals with no parental history of knee OA. External knee adduction, extension and flexion moments, as well as the magnitude of foot rotation during early stance were compared between the groups. RESULTS The offspring of people with medial tibiofemoral OA walked with less external rotation at the foot than control subjects during early stance (4.5 degrees versus 13.5 degrees, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups for the peak knee adduction moments (dominant leg, p = 0.49; non-dominant leg, p = 0.70) or peak knee extension moments (dominant leg, p = 0.46; non-dominant leg, p = 0.48). Moreover, there was no difference between groups for the knee flexion moment occurring when the force adducting the knee was greatest (dominant leg, p = 0.35; non-dominant leg, p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS Although the offspring of people with medial tibiofemoral OA walked with less external foot rotation than the control subjects during early stance, whether this increases their risk of developing knee OA is yet to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Teichtahl
- School of Physiotherapy, School of Human Biosciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
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42
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Al-Muhaizea MA, Prayson RA. Pathologic quiz case: a child with clumsy gait. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2003; 127:e273-4. [PMID: 12741921 DOI: 10.5858/2003-127-e273-pqcacw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Al-Muhaizea
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
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43
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Abstract
Creation of generalized genetic models for low and high sensorimotor capacity would be important tools for resolution of this complex trait. As proof-of-principle we estimated phenotypic variation and narrow-sense heritability (h(2)) of sensorimotor capacity in 19 families of genetically heterogeneous N:NIH rats and in 11 strains of inbred rats. Sensorimotor capacity was defined as the time a rat remained on an accelerating rotorod. N:NIH rats recorded variation in rotorod scores that ranged from 3- to 7-fold. The value of h(2), estimated from offspring-parent regression across one generation, was 0.68 for females and 0.74 for males in N:NIH rats. In inbred rats, h(2) was estimated by partitioning phenotypic variation into additive genetic and environmental components and averaged 0.39 in females and 0.48 in males. These results demonstrate a heritable component to sensorimotor capacity sufficient for success in developing contrasting genetic models by divergent artificial selection in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Gerard Koch
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614-5804, USA.
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44
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Abstract
Dressage is one of the Olympic equestrian sports practiced in several countries using different horse breeds. Specific characteristics of the walk, trot and canter are required for dressage. It has been assumed that some of these traits could be selected for genetically and contribute to dressage performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the walk, trot and conformation characteristics in young horses of different breeds used for dressage. A total of 142 horses age 3 years were classified into 3 groups of breeds (German, French and Spanish saddle horses) and tested using the same procedure. The skeletal conformation measurements were made by image analysis. Gait variables of the walk and trot were measured by the accelerometric gait analysis system Equimetrix. Discriminant analysis could explain the variability between the groups by taking into account the walk (P<0.0003), trot (P<0.0001) and conformation variables (P<0.0001). Many gait and conformation variables were significantly different between the breeds. In summary, the German horses had gait characteristics more adapted for dressage competition, and the results of this group could be used as a reference for early evaluation in dressage. Purebred Spanish horses could be considered as a reference for collected gaits used for farm work and old academic dressage. The gait and conformation tests could be applied in a breeding or crossing plan to detect more accurately young horses with good dressage ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Barrey
- INRA, Station de Génétique Quantitative et Appliquée, Groupe Cheval, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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45
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Abstract
We hypothesised that trotters during an extended trot have lower energetic costs of locomotion (CT) than horses not bred for this behaviour. VO2 was measured as a function of speed in 7 Arabian horses (3 trained to extend their trotting speeds) and in 2 horses, of similar mass, bred to trot (Hackney). Both oxygen consumption and CT increased with speed and there was, contrary to our hypothesis, no difference between breeds. In Arabians at 6.5 m/s, CT had increased 25% above the CT at 5.0 m/s (normal transition speed). For Hackneys at 6.8 m/s, the CT was almost 35% higher. Stride frequencies increased linearly in all horses up to 5.0 m/s. At the canter at 5.0 m/s, the frequency increased 9% to 111 strides/min, but then increased minimally with speed. In the Hackneys and the Arabians that extended the trot, stride frequencies were approximately 102 and did not increase with speed. Stride length (SL) increased linearly with speed in both trotting and cantering horses, and cantering SL were lower than trotting (at 5.0 m/s, SL for trotting = 3.04 m and for cantering SL = 2.68 m). There were no differences between breeds in stride frequency or stride length. Extending the trot can have profound energetic requirements that could limit athletic performance and may lead to increased concussive impact on the limbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Wickler
- Equine Research Center and Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 91768, USA
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46
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Passarge E. A distinctive phenotype associated with an interstitial deletion 6q14 contained within a de novo pericentric inversion 6 (p11.2q15). Cytogenet Cell Genet 2001; 91:192-8. [PMID: 11173855 DOI: 10.1159/000056843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This report describes a nearly 25-year-old female with an interstitial deletion of band 14 in the long arm of one chromosome 6 (6q14). The deletion is contained within a de novo pericentric inversion with breakpoints in 6p11.2 and 6q15 (Karyotype 46,XX, del(6)(q13q15),inv(6)(p11.2q15). The distal breakpoint of the deletion and the pericentric inversion at 6q15 are the same, but the proximal breakpoints differ. Since cells with other chromosomal findings were not detected in cultured lymphocytes and fibroblasts, chromosome mosaicism seems unlikely. Thus, it is assumed that the inversion and the deletion originated from the same event. The development of a distinctive phenotype in the patient was observed over a period of 22 years. It includes characteristic dysmorphic facial features such as ocular hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge, prominent zygomatic bones, and a depressed glabella. A striking, non-progressive deficit of motor control is manifest in an inability to use her hands properly and a broad-based slow-motion-like gait. Although severely deficient in abstract mental abilities and speech development, she is well adapted to family life and to a school for retarded individuals. Normal height and head circumference, and reduced sensitivity to pain are noteworthy. Presumably the deletion caused the phenotype and the distinct behavioral pattern. This patient probably represents a novel chromosomal phenotype that results from aggregate haploinsufficiency of gene loci in the deleted region.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Passarge
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen , Germany.
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47
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de la Cruz CC, Der-Avakian A, Spyropoulos DD, Tieu DD, Carpenter EM. Targeted disruption of Hoxd9 and Hoxd10 alters locomotor behavior, vertebral identity, and peripheral nervous system development. Dev Biol 1999; 216:595-610. [PMID: 10642795 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.1999.9528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The five most 5' HoxD genes, which are related to the Drosophila Abd-B gene, play an important role in patterning axial and appendicular skeletal elements and the nervous system of developing vertebrate embryos. Three of these genes, Hoxd11, Hoxd12, and Hoxd13, act synergistically to pattern the hindlimb autopod. In this study, we examine the combined effects of two additional 5' HoxD genes, Hoxd9 and Hoxd10. Both of these genes are expressed posteriorly in overlapping domains in the developing neural tube and axial mesoderm as well as in developing limbs. Locomotor behavior in animals carrying a double mutation in these two genes was altered; these alterations included changes in gait, mobility, and adduction. Morphological analysis showed alterations in axial and appendicular skeletal structure, hindlimb peripheral nerve organization and projection, and distal hindlimb musculature. These morphological alterations are likely to provide the substrate for the observed alterations in locomotor behavior. The alterations observed in double-mutant mice are distinct from the phenotypes observed in mice carrying single mutations in either gene, but exhibit most of the features of both individual phenotypes. This suggests that the combined activity of two adjacent Hox genes provides more patterning information than activity of each gene alone. These observations support the idea that adjacent Hox genes with overlapping expression patterns may interact functionally to provide patterning information to the same regions of developing mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C de la Cruz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024, USA
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48
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Zheng L, Ao Z, Wo J, Lu S, Han Z. Study on pottical type, palmar and plantar digital formulae, hand clasping, arm folding, handedness, leg folding and stride type in the Daur population, China. Anthropol Anz 1999; 57:361-9. [PMID: 10676572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The pottical type, palmar and plantar digital formulae, hand clasping, arm folding, handedness, leg folding and stride type have been investigated on a sample of 143 male and 160 female students of the Daur population of Molidawa Banner, Inner Mongolia. The results of this study are the following: 1. the frequency of the hyperextensive pottical type is 49.17%, the relative length of index over annularis 12.21%, right hand clasping 45.87%, right arm folding 49.50%, right handedness 94.39%, right leg folding 72.28% and right stride type 44.88%, 2. pottical type, hand clasping, handedness, leg folding and stride type do not show significant sex differences, 3. there are some relations between hand clasping and arm folding as well as between arm folding and stride type, 4. compared with other population groups, the Daur population shows a low frequency of right hand clasping, a moderate frequency of right arm folding and a low frequency of left handedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zheng
- Department of Biology, Tianjin Normal University, China
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49
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Abstract
Hereditary progressive dystonia (HPD) is caused by the mutant gene encoding GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH). The clinical presentation of this disease varies considerably, and many cases appear to be sporadic. We have previously proposed that this clinical variation may be due to differential expression of the mutant and normal GCH mRNA, presumably at the protein level. To provide support for this proposal, we studied a new Japanese family with HPD, in which 2 members were heterozygous for an exon-skipping mutation. This mutation produced truncated GCH, which shared 180-amino acid residues at the amino terminus of the normal enzyme (GCH180). An affected heterozygote had a higher mutant/normal mRNA ratio than an unaffected heterozygote, consistent with our previous finding in the HPD family with GCH114. A further study, using coexpression of the mutant with wild-type GCH in COS-7 cells, showed that three mutant GCHs inactivated the normal enzyme. GCH114 was most effective in enzyme inactivation, which was followed by GCH180 and a normally occurring mutant GCH209. These results suggested that the dominant negative effect of a mutant GCH on the normal enzyme might be one of the molecular mechanisms determining the heterogeneity of clinical phenotypes of HPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hirano
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan
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50
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Abstract
Targeted disruption of the Hoxd-10 gene, a 5′ member of the mouse HoxD linkage group, produces mice with hindlimb-specific defects in gait and adduction. To determine the underlying causes of this locomotor defect, mutant mice were examined for skeletal, muscular and neural abnormalities. Mutant mice exhibit alterations in the vertebral column and in the bones of the hindlimb. Sacral vertebrae beginning at the level of S2 exhibit homeotic transformations to adopt the morphology of the next most anterior vertebra. In the hindlimb, there is an anterior shift in the position of the patella, an occasional production of an anterior sesamoid bone, and an outward rotation of the lower part of the leg, all of which contribute to the defects in locomotion. No major alterations in hindlimb musculature were observed, but defects in the nervous system were evident. There was a decrease in the number of spinal segments projecting nerve fibers through the sacral plexus to innervate the musculature of the hindlimb. Deletion of a hindlimb nerve was seen in some animals, and a shift was evident in the position of the lumbar lateral motor column. These observations suggest a role for the Hoxd-10 gene in establishing regional identity within the spinal cord and imply that patterning of the spinal cord may have intrinsic components and is not completely imposed by the surrounding mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Carpenter
- Mental Retardation Research Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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