A dynein mutation attenuates motor neuron degeneration in SOD1(G93A) mice

Exp Neurol. 2006 Mar;198(1):271-4. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.12.005. Epub 2006 Jan 20.

Abstract

Cu/Zn SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice develop phenotypical hallmarks of ALS and serve therefore as an established model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Recent reports demonstrate that mutations in the motor protein dynein in Legs at odd angles (Loa) and Cramping (Cra1) mice lead to similar but milder phenotypes. Surprisingly, double transgenic mice (Loa/SOD1(G93A)) have been recently shown to attenuate rather than to accelerate the phenotypical expression of motor neuron degeneration. These results raise the question whether other functional relevant mutations in dynein cause a similar effect. To address this question, we have cross-bred SOD1(G93A) with Cra1/+ mice. These double transgenic mice show an attenuated decline of both motor activity and body weight and an increase of survival time compared to SOD1(G93A) mice. Thus, this study confirms that mechanisms associated with dynein such as retrograde axonal transport may play an important role in SOD1(G93A-) toxicity on motor neurons.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / genetics
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dyneins / classification
  • Dyneins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Activity / genetics
  • Motor Neuron Disease / genetics*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / physiopathology
  • Mutation*
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology*
  • Reaction Time / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics

Substances

  • SOD1 G93A protein
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Dyneins