Mice, the Motor System, and Human Motor Neuron Pathology

Motor neurons are among some of the most unusual cells in the body becaue of their immense size and their role as the critical link between the motor centers of the brain and the muscles. In addition to their intrinsic biological interest, it is vital that we gain a better understanding of these cells and their pathology, since motor neuron degenerative diseases are lethal disorders that affect young and old and are relatively common. For example, one form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic killer of children in the developed world. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), another form of motor neuron degeneration, is the third most common neurodegenerative cause of adult death, after Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and is significantly more common than multiple sclerosis (Motor Neurone Disease Association 1998). Currently, approximately 1 in 500 people in England and Wales who die have a form of motor neuron disease (Motor Neurone Disease Association 1998). Each year, 5000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS, and of these, 10% are under 40 years old. Mouse models of motor neuron degeneration are essential for understanding the causes and mechanisms of motor neuron pathology. These mice are yielding important information that will ultimately lead to treatments and potentially cures for these diseases. Received: 5 June 2000 / Accepted: 27 July 2000     

Analysis of the Allele Polymorphism of (CTG)nand (CAG)n Triplet Repeats in Loci DM, DRPLA, and SCA1 in Several Populations of Russia

Polymorphism of highly polymorphic triplet repeats CTG of the 3"-untranslated region of the myotonin protein kinase gene and CAG of the genes associated with dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA, or Hew River syndrome) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) was analyzed in several ethnic populations of Russia. A difference in allele spectra of the three genes was demonstrated for populations differing in ethnic origin.     

Antibody Expression from the Core Region of the Human IgH Locus Reconstructed in Transgenic Mice Using Bacteriophage P1 Clones

Mice carrying transgenic human immunoglobulin gene miniloci can be used for the production of human monoclonal antibodies. The human variable region (V) gene segments in these miniloci undergo productive rearrangement in mouse lymphoid tissue to yield a population of B lymphocytes expressing a repertoire of antibodies. Many of the miniloci studied to date have included only a small number of germline gene segments in an artificially compact configuration. Here we describe the use of the bacteriophage P1 cloning system to create mice carrying the core region of the human immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus. Three P1 clones carrying overlapping regions of the human IgH locus (spanning the five J_H-proximal V_Hsegments, the entire D_Hand J_Hclusters, and the Cμ and Cδ constant regions) were injected into mouse eggs and appear to have reconstituted the core region of the locus (>180 kb) following homologous recombination with each other. While this translocus yielded a titer of serum immunoglobulin similar to that obtained with a smaller plasmid-based minilocus, the P1-based locus gave rise to substantially greater diversification by somatic hypermutation. Such diversification is important for obtaining high-affinity antibodies. The results show the usefulness of the P1 system in facilitating the manipulation and recreation of large transgenes.     

Fmr1基因敲除对小鼠生理发育和繁殖性能的影响

目的对清洁级FVB.KO和FVB的生理发育指标和繁殖性能进行分析比较,探讨Fmr1基因敲除对小鼠生理发育和繁殖性能的影响。方法挑选10周龄清洁级FVB.KO和FVB各20只（雌雄各半）,采取1∶1同居,全部同胞兄妹近交繁殖,测定新生仔鼠生理发育指标和品系繁殖性能。结果 FVB.KO在耳廓分离、体毛长出、门齿萌发、眼睑开裂等生理发育指标上和FVB比较接近,在平均每窝产仔数和离乳率等方面偏低,在雌雄比例上有显著差异。结论 Fmr1基因敲除对小鼠生理发育和繁殖性能影响较小,对后代雌雄比例可能有一定的影响。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pax1/E2a</Emphasis> Double-Mutant Mice Develop Non-Lethal Neural Tube Defects that Resemble Human Malformations

Many mouse models exist for neural tube defects (NTDs), but only few of them are relevant for human patients that are born alive with spina bifida aperta. NTDs in humans show a complex inheritance, which most likely result from the involvement of a variety of predisposing genetic and environmental factors. Hints toward the identity of predisposing genetic factors for human NTDs could come from mouse studies on the development of the neural tube and spinal cord, as well as from studies on associated features of this type of diseases. Among such features is the observation that pregnancies affected by a neural tube defect frequently show changes in thymus morphology, and in both neonatal and maternal T-cell repertoire. The genes for E2a and Pax1 have both been implicated in not only paraxial mesodermal development, but also in that of the immune system. Moreover, Pax1 mutant mice have been shown to display NTDs in digenic mouse models. In the present study we have investigated the phenotype of E2a null mutant mice that are also heterozygous for the so-called undulated mutation in Pax1. Here we report that such double-mutant mice develop a non-lethal NTD that strongly resembles the classic human NTD: spina bifida aperta, associated with defects of the axial skeleton, immune system and urinary tract.     

Mice Carrying ALS Mutant TDP-43, but Not Mutant FUS,Display In Vivo Defects in Axonal Transport of Signaling Endosomes

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Common Genetic Variation in the Human CTF1 Locus,Encoding Cardiotrophin-1, Determines Insulin Sensitivity

Aims/Hypothesis

Recently, cardiotrophin-1, a member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines was described to protect beta-cells from apoptosis, to improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin resistance, and to prevent streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. Here, we studied whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CTF1 locus, encoding cardiotrophin-1, influence insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in humans.

Methods

We genotyped 1,771 German subjects for three CTF1 tagging SNPs (rs1046276, rs1458201, and rs8046707). The subjects were metabolically characterized by an oral glucose tolerance test. Subgroups underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging/spectroscopy and hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps.

Results

After appropriate adjustment, the minor allele of CTF1 SNP rs8046707 was significantly associated with decreased in vivo measures of insulin sensitivity. The other tested SNPs were not associated with OGTT-derived sensitivity parameters, nor did the three tested SNPs show any association with OGTT-derived parameters of insulin release. In the MR subgroup, SNP rs8046707 was nominally associated with lower visceral adipose tissue. Furthermore, the SNP rs1458201 showed a nominal association with increased VLDL levels.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study, even though preliminary and awaiting further confirmation by independent replication, provides first evidence that common genetic variation in CTF1 could contribute to insulin sensitivity in humans. Our SNP data indicate an insulin-desensitizing effect of cardiotrophin-1 and underline that cardiotrophin-1 represents an interesting target to influence insulin sensitivity.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gladiolus</Emphasis> Germplasm Using Morphological,Physiological, and Molecular Markers

Estimation of variability and genetic relationships among breeding materials is one of the important strategies in crop improvement programs. Morphological (plant height, spike length, a number of florets/spike), physiological (chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and rapid light curve parameters) and Directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers were used to investigate the relationships among 50 Gladiolus cultivars. Cluster analysis based on morphological data, physiological characteristics, molecular markers, and cumulative data discriminated all cultivars into seven, five, seven, and six clusters in the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram, respectively. The results of the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) also supported UPGMA clustering. Variations among the Gladiolus cultivars at phenotypic level could be due to the changes in physiology, environmental conditions, and genetic variability. DAMD analysis using 10 primers produced 120 polymorphic bands with 80% polymorphism showing polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.28), Marker index (MI = 3.37), Nei’s gene diversity (h = 0.267), and Shannon’s information index (I = 0.407). Plant height showed a positive significant correlation with Spike length and Number of florets/spike (r = 0.729, p < 0.001 and r = 0.448, p = 0.001 respectively). Whereas, Spike length showed positive significant correlation with Number of florets/spike (r = 0.688, p < 0.001) and Chlorophyll content showed positive significant correlation with Electron transport rate (r = 0.863, p < 0.001). Based on significant morphological variations, high physiological performance, high genetic variability, and genetic distances between cultivars, we have been able to identify diverse cultivars of Gladiolus that could be the potential source as breeding material for further genetic improvement in this ornamental crop.     

Effects of Enriched Physical and Social Environments on Motor Performance,Associative Learning,and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice

We have studied the motor abilities and associative learning capabilities of adult mice placed in different enriched environments. Three-month-old animals were maintained for a month alone (AL), alone in a physically enriched environment (PHY), and, finally, in groups in the absence (SO) or presence (SOPHY) of an enriched environment. The animals'' capabilities were subsequently checked in the rotarod test, and for classical and instrumental learning. The PHY and SOPHY groups presented better performances in the rotarod test and in the acquisition of the instrumental learning task. In contrast, no significant differences between groups were observed for classical eyeblink conditioning. The four groups presented similar increases in the strength of field EPSPs (fEPSPs) evoked at the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse across classical conditioning sessions, with no significant differences between groups. These trained animals were pulse-injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to determine hippocampal neurogenesis. No significant differences were found in the number of NeuN/BrdU double-labeled neurons. We repeated the same BrdU study in one-month-old mice raised for an additional month in the above-mentioned four different environments. These animals were not submitted to rotarod or conditioned tests. Non-trained PHY and SOPHY groups presented more neurogenesis than the other two groups. Thus, neurogenesis seems to be related to physical enrichment at early ages, but not to learning acquisition in adult mice.     

Hypomorphism for RPGRIP1L,a Ciliary Gene Vicinal to the FTO Locus,Causes Increased Adiposity in Mice

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The Development and Stability of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacteriodes</Emphasis> from Human Gut Microbiota in HFA Mice Model

Human flora-associated (HFA) mice are frequently applied in studying the ecology and metabolism of human gut microbiota. However, the development and stability of the genus Bacteriodes, a prominent bacteria group of human gut microbiota, in HFA mice have not yet fully been examined. In this study, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was employed to monitor the Bacteriodes community in the fecal microbiota of six HFA Kunming mice during a period of 3 weeks. Based on the DGGE banding patterns, the majority of prominent bands in the HFA mice DGGE profile were also typical bands in the human DGGE profile, despite the absence of three bands (corresponding to two different B. thetaiotaomicron strains and one B. intestinalis strain) from the human DGGE profile. The Dice coefficient of similarity for the fecal microbiota of HFA mice in comparison to the human donor sample ranged between 74 ± 6% and 81 ± 7%. The phylogeny of bands in the DGGE profile showed that the dominant Bacteriodes species in the fecal microbiota of HFA mice were B. thetaiotaomicron, representing 66.7% of all bands. Our results indicate that the genus Bacteriodes in the fecal microbiota of HFA mice was selected from the human donor and could remain relatively stable over time.     

Eth-1, the Neurospora Crassa Locus Encoding S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase: Molecular Cloning, Sequence Analysis and in Vivo Overexpression

Intense biochemical and genetic research on the eth-1(r) mutant of Neurospora crassa suggested that this locus might encode S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (S-Adomet synthetase). We have used protoplast transformation and phenotypic rescue of a thermosensitive phenotype associated with the eth-1(r) mutation to clone the locus. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that it encodes S-Adomet synthetase. Homology analyses of prokaryotic, fungal and higher eukaryotic S-Adomet synthetase polypeptide sequences show a remarkable evolutionary conservation of the enzyme. N. crassa strains carrying S-Adomet synthetase coding sequences fused to a strong heterologous promoter were constructed to assess the phenotypic consequences of in vivo S-Adomet synthetase overexpression. Studies of growth rates and microscopic examination of vegetative development revealed that normal growth and morphogenesis take place in N. crassa even at abnormally high levels of cellular S-Adomet. The degree of cytosine methylation of a naturally methylated genomic region was dependent on the cellular levels of S-Adomet. We conclude that variation in S-Adomet levels in N. crassa cells, which in addition to the status of genomic DNA methylation could modify the flux of other S-Adomet-dependent metabolic pathways, does not affect growth rate or morphogenesis.     

Characterization of Mutants of Human Small Heat Shock Protein HspB1 Carrying Replacements in the N-Terminal Domain and Associated with Hereditary Motor Neuron Diseases

Physico-chemical properties of the mutations G34R, P39L and E41K in the N-terminal domain of human heat shock protein B1 (HspB1), which have been associated with hereditary motor neuron neuropathy, were analyzed. Heat-induced aggregation of all mutants started at lower temperatures than for the wild type protein. All mutations decreased susceptibility of the N- and C-terminal parts of HspB1 to chymotrypsinolysis. All mutants formed stable homooligomers with a slightly larger apparent molecular weight compared to the wild type protein. All mutations analyzed decreased or completely prevented phosphorylation-induced dissociation of HspB1 oligomers. When mixed with HspB6 and heated, all mutants yielded heterooligomers with apparent molecular weights close to ~400 kDa. Finally, the three HspB1 mutants possessed lower chaperone-like activity towards model substrates (lysozyme, malate dehydrogenase and insulin) compared to the wild type protein, conversely the environmental probe bis-ANS yielded higher fluorescence with the mutants than with the wild type protein. Thus, in vitro the analyzed N-terminal mutations increase stability of large HspB1 homooligomers, prevent their phosphorylation-dependent dissociation, modulate their interaction with HspB6 and decrease their chaperoning capacity, preventing normal functioning of HspB1.     

Analysis of the allele polymorphism of (CTG)n and (GAG)n triplet repeats in DM,DRPLA, and SCA1 genes in various populations of Russia

Polymorphism of highly polymorphic triplet repeats CTG of the 3'-untranslated region of the myotonin protein kinase gene and CAG of the genes associated with dentatorobral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA, or Hew River syndrome) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) was analyzed in several ethnic populations of Russia. A difference in allele spectra of the three genes was demonstrated for populations differing in ethnic origin.     

Molecular Identification and Physiological Characterization of a Putative Novel Plasma Membrane Protein from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> Involved in Glucose Response

We carried out functional analysis of a putative novel Arabidopsis plasma membrane glucose-responsive regulator, designated AtPGR, which contains seven predicted transmembrane domains. Several evidences showed that AtPGR is a glucose-related protein, but its biological functions have yet to be reported in any plant. Analyses of the AtPGR promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) construct and RNA in situ hybridization revealed substantial gene expression in the vasculature of various tissues, especially in the phloem region. Glucose treatment induced the highest levels of GUS activity, reaching a peak at 3 h and declining thereafter, consistent with glucose-mediated regulation of the AtPGR promoter. We generated an atpgr RNAi knockdown mutant and found that this plant grew and developed normally. Ectopic expression of AtPGR gene modulated the induction of glucose and 2-deoxyglucose insensitivity under stress conditions. By way of contrast, cotyledon greening of atpgr RNAi knockdown mutant seeds enhanced sensitivity to glucose and 2-deoxyglucose. Taken together, these results suggest that AtPGR functions as a potential glucose-responsive regulator in carbohydrate metabolism.