Dwarfism and low insulin-like growth factor-1 due to dopamine depletion in Pts-/- mice rescued by feeding neurotransmitter precursors and H4-biopterin |
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Authors: | Elzaouk Lina Leimbacher Walter Turri Matteo Ledermann Birgit Burki Kurt Blau Nenad Thony Beat |
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Affiliation: | Division of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Animal Facility, University of Zürich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland. |
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Abstract: | The tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) cofactor is essential for the biosynthesis of catecholamines and serotonin and for nitric-oxide synthase (NOS). Alterations in BH4 metabolism are observed in various neurological and psychiatric diseases, and mutations in one of the human metabolic genes causes hyperphenylalaninemia and/or monoamine neurotransmitter deficiency. We report on a knockout mouse for the Pts gene, which codes for a BH4-biosynthetic enzyme. Homozygous Pts-/- mice developed with normal morphology but died after birth. Upon daily oral administration of BH4 and neurotransmitter precursors the Pts-/- mice eventually survived. However, at sexual maturity (6 weeks) the mice had only one-third of the normal body weight and were sexually immature. Biochemical analysis revealed no hyperphenylalaninemia, normal brain NOS activity, and almost normal serotonin levels, but brain dopamine was 3% of normal. Low dopamine leads to impaired food consumption as reflected by the severe growth deficiency and a 7-fold reduced serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This is the first link shown between 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase- or BH4-biosynthetic activity and IGF-1. |
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