A novel mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease carrying a D1005G-Npc1 mutation comparable to commonly observed human mutations.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-15-2012
Keywords
Age of Onset, Alleles, Animals, Astrocytes, Brain, Carrier Proteins, Cholesterol, DNA Mutational Analysis, Disease Models, Animal, Disease Progression, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Gangliosides, Homozygote, Humans, Lipid Metabolism, Lung, Macrophages, Membrane Glycoproteins, Mice, Microglia, Myelin Sheath, Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C, Phenotype, Point Mutation, Proteostasis Deficiencies, Purkinje Cells, RNA, Messenger, Startle Reaction, Survival Rate
JAX Source
Hum Mol Genet 2012 Feb 15; 21(4):730-50.
PMID
22048958
Volume
21
Issue
4
First Page
730
Last Page
750
ISSN
1460-2083
Abstract
We have identified a point mutation in Npc1 that creates a novel mouse model (Npc1(nmf164)) of Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC) disease: a single nucleotide change (A to G at cDNA bp 3163) that results in an aspartate to glycine change at position 1005 (D1005G). This change is in the cysteine-rich luminal loop of the NPC1 protein and is highly similar to commonly occurring human mutations. Genetic and molecular biological analyses, including sequencing the Npc1(spm) allele and identifying a truncating mutation, confirm that the mutation in Npc1(nmf164) mice is distinct from those in other existing mouse models of NPC disease (Npc1(nih), Npc1(spm)). Analyses of lifespan, body and spleen weight, gait and other motor activities, as well as acoustic startle responses all reveal a more slowly developing phenotype in Npc1(nmf164) mutant mice than in mice with the null mutations (Npc1(nih), Npc1(spm)). Although Npc1 mRNA levels appear relatively normal, Npc1(nmf164) brain and liver display dramatic reductions in Npc1 protein, as well as abnormal cholesterol metabolism and altered glycolipid expression. Furthermore, histological analyses of liver, spleen, hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum reveal abnormal cholesterol accumulation, glial activation and Purkinje cell loss at a slower rate than in the Npc1(nih) mouse model. Magnetic resonance imaging studies also reveal significantly less demyelination/dysmyelination than in the null alleles. Thus, although prior mouse models may correspond to the severe infantile onset forms of NPC disease, Npc1(nmf164) mice offer many advantages as a model for the late-onset, more slowly progressing forms of NPC disease that comprise the large majority of human cases.
Recommended Citation
Maue R,
Burgess R,
Wang B,
Wooley C,
Seburn K,
Vanier M,
Rogers M,
Chang C,
Chang T,
Harris B,
Graber D,
Penatti C,
Porter D,
Szwergold B,
Henderson L,
Totenhagen J,
Trouard T,
Borbon I,
Erickson R.
A novel mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease carrying a D1005G-Npc1 mutation comparable to commonly observed human mutations. Hum Mol Genet 2012 Feb 15; 21(4):730-50.