Spectral properties and mechanisms that underlie autofluorescent accumulations in Batten disease

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 May 1;382(2):247-51. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.02.099. Epub 2009 Feb 25.

Abstract

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs) have an incidence of 1 in 12,500 live births. These devastating neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases are characterized by the lysosomal accumulation of autofluorescent storage material (AFSM) similar to that seen in aging cells. Using patient derived lymphoblasts from three genetically distinct NCLs we report that AFSM for each NCL has distinct spectral properties. Moreover, by using pharmacological inhibitors to disrupt various biochemical pathways in normal control lymphoblasts we have determined that disruptions in microtubule assembly and non-muscle myosin II function results in accumulation of lysosomal AFSM. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy did not result in AFSM. We conclude that cellular disturbances outside the lysosome in addition to compromised function of this organelle can result in accumulation of lysosomal AFSM in NCLs and possibly as a result of cellular aging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Myosin Type II / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses / pathology*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Myosin Type II