Upregulation of large myelin protein zero leads to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-like neuropathy in mice

Commun Biol. 2020 Mar 13;3(1):121. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-0854-z.

Abstract

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a hereditary neuropathy mainly caused by gene mutation of peripheral myelin proteins including myelin protein zero (P0, MPZ). Large myelin protein zero (L-MPZ) is an isoform of P0 that contains an extended polypeptide synthesized by translational readthrough at the C-terminus in tetrapods, including humans. The physiological role of L-MPZ and consequences of an altered L-MPZ/P0 ratio in peripheral myelin are not known. To clarify this, we used genome editing to generate a mouse line (L-MPZ mice) that produced L-MPZ instead of P0. Motor tests and electrophysiological, immunohistological, and electron microscopy analyses show that homozygous L-MPZ mice exhibit CMT-like phenotypes including thin and/or loose myelin, increased small-caliber axons, and disorganized axo-glial interactions. Heterozygous mice show a milder phenotype. These results highlight the importance of an appropriate L-MPZ/P0 ratio and show that aberrant readthrough of a myelin protein causes neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / pathology
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / genetics
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / genetics
  • Gene Editing
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Activity / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Myelin P0 Protein / chemistry*
  • Myelin P0 Protein / genetics
  • Myelin P0 Protein / metabolism*
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / genetics*

Substances

  • Mpz protein, mouse
  • Myelin P0 Protein
  • Protein Isoforms