Abstract
Homozygote wobbler mice develop motoneurone degeneration. Throughout development the expression of choline acetyltransferase, of trkC receptor and F3 adhesion molecule genes is similar in wobbler and wild-type spinal cord. Acetylcholinesterase mRNA level instead is decreased to about 50% with respect to wild-type values in one forth of P5 and P10 wobbler progeny, putative wr/wr individuals; at P21 its expression is equally highly reduced in known homozygotes and it is reduced to 35% of normal values in about one half of the progeny, putative heterozygotes. Thus, similarly to medium neurofilament gene over-expression, reduced acetylcholinesterase gene expression is an early molecular marker for the wobbler mutation before onset of the illness.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Acetylcholinesterase / genetics*
-
Animals
-
Base Sequence
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
-
Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics*
-
Membrane Glycoproteins*
-
Mice
-
Mice, Neurologic Mutants
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Motor Neurons / metabolism*
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins*
-
Neuropeptides / genetics*
-
Peripherins
-
Polymerase Chain Reaction
-
RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
-
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
-
Receptor, trkC
-
Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / genetics
-
Reference Values
-
Spinal Cord / cytology
-
Spinal Cord / embryology
-
Spinal Cord / growth & development
Substances
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
-
Intermediate Filament Proteins
-
Membrane Glycoproteins
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins
-
Neuropeptides
-
Peripherins
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
-
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
-
Receptor, trkC
-
Acetylcholinesterase