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Nwosu GI, Shen W, Zavalin K, Poliquin S, Randhave K, Flamm C, Biven M, Langer K, Kang JQ. GABA A Receptor β3 Subunit Mutation N328D Heterozygous Knock-in Mice Have Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8458. [PMID: 37176165 PMCID: PMC10179596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) characterized by multiple seizure types, electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, and cognitive decline. Its etiology has a prominent genetic component, including variants in GABRB3 that encodes the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) β3 subunit. LGS has an unknown pathophysiology, and few animal models are available for studying LGS. The objective of this study was to evaluate Gabrb3+/N328D knock-in mice as a model for LGS. We generated a heterozygous knock-in mouse expressing Gabrb3 (c.A982G, p.N238D), a de novo mutation identified in a patient with LGS. We investigated Gabrb3+/N328D mice for features of LGS. In 2-4-month-old male and female C57BL/J6 wild-type and Gabrb3+/N328D mice, we investigated seizure severity using video-monitored EEG, cognitive impairment using a suite of behavioral tests, and profiled GABAAR subunit expression by Western blot. Gabrb3+/N328D mice showed spontaneous seizures and signs of cognitive impairment, including deficits in spatial learning, memory, and locomotion. Moreover, Gabrb3+/N328D mice showed reduced β3 subunit expression in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and thalamus. This phenotype of epilepsy and neurological impairment resembles the LGS patient phenotype. We conclude that Gabrb3+/N328D mice provide a good model for investigating the pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention of LGS and DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Ikemefuna Nwosu
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kirill Zavalin
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sarah Poliquin
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Karishma Randhave
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carson Flamm
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Marshall Biven
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Katherine Langer
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Jing-Qiong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
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Qu S, Catron M, Zhou C, Janve V, Shen W, Howe RK, Macdonald RL. GABA A receptor β3 subunit mutation D120N causes Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in knock-in mice. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa028. [PMID: 32467926 PMCID: PMC7238755 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a devastating early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, associated with severe behavioural abnormalities. Its pathophysiology, however, is largely unknown. A de novo mutation (c.G358A, p.D120N) in the human GABA type-A receptor β3 subunit gene (GABRB3) has been identified in a patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. To determine whether the mutation causes Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in vivo in mice and to elucidate its mechanistic effects, we generated the heterozygous Gabrb3+/D120N knock-in mouse and found that it had frequent spontaneous atypical absence seizures, as well as less frequent tonic, myoclonic, atonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Each of these seizure types had a unique and characteristic ictal EEG. In addition, knock-in mice displayed abnormal behaviours seen in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome including impaired learning and memory, hyperactivity, impaired social interactions and increased anxiety. This Gabrb3 mutation did not alter GABA type-A receptor trafficking or expression in knock-in mice. However, cortical neurons in thalamocortical slices from knock-in mice had reduced miniature inhibitory post-synaptic current amplitude and prolonged spontaneous thalamocortical oscillations. Thus, the Gabrb3+/D120N knock-in mouse recapitulated human Lennox-Gastaut syndrome seizure types and behavioural abnormalities and was caused by impaired inhibitory GABAergic signalling in the thalamocortical loop. In addition, treatment with antiepileptic drugs and cannabinoids ameliorated atypical absence seizures in knock-in mice. This congenic knock-in mouse demonstrates that a single-point mutation in a single gene can cause development of multiple types of seizures and multiple behavioural abnormalities. The knock-in mouse will be useful for further investigation of the mechanisms of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome development and for the development of new antiepileptic drugs and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimian Qu
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mackenzie Catron
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Chengwen Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Vaishali Janve
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rachel K Howe
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Robert L Macdonald
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Cheng D, Ming Y, Li J, Chi Y, Li HG, Zou YJ, Xiong CL. Expression of Attractin in male reproductive tract of human and mice and its correlation with male reproduction. JOURNAL OF HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. MEDICAL SCIENCES = HUA ZHONG KE JI DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE YING DE WEN BAN = HUAZHONG KEJI DAXUE XUEBAO. YIXUE YINGDEWEN BAN 2014; 34:745-749. [PMID: 25318887 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-014-1346-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University in December, 2012. Testis samples were collected from 7 cases of obstructive azoospermias when they were subjected to diagnosed testis biopsy, and 30 normal human semen samples were obtained from those cases of semen analysis. Adult mice testis tissues were obtained from 10 2-month-old male BALB/c mice, and 60 male mice at different ages were classified into 10 groups (day 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 120 respectively, n=6 each). The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. Human semen samples were centrifuged into sperm plasma (SP) and sperm extract (SE), and mice sperm samples were collected from the epididymis of 10 adult male BALB/c mice. Western blotting was used to determine the Attractin protein expression level. Attractin mRNA and protein were expressed in the testis of both patients with obstructive azoospermias and adult Bcl/B mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that no Attractin mRNA was detectable in day 1 male BALB/c mice group. The Attractin mRNA and protein levels were low on the day 10, and increased with age until day 56. On the day 120, the expression levels of Attractin were decreased. As for human semen samples, Attractin protein was expressed in both SP and SE, but didn't exist in samples from the epididymis of male BALB/c mice. It was suggested that Attractin acted as a novel active substance and was involved in male reproduction in both human and BALB/c mice, but it exerted a different expression profile in different mammal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cheng
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yu Ming
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jie Li
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yan Chi
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong-Gang Li
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yu-Jie Zou
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Cheng-Liang Xiong
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Serikawa T, Mashimo T, Kuramoro T, Voigt B, Ohno Y, Sasa M. Advances on genetic rat models of epilepsy. Exp Anim 2014; 64:1-7. [PMID: 25312505 PMCID: PMC4329510 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.14-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the suitability of laboratory rats in epilepsy research, we and other groups
have been developing genetic models of epilepsy in this species. After epileptic rats or
seizure-susceptible rats were sporadically found in outbred stocks, the epileptic traits
were usually genetically-fixed by selective breeding. So far, the absence seizure models
GAERS and WAG/Rij, audiogenic seizure models GEPR-3 and GEPR-9, generalized tonic-clonic
seizure models IER, NER and WER, and Canavan-disease related epileptic models TRM and SER
have been established. Dissection of the genetic bases including causative genes in these
epileptic rat models would be a significant step toward understanding epileptogenesis.
N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis provides a systematic approach which allowed us to
develop two novel epileptic rat models: heat-induced seizure susceptible (Hiss) rats with
an Scn1a missense mutation and autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) model
rats with an Lgi1 missense mutation. In addition, we have established episodic ataxia type
1 (EA1) model rats with a Kcna1 missense mutation derived from the ENU-induced rat mutant
stock, and identified a Cacna1a missense mutation in a N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea
(MNU)-induced mutant rat strain GRY, resulting in the discovery of episodic ataxia type 2
(EA2) model rats. Thus, epileptic rat models have been established on the two paths:
‘phenotype to gene’ and ‘gene to phenotype’. In the near future, development of novel
epileptic rat models will be extensively promoted by the use of sophisticated genome
editing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadao Serikawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku 606-8501; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki 569-1094, Japan
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Hanaya R, Sasa M, Sugata S, Tokudome M, Serikawa T, Kurisu K, Arita K. Hippocampal cell loss and propagation of abnormal discharges accompanied with the expression of tonic convulsion in the spontaneously epileptic rat. Brain Res 2010; 1328:171-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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