The spinal muscular atrophy mouse model, SMAΔ7, displays altered axonal transport without global neurofilament alterations

Acta Neuropathol. 2011 Sep;122(3):331-41. doi: 10.1007/s00401-011-0848-5. Epub 2011 Jun 17.

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease resulting from decreased levels of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) protein. Reduced SMN1 levels are linked to pathology at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which includes decreased vesicle density and organization, decreased quantal release, increased endplate potential duration, and neurofilament (NF) accumulations. This work presents a first study towards defining molecular alterations that may lead to the development of NMJ pathology in SMA. Fast, anterograde transport of synaptic vesicle 2 (SV2-c) and synaptotagmin (Syt1) proteins was reduced 2 days prior to the observed decrease in synaptic vesicle density. Moreover, reduced accumulation of SV2-c or Syt1 was not due to reduced protein expression or reduced kinesin activity. Dynein levels were reduced at times that are consistent with NF accumulations at NMJs. Furthermore, NF distribution, from cell body to sciatic nerve, appeared normal in SMA∆7 mice. Taken together, these results suggest that reduced axonal transport may provide a mechanistic explanation for reduced synaptic vesicle density and concomitant synaptic transmission defects, while providing evidence that suggests NF accumulations result from local NMJ alterations to NFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Axons / pathology*
  • Biological Transport / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal* / complications
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal* / genetics
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal* / pathology
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism
  • Neuromuscular Junction / pathology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / ultrastructure
  • SMN Complex Proteins / genetics*
  • Sciatic Nerve / metabolism
  • Sciatic Nerve / pathology
  • Sciatic Nerve / ultrastructure
  • Sciatic Neuropathy / metabolism
  • Sciatic Neuropathy / pathology
  • Synaptotagmins / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • SMN Complex Proteins
  • Sv2a protein, mouse
  • Synaptotagmins