Open AccessDeregulation of ZPR1 causes respiratory failure in spinal muscular atrophy
Author(s) -
Naresh K. Genabai,
Annapoorna Kannan,
Saif Ahmad,
Xiaoting Jiang,
Kanchan Bhatia,
Laxman Gangwani
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-07603-z
Subject(s) - spinal muscular atrophy , sma* , motor neuron , neuroscience , muscle atrophy , atrophy , biology , respiratory failure , respiratory distress , respiratory system , spinal cord , medicine , anatomy , anesthesia , computer science , algorithm
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by the low levels of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and is characterized by motor neuron degeneration and muscle atrophy. Respiratory failure causes death in SMA but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. The zinc finger protein ZPR1 interacts with SMN. ZPR1 is down regulated in SMA patients. We report that ZPR1 functions downstream of SMN to regulate HoxA5 levels in phrenic motor neurons that control respiration. Spatiotemporal inactivation of Zpr1 gene in motor neurons down-regulates HoxA5 and causes defects in the function of phrenic motor neurons that results in respiratory failure and perinatal lethality in mice. Modulation in ZPR1 levels directly correlates and influences levels of HoxA5 transcription. In SMA mice, SMN-deficiency causes down-regulation of ZPR1 and HoxA5 that result in degeneration of phrenic motor neurons. Identification of ZPR1 and HoxA5 as potential targets provides a paradigm for developing strategies to treat respiratory distress in SMA.