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Misfolded transthyretin causes behavioral changes in a Drosophila model for transthyretin‐associated amyloidosis
Author(s) -
Pokrzywa Malgorzata,
Dacklin Ingrid,
Hultmark Dan,
Lundgren Erik
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05728.x
Subject(s) - transthyretin , amyloidosis , neurodegeneration , amyloid (mycology) , wild type , genetically modified mouse , transgene , mutation , mutant , biology , protein aggregation , polyneuropathy , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , gene , genetics , disease , medicine , endocrinology , botany
Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by accumulation of mutated transthyretin (TTR) amyloid fibrils in different organs and prevalently around peripheral nerves. We have constructed transgenic flies, expressing the clinical amyloidogenic variant TTRL55P and the engineered variant TTR‐A (TTRV14N/V16E) as well as the wild‐type protein, all in secreted form. Within a few weeks, both mutants but not the wild‐type TTR demonstrated a time‐dependent aggregation of misfolded molecules. This was associated with neurodegeneration, change in wing posture, attenuation of locomotor activity including compromised flying ability and shortened life span. In contrast, expression of wild‐type TTR had no discernible effect on either longevity or behavior. These results suggest that Drosophila can be used as a disease‐model to study TTR amyloid formation, and to screen for pharmacological agents and modifying genes.