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Characterization of the mitofusin 2 R94W mutation in a knock‐in mouse model
Author(s) -
Strickland Alleene V.,
Rebelo Adriana P.,
Zhang Fan,
Price Justin,
Bolon Brad,
Silva Jose P.,
Wen Rong,
Züchner Stephan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the peripheral nervous system
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1529-8027
pISSN - 1085-9489
DOI - 10.1111/jns5.12066
Subject(s) - mfn2 , neurodegeneration , mitochondrial fusion , biology , phenotype , mutation , mitochondrion , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , point mutation , gene knockin , zebrafish , mitochondrial dna , pathology , disease , medicine , gene
Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease ( CMT ) comprises a group of heterogeneous peripheral axonopathies affecting 1 in 2,500 individuals. As mutations in several genes cause axonal degeneration in CMT type 2, mutations in mitofusin 2 ( MFN2 ) account for approximately 90% of the most severe cases, making it the most common cause of inherited peripheral axonal degeneration. MFN2 is an integral mitochondrial outer membrane protein that plays a major role in mitochondrial fusion and motility; yet the mechanism by which dominant mutations in this protein lead to neurodegeneration is still not fully understood. Furthermore, future pre‐clinical drug trials will be in need of validated rodent models. We have generated a Mfn2 knock‐in mouse model expressing Mfn2 R94W , which was originally identified in CMT patients. We have performed behavioral, morphological, and biochemical studies to investigate the consequences of this mutation. Homozygous inheritance leads to premature death at P1 , as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, including increased mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and decreased ATP levels in newborn brains. Mfn2 R94W heterozygous mice show histopathology and age‐dependent open‐field test abnormalities, which support a mild peripheral neuropathy. Although behavior does not mimic the severity of the human disease phenotype, this mouse can provide useful tissues for studying molecular pathways associated with MFN2 point mutations.