Movement disorders in the Hfe knockout mouse.
The Hfe(- /-) mouse is a model for human hereditary hemochromatosis (HHH). The accumulation of tissue iron in this condition has led to the suggestion that HHH patients may be at higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, adult male Hfe(-/-) mice and wildtype controls (n = 12/group) were evaluated for impairment with motor tests (stride length, landing footsplay, rotarod) as well as a general observational battery (Functional Observational Battery, FOB). Hfe(-/-) mice were characterized by more falls from the rotarod, wider forelimb landing footsplay and hypersensitivity to proximal stimulation. Iron accumulation in brain was not detected by histopathology. These data suggest that a motor syndrome may be associated with HHH that could be further understood through the Hfe(-/-) mouse model.
Murine Behavior Assessment Laboratory, Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Center, University of California, Davis Davis, California 95616, USA. msgolub@ucdavis.edu
Mari S
MS
Golub
Stacey L
SL
Germann
Renee S
RS
Araiza
J Rachel
JR
Reader
Stephen M
SM
Griffey
K C Kent
KC
Lloyd
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000235:genetics; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation
D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; C499535:Hfe protein, mouse; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins