Study of the adenosinergic system in the brain of HPRT knockout mouse (Lesch-Nyhan disease).
BACKGROUND
Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND), an X-linked genetic disease caused by complete deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), is characterized by hyperuricemia and psychiatric disturbance, mainly self-aggressiveness. Literature dates support the hypothesis that dopaminergic deficit and serotonergic excess in the circuit of basal ganglia are responsible for the aggressive behavior. Altered adenosine transport across the membrane of HPRT-deficient lymphocytes has been reported, suggesting adenosine involvement in LND.


METHODS
The expression of several genes related to the adenosinergic system (ADORA1A, ADORA2A, ADORA2B) were studied in the brain of the murine model of LND by real time PCR. Nucleotide levels and enzyme activities possibly involved in adenosine release were also measured.


RESULTS
Studies performed by real time PCR showed 95% increase in ADORA1A expression, 15% decrease in ADORA2A expression, and no change in ADORA2B expression in knockout mice compared to controls. No significant differences were found in the level of nucleotides or enzyme activities between control and mutant mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that adenosine neurotransmission might be involved in the specific neurobehavioral features of LND by increased expression of adenosine A1 receptors.
Bertelli
Matteo
M
Laboratorio di Genetica Medica, Istituto Malattie Rare Mauro Baschirotto BIRD Foundation Onlus, 36023 Costozza, Vicenza, Italy. matteo.bertelli@birdfoundation.org
Cecchin
Stefano
S
Lapucci
Cristina
C
Jacomelli
Gabriella
G
Jinnah
Hyder A
HA
Pandolfo
Massimo
M
Micheli
Vanna
V
D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007041:Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D007926:Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D043682:Receptor, Adenosine A1 / Q000235:genetics; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043682:Receptor, Adenosine A1; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D007041:Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase; D000241:Adenosine