Juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Batten disease): a brief review and update.
Juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Batten disease, Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren disease, CLN3) is the most common inherited, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative disorder in man. Like the other neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses, it is characterized by progressive loss of vision, seizures, and loss of cognitive and motor functions, leading to premature demise. JNCL is caused by mutations of CLN3, a gene that encodes a hydrophobic transmembrane protein, which localizes to membrane lipid rafts in lysosomes, endosomes, synaptosomes, and cell membrane. While the primary function of the CLN3 protein (CLN3P) may be debated, its absence affects numerous cellular functions including pH regulation, arginine transport, membrane trafficking, and apoptosis. We have recently suggested that the unifying primary function of CLN3P may be in a novel palmitoyl-protein Delta-9 desaturase (PPD) activity that in our opinion could explain all of the various functional abnormalities seen in the JNCL cells. Another group of researchers has recently shown a correlation between the CLN3P expression and the synthesis of bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP) and suggested that CLN3P may play a role in the biosynthesis of BMP. In this review, following an introduction to the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses, we provide a brief overview and an update of the most recent research in JNCL, specifically that related to the function of CLN3P.
Rakheja
Dinesh
D
Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. dinesh.rakheja@utsouthwestern.edu
Narayan
Srinivas B
SB
Bennett
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009472:Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; C029627:delta-9 fatty acid desaturase