Genome-wide screen identifies drug-induced regulation of the gene giant axonal neuropathy (Gan) in a mouse model of antiretroviral-induced painful peripheral neuropathy.
Painful peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating complication of the treatment of HIV with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Patients are living longer with these drugs; however many develop excruciating, unremitting, and often treatment-limiting neuropathy that is resistant to conventional pain management therapies. Improving patient comfort and quality of life is paramount and depends on a clearer understanding of this devastating side effect. The mechanisms underlying the development of NRTI-induced neuropathy, however, remain unclear. Using a mouse model of NRTI-induced neuropathy, the authors conducted an unbiased whole-genome microarray screen to identify molecular targets in the spinal dorsal horn, which is the location where integration of ascending sensory transmission and descending modulatory effects occur. Analysis of the microarray data identified a change in the gene giant axonal neuropathy 1 (Gan1). Mutation of this gene has been linked to the development of giant axonal neuropathy (GAN), a rare autosomal recessive condition characterized by a progressive sensorimotor neuropathy. Gan1 has not been previously linked to nerve pathologies in other populations. In this study, downregulation of the Gan1 gene and the gene protein product, gigaxonin, was validated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction ([qPCR] gene expression) and Western blot analyses (protein level). Our report is the first to suggest that Gan1 might be a novel molecular target in the development of NRTI-induced peripheral neuropathy with implications for new therapeutic approaches to preventing or reducing a significant side effect of HIV treatment.
Dorsey
Susan G
SG
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. sdorsey@son.umaryland.edu
Leitch
Carmen C
CC
Renn
Cynthia L
CL
Lessans
Sherrie
S
Smith
Barbara A
BA
Wang
Xiao M
XM
Dionne
Raymond A
RA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015399:Nursing Research; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018119:Stavudine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C501171:Gan protein, mouse; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D018119:Stavudine