Analyses of copy number and mRNA expression level of the alpha-synuclein gene in multiple system atrophy.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a sporadic neurodegenerative disease manifested clinically by progressive ataxia, parkinsonism, and autonomic dysfunction. Its cause is unknown, and there is no curative therapy. Alpha-synuclein is an important protein forming aggregations called glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) in oligodendroglia; these aggregations are considered important in MSA pathogenesis. Overexpression of the human alpha-synuclein gene in mice induces the formation of GCI-like aggregations in oligodendrocytes, leading mice to exhibit neurological signs similar to those in MSA patients. However, previous studies have excluded mutations within the coding region of the alpha-synuclein gene in MSA patients. To determine whether alteration in the expression level of the alpha-synuclein gene is associated with MSA pathogenesis, we used TaqMan quantitative PCR assay to analyze the alpha-synuclein gene copy number in patients' genomes. We also used quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization to analyze alpha-synuclein mRNA expression in MSA patients' brain tissues. We found no alteration in the alpha-synuclein gene copy number in the patients' genomes (n = 50). Quantitative analysis for alpha-synuclein mRNA by the TaqMan method showed that alpha-synuclein mRNA levels were comparable between control (n = 3) and MSA (n = 3) cerebella. On in situ hybridization, the number of neurons with alpha-synuclein mRNA expression was no greater in the cerebella of MSA patients (n = 3) than in the controls (n = 3). However, GCIs were seen in these MSA specimens on immunohistochemistry for alpha-synuclein. These results suggest that alpha-synuclein gene expression is not the fundamental cause of MSA.
Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku 113-8519, Tokyo, Japan.
Honglian
H
Jin
Kinya
K
Ishikawa
Taiji
T
Tsunemi
Taro
T
Ishiguro
Takeshi
T
Amino
Hidehiro
H
Mizusawa
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D050658:Core Binding Factor beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D002479:Inclusion Bodies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000235:genetics*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
D050658:Core Binding Factor beta Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051844:alpha-Synuclein