title: Tetranectin knockout mice develop features of Parkinson disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aggregation of insoluble α-synuclein to form Lewy bodies (LBs) may contribute to the selective loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease (PD). Lack of robust animal models has impeded elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of LB formation and other critical aspects of PD pathogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We established a mouse model with targeted deletion of the plasminogen-binding protein tetranectin (TN) gene (TN(-/-)) and measured the behavioral and histopathological features of PD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aged (15-to 20-month-old) TN(-/-) mice displayed motor deficits resembling PD symptoms, including limb rigidity and both slower ambulation (bradykinesia) and reduced rearing activity in the open field. In addition, these mice exhibited more numerous α-synuclein-positive LB-like inclusions within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and reduced numbers of SNc dopaminergic neurons than age-matched wild type (WT) mice. These pathological changes were also accompanied by loss of dopamine terminals in the dorsal striatum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TN(-/-) mouse exhibits several key features of PD and so may be a valuable model for studying LB formation and testing candidate neuroprotective therapies for PD and other synucleinopathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Er-song
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hui-bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Gan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shi-wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Hai-jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yi-rui
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Cai-hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Yao-dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; C048648:tetranectin