PTRH2 is Necessary for Purkinje Cell Differentiation and Survival and its Loss Recapitulates Progressive Cerebellar Atrophy and Ataxia Seen in IMNEPD Patients

The objective is to delineate the mechanisms underlying the core cerebellar phenotype in this disease. For this, we generated constitutive (Ptrh2LoxPxhCMVCre, Ptrh2−/− mice) and Purkinje cell (PC) specific (Ptrh2LoxPxPcp2Cre, Ptrh2ΔPCmice)Ptrh2 mutant mouse models and investigated the effect of the loss ofPtrh2 on cerebellar development. We show thatPtrh2−/− knockout mice had severe postnatal runting and lethality by postnatal day 14.Ptrh2ΔPC PC specific knockout mice survived until adult age; however, they showed progressive cerebellar atrophy and functional cerebellar deficits with abnormal gait and ataxia. PCs ofPtrh2ΔPC mice had reduced cell size and density, stunted dendrites, and lower levels of ribosomal protein S6, a readout of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. By adulthood, there was a marked loss of PCs. Thus, we identify a cell autonomous requirement for PTRH2 in PC maturation and survival. Loss of PTRH2 in PCs leads to downregulation of the mTOR pathway and PC atrophy. This suggests a molecular mechanism underlying the ataxia and cerebellar atrophy seen in patients withPTRH2 mutations leading to infantile-onset multisystem neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease.

Source: The Cerebellum - October 11, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research