Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
10
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-5-1
pubmed:abstractText
Rett syndrome is an X-linked neurological condition affecting almost exclusively girls that is caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene. Recent studies have shown that transgenic delivery of MeCP2 function to Mecp2-deficient male mice can improve their Rett-like behavior. However, as the brain of a Rett girl contains a mosaic of MeCP2 expressing and non-expressing neurons, and the over-expression of MeCP2 in neurons can induce a severe progressive neurological phenotype, testing whether functional rescue can be achieved by gene re-introduction strategies in a female model of Rett syndrome is warranted. To address this, we generated transgenic mice expressing an epitope-tagged Mecp2 transgene in forebrain neurons. These mice over-express MeCP2 protein at about 1.6 times normal levels in cortex and develop impaired motor behavior by 9-12 months of age. To test whether forebrain-targeted MeCP2 restoration would improve behavior in female Mecp2(-/+) mice, we crossed these transgenics with Mecp2(-/+) mice and examined the behavioral properties of the female rescue mice for 1 year. These assessments revealed that the diminished rearing activity, impaired mobility and the diminished locomotive activity of female Mecp2(-/+) mice were restored to wild-type levels in the rescue mice. These results show that improvement of Rett-like behavior can be achieved in Mecp2(-/+) females by targeted gene re-introduction without inducing deficits relating to MeCP2 over-expression.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
1460-2083
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
17
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1386-96
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Targeted delivery of an Mecp2 transgene to forebrain neurons improves the behavior of female Mecp2-deficient mice.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't