Publication
Title
Human Rab7 mutation mimics features of CharcotMarieTooth neuropathy type 2B in **Drosophila**
Author
Abstract
CharcotMarieTooth disease type 2B (CMT2B) is an inherited axonal peripheral neuropathy. It is characterised by prominent sensory loss, often complicated by severe ulcero-mutilations of toes or feet, and variable motor involvement. Missense mutations in RAB7A, the gene encoding the small GTPase Rab7, cause CMT2B and increase Rab7 activity. Rab7 is ubiquitously expressed and is involved in degradation through the lysosomal pathway. In the neurons, Rab7 plays a role in the long-range retrograde transport of signalling endosomes in the axons. Here we developed the first animal model of CMT2B, modelling one of the mutations (L129F) in Drosophila melanogaster. Behavioural assays show that this model recapitulates several hallmarks of the human disease. Upon expression of mutant Rab7 in the sensory neurons, larvae present with a reduction of temperature and pain perception. Furthermore, the larvae exhibit a crawling defect when the mutant protein is expressed in the motor neurons. Analysis of axonal transport of Rab7 positive vesicles in sensory neurons of Drosophila larvae and in neurites of mammalian neuroblastoma cells demonstrates that mutant vesicles pause less than their wild-type counterparts. This latter finding indicates that alterations in vesicle transport might contribute to the pathomechanism of CMT2B.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Neurobiology of disease. - San Diego, Calif.
Publication
San Diego, Calif. : 2014
ISSN
0969-9961
DOI
10.1016/J.NBD.2014.01.021
Volume/pages
65 (2014) , p. 211-219
ISI
000333546300022
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
In vivo modelling of two ulcero-mutilating neuropathies in Drosophila melanogaster
Unraveling the molecular architecture of peripheral nerves- a system genetics approach.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.02.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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