Department of Cell Biology
Medical Subject Headings
BACKGROUND: Investigations of naturally-occurring mutations in animal models provide important insights and valuable disease models. Lamins A and C, along with lamin B, are type V intermediate filament proteins which constitute the proteinaceous boundary of the nucleus. LMNA mutations in humans cause a wide range of phenotypes, collectively termed laminopathies. To identify the mutation and investigate the phenotype of a spontaneous, semi-dominant mutation that we have named Disheveled hair and ear (Dhe), which causes a sparse coat and small external ears in heterozygotes and lethality in homozygotes by postnatal day 10.
FINDINGS: Genetic mapping identified a point mutation in the Lmna gene, causing a single amino acid change, L52R, in the coiled coil rod domain of lamin A and C proteins. Cranial sutures in Dhe/+ mice failed to close. Gene expression for collagen types I and III in sutures was deficient. Skulls were small and disproportionate. Skeletons of Dhe/+ mice were hypomineralized and total body fat was deficient in males. In homozygotes, skin and oral mucosae were dysplastic and ulcerated. Nuclear morphometry of cultured cells revealed gene dose-dependent blebbing and wrinkling.
CONCLUSION: Dhe mice should provide a useful new model for investigations of the pathogenesis of laminopathies.
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Citation: PLoS One. 2010 Apr 1;5(4):e9959. Link to article on publisher's site
Odgren, Paul R.; Pratt, Craig H.; MacKay, Carole A.; Mason-Savas, April; Curtain, Michelle; Shopland, Lindsay S.; Ichicki, Tsutomu; Sundberg, John P.; and Donahue, Leah Rae, "Disheveled hair and ear (Dhe), a spontaneous mouse Lmna mutation modeling human laminopathies" (2010). Odgren Lab. Paper 2.