Gene expression profile of oxidant stress and neurodegeneration in transgenic mice deficient in alpha-tocopherol transfer protein

Free Radic Biol Med. 2003 Dec 1;35(11):1343-54. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5849(03)00509-4.

Abstract

Alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (TTP) regulates the retention and secretion of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) by the liver. Deletion of the TTP gene (Ttpa) in mice results in systemic deficiency of alpha-T and neurological dysfunctions described in patients with mutated Ttpa. We have explored genome-wide changes in mRNAs from brain cortex and liver of Ttpa-deficient (Ttpa(-/-)) mice and wild-type (Ttpa(+/+)) mice. Selective inductions of genes regulated by antioxidant response elements were detected in Ttpa(-/-) livers compared to Ttpa(+/+) livers, suggesting increased oxidant stress in Ttpa(-/-) livers. The activation of cell proliferation pathways in Ttpa(-/-) livers was indicated by the induction of genes that encode growth factor-binding proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3, and apoptosis inhibitor 6. The induction of synuclein-alpha and repression of synuclein-beta genes was detected in Ttpa(-/-) cortex. This may predispose Ttpa(-/-) cortex to increased formation of synuclein-alpha aggregates and Lewy body, often associated with oxidant stress. Cortex of Ttpa(-/-) mice revealed repression of genes encoding synaptic proteins, protein kinase C family members, and myelin proteins. A 13-fold decrease in the expression of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-alpha mRNA predicts staggerer-like phenotype (ataxia and deficits of motor coordination) of Ttpa(-/-) mice. The repression of specific genes that determine synaptic plasticity and neuronal development may account for suppressed electrophysiological activities of cortex and impaired behavior in Ttpa(-/-) mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 3
  • Male
  • Maze Learning
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Oxidants*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1
  • Oxidants
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • alpha-tocopherol transfer protein
  • RNA
  • DNA
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 3
  • MAP2K3 protein, human
  • Map2k3 protein, mouse
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases