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Cell-specific deletion of glucosylceramide synthase in brain leads to severe neural defects after birth

2005; National Academy of Sciences; Volume: 102; Issue: 35 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1073/pnas.0500893102

1091-6490

Richard Jennemann, Roger Sandhoff, Shijun Wang, Éva Kiss, Norbert Gretz, Cecilia Zuliani, Ana Martin‐Villalba, Richard Jäger, Hubert Schorle, Marc Kenzelmann, Mahnaz Bonrouhi, Herbert Wiegandt, Hermann-Josef Gröne,

Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research

Sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids, i.e., gangliosides, constitute a major component of neuronal cells and are thought to be essential for brain function. UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase (Ugcg) catalyzes the initial step of glycosphingolipid (GSL) biosynthesis. To gain insight into the role of GSLs in brain development and function, a cell-specific disruption of Ugcg was performed as indicated by the absence of virtually all glucosylceramide-based GSLs. Shortly after birth, mice showed dysfunction of cerebellum and peripheral nerves, associated with structural defects. Axon branching of Purkinje cells was significantly reduced. In primary cultures of neurons, dendritic complexity was clearly diminished, and pruning occurred early. Myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves were broadened and focally severely disorganized. GSL deficiency also led to a down-regulation of gene expression sets involved in brain development and homeostasis. Mice died ≈3 weeks after birth. These results imply that GSLs are essential for brain maturation.