
Genetic redundancy can be exploited to identify therapeutic targets for inherited disorders. We explored this possibility in DYT1 dystonia, a neurodevelopmental movement disorder caused by a loss-of-function (LOF) mutation in the TOR1A gene encoding torsinA. Prior work demonstrates that torsinA and its paralog torsinB have conserved functions at the nuclear envelope. This work established that low neuronal levels of torsinB dictate the neuronal selective phenotype of nuclear membrane budding. Here, we examined whether torsinB expression levels impact the onset or severity of abnormal movements or neuropathological features in DYT1 mouse models. We demonstrate that torsinB levels bidirectionally regulate these phenotypes. Reducing torsinB levels causes a dose-dependent worsening whereas torsinB overexpression rescues torsinA LOF-mediated abnormal movements and neurodegeneration. These findings identify torsinB as a potent modifier of torsinA LOF phenotypes and suggest that augmentation of torsinB expression may retard or prevent symptom development in DYT1 dystonia.
Mice, Knockout, Neurons, QH301-705.5, mouse model, Science, Q, R, genetic redundancy, Disease Models, Animal, Dystonia, cholinergic interneuron, Gene Expression Regulation, basal ganglia, Medicine, Animals, dystonia, movement disorder, Biology (General), Developmental Biology, Molecular Chaperones
Mice, Knockout, Neurons, QH301-705.5, mouse model, Science, Q, R, genetic redundancy, Disease Models, Animal, Dystonia, cholinergic interneuron, Gene Expression Regulation, basal ganglia, Medicine, Animals, dystonia, movement disorder, Biology (General), Developmental Biology, Molecular Chaperones
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
