Clues to Neuro-Degeneration in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease from Global Gene Expression Profiling

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 1; no. 1; p. e19
• Main Authors: Reddy, Jonathan V., Ganley, Ian G., Pfeffer, Suzanne R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 20.12.2006; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Alzheimer Disease - etiology; Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimers disease; Amino Acid Substitution; Amyloid beta-protein; Amyloid precursor protein; Analysis; Biochemistry; Biochemistry/Membrane Proteins and Energy Transduction; Brain diseases; Calcium; Calcium - metabolism; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Cell Biology/Neuronal and Glial Cell Biology; Cells, Cultured; Cholesterol; Cholesterol - metabolism; Degeneration; DNA microarrays; Fibroblasts; Free radicals; Gene expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic disorders; Genetics and Genomics/Genetics of Disease; Genomes; Genomics; Glycosphingolipids; Homeostasis; Homozygote; Humans; Intracellular; Lipids; Lymphoma; Lymphomas; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane trafficking; Metabolic disorders; Metals; Mutation; Nerve Degeneration - etiology; Nerve Degeneration - genetics; Nerve Degeneration - metabolism; Nervous system diseases; Neurodegeneration; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurological Disorders/Alzheimer Disease; Neuropathology; Niemann-Pick disease; Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C - etiology; Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C - genetics; Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C - metabolism; Npc1 protein; Oxidative Stress; Physiological aspects; Point Mutation; Protein binding; Proteins; Sterols; Tau protein; tau Proteins - metabolism; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000019

Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids in the late endocytic pathway. The majority of NPC cases are due to mutations in the NPC1 gene. The precise function of this gene is not yet known. Using cDNA microarrays, we analyzed the genome-wide expression patterns of human fibroblasts homozygous for the I1061T NPC1 mutation that is characterized by a severe defect in the intracellular processing of low density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol. A distinct gene expression profile was identified in NPC fibroblasts from different individuals when compared with fibroblasts isolated from normal subjects. As expected, NPC1 mutant cells displayed an inappropriate homeostatic response to accumulated intracellular cholesterol. In addition, a number of striking parallels were observed between NPC disease and Alzheimer's disease. Many genes involved in the trafficking and processing of amyloid precursor protein and the microtubule binding protein, tau, were more highly expressed. Numerous genes important for membrane traffic and the cellular regulation of calcium, metals and other ions were upregulated. Finally, NPC fibroblasts exhibited a gene expression profile indicative of oxidative stress. These changes are likely contributors to the pathophysiology of Niemann-Pick Type C disease.