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The ducky^{2J} Mutation in Cacna2d2 Results in Reduced Spontaneous Purkinje Cell Activity and Altered Gene Expression

Donato, R; Page, KM; Koch, D; Nieto-Rostro, M; Foucault, I; Davies, A; Wilkinson, T; ... Dolphin, AC; + view all (2006) The ducky^{2J} Mutation in Cacna2d2 Results in Reduced Spontaneous Purkinje Cell Activity and Altered Gene Expression. The Journal of Neuroscience , 26 (48) pp. 12576-12586. 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3080-06.2006. Green open access

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Abstract

The mouse mutant ducky and its allele ducky^{2J} represent a model for absence epilepsy characterized by spike-wave seizures and cerebellar ataxia. These mice have mutations in Cacna2d2, which encodes the α₂δ-2 calcium channel subunit. Of relevance to the ataxic phenotype, α₂δ-2 mRNA is strongly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs). The Cacna2d2du2J mutation results in a 2 bp deletion in the coding region and a complete loss of α₂δ-2 protein. Here we show that du^{2J}/du^{2J} mice have a 30% reduction in somatic calcium current and a marked fall in the spontaneous PC firing rate at 22°C, accompanied by a decrease in firing regularity, which is not affected by blocking synaptic input to PCs. At 34°C, du^{2J}/du^{2J} PCs show no spontaneous intrinsic activity. DU^{2J}/du^{2J} mice also have alterations in the cerebellar expression of several genes related to PC function. At postnatal day 21, there is an elevation of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and a reduction in tenascin-C gene expression. Although du^{2J}/+ mice have a marked reduction in α₂δ-2 protein, they show no fall in PC somatic calcium currents or increase in cerebellar tryrosine hydroxylase gene expression. However, du^{2J}/+ PCs do exhibit a significant reduction in firing rate, correlating with the reduction in α₂δ-2. A hypothesis for future study is that effects on gene expression occur as a result of a reduction in somatic calcium currents, whereas effects on PC firing occur as a long-term result of loss of α₂δ-2 and/or a reduction in calcium currents and calcium-dependent processes in regions other than the soma.

Type: Article
Title: The ducky^{2J} Mutation in Cacna2d2 Results in Reduced Spontaneous Purkinje Cell Activity and Altered Gene Expression
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3080-06.2006
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3080-06.2006
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: calcium channel, mouse mutant, α₂δ-2, subunit, mutation, spontaneous firing, Purkinje cell
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Neuro, Physiology and Pharmacology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/9560
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