Complex I Deficiency Due to Loss of Ndufs4 in the Brain Results in Progressive Encephalopathy Resembling Leigh Syndrome

Overview

Journal Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Specialty Science

Date 2010 Jun 11

PMID 20534480

Citations 140

Authors

Albert Quintana

Shane E Kruse

Raj P Kapur

Elisenda Sanz

Richard D Palmiter

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To explore the lethal, ataxic phenotype of complex I deficiency in Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mice, we inactivated Ndufs4 selectively in neurons and glia (NesKO mice). NesKO mice manifested the same symptoms as KO mice including retarded growth, loss of motor ability, breathing abnormalities, and death by approximately 7 wk. Progressive neuronal deterioration and gliosis in specific brain areas corresponded to behavioral changes as the disease advanced, with early involvement of the olfactory bulb, cerebellum, and vestibular nuclei. Neurons, particularly in these brain regions, had aberrant mitochondrial morphology. Activation of caspase 8, but not caspase 9, in affected brain regions implicate the initiation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Limited caspase 3 activation and the predominance of ultrastructural features of necrotic cell death suggest a switch from apoptosis to necrosis in affected neurons. These data suggest that dysfunctional complex I in specific brain regions results in progressive glial activation that promotes neuronal death that ultimately results in mortality.

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