Variants in the MAPT gene are associated with Parkinson’s disease (eg ref 1). Transgenic mice carrying a mutation (K369I) in this gene show an early-onset motor phenotype that reproduces Parkinsonism with tremor, bradykinesia, and abnormal gait. Symptoms can be treated at onset with L-dopa (2). An example of such a transgenic mouse is available here.
We will use The Gene Mine to identify genes that can protect against Parkinson’s Disease symptoms caused by variant MAPT genes. We have already found a Gene Mine strain that has genes that can prevent these symptoms. See an example here.
These mice are the same age and they both have the same K369I mutant transgene. The difference is that the second mouse is heterozygous for protective modifier gene(s) inherited from The Gene Mine strain. Identification of these gene(s) could allow development of new treatments for Parkinsons symptoms.
References:
1. Simon-Sanchez et al. Nat. Genet. 41:1308
2. Ittner et al. PNAS 105: 15997, 2008
Contact:
Prof. Grant Morahan,
USING THE GENE MINE TO FIND A TREATMENT FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Systems Genetics Resources