PUBLICATION

Mutation of sec63 in zebrafish causes defects in myelinated axons and liver pathology

Authors
Monk, K.R., Voas, M.G., Franzini-Armstrong, C., Hakkinen, I.S., and Talbot, W.S.
ID
ZDB-PUB-120807-44
Date
2013
Source
Disease models & mechanisms   6(1): 135-145 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Hakkinen, Ian, Monk, Kelly, Talbot, William S., Voas, Matthew G.
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Axons/pathology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cysts/genetics*
  • Cysts/pathology*
  • Cysts/physiopathology
  • DNA/genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/genetics
  • Humans
  • Liver/pathology*
  • Liver Diseases/genetics*
  • Liver Diseases/pathology*
  • Liver Diseases/physiopathology
  • Membrane Proteins/genetics
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Myelin Sheath/pathology
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Unfolded Protein Response/genetics
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
  • Zebrafish/growth & development
  • Zebrafish/physiology
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/physiology
PubMed
22864019 Full text @ Dis. Model. Mech.
Abstract

Mutations in SEC63 cause polycystic liver disease in humans. Sec63 is a member of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) translocon machinery, although it is unclear how mutations in SEC63 lead to liver cyst formation in humans. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a zebrafish sec63 mutant, which was discovered in a screen for mutations that affect the development of myelinated axons. Accordingly, we show that disruption of sec63 in zebrafish leads to abnormalities in myelinating glia in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the vertebrate nervous system, segments of myelin are separated by the nodes of Ranvier, which are unmyelinated regions of axonal membrane containing a high density of voltage-gated sodium channels. We show that sec63 mutants have morphologically abnormal and reduced numbers of clusters of voltage-gated sodium channels in the spinal cord and along peripheral nerves. Additionally, we observe reduced myelination in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as swollen ER in myelinating glia. Markers of ER stress are upregulated in sec63 mutants. Finally, we show that sec63 mutants develop liver pathology. As in glia, the primary defect, detectable at 5 dpf, is fragmentation and swelling of the ER, indicative of accumulation of proteins in the lumen. At 8 dpf, ER swelling is severe, other pathological features include disrupted bile canaliculi, altered cytoplasmic matrix, and accumulation of large lysosomes. Together, our analyses of sec63 mutant zebrafish highlight the possible role of ER stress in polycystic liver disease and suggest that these mutants will serve as a model for understanding the pathophysiology of this disease and other abnormalities involving ER stress.

Genes / Markers
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Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping