Abstract
Ataxin-2, the gene product of the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SCA2) gene, is a protein of unknown function with abundant expression in embryonic and adult tissues. Its interaction with A2BP1/Fox-1, a protein with an RNA recognition motif, suggests involvement of ataxin-2 in mRNA translation or transport. To study the effects of in vivo ataxin-2 function, we generated an ataxin-2 deficient mouse strain. Ataxin-2 deficient mice were viable. Genotypic analysis of litters from mating of heterozygous mice showed segregation distortion with a significant reduction in the birth of Sca-/- females. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic analysis of surviving nullizygous Sca2 knockout mice showed no major histological abnormalities. On a fat-enriched diet, ataxin-2 deficient animals had increased weight gain. Our results demonstrate that ataxin-2, although widely expressed, is not essential in development or during adult survival in the mouse, but leads to adult-onset obesity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 17-24 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications |
Volume | 339 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 6 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- A2BP1
- Ataxin-2
- Fox-1
- Knockout
- Obesity
- Rotarod
- SCA2
- Segregation distortion
- Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology