ER stress-mediated apoptosis in a new mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

PLoS Genet. 2008 Feb;4(2):e7. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0040007.

Abstract

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disorder characterized by increased bone fragility, fractures, and osteoporosis, and most cases are caused by mutations affecting the type I collagen genes. Here, we describe a new mouse model for Osteogenesis imperfecta termed Aga2 (abnormal gait 2) that was isolated from the Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis program and exhibited phenotypic variability, including reduced bone mass, multiple fractures, and early lethality. The causal gene was mapped to Chromosome 11 by linkage analysis, and a C-terminal frameshift mutation was identified in the Col1a1 (procollagen type I, alpha 1) gene as the cause of the disorder. Aga2 heterozygous animals had markedly increased bone turnover and a disrupted native collagen network. Further studies showed that abnormal proalpha1(I) chains accumulated intracellularly in Aga2/+ dermal fibroblasts and were poorly secreted extracellularly. This was associated with the induction of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-specific unfolded protein response involving upregulation of BiP, Hsp47, and Gadd153 with caspases-12 and -3 activation and apoptosis of osteoblasts both in vitro and in vivo. These studies resulted in the identification of a new model for Osteogenesis imperfecta, and identified a role for intracellular modulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated unfolded protein response machinery toward osteoblast apoptosis during the pathogenesis of disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Base Sequence
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • DNA / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Female
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Genes, Lethal
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / pathology
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta / genetics*
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • DNA