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Caenorhabditis elegans provides an efficient drug screening platform for GNAO1-related disorders and highlights the potential role of caffeine in controlling dyskinesia.

Martina Di Rocco | Serena Galosi | Enrico Lanza | Federica Tosato | Davide Caprini | Viola Folli | Jennifer Friedman | Gianfranco Bocchinfuso | Alberto Martire | Elia Di Schiavi | Vincenzo Leuzzi | Simone Martinelli
Human molecular genetics | 2022

Dominant GNAO1 mutations cause an emerging group of childhood-onset neurological disorders characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, movement disorders, drug-resistant seizures and neurological deterioration. GNAO1 encodes the α-subunit of an inhibitory GTP/GDP-binding protein regulating ion channel activity and neurotransmitter release. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying GNAO1-related disorders remain largely elusive and there are no effective therapies. Here, we assessed the functional impact of two disease-causing variants associated with distinct clinical features, c.139A > G (p.S47G) and c.662C > A (p.A221D), using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The c.139A > G change was introduced into the orthologous position of the C. elegans gene via CRISPR/Cas9, whereas a knock-in strain carrying the p.A221D variant was already available. Like null mutants, homozygous knock-in animals showed increased egg laying and were hypersensitive to aldicarb, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, suggesting excessive neurotransmitter release by different classes of motor neurons. Automated analysis of C. elegans locomotion indicated that goa-1 mutants move faster than control animals, with more frequent body bends and a higher reversal rate and display uncoordinated locomotion. Phenotypic profiling of heterozygous animals revealed a strong hypomorphic effect of both variants, with a partial dominant-negative activity for the p.A221D allele. Finally, caffeine was shown to rescue aberrant motor function in C. elegans harboring the goa-1 variants; this effect is mainly exerted through adenosine receptor antagonism. Overall, our findings establish a suitable platform for drug discovery, which may assist in accelerating the development of new therapies for this devastating condition, and highlight the potential role of caffeine in controlling GNAO1-related dyskinesia.

Pubmed ID: 34622282

Research resources used in this publication

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Associated grants

  • Agency: NIH HHS, United States
    Id: P40 OD010440

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ClinicalTrials.gov (tool)

RRID:SCR_002309

Registry and results database of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in United States and around world. Provides information about purpose of trial, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. This information should be used in conjunction with advice from health care professionals.Offers information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for wide range of diseases and conditions. Research study in human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Interventional trials determine whether experimental treatments or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled environments. Observational trials address health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings. ClinicalTrials.gov contains trials sponsored by National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and private industry. Studies listed in database are conducted in all 50 States and in 178 countries.

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HomoloGene (tool)

RRID:SCR_002924

Automated system for constructing putative homology groups from complete gene sets of wide range of eukaryotic species. Databse that provides system for automatic detection of homologs, including paralogs and orthologs, among annotated genes of sequenced eukaryotic genomes. HomoloGene processing uses proteins from input organisms to compare and sequence homologs, mapping back to corresponding DNA sequences. Reports include homology and phenotype information drawn from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Mouse Genome Informatics, Zebrafish Information Network, Saccharomyces Genome Database and FlyBase.

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Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (tool)

RRID:SCR_007341

Center that acquires, maintains, and distributes genetic stocks and information about stocks of the small free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for use by investigators initiating or continuing research on this genetic model organism. A searchable strain database, general information about C. elegans, and links to key Web sites of use to scientists, including WormBase, WormAtlas, and WormBook are available.

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