Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia

Abnormal dopamine neurotransmission and striatal dysfunction is implicated in many forms of dystonia, yet the underlying molecular processes remain unknown. Here, we identified thousands of dysregulated genes within striatal spiny projection neuron (SPN) subtypes in a genetic mouse model of DOPA-res...

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Main Authors: Kaitlyn M. Roman, Ashok R. Dinasarapu, Suraj Cherian, Xueliang Fan, Yuping Donsante, Nivetha Aravind, C. Savio Chan, H.A. Jinnah, Ellen J. Hess
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Neurobiology of Disease
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996125001974
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author Kaitlyn M. Roman
Ashok R. Dinasarapu
Suraj Cherian
Xueliang Fan
Yuping Donsante
Nivetha Aravind
C. Savio Chan
H.A. Jinnah
Ellen J. Hess
author_facet Kaitlyn M. Roman
Ashok R. Dinasarapu
Suraj Cherian
Xueliang Fan
Yuping Donsante
Nivetha Aravind
C. Savio Chan
H.A. Jinnah
Ellen J. Hess
author_sort Kaitlyn M. Roman
collection DOAJ
description Abnormal dopamine neurotransmission and striatal dysfunction is implicated in many forms of dystonia, yet the underlying molecular processes remain unknown. Here, we identified thousands of dysregulated genes within striatal spiny projection neuron (SPN) subtypes in a genetic mouse model of DOPA-responsive dystonia (DRD), which is caused by gene defects that reduce dopamine neurotransmission. Although changes in mRNA expression were unique to each SPN subtype, abnormal glutamatergic signaling was implicated in each SPN subtype. Indeed, both AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents were enhanced in direct SPNs but diminished in indirect SPNs in DRD mice. The pattern of mRNA dysregulation was distinct from parkinsonism where the dopamine deficit occurs in adults, suggesting that the phenotypic outcome is dependent on both the timing of the dopaminergic deficit and the SPN-specific adaptions. By leveraging these disease-specific molecular signatures, we identified LRRK2 inhibition, among other mechanisms, as a novel therapeutic target for dystonia.
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spelling doaj-art-382b2f0d93ec4859b7d01717c9974bdd2025-08-20T02:01:51ZengElsevierNeurobiology of Disease1095-953X2025-08-0121210698110.1016/j.nbd.2025.106981Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystoniaKaitlyn M. Roman0Ashok R. Dinasarapu1Suraj Cherian2Xueliang Fan3Yuping Donsante4Nivetha Aravind5C. Savio Chan6H.A. Jinnah7Ellen J. Hess8Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.Abnormal dopamine neurotransmission and striatal dysfunction is implicated in many forms of dystonia, yet the underlying molecular processes remain unknown. Here, we identified thousands of dysregulated genes within striatal spiny projection neuron (SPN) subtypes in a genetic mouse model of DOPA-responsive dystonia (DRD), which is caused by gene defects that reduce dopamine neurotransmission. Although changes in mRNA expression were unique to each SPN subtype, abnormal glutamatergic signaling was implicated in each SPN subtype. Indeed, both AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents were enhanced in direct SPNs but diminished in indirect SPNs in DRD mice. The pattern of mRNA dysregulation was distinct from parkinsonism where the dopamine deficit occurs in adults, suggesting that the phenotypic outcome is dependent on both the timing of the dopaminergic deficit and the SPN-specific adaptions. By leveraging these disease-specific molecular signatures, we identified LRRK2 inhibition, among other mechanisms, as a novel therapeutic target for dystonia.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996125001974MLi-2RNA-seqParkinson's diseaseTranslatomeMedium spiny neuronD1 dopamine receptor
spellingShingle Kaitlyn M. Roman
Ashok R. Dinasarapu
Suraj Cherian
Xueliang Fan
Yuping Donsante
Nivetha Aravind
C. Savio Chan
H.A. Jinnah
Ellen J. Hess
Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
Neurobiology of Disease
MLi-2
RNA-seq
Parkinson's disease
Translatome
Medium spiny neuron
D1 dopamine receptor
title Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
title_full Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
title_fullStr Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
title_full_unstemmed Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
title_short Striatal cell-type–specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
title_sort striatal cell type specific molecular signatures reveal potential therapeutic targets in a model of dystonia
topic MLi-2
RNA-seq
Parkinson's disease
Translatome
Medium spiny neuron
D1 dopamine receptor
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996125001974
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