Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives

GNAO1 encephalopathies are a group of neglected genetic disorders primarily occurring due to de novo mutations in the Gαo protein-encoding gene. This gene is reported to be highly conserved among Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and humans, with a sequence similarity of nearly 80%. The C. elegans...

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Main Authors: Shubham Yadav, Satya Santoshi Veliventi, Somya Bhandari, Sakshi Gangurde, Shreeya Naik, Shraddha N. Bhagwat, Santosh Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1633744/full
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author Shubham Yadav
Shubham Yadav
Satya Santoshi Veliventi
Somya Bhandari
Sakshi Gangurde
Shreeya Naik
Shraddha N. Bhagwat
Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar
author_facet Shubham Yadav
Shubham Yadav
Satya Santoshi Veliventi
Somya Bhandari
Sakshi Gangurde
Shreeya Naik
Shraddha N. Bhagwat
Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar
author_sort Shubham Yadav
collection DOAJ
description GNAO1 encephalopathies are a group of neglected genetic disorders primarily occurring due to de novo mutations in the Gαo protein-encoding gene. This gene is reported to be highly conserved among Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and humans, with a sequence similarity of nearly 80%. The C. elegans model system simplifies studying signaling pathways involved in several neurotransmitters, including GPCR pathways. Therefore, using this model system to delineate downstream effectors and clinical targets to Gαo can be highly advantageous. Mutations that cause GNAO1 encephalopathy can be easily replicated in genetically modified and transgenic C. elegans and validated by rescuing phenotypic defects, primarily locomotion and egg-laying defects in worms. Although there are recent technical advancements in understanding the interacting proteins, there are unclear and uncertain hypotheses that explain the effect of Gαo mutations in humans. In terms of the clinical aspect of this disorder, there are no available approved diagnostic procedures to detect GNAO1 encephalopathy in the early stages of life. The present diagnostic procedures reiterate symptoms and overlap with other neurological symptoms, resulting in neglected data of cases. Therefore, here we provide an overview of past research and a perspective of future work, with the primary objective of focusing on GNAO1 encephalopathy and using the C. elegans model system to study these pathogenic variants.
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spelling doaj-art-acb61e7384ce4273987ba11bce2f55272025-08-20T02:48:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience1662-51022025-07-011910.3389/fncel.2025.16337441633744Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectivesShubham Yadav0Shubham Yadav1Satya Santoshi Veliventi2Somya Bhandari3Sakshi Gangurde4Shreeya Naik5Shraddha N. Bhagwat6Santosh Kumar7Santosh Kumar8Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaRegional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaBiotechnology Research and Innovation Council, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, IndiaRegional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, IndiaGNAO1 encephalopathies are a group of neglected genetic disorders primarily occurring due to de novo mutations in the Gαo protein-encoding gene. This gene is reported to be highly conserved among Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and humans, with a sequence similarity of nearly 80%. The C. elegans model system simplifies studying signaling pathways involved in several neurotransmitters, including GPCR pathways. Therefore, using this model system to delineate downstream effectors and clinical targets to Gαo can be highly advantageous. Mutations that cause GNAO1 encephalopathy can be easily replicated in genetically modified and transgenic C. elegans and validated by rescuing phenotypic defects, primarily locomotion and egg-laying defects in worms. Although there are recent technical advancements in understanding the interacting proteins, there are unclear and uncertain hypotheses that explain the effect of Gαo mutations in humans. In terms of the clinical aspect of this disorder, there are no available approved diagnostic procedures to detect GNAO1 encephalopathy in the early stages of life. The present diagnostic procedures reiterate symptoms and overlap with other neurological symptoms, resulting in neglected data of cases. Therefore, here we provide an overview of past research and a perspective of future work, with the primary objective of focusing on GNAO1 encephalopathy and using the C. elegans model system to study these pathogenic variants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1633744/fullCaenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)GNAO1 encephalopathyGαoG-proteinsmutationsdisorders
spellingShingle Shubham Yadav
Shubham Yadav
Satya Santoshi Veliventi
Somya Bhandari
Sakshi Gangurde
Shreeya Naik
Shraddha N. Bhagwat
Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar
Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)
GNAO1 encephalopathy
Gαo
G-proteins
mutations
disorders
title Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
title_full Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
title_fullStr Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
title_full_unstemmed Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
title_short Decoding GNAO1 mutations using Caenorhabditis elegans model system: past approaches and future prospectives
title_sort decoding gnao1 mutations using caenorhabditis elegans model system past approaches and future prospectives
topic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)
GNAO1 encephalopathy
Gαo
G-proteins
mutations
disorders
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1633744/full
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