Jadavji Laboratory



Deparment Biomedical Sciences, Division of Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Southern Illinois University



Mouse model for deficiency of methionine synthase reductase exhibits short-term memory impairment and disturbances in brain choline metabolism.


Journal article


N. Jadavji, Renata H. Bahous, L. Deng, O. Malysheva, Marilyn Grand'maison, B. Bedell, M. Caudill, R. Rozen
Biochemical Journal, 2014

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APA   Click to copy
Jadavji, N., Bahous, R. H., Deng, L., Malysheva, O., Grand'maison, M., Bedell, B., … Rozen, R. (2014). Mouse model for deficiency of methionine synthase reductase exhibits short-term memory impairment and disturbances in brain choline metabolism. Biochemical Journal.


Chicago/Turabian   Click to copy
Jadavji, N., Renata H. Bahous, L. Deng, O. Malysheva, Marilyn Grand'maison, B. Bedell, M. Caudill, and R. Rozen. “Mouse Model for Deficiency of Methionine Synthase Reductase Exhibits Short-Term Memory Impairment and Disturbances in Brain Choline Metabolism.” Biochemical Journal (2014).


MLA   Click to copy
Jadavji, N., et al. “Mouse Model for Deficiency of Methionine Synthase Reductase Exhibits Short-Term Memory Impairment and Disturbances in Brain Choline Metabolism.” Biochemical Journal, 2014.


BibTeX   Click to copy

@article{n2014a,
  title = {Mouse model for deficiency of methionine synthase reductase exhibits short-term memory impairment and disturbances in brain choline metabolism.},
  year = {2014},
  journal = {Biochemical Journal},
  author = {Jadavji, N. and Bahous, Renata H. and Deng, L. and Malysheva, O. and Grand'maison, Marilyn and Bedell, B. and Caudill, M. and Rozen, R.}
}

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinaemia can contribute to cognitive impairment and brain atrophy. MTRR (methionine synthase reductase) activates methionine synthase, which catalyses homocysteine remethylation to methionine. Severe MTRR deficiency results in homocystinuria with cognitive and motor impairments. An MTRR polymorphism may influence homocysteine levels and reproductive outcomes. The goal of the present study was to determine whether mild hyperhomocysteinaemia affects neurological function in a mouse model with Mtrr deficiency. Mtrr+/+, Mtrr+/gt and Mtrrgt/gt mice (3 months old) were assessed for short-term memory, brain volumes and hippocampal morphology. We also measured DNA methylation, apoptosis, neurogenesis, choline metabolites and expression of ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) and AChE (acetylcholinesterase) in the hippocampus. Mtrrgt/gt mice exhibited short-term memory impairment on two tasks. They had global DNA hypomethylation and decreased choline, betaine and acetylcholine levels. Expression of ChAT and AChE was increased and decreased respectively. At 3 weeks of age, they showed increased neurogenesis. In the cerebellum, mutant mice had DNA hypomethylation, decreased choline and increased expression of ChAT. Our work demonstrates that mild hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with memory impairment. We propose a mechanism whereby a deficiency in methionine synthesis leads to hypomethylation and compensatory disturbances in choline metabolism in the hippocampus. This disturbance affects the levels of acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter in learning and memory.