Tissue-specific effects of saposin A and saposin B on glycosphingolipid degradation in mutant mice

Hum Mol Genet. 2013 Jun 15;22(12):2435-50. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt096. Epub 2013 Feb 27.

Abstract

Individual saposin A (A-/-) and saposin B (B-/-)-deficient mice show unique phenotypes caused by insufficient degradation of myelin-related glycosphingolipids (GSLs): galactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine and sulfatide, respectively. To gain insight into the interrelated functions of saposins A and B, combined saposin AB-deficient mice (AB-/-) were created by knock-in point mutations into the saposins A and B domains on the prosaposin locus. Saposin A and B proteins were undetectable in AB-/- mice, whereas prosaposin, saposin C and saposin D were expressed near wild-type (WT) levels. AB-/- mice developed neuromotor deterioration at >61 days and exhibited abnormal locomotor activity and enhanced tremor. AB-/- mice (~96 days) lived longer than A-/- mice (~85 days), but shorter than B-/- mice (~644 days). Storage materials were observed in Schwann cells and neuronal processes by electron microscopy. Accumulation of p62 and increased levels of LC3-II were detected in the brainstem suggesting altered autophagy. GSL analyses by (liquid chromatography) LC/MS identified substantial increases in lactosylceramide in AB-/- mouse livers. Sulfatide accumulated, but galactosylceramide remained at WT levels, in the AB-/- mouse brains and kidneys. Brain galactosylsphingosine in AB-/- mice was ~68% of that in A-/- mice. These findings indicate that combined saposins A and B deficiencies attenuated GalCer-β-galactosylceramidase and GM1-β-galactosidase functions in the degradation of lactosylceramide preferentially in the liver. Blocking sulfatide degradation from the saposin B deficiency diminished galactosylceramide accumulation in the brain and kidney and galctosylsphingosine in the brain. These analyses of AB-/- mice continue to delineate the tissue differential interactions of saposins in GSL metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Female
  • Galactosylceramidase / metabolism
  • Glycosphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Activity
  • Nervous System Diseases / enzymology
  • Nervous System Diseases / genetics
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Nervous System Diseases / psychology
  • Organ Specificity
  • Phenotype
  • Saposins / deficiency*
  • Saposins / genetics
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Glycosphingolipids
  • Saposins
  • acid beta-galactosidase
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • Galactosylceramidase