posted on 2019-12-16, 17:42authored byLars R Jensen, Lillian Garrett, Sabine M Hölter, Birgit Rathkolb, Ildikó Rácz, Thure Adler, Cornelia Prehn, Wolfgang Hans, Jan Rozman, Lore Becker, Juan Antonio Aguilar-Pimentel, Oliver Puk, Kristin Moreth, Monika Dopatka, Diego J Walther, Viola von Bohlen und Halbach, Matthias Rath, Martin Delatycki, Bettina Bert, Heidrun Fink, Katharina Blümlein, Markus Ralser, Anke Van Dijck, Frank Kooy, Zornitza Stark, Sabine Müller, Harry Scherthan, Jozef Gecz, Wolfgang Wurst, Eckhard Wolf, Andreas Zimmer, Martin Klingenspor, Jochen Graw, Thomas Klopstock, Dirk Busch, Jerzy Adamski, Helmut Fuchs, Valérie Gailus-Durner, Martin Hrabĕ de Angelis, Oliver von Bohlen und Halbach, Hans-Hilger Ropers, Andreas W Kuss
Mutations in the X chromosomal tRNA 2'‑O‑methyltransferase FTSJ1 cause intellectual disability (ID). Although the gene is ubiquitously expressed affected individuals present no consistent clinical features beyond ID. In order to study the pathological mechanism involved in the aetiology of FTSJ1 deficiency-related cognitive impairment, we generated and characterized an Ftsj1 deficient mouse line based on the gene trapped stem cell line RRD143. Apart from an impaired learning capacity these mice presented with several statistically significantly altered features related to behaviour, pain sensing, bone and energy metabolism, the immune and the hormone system as well as gene expression. These findings show that Ftsj1 deficiency in mammals is not phenotypically restricted to the brain but affects various organ systems. Re-examination of ID patients with FTSJ1 mutations from two previously reported families showed that several features observed in the mouse model were recapitulated in some of the patients. Though the clinical spectrum related to Ftsj1 deficiency in mouse and man is variable, we suggest that an increased pain threshold may be more common in patients with FTSJ1 deficiency. Our findings demonstrate novel roles for Ftsj1 in maintaining proper cellular and tissue functions in a mammalian organism.