• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.38-40
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• 2016

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder often caused by a deletion of the chromosome 15q11-q13 region inherited from the father or by maternal disomy 15. Growth hormone deficiency with short stature, hypogonadism, cognitive and behavioral problems, analgesia, decreased gastric motility and decreased ability to vomit with hyperphagia are common in PWS leading to severe obesity in early childhood, if not controlled. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH, henceforth designated GH) on the gene expression related to cognitive function in the brain of PWS mouse model (Snord116del). GH restored the mRNA expression level of several genes in the cerebellum. These data suggest the effect of GH on the expression of cognitive function related genes in cerebellum may provide a mechanism for the GH-induced brain function in PWS patients.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.54-59
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• 2015

Purpose: Growth hormone (GH) therapy substantially improves several cognitive functions in PWS. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of GH on cognition remain unclear in PWS. In this study, we investigated the effects of recombinant human GH on the gene expression of GABAB receptor subunits and GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis genes in the brain regions of PWS-mimicking mice (Snord116del). Methods: Snord116del mice were injected subcutaneously with 1.0 mg/kg GH or saline, once daily for 7 days. The collected brain tissues were analyzed for mRNA content using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Results: GH increased the mRNA expression level of the $GABA_{B1}$ receptor subunit ($GABA_{BR1}$) and IGF-1R in the cerebellum. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between the level of $GABA_{BR1}$ mRNA and the expression of the IGF-1R transcript. GH also induced an increase in the mRNA expression of IGF-2 and IGF-2R in the cerebellum. Conclusion: These data indicate that GH may provide beneficial effects on cognitive function through its influences on the expression of $GABA_{BR1}$ and GH/IGF-1 axis genes in PWS patients.