Glb1 knockout mouse model shares natural history with type II GM1 gangliosidosis patients

GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disorder affecting multiple organ systems, primarily the central nervous system, and is caused by functional deficiency of β-galactosidase (GLB1). Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated a mouse model to evaluate characteristics of the disease in comparison to GM1 gangliosidosis patients. Our Glb1^-/- mice contain small deletions in exons 2 and 6, producing a null allele. Longevity is approximately 50 weeks and studies demonstrated that female Glb1^-/- mice die six weeks earlier than male Glb1^-/- mice. Gait analyses showed progressive abnormalities including abnormal foot placement, decreased stride length and increased stance width, comparable with what is observed in type II GM1 gangliosidosis patients. Furthermore, Glb1^-/- mice show loss of motor skills by 20 weeks assessed by adhesive dot, hanging wire, and inverted grid tests, and deterioration of motor coordination by 32 weeks of age when evaluated by rotarod testing. Brain MRI showed progressive cerebellar atrophy in Glb1^-/- mice as seen in some patients. In addition, Glb1^-/- mice also show significantly increased levels of a novel pentasaccharide biomarker in urine and plasma which we also observed in GM1 gangliosidosis patients. Glb1^-/- mice also exhibit accumulation of glycosphingolipids in the brain with increases in GM1 and GA1 beginning by 8 weeks. Surprisingly, despite being a null variant, this Glb1^-/- mouse most closely models the less severe type II disease and will guide the development of new therapies for patients with the disorder.