Phenotype Distinctions in Mice Deficient in the Neuron-Specific α3 Subunit of Na,K-ATPase: Atp1a3^tm1Ling/+ and Atp1a3...

ATP1A3 is a Na,K-ATPase gene expressed specifically in neurons in the brain. Human mutations are dominant and produce an unusually wide spectrum of neurological phenotypes, most notably rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism (RDP) and alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC). Here we compared heterozygotes of two mouse lines, a line with little or no expression (Atp1a3^tm1Ling/+) and a knock-in expressing p.Asp801Tyr (D801Y, Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y). Both mouse lines had normal lifespans, but Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y had mild perinatal mortality contrasting with D801N mice (Atp1a3 ^+/D801N), which had high mortality. The phenotypes of Atp1a3^tm1Ling/+ and Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y were different, and testing of each strain was tailored to its symptom range. Atp1a3^tm1Ling/+ mice displayed little at baseline, but repeated ethanol intoxication produced hyperkinetic motor abnormalities not seen in littermate controls. Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y mice displayed robust phenotypes: hyperactivity, diminished posture consistent with hypotonia, and deficiencies in beam walk and wire hang tests. Symptoms also included qualitative motor abnormalities that are not well quantified by conventional tests. Paradoxically, Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y showed sustained better performance than wild type on the accelerating rotarod. Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y mice were overactive in forced swimming and afterward had intense shivering, transient dystonic postures, and delayed recovery. Remarkably, Atp1a3 ^+/D801Y mice were refractory to ketamine anesthesia, which elicited hyperactivity and dyskinesia even at higher dose. Neither mouse line exhibited fixed dystonia (typical of RDP patients), spontaneous paroxysmal weakness (typical of AHC patients), or seizures but had consistent, measurable neurological abnormalities. A gradient of variation supports the importance of studying multiple Atp1a3 mutations in animal models to understand the roles of this gene in human disease.