Thyroarytenoid muscle gene expression in Pink1 knockout rats

Loss of function in the PTEN-induced kinase 1 gene (Pink1) causes an early-onset, autosomal recessive form of PD. The translational Pink1-/- rat shows cranial sensorimotor deficits including: declines in ultrasonic vocalization, negative impacts on social vocal function, and alterations to thyroarytenoid muscle structure. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes using RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the thyroarytenoid muscle of male Pink1-/- rats compared to wildtype controls. To construct gene co-expression networks and gene modules, a WGCNA was used to identify biological networks of interest including where Pink1 was a central node with interconnecting genes. Data are congruent with previous findings demonstrating changes to thyroarytenoid muscle structure. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in peripheral biology may influence the early pathogenesis of vocalizations at the level of the thyroarytenoid muscle. Overall design: Eight month old Long Evans rats; 8 male (n=4 Pink1-/-, n=4 WT).