RNA changes in hippocampus of transgenic murine model of tauopathy (rTg4510 mice) compared to controls at asymptomatic stage (2 months) of neurodegeneration as determined by mRNA deep sequencing.

The overall goal of the project is to assess the mRNA alterations in tauopathy conditions that occur at the presymptomatic stage of neurodegeneration. The animal model selected for this study is a well characterized tauopathy animal model, known as rTg4510 murine model. rTg4510 (tau) is a transgenic mouse model of human tauopathy expressing human tau containing the P301L mutation that is associated with familial frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. The expression of P301L tau driven by CaMKII promoter peaks around two month-of-age and mainly in the forebrain. 2-month of age is considered the presymptomatic stage of neurodegeneration. The global expression of mRNAs was evaluated by mRNA deep sequencing in the hippocampus of tau mice at 2 months of age. The levels of several mRNAs were altered in the hippocampus of tau mice at 2 months. Many important candidates were further evaluated for their molecular and functional contributions to the process of neurodegeneration. Tauopathy (rTg4510 mice) compared to controls at asymptomatic stage (2 months)