Animal Model Contributions to Congenital Metabolic Disease

Corinna A. Moro, Wendy Hanna-Rose

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genetic model systems allow researchers to probe and decipher aspects of human disease, and animal models of disease are frequently specifically engineered and have been identified serendipitously as well. Animal models are useful for probing the etiology and pathophysiology of disease and are critical for effective discovery and development of novel therapeutics for rare diseases. Here we review the impact of animal model organism research in three examples of congenital metabolic disorders to highlight distinct advantages of model system research. First, we discuss phenylketonuria research where a wide variety of research fields and models came together to make impressive progress and where a nearly ideal mouse model has been central to therapeutic advancements. Second, we review advancements in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome research to illustrate the role of models that do not perfectly recapitulate human disease as well as the need for multiple models of the same disease to fully investigate human disease aspects. Finally, we highlight research on the GM2 gangliosidoses Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease to illustrate the important role of both engineered traditional laboratory animal models and serendipitously identified atypical models in congenital metabolic disorder research. We close with perspectives for the future for animal model research in congenital metabolic disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
PublisherSpringer
Pages225-244
Number of pages20
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume1236
ISSN (Print)0065-2598
ISSN (Electronic)2214-8019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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