Exploring the relationship between GBA1 host genotype and gut microbiome in the GBA1L444P/WT mouse model: Implications for Parkinson disease pathogenesis

Output Details

**Background** Heterozygous variants in *GBA1* are the commonest genetic risk factor for Parkinson disease (PD) but penetrance is incomplete. *GBA1* dysfunction can cause gastrointestinal disturbances and microbiome changes in preclinical models. Mounting evidence suggests that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is potentially implicated in PD pathogenesis. Whether the gut microbiome composition is influenced by host *GBA1* genetics in heterozygosis has never been explored. **Objectives** To evaluate whether heterozygosity for the *GBA1* pathogenic L444P variant can cause perturbations in gut microbiome composition. **Methods** Faecal samples collected from *GBA1*L444P/WT and *GBA1*WT/WT mice at 3 and 6 months of age were analysed through shotgun metagenomic sequencing. **Results** No differences in α- and β-diversity were detected between genotyped groups, at either time points. Overall, we found a little variation of the gut microbiome composition and functional potential between *GBA1*L444P/WT and *GBA1*WT/WT mice over time. **Conclusion** Host *GBA1* genotype does not impact gut microbiome structure and composition in the presented *GBA1*L444P/WT mouse model. Studies investigating the effect of a second hit on gut physiology and microbiome composition could explain the partial penetrance of *GBA1*variants in PD.

Meet the Authors

  • Elisa Menozzi, MD, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Mallia Geiger, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

  • Victoria Meslier, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

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    Federico Fierli, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    marine gilles

  • David Chau, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Aymeric David

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    Revi Shahar Golan

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    Alexandre Famechon

  • Sofia Koletsi, MSc

    Project Manager: Team Schapira

    University College London

  • Christian Morabito, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

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    Benoit Quinquis

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    Nicolas Pons

  • Stanislav Ehrlich, PhD

    Collaborating PI: Team Schapira

    National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

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    Jane Macnaughtan, PhD

    Collaborating PI: Team Schapira

    University College London

  • Mathieu Almeida, PhD

    Co-PI (Core Leadership): Team Schapira

    INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment)

  • Anthony Schapira, PhD

    Lead PI (Core Leadership): Team Schapira

    University College London