Animal models of tyrosinemia.

Hereditary tyrosinemia I (HT I) is a genetic disorder of tyrosine metabolism characterized by progressive liver damage from infancy and by a high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. HT I is due to mutations in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) gene, which encodes the last enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway. Disturbances in tyrosine metabolism lead to increased levels of succinylacetone and succinylacetoacetate. However, the mechanisms causing liver failure, cirrhosis, renal tubular dysfunction, and hepatocarcinoma are still unknown. Lethal albino deletion c14CoS mice and mice with target-disrupted Fah are models for HT I. They die in the perinatal period, although with a different phenotype from that seen in HT I in humans. In addition, 2 mouse strains that carry N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutations in the Fah gene have been described. Mice with a splice mutation exhibit the milder features of the clinical phenotype. In mice that carry both Fah and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase gene mutations, administration of homogentisate results in rapid apoptosis of hepatocytes. Simultaneously, renal tubular epithelial cells are injured, resulting in Fanconi syndrome. These are central features of visceral injury in patients with HT I. Apoptosis of hepatocyte and renal tubular cells is prevented by the caspase inhibitors acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-CHO or acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-CHO. Apoptosis of hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells are central features of this disease. Alterations in gene expression found in the liver of patients with HT I are responsible for the pathogenesis of this disease, for example, acute liver failure. Therefore, gene expression analysis allows a better understanding of the specific pathogenesis. Cell fusion of hematopoietic stem cells with hepatocytes leads to liver regeneration after liver injury. This finding was possible after using the liver injury model of HT I in Fah null mice. Thus, animal models of tyrosinemia are unique and useful tools to reveal mechanisms of interest to both clinical and basic science.