ABHD12 is a lysophosphatidylserine (lysoPS) lipase responsible for regulation of immune and neurological processes, and shown to act on the endocannabinoidarachidonoylglycerol (AG) as a monoacylglycerol lipase.[8][9] Endocannabinoids are associated with a range of physiological processes. ABHD12 acts on 2-AG, and accounts for approximately 9% of 2-AG hydrolysis in the brain.[5] Along with MAGL and ABHD6, ABHD12 is responsible for 99% of 2-AG hydrolysis in the brain,[7] and has also been shown to act on the 1(3)-AG isomer.[9] Based on the extracellular face of the ABHD12 active site and its ability to act on multiple isomeric substrates, ABHD12 has been suggested to act as a guard to the extracellular 2-AG-CB2R signalling pathway in microglia, and peripheral 2-AG signalling, however this has not been confirmed.[9][5]
ABHD12 transcription is abundant in the brain, specifically microglia, but has also been identified in peripheral cell types like macrophages and osteoclasts.[10] Murine models have shown ABHD12 plays a role in regulation of lysophosphatidylserine pathways in the brain.[11]
Based on the observation of ABHD12 mutation in PHARC affected subjects, PHARC cell lines have been considered as human models of ABHD12 knockout.[10]
Mouse knockout (ABHD12 -/-) models demonstrate cerebellarmicrogliosis, motor and auditory impairment, alongside elevated neuroinflammation with progression associated with age. These characteristics are considered PHARC-like phenotypes as a murine model for human PHARC, however the mouse knockout model doesn't demonstrate ocular or myelination defects, or early onset typical of PHARC.[11] The ABHD -/- murine model shows increased long-chain lysoPS accumulation in the brain suggesting lysoPS signalling contributes to PHARC-like pathology.[11]
Elevated lysoPS accumulation in ABHD12 knockout mice suggests lysoPS as an in vivosubstrate of ABHD12.[11] Elevated lysoPS production in ABHD12 null cells from PHARC subjects can be reversed using an inhibitor of ABHD16A.[20]
^ abAyuso C, Garcia-Sandoval B, Najera C, Valverde D, Carballo M, Antiñolo G, et al. (Spanish Multicentric and Multidisciplinary Group for Research into Retinitis Pigmentosa) (1995). "Retinitis pigmentosa in Spain". Clinical Genetics. 48 (3): 120–122. doi:10.1111/j.1399-0004.1995.tb04069.x. S2CID85403725.
^ abcNishiguchi KM, Avila-Fernandez A, van Huet RA, Corton M, Pérez-Carro R, Martín-Garrido E, et al. (August 2014). "Exome sequencing extends the phenotypic spectrum for ABHD12 mutations: from syndromic to nonsyndromic retinal degeneration". Ophthalmology. 121 (8): 1620–7. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.02.008. PMID24697911.
^ abcTingaud-Sequeira A, Raldúa D, Lavie J, Mathieu G, Bordier M, Knoll-Gellida A, et al. (February 2017). "Functional validation of ABHD12 mutations in the neurodegenerative disease PHARC". Neurobiology of Disease. 98: 36–51. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2016.11.008. PMID27890673. S2CID207070270.
^ abYoshimura H, Hashimoto T, Murata T, Fukushima K, Sugaya A, Nishio SY, et al. (May 2015). "Novel ABHD12 mutations in PHARC patients: the differential diagnosis of deaf-blindness". The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. 124 (1_suppl): 77S–83S. doi:10.1177/0003489415574513. PMID25743180. S2CID23734319.
^Frasquet M, Lupo V, Chumillas MJ, Vázquez-Costa JF, Espinós C, Sevilla T (April 2018). "Phenotypical features of two patients diagnosed with PHARC syndrome and carriers of a new homozygous mutation in the ABHD12 gene". Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 387: 134–138. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2018.02.021. PMID29571850. S2CID4234582.