51
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Zhang S, Samocha KE, Rivas MA, Karczewski KJ, Daly E, Schmandt B, Neale BM, MacArthur DG, Daly MJ. Base-specific mutational intolerance near splice sites clarifies the role of nonessential splice nucleotides. Genome Res 2018; 28:968-974. [PMID: 29858273 PMCID: PMC6028136 DOI: 10.1101/gr.231902.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Variation in RNA splicing (i.e., alternative splicing) plays an important role in many diseases. Variants near 5' and 3' splice sites often affect splicing, but the effects of these variants on splicing and disease have not been fully characterized beyond the two "essential" splice nucleotides flanking each exon. Here we provide quantitative measurements of tolerance to mutational disruptions by position and reference allele-alternative allele combinations. We show that certain reference alleles are particularly sensitive to mutations, regardless of the alternative alleles into which they are mutated. Using public RNA-seq data, we demonstrate that individuals carrying such variants have significantly lower levels of the correctly spliced transcript, compared to individuals without them, and confirm that these specific substitutions are highly enriched for known Mendelian mutations. Our results propose a more refined definition of the "splice region" and offer a new way to prioritize and provide functional interpretation of variants identified in diagnostic sequencing and association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidi Zhang
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Kaitlin E Samocha
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Manuel A Rivas
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Konrad J Karczewski
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Emma Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Ben Schmandt
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Benjamin M Neale
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Daniel G MacArthur
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Mark J Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), 00290 Helsinki, Finland
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52
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Punzi G, Bharadwaj R, Ursini G. Neuroepigenetics of Schizophrenia. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:195-226. [PMID: 30072054 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder of the brain, where genetic variants explain only a portion of risk. Neuroepigenetic mechanisms may explain the remaining share of risk, as well as the transition from susceptibility to the actual disease. Here, we discuss the most recent findings in the field of brain epigenetics applied to the study of schizophrenia. Methylome studies have found several candidates exhibiting methylation modifications in association with the disorder, but genes affected do not always overlap. Notably, these studies converge in that genes within the schizophrenia risk loci or genes differentially methylated in patients affected with the disorder are dynamically regulated during early life. They also imply that schizophrenia-associated genetic variation may affect DNA methylation in fetal and adult brains. Histone modifications may help mediating the effect of genetic risk variants associated with schizophrenia, and regulating chromatin higher-order structure. The 3D-organization of chromatin in the brain creates physical interactions within chromosomes, so that schizophrenia-associated genetic variants can be linked with genes distant from their loci; this suggests that chromatin conformation matters in the mechanism of risk for the disorder. Non-coding RNAs provide a novel and complex mechanism of gene regulation potentially significant for schizophrenia, as proposed by research on specific microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Finally, a recent study in epitranscriptomics identifies RNA methylation as a further epigenetic mechanism active in human brain and specifically in a portion of the transcriptome associated with schizophrenia susceptibility. These findings indicate that, as expected from the complexity of the brain and its development, several epigenetic mechanisms may intervene in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. An understanding of their roles calls for research approaches integrating the investigation of different epigenetic mechanisms and of environmental and genetic risk, in the context of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Punzi
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rahul Bharadwaj
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Gianluca Ursini
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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53
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Galavi H, Noorzehi N, Saravani R, Sargazi S, Mollashahee-Kohkan F, Shahraki H. Association study of SREBF-2 gene polymorphisms and the risk of type 2 diabetes in a sample of Iranian population. Gene 2018; 660:145-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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54
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Antibody-mediated stabilization of NRG1 induces behavioral and electrophysiological alterations in adult mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8239. [PMID: 29844389 PMCID: PMC5974084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26492-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is required for development of the central and peripheral nervous system and regulates neurotransmission in the adult. NRG1 and the gene encoding its receptor, ERBB4, are risk genes for schizophrenia, although how alterations in these genes disrupt their function has not been fully established. Studies of knockout and transgenic mice have yielded conflicting results, with both gain and loss of function resulting in similar behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes. Here, we used high affinity antibodies to NRG1 and ErbB4 to perturb the function of the endogenous proteins in adult mice. Treatment with NRG1 antibodies that block receptor binding caused behavioral alterations associated with schizophrenia, including, hyper-locomotion and impaired pre-pulse inhibition of startle (PPI). Electrophysiological analysis of brain slices from anti-NRG1 treated mice revealed reduced synaptic transmission and enhanced paired-pulse facilitation. In contrast, mice treated with more potent ErbB4 function blocking antibodies did not display behavioral alterations, suggesting a receptor independent mechanism of the anti-NRG1-induced phenotypes. We demonstrate that anti-NRG1 causes accumulation of the full-length transmembrane protein and increases phospho-cofilin levels, which has previously been linked to impaired synaptic transmission, indicating enhancement of non-canonical NRG1 signaling could mediate the CNS effects.
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55
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Wehr MC, Hinrichs W, Brzózka MM, Unterbarnscheidt T, Herholt A, Wintgens JP, Papiol S, Soto-Bernardini MC, Kravchenko M, Zhang M, Nave KA, Wichert SP, Falkai P, Zhang W, Schwab MH, Rossner MJ. Spironolactone is an antagonist of NRG1-ERBB4 signaling and schizophrenia-relevant endophenotypes in mice. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 9:1448-1462. [PMID: 28743784 PMCID: PMC5653977 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201707691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhanced NRG1‐ERBB4 signaling is a risk pathway in schizophrenia, and corresponding mouse models display several endophenotypes of the disease. Nonetheless, pathway‐directed treatment strategies with clinically applicable compounds have not been identified. Here, we applied a cell‐based assay using the split TEV technology to screen a library of clinically applicable compounds to identify modulators of NRG1‐ERBB4 signaling for repurposing. We recovered spironolactone, known as antagonist of corticosteroids, as an inhibitor of the ERBB4 receptor and tested it in pharmacological and biochemical assays to assess secondary compound actions. Transgenic mice overexpressing Nrg1 type III display cortical Erbb4 hyperphosphorylation, a condition observed in postmortem brains from schizophrenia patients. Spironolactone treatment reverted hyperphosphorylation of activated Erbb4 in these mice. In behavioral tests, spironolactone treatment of Nrg1 type III transgenic mice ameliorated schizophrenia‐relevant behavioral endophenotypes, such as reduced sensorimotor gating, hyperactivity, and impaired working memory. Moreover, spironolactone increases spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in cortical slices supporting an ERBB4‐mediated mode‐of‐action. Our findings suggest that spironolactone, a clinically safe drug, provides an opportunity for new treatment options for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Wehr
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wilko Hinrichs
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Magdalena M Brzózka
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilmann Unterbarnscheidt
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Cellular Neurophysiology, Center of Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Sergi Papiol
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Mykola Kravchenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mingyue Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sven P Wichert
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Markus H Schwab
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Cellular Neurophysiology, Center of Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hanover, Germany
| | - Moritz J Rossner
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany .,Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
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56
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Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. Non-Coding RNA as Novel Players in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia. Noncoding RNA 2018; 4:E11. [PMID: 29657307 PMCID: PMC6027250 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna4020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with diverse changes in the brain's transcriptome and proteome. Underlying these changes is the complex dysregulation of gene expression and protein production that varies both spatially across brain regions and temporally with the progression of the illness. The growing body of literature showing changes in non-coding RNA in individuals with schizophrenia offers new insights into the mechanisms causing this dysregulation. A large number of studies have reported that the expression of microRNA (miRNA) is altered in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia. This evidence is complemented by findings that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA host gene sequences can confer an increased risk of developing the disorder. Additionally, recent evidence suggests the expression of other non-coding RNAs, such as small nucleolar RNA and long non-coding RNA, may also be affected in schizophrenia. Understanding how these changes in non-coding RNAs contribute to the development and progression of schizophrenia offers potential avenues for the better treatment and diagnosis of the disorder. This review will focus on the evidence supporting the involvement of non-coding RNA in schizophrenia and its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbons
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia.
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57
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Suess B, Kemmerer K, Weigand JE. Splicing and Alternative Splicing Impact on Gene Design. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527688104.ch7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Suess
- Department of Biology; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Schnittspahnstraße 10 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Katrin Kemmerer
- Department of Biology; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Schnittspahnstraße 10 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Julia E. Weigand
- Department of Biology; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Schnittspahnstraße 10 64287 Darmstadt Germany
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58
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Murakami A, Nakamura M, Kaneko S, Lin WL, Dickson DW, Kusaka H. Aberrant accumulation of ErbB4 in progressive supranuclear palsy. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 44:563-573. [PMID: 29319907 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The human epidermal growth factor receptor family consists of four members that belong to the ErbB lineage of proteins (ErbB1-4). Neuregulin-1 (NRG1)/ErbB signalling regulates brain development and function. Abnormalities in this signalling have been implicated in the aetiology or development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. So, we aimed at investigating whether the expression of NRG1 or ErbB proteins are altered in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). METHODS The brains of 10 PSP and six control patients were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Whereas C-terminal ErbB4 immunoreacitivity was partially but distinctly present in the cytoplasm and/or in the nucleus of neurons in control patients, it was rarely observed in the neuronal nuclei in PSP patients. In contrast, neurofibrillary tangles, coiled bodies and threads were robustly immunoreactive for C-terminal ErbB4 in PSP. Double immunofluorescence for C-terminal ErbB4 and phospho-tau revealed co-localization of these proteins within neuronal and glial inclusions. To the contrary, there was no difference in the subcellular localization of NRG1, ErbB1, ErbB2, and N-terminal ErbB4 between control and PSP patients. These proteins were localized in the cytoplasm of neurons. CONCLUSIONS Our present results suggest that NRG1/ErbB4 signalling could be an important event in the pathogenesis of PSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Murakami
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - M Nakamura
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - S Kaneko
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - W-L Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - D W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - H Kusaka
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
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59
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Wang L, Liu Y, Sun S, Lu M, Xia Y. Regulation of neuronal-glial fate specification by long non-coding RNAs. Rev Neurosci 2018; 27:491-9. [PMID: 26943605 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2015-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cell transplantation is becoming a promising and attractive cell-based treatment modality for repairing the damaged central nervous system. One of the limitations of this approach is that the proportion of functional cells differentiated from stem cells still remains at a low level. In recent years, novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are being discovered at a growing pace, suggesting that this class of molecules may act as novel regulators in neuronal-glial fate specification. In this review, we first describe the general features of lncRNAs that are more likely to be relevant to reveal their function. By this, we aim to point out the specific roles of a number of lncRNAs whose function has been described during neuronal and glial cell differentiation. There is no doubt that investigation of the lncRNAs will open a new window in studying neuronal-glial fate specification.
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60
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Skirzewski M, Karavanova I, Shamir A, Erben L, Garcia-Olivares J, Shin JH, Vullhorst D, Alvarez VA, Amara SG, Buonanno A. ErbB4 signaling in dopaminergic axonal projections increases extracellular dopamine levels and regulates spatial/working memory behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:2227-2237. [PMID: 28727685 PMCID: PMC5775946 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic variants of Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) and its neuronal tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB4 are associated with risk for schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by excitatory/inhibitory imbalance and dopamine (DA) dysfunction. To date, most ErbB4 studies have focused on GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampus and neocortex, particularly fast-spiking parvalbumin-positive (PV+) basket cells. However, NRG has also been shown to modulate DA levels, suggesting a role for ErbB4 signaling in dopaminergic neuron function. Here we report that ErbB4 in midbrain DAergic axonal projections regulates extracellular DA levels and relevant behaviors. Mice lacking ErbB4 in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) neurons, but not in PV+ GABAergic interneurons, exhibit different regional imbalances of basal DA levels and fail to increase DA in response to local NRG1 infusion into the dorsal hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum measured by reverse microdialysis. Using Lund Human Mesencephalic (LUHMES) cells, we show that NRG/ErbB signaling increases extracellular DA levels, at least in part, by reducing DA transporter (DAT)-dependent uptake. Interestingly, TH-Cre;ErbB4f/f mice manifest deficits in learning, spatial and working memory-related behaviors, but not in numerous other behaviors altered in PV-Cre;ErbB4f/f mice. Importantly, microinjection of a Cre-inducible ErbB4 virus (AAV-ErbB4.DIO) into the mesencephalon of TH-Cre;ErbB4f/f mice, which selectively restores ErbB4 expression in DAergic neurons, rescues DA dysfunction and ameliorates behavioral deficits. Our results indicate that direct NRG/ErbB4 signaling in DAergic axonal projections modulates DA homeostasis, and that NRG/ErbB4 signaling in both GABAergic interneurons and DA neurons contribute to the modulation of behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Skirzewski
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dSection on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - I Karavanova
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dSection on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - A Shamir
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dSection on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - L Erben
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dSection on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA ,0000 0001 2240 3300grid.10388.32Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - J Garcia-Olivares
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - J H Shin
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Section on Neuronal Structure, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - D Vullhorst
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dSection on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - V A Alvarez
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Section on Neuronal Structure, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - S G Amara
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - A Buonanno
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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61
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Reble E, Dineen A, Barr CL. The contribution of alternative splicing to genetic risk for psychiatric disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12430. [PMID: 29052934 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A genetic contribution to psychiatric disorders has clearly been established and genome-wide association studies now provide the location of risk genes and genetic variants associated with risk. However, the mechanism by which these genes and variants contribute to psychiatric disorders is mostly undetermined. This is in part because non-synonymous protein coding changes cannot explain the majority of variants associated with complex genetic traits. Based on this, it is predicted that these variants are causing gene expression changes, including changes to alternative splicing. Genetic changes influencing alternative splicing have been identified as risk factors in Mendelian disorders; however, currently there is a paucity of research on the role of alternative splicing in complex traits. This stems partly from the difficulty of predicting the role of genetic variation in splicing. Alterations to canonical splice site sequences, nucleotides adjacent to splice junctions, and exonic and intronic splicing regulatory sequences can influence splice site choice. Recent studies have identified global changes in alternatively spliced transcripts in brain tissues, some of which correlate with altered levels of splicing trans factors. Disease-associated variants have also been found to affect cis-acting splicing regulatory sequences and alter the ratio of alternatively spliced transcripts. These findings are reviewed here, as well as the current datasets and resources available to study alternative splicing in psychiatric disorders. Identifying and understanding risk variants that cause alternative splicing is critical to understanding the mechanisms of risk as well as to pave the way for new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Reble
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Dineen
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C L Barr
- Genetics and Development Division, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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62
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Sekine M, Makino T. Inference of Causative Genes for Alzheimer's Disease Due to Dosage Imbalance. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 34:2396-2407. [PMID: 28666362 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) have recently drawn attention as an important genetic factor for diseases, especially common neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because most of the pathogenic CNV regions overlap with multiple genes, it has been challenging to identify the true disease-causing genes amongst them. Notably, a recent study reported that CNV regions containing ohnologs, which are dosage-sensitive genes, are likely to be deleterious. Utilizing the unique feature of ohnologs could be useful for identifying causative genes with pathogenic CNVs, however its effectiveness is still unclear. Although it has been reported that AD is strongly affected by CNVs, most of AD-causing genes with pathogenic CNVs have not been identified yet. Here, we show that dosage-sensitive ohnologs within CNV regions reported in patients with AD are related to the nervous system and are highly expressed in the brain, similar to other known susceptible genes for AD. We found that CNV regions in patients with AD contained dosage-sensitive genes, which are ohnologs not overlapping with control CNV regions, frequently. Furthermore, these dosage-sensitive genes in pathogenic CNV regions had a strong enrichment in the nervous system for mouse knockout phenotype and high expression in the brain similar to the known susceptible genes for AD. Our results demonstrated that selecting dosage-sensitive ohnologs out of multiple genes with pathogenic CNVs is effective in identifying the causative genes for AD. This methodology can be applied to other diseases caused by dosage imbalance and might help to establish the medical diagnosis by analysis of CNVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuka Sekine
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takashi Makino
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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63
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Hayakawa-Yano Y, Suyama S, Nogami M, Yugami M, Koya I, Furukawa T, Zhou L, Abe M, Sakimura K, Takebayashi H, Nakanishi A, Okano H, Yano M. An RNA-binding protein, Qki5, regulates embryonic neural stem cells through pre-mRNA processing in cell adhesion signaling. Genes Dev 2017; 31:1910-1925. [PMID: 29021239 PMCID: PMC5693031 DOI: 10.1101/gad.300822.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell type-specific transcriptomes are enabled by the action of multiple regulators, which are frequently expressed within restricted tissue regions. In the present study, we identify one such regulator, Quaking 5 (Qki5), as an RNA-binding protein (RNABP) that is expressed in early embryonic neural stem cells and subsequently down-regulated during neurogenesis. mRNA sequencing analysis in neural stem cell culture indicates that Qki proteins play supporting roles in the neural stem cell transcriptome and various forms of mRNA processing that may result from regionally restricted expression and subcellular localization. Also, our in utero electroporation gain-of-function study suggests that the nuclear-type Qki isoform Qki5 supports the neural stem cell state. We next performed in vivo transcriptome-wide protein-RNA interaction mapping to search for direct targets of Qki5 and elucidate how Qki5 regulates neural stem cell function. Combined with our transcriptome analysis, this mapping analysis yielded a bona fide map of Qki5-RNA interaction at single-nucleotide resolution, the identification of 892 Qki5 direct target genes, and an accurate Qki5-dependent alternative splicing rule in the developing brain. Last, our target gene list provides the first compelling evidence that Qki5 is associated with specific biological events; namely, cell-cell adhesion. This prediction was confirmed by histological analysis of mice in which Qki proteins were genetically ablated, which revealed disruption of the apical surface of the lateral wall in the developing brain. These data collectively indicate that Qki5 regulates communication between neural stem cells by mediating numerous RNA processing events and suggest new links between splicing regulation and neural stem cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshika Hayakawa-Yano
- Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Suyama
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nogami
- Shonan Incubation Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan.,Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masato Yugami
- Shonan Incubation Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan.,Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Ikuko Koya
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Takako Furukawa
- Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Hirohide Takebayashi
- Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakanishi
- Shonan Incubation Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan.,Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masato Yano
- Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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64
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O’Tuathaigh CMP, Mathur N, O’Callaghan MJ, MacIntyre L, Harvey R, Lai D, Waddington JL, Pickard BS, Watson DG, Moran PM. Specialized Information Processing Deficits and Distinct Metabolomic Profiles Following TM-Domain Disruption of Nrg1. Schizophr Bull 2017; 43:1100-1113. [PMID: 28338897 PMCID: PMC5581893 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbw189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although there is considerable genetic and pathologic evidence for an association between neuregulin 1 (NRG1) dysregulation and schizophrenia, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Mutant mice containing disruption of the transmembrane (TM) domain of the NRG1 gene constitute a heuristic model for dysregulation of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in schizophrenia. The present study focused on hitherto uncharacterized information processing phenotypes in this mutant line. Using a mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach, we also quantified levels of unique metabolites in brain. Across 2 different sites and protocols, Nrg1 mutants demonstrated deficits in prepulse inhibition, a measure of sensorimotor gating, that is, disrupted in schizophrenia; these deficits were partially reversed by acute treatment with second, but not first-, generation antipsychotic drugs. However, Nrg1 mutants did not show a specific deficit in latent inhibition, a measure of selective attention that is also disrupted in schizophrenia. In contrast, in a "what-where-when" object recognition memory task, Nrg1 mutants displayed sex-specific (males only) disruption of "what-when" performance, indicative of impaired temporal aspects of episodic memory. Differential metabolomic profiling revealed that these behavioral phenotypes were accompanied, most prominently, by alterations in lipid metabolism pathways. This study is the first to associate these novel physiological mechanisms, previously independently identified as being abnormal in schizophrenia, with disruption of NRG1 function. These data suggest novel mechanisms by which compromised neuregulin function from birth might lead to schizophrenia-relevant behavioral changes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naina Mathur
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Lynsey MacIntyre
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Harvey
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Donna Lai
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - John L Waddington
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Benjamin S Pickard
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paula M Moran
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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65
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Moran PM, Zhen XC, Waddington JL. Translating advances in the molecular basis of schizophrenia into novel cognitive treatment strategies. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:3173-3190. [PMID: 28667666 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence and severity of cognitive symptoms, including working memory, executive dysfunction and attentional impairment, contributes materially to functional impairment in schizophrenia. Cognitive symptoms have proved to be resistant to both first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs. Efforts to develop a consensus set of cognitive domains that are both disrupted in schizophrenia and are amenable to cross-species validation (e.g. the National Institute of Mental Health Cognitive Neuroscience Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia and Research Domain Criteria initiatives) are an important step towards standardization of outcome measures that can be used in preclinical testing of new drugs. While causative genetic mutations have not been identified, new technologies have identified novel genes as well as hitherto candidate genes previously implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and/or mechanisms of antipsychotic efficacy. This review comprises a selective summary of these developments, particularly phenotypic data arising from preclinical genetic models for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, with the aim of indicating potential new directions for pro-cognitive therapeutics. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of Cognition: a Panacea for Neuropsychiatric Disease? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.19/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paula M Moran
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Xuechu C Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - John L Waddington
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
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66
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Uniting the neurodevelopmental and immunological hypotheses: Neuregulin 1 receptor ErbB and Toll-like receptor activation in first-episode schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28646138 PMCID: PMC5482801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03736-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current pathophysiological models of schizophrenia focus on neurodevelopmental and immunological mechanisms. We investigated a molecular pathway traditionally linked to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis (neuregulin 1 - ErbB), and pathogen-associated pattern recognition receptors associated with the immune hypothesis (Toll-like receptors, TLRs). We recruited 42 first-episode, drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 42 matched healthy control subjects. In monocytes TLR4/TLR5 and ErbB expressions were measured with flow-cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were determined following the stimulation of TLR4/TLR5 and ErbB. Results revealed increased TLR4/TLR5 and decreased ErbB4 expression in schizophrenia relative to the control subjects. The expression of ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors was unaltered in schizophrenia. TLR4 stimulation resulted in lower pro-inflammatory cytokine production in schizophrenia compared to the control levels, whereas the stimulation of ErbB by neuregulin 1 led to higher pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with schizophrenia relative to the control group. In healthy controls, ErbB activation was associated with a marked production of IL-10, which was dampened in schizophrenia. These results indicate that the stimulation of TLR4 and ErbB induces opposite pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in schizophrenia.
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67
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Behavioral, Neurophysiological, and Synaptic Impairment in a Transgenic Neuregulin1 (NRG1-IV) Murine Schizophrenia Model. J Neurosci 2017; 36:4859-75. [PMID: 27122041 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4632-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling neuropsychiatric disorder with complex genetic origins. The development of strategies for genome manipulation in rodents provides a platform for understanding the pathogenic role of genes and for testing novel therapeutic agents. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), a critical developmental neurotrophin, is associated with schizophrenia. The NRG1 gene undergoes extensive alternative splicing and, to date, little is known about the neurobiology of a novel NRG1 isoform, NRG1-IV, which is increased in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia and associated with genetic risk variation. Here, we developed a transgenic mouse model (NRG1-IV/NSE-tTA) in which human NRG1-IV is selectively overexpressed in a neuronal specific manner. Using a combination of molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral analyses, we demonstrate that NRG1-IV/NSE-tTA mice exhibit abnormal behaviors relevant to schizophrenia, including impaired sensorimotor gating, discrimination memory, and social behaviors. These neurobehavioral phenotypes are accompanied by increases in cortical expression of the NRG1 receptor, ErbB4 and the downstream signaling target, PIK3-p110δ, along with disrupted dendritic development, synaptic pathology, and altered prefrontal cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance. Pharmacological inhibition of p110δ reversed sensorimotor gating and cognitive deficits. These data demonstrate a novel role for NRG1-IV in learning, memory, and neural circuit formation and a potential neurobiological mechanism for schizophrenia risk; show that deficits are pharmacologically reversible in adulthood; and further highlight p110δ as a target for antipsychotic drug development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Schizophrenia is a disabling psychiatric disorder with neurodevelopmental origins. Genes that increase risk for schizophrenia have been identified. Understanding how these genes affect brain development and function is necessary. This work is the first report of a newly generated humanized transgenic mouse model engineered to express human NRG1-IV, an isoform of the NRG1 (Neuregulin 1) gene that is increased in the brains of patients with schizophrenia in association with genetic risk. Using behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and pharmacology, we identify a role for NRG1-IV in learning, memory, and cognition and determine that this relates to brain excitatory-inhibitory balance and changes in ErbB4/PI3K/AKT signaling. Moreover, the study further highlights the potential of targeting the PI3K pathway for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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68
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Al-Eitan L, Al-Habahbeh S, Alkhatib R. Genetic association analysis of ERBB4 polymorphisms with the risk ofschizophrenia susceptibility in a Jordanian population of Arab descent. Turk J Med Sci 2017; 47:542-553. [PMID: 28425244 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1603-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The ERBB4 gene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase and is considered to be one of the risk genes of schizophrenia. Although there is evidence of the roles of genes and the environment in the etiology of schizophrenia, a comprehensive biological and genetic background of the disease is still lacking. The aim of this study is to assess whether genetic variation in the human ERBB4 gene is associated with vulnerability to schizophrenia in the Jordanian Arab population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 185 inpatients with schizophrenia participated in this study and 195 healthy genetically homogeneous individuals were also used as controls. Two genetic variants, rs839523 (G/A, intron 2) and rs3748962 (A/G, exon 27), encompassing the ERBB4 gene were genotyped using DNA sequencing. RESULTS The results revealed a strong and statistically significant genetic association of rs839523 with schizophrenia (P = 0.002 for allele and P = 0.006 for genotype). CONCLUSION This study provides strong statistical evidence that there is an association between the ERBB4 gene and schizophrenia in a Jordanian population of Arab descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laith Al-Eitan
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.,Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Sahar Al-Habahbeh
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Rami Alkhatib
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.,Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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69
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Ma GW, Chu YK, Zhang WJ, Qin FY, Xu SS, Yang H, Rong EG, Du ZQ, Wang SZ, Li H, Wang N. Polymorphisms of FST gene and their association with wool quality traits in Chinese Merino sheep. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174868. [PMID: 28384189 PMCID: PMC5383234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin (FST) is involved in hair follicle morphogenesis. However, its effects on hair traits are not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of FST gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on wool quality traits in Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type). We performed gene expression analysis, SNP detection, and association analysis of FST gene with sheep wool quality traits. The real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that FST gene was differentially expressed in adult skin between Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type) and Suffolk sheep. Immunostaining showed that FST was localized in inner root sheath (IRS) and matrix of hair follicle (HF) in both SF and Suffolk sheep. Sequencing analysis identified a total of seven SNPs (termed SNPs 1-7) in the FST gene in Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type). Association analysis showed that SNP2 (Chr 16. 25,633,662 G>A) was significantly associated with average wool fiber diameter, wool fineness SD, and wool crimp (P < 0.05). SNP4 (Chr 16. 25,633,569 C>T) was significantly associated with wool fineness SD and CV of fiber diameter (P < 0.05). Similarly, the haplotypes derived from these seven identified SNPs were also significantly associated with average wool fiber diameter, wool fineness SD, CV of fiber diameter, and wool crimp (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that FST influences wool quality traits and its SNPs 2 and 4 might be useful markers for marker-assisted selection and sheep breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Wei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Kai Chu
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Fei-Yue Qin
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Song-Song Xu
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Hua Yang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi, P. R. China
| | - En-Guang Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Du
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Shou-Zhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Harbin, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, P. R. China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
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Paterson C, Wang Y, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, Kleinman JE, Law AJ. Temporal, Diagnostic, and Tissue-Specific Regulation of NRG3 Isoform Expression in Human Brain Development and Affective Disorders. Am J Psychiatry 2017; 174:256-265. [PMID: 27771971 PMCID: PMC5892449 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16060721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genes implicated in schizophrenia are enriched in networks differentially regulated during human CNS development. Neuregulin 3 (NRG3), a brain-enriched neurotrophin, undergoes alternative splicing and is implicated in several neurological disorders with developmental origins. Isoform-specific increases in NRG3 are observed in schizophrenia and associated with rs10748842, a NRG3 risk polymorphism, suggesting NRG3 transcriptional dysregulation as a molecular mechanism of risk. The authors quantitatively mapped the temporal trajectories of NRG3 isoforms (classes I-IV) in the neocortex throughout the human lifespan, examined whether tissue-specific regulation of NRG3 occurs in humans, and determined if abnormalities in NRG3 transcriptomics occur in mood disorders and are genetically determined. METHOD NRG3 isoform classes I-IV were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in human postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from 286 nonpsychiatric control individuals, from gestational week 14 to 85 years old, and individuals diagnosed with either bipolar disorder (N=34) or major depressive disorder (N=69). Tissue-specific mapping was investigated in several human tissues. rs10748842 was genotyped in individuals with mood disorders, and association with NRG3 isoform expression examined. RESULTS NRG3 classes displayed individually specific expression trajectories across human neocortical development and aging; classes I, II, and IV were significantly associated with developmental stage. NRG3 class I was increased in bipolar and major depressive disorder, consistent with observations in schizophrenia. NRG3 class II was increased in bipolar disorder, and class III was increased in major depression. The rs10748842 risk genotype predicted elevated class II and III expression, consistent with previous reports in the brain, with tissue-specific analyses suggesting that classes II and III are brain-specific isoforms of NRG3. CONCLUSIONS Mapping the temporal expression of genes during human brain development provides vital insight into gene function and identifies critical sensitive periods whereby genetic factors may influence risk for psychiatric disease. Here the authors provide comprehensive insight into the transcriptional landscape of the psychiatric risk gene, NRG3, in human neocortical development and expand on previous findings in schizophrenia to identify increased expression of developmentally and genetically regulated isoforms in the brain of patients with mood disorders. Principally, the finding that NRG3 classes II and III are brain-specific isoforms predicted by rs10748842 risk genotype and are increased in mood disorders further implicates a molecular mechanism of psychiatric risk at the NRG3 locus and identifies a potential developmental role for NRG3 in bipolar disorder and major depression. These observations encourage investigation of the neurobiology of NRG3 isoforms and highlight inhibition of NRG3 signaling as a potential target for psychiatric treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Paterson
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Yanhong Wang
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Daniel R. Weinberger
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Amanda J. Law
- From the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora; the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Neurology, the Department of Neuroscience, and the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
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Rahimi-Aliabadi S, Shahmohammadibeni N, Jamshidi J, Shandiz EE, Mirfakhraie R, Ohadi M, Nejad FR, Mansoori N, Taheri M, Gholipour F, Moudi S, Tayebi G, Divsalar S, Darvish H, Movafagh A. Association of β-Secretase Functional Polymorphism with Risk of Schizophrenia. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2017; 21:248-251. [PMID: 28384043 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2016.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The NRG1-ERBB4 neurotransmitter signaling pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SZ). The intronic single-nucleotide polymorphism rs707284 in ERBB4 links to PI3K-AKT suppression in SZ. Another protein indirectly affecting NRG1-ERBB4 signaling is β-secretase, which is encoded by the BACE1 gene, and activates NRG1 by proteolytic cleavage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of ERBB4 rs707284 and BACE1 rs490460 with the risk of SZ in an Iranian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 973 subjects, including 480 SZ patients and 493 healthy controls, matched by ethnicity, age, and gender, were recruited in a case-control study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of all subjects and genotyping of rs707284 and rs490460 was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (tetra-ARMS) PCR genotyping assays, respectively. RESULTS A significant association was observed between the rs490460 T allele and SZ (p = 0.0002, odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.57-0.84). There was no association between the risk of SZ and rs707284. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that rs490460 is associated with the risk of SZ. In silico analysis indicates that rs490460 may be a potential splicing site, which affects protein structure. Replication studies are needed to confirm our data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Rahimi-Aliabadi
- 1 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Shahmohammadibeni
- 2 Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences , Babol, Iran
| | - Javad Jamshidi
- 3 Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences , Fasa, Iran
| | - Ehsan Esmaili Shandiz
- 4 Department of Neurology, Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful University of Medical Sciences , Dezful, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- 1 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Ohadi
- 5 Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Ramezani Nejad
- 6 The Charitable Institute for Protecting of Social Victims (Saray-e-Ehsan) , Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Mansoori
- 6 The Charitable Institute for Protecting of Social Victims (Saray-e-Ehsan) , Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- 1 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Gholipour
- 7 Department of Psychiatry, Emam Hossien Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Susan Moudi
- 8 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences , Babol, Iran
| | - Gouya Tayebi
- 9 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences , Babol, Iran
| | - Shahram Divsalar
- 10 Zareh Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Darvish
- 1 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Movafagh
- 1 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
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72
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Sethi MK, Zaia J. Extracellular matrix proteomics in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:379-394. [PMID: 27601046 PMCID: PMC5203946 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9900-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly organized system that consists of collagens, noncollagenous proteins, glycoproteins, hyaluronan, and proteoglycans. Recognized physiological roles of ECM include developmental regulation, tissue homeostasis, cell migration, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, neuronal plasticity, and neurite outgrowth. Aberrant ECM structure is associated with brain neurodegenerative conditions. This review focuses on two neurodegenerative conditions, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, and summarizes recent findings of altered ECM components, including proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, proteins, and glycoproteins, and proteins and genes related to other brain components. The scope includes immunohistochemical, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and glycomics studies, and a critical assessment of current state of proteomic studies for neurodegenerative disorders. The intent is to summarize the ECM molecular alterations associated with neurodegenerative pathophysiology. Graphical Abstract Brain extracellular matrix showing HSPGs, CSPGs, HA, collagens, and other glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manveen K Sethi
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology & Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Joseph Zaia
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology & Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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73
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Mostaid MS, Lee TT, Chana G, Sundram S, Shannon Weickert C, Pantelis C, Everall I, Bousman C. Peripheral Transcription of NRG-ErbB Pathway Genes Are Upregulated in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:225. [PMID: 29163244 PMCID: PMC5681734 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of peripheral gene expression patterns of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway, other than neuregulin-1 (NRG1), among patients with schizophrenia and more specifically treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is limited. The present study built on our previous work demonstrating elevated levels of NRG1 EGFα, EGFβ, and type I(Ig2) containing transcripts in TRS by investigating 11 NRG-ErbB signaling pathway mRNA transcripts (NRG2, ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, PIK3CD, PIK3R3, AKT1, mTOR, P70S6K, eIF4EBP1) in whole blood of TRS patients (N = 71) and healthy controls (N = 57). We also examined the effect of clozapine exposure on transcript levels using cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 healthy individuals. Five transcripts (ErbB3, PIK3CD, AKT1, P70S6K, eIF4EBP1) were significantly elevated in TRS patients compared to healthy controls but only expression of P70S6K (Pcorrected = 0.018), a protein kinase linked to protein synthesis, cell growth, and cell proliferation, survived correction for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. Investigation of clinical factors revealed that ErbB2, PIK3CD, PIK3R3, AKT1, mTOR, and P70S6K expression were negatively correlated with duration of illness. However, no transcript was associated with chlorpromazine equivalent dose or clozapine plasma levels, the latter supported by our in vitro PBMC clozapine exposure experiment. Taken together with previously published NRG1 results, our findings suggest an overall upregulation of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway among individuals with schizophrenia some of which attenuate over duration of illness. Follow-up studies are needed to determine if the observed peripheral upregulation of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway are specific to TRS or are a general blood-based marker of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shaki Mostaid
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ting Ting Lee
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gursharan Chana
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University and Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Everall
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chad Bousman
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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74
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Walter EE, Fernandez F, Snelling M, Barkus E. Genetic Consideration of Schizotypal Traits: A Review. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1769. [PMID: 27895608 PMCID: PMC5108787 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizotypal traits are of interest and importance in their own right and also have theoretical and clinical associations with schizophrenia. These traits comprise attenuated psychotic symptoms, social withdrawal, reduced cognitive capacity, and affective dysregulation. The link between schizotypal traits and psychotic disorders has long since been debated. The status of knowledge at this point is such schizotypal traits are a risk for psychotic disorders, but in and of themselves only confer liability, with other risk factors needing to be present before a transition to psychosis occurs. Investigation of schizotypal traits also has the possibility to inform clinical and research pursuits concerning those who do not make a transition to psychotic disorders. A growing body of literature has investigated the genetic underpinnings of schizotypal traits. Here, we review association, family studies and describe genetic disorders where the expression of schizotypal traits has been investigated. We conducted a thorough review of the existing literature, with multiple search engines, references, and linked articles being searched for relevance to the current review. All articles and book chapters in English were sourced and reviewed for inclusion. Family studies demonstrate that schizotypal traits are elevated with increasing genetic proximity to schizophrenia and some chromosomal regions have been associated with schizotypy. Genes associated with schizophrenia have provided the initial start point for the investigation of candidate genes for schizotypal traits; neurobiological pathways of significance have guided selection of genes of interest. Given the chromosomal regions associated with schizophrenia, some genetic disorders have also considered the expression of schizotypal traits. Genetic disorders considered all comprise a profile of cognitive deficits and over representation of psychotic disorders compared to the general population. We conclude that genetic variations associated with schizotypal traits require further investigation, perhaps with targeted phenotypes narrowed to assist in refining the clinical end point of significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Walter
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesca Fernandez
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mollie Snelling
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Barkus
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
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75
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Chung DW, Fish KN, Lewis DA. Pathological Basis for Deficient Excitatory Drive to Cortical Parvalbumin Interneurons in Schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2016; 173:1131-1139. [PMID: 27444795 PMCID: PMC5089927 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deficient excitatory drive to parvalbumin-containing cortical interneurons is proposed as a key neural substrate for altered gamma oscillations and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. However, a pathological entity producing such a deficit has not been identified. The authors tested the hypothesis that cortical parvalbumin interneurons receive fewer excitatory synaptic inputs in individuals with schizophrenia. METHOD Fluorescent immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and post-image processing techniques were used to quantify the number of putative excitatory synapses (i.e., the overlap of vesicular glutamate transporter 1-positive [VGlut1+] puncta and postsynaptic density protein 95-positive [PSD95+] puncta) per surface area of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) or calretinin-positive (CR+) neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from schizophrenia subjects and matched unaffected comparison subjects. RESULTS Mean density of VGlut1+/PSD95+ puncta on PV+ neurons was 18% lower in schizophrenia, a significant difference. This deficit was not influenced by methodological confounds or schizophrenia-associated comorbid factors, not present in monkeys chronically exposed to antipsychotic medications, and not present in CR+ neurons. Mean density of VGlut1+/PSD95+ puncta on PV+ neurons predicted the activity-dependent expression levels of parvalbumin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) in schizophrenia subjects but not comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration that excitatory synapse density is lower selectively on parvalbumin interneurons in schizophrenia and predicts the activity-dependent down-regulation of parvalbumin and GAD67. Because the activity of parvalbumin interneurons is required for generation of cortical gamma oscillations and working memory function, these findings reveal a novel pathological substrate for cortical dysfunction and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Chung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Kenneth N. Fish
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - David A. Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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76
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Neuregulin1 alpha activates migration of neuronal progenitors expressing ErbB4. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 77:87-94. [PMID: 27989735 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficits in neuronal migration during development in the central nervous system may contribute to psychiatric diseases. The ligand neuregulin1 (NRG1) and its receptor ErbB4 are genes conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia, playing a key role in the control of neuronal migration both during development and adulthood. Several NRG1 and ErbB4 isoforms were identified, which deeply differ in their characteristics. Here we focused on the four ErbB4 isoforms and the two NRG1 isoforms differing in their EGF-like domain, namely α and β. We hypothesized that these isoforms, which are differently regulated in schizophrenic patients, could play different roles in neuronal migration. Our hypothesis was strengthened by the observation that both NRG1α and NRG1β and the four ErbB4 isoforms are expressed in the medial and lateral ganglionic eminences and in the cortex during development in rat. We analysed in vitro the signal transduction pathways activated by the different ErbB4 isoforms following the treatment with soluble recombinant NRG1α or NRG1β and the ability to stimulate migration. Our data show that two ErbB4 isoforms, namely JMa-cyt2 and JMb-cyt1, following NRG1α and NRG1β treatment, strongly activate AKT phosphorylation, conferring high migratory activity to neuronal progenitors, thus demonstrating that both NRG1α and NRG1β can play a role in neuronal migration.
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77
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Neuregulin-1 Regulates Cortical Inhibitory Neuron Dendrite and Synapse Growth through DISC1. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:7694385. [PMID: 27847649 PMCID: PMC5099462 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7694385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical inhibitory neurons play crucial roles in regulating excitatory synaptic networks and cognitive function and aberrant development of these cells have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. The secreted neurotrophic factor Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and its receptor ErbB4 are established regulators of inhibitory neuron connectivity, but the developmental signalling mechanisms regulating this process remain poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that NRG1-ErbB4 signalling functions through the multifunctional scaffold protein, Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), to regulate the development of cortical inhibitory interneuron dendrite and synaptic growth. We found that NRG1 increases inhibitory neuron dendrite complexity and glutamatergic synapse formation onto inhibitory neurons and that this effect is blocked by expression of a dominant negative DISC1 mutant, or DISC1 knockdown. We also discovered that NRG1 treatment increases DISC1 expression and its localization to glutamatergic synapses being made onto cortical inhibitory neurons. Mechanistically, we determined that DISC1 binds ErbB4 within cortical inhibitory neurons. Collectively, these data suggest that a NRG1-ErbB4-DISC1 signalling pathway regulates the development of cortical inhibitory neuron dendrite and synaptic growth. Given that NRG1, ErbB4, and DISC1 are schizophrenia-linked genes, these findings shed light on how independent risk factors may signal in a common developmental pathway that contributes to neural connectivity defects and disease pathogenesis.
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78
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Hayes LN, Shevelkin A, Zeledon M, Steel G, Chen PL, Obie C, Pulver A, Avramopoulos D, Valle D, Sawa A, Pletnikov MV. Neuregulin 3 Knockout Mice Exhibit Behaviors Consistent with Psychotic Disorders. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2016; 2:79-87. [PMID: 27606322 PMCID: PMC4996025 DOI: 10.1159/000445836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) is a paralog of NRG1. Genetic studies in schizophrenia demonstrate that risk variants in NRG3 are associated with cognitive and psychotic symptom severity, and several intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms in NRG3 are associated with delusions in patients with schizophrenia. In order to gain insights into the biological function of the gene, we generated a novel Nrg3 knockout (KO) mouse model and tested for neurobehavioral phenotypes relevant to psychotic disorders. KO mice displayed novelty-induced hyperactivity, impaired prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, and deficient fear conditioning. No gross cytoarchitectonic or layer abnormalities were noted in the brain of KO mice. Our findings suggest that deletion of the Nrg3 gene leads to alterations consistent with aspects of schizophrenia. We propose that KO mice will provide a valuable animal model to determine the role of the NRG3 in the molecular pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay N. Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Alexey Shevelkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Mariela Zeledon
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Gary Steel
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Pei-Lung Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cassandra Obie
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Ann Pulver
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - David Valle
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Akira Sawa
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Mikhail V. Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
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79
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Desbonnet L, Moran PM, Kirby BP, Waddington JL. Molecular genetic models related to schizophrenia and psychotic illness: heuristics and challenges. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2016; 7:87-119. [PMID: 21298380 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a heritable disorder that may involve several common genes of small effect and/or rare copy number variation, with phenotypic heterogeneity across patients. Furthermore, any boundaries vis-à-vis other psychotic disorders are far from clear. Consequently, identification of informative animal models for this disorder, which typically relate to pharmacological and putative pathophysiological processes of uncertain validity, faces considerable challenges. In juxtaposition, the majority of mutant models for schizophrenia relate to the functional roles of a diverse set of genes associated with risk for the disorder or with such putative pathophysiological processes. This chapter seeks to outline the evidence from phenotypic studies in mutant models related to schizophrenia. These have commonly assessed the degree to which mutation of a schizophrenia-related gene is associated with the expression of several aspects of the schizophrenia phenotype or more circumscribed, schizophrenia-related endophenotypes; typically, they place specific emphasis on positive and negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, and extend to structural and other pathological features. We first consider the primary technological approaches to the generation of such mutants, to include their relative merits and demerits, and then highlight the diverse phenotypic approaches that have been developed for their assessment. The chapter then considers the application of mutant phenotypes to study pathobiological and pharmacological mechanisms thought to be relevant for schizophrenia, particularly in terms of dopaminergic and glutamatergic dysfunction, and to an increasing range of candidate susceptibility genes and copy number variants. Finally, we discuss several pertinent issues and challenges within the field which relate to both phenotypic evaluation and a growing appreciation of the functional genomics of schizophrenia and the involvement of gene × environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland,
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80
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Douet V, Chang L, Lee K, Ernst T. ERBB4 polymorphism and family history of psychiatric disorders on age-related cortical changes in healthy children. Brain Imaging Behav 2016; 9:128-40. [PMID: 25744101 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-015-9363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variations in ERBB4 were associated with increased susceptibility for schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorders (BPD). Structural imaging studies showed cortical abnormalities in adolescents and adults with SCZ or BPD. However, less is known about subclinical cortical changes or the influence of ERBB4 on cortical development. 971 healthy children (ages 3-20 years old; 462 girls and 509 boys) were genotyped for the ERBB4-rs7598440 variants, had structural MRI, and cognitive evaluation (NIH Toolbox ®). We investigated the effects of ERBB4 variants and family history of SCZ and/or BPD (FH) on cortical measures and cognitive performances across ages 3-20 years using a general additive model. Variations in ERBB4 and FH impact differentially the age-related cortical changes in regions often affected by SCZ and BPD. The ERBB4-TT-risk genotype children with no FH had subtle cortical changes across the age span, primarily located in the left temporal lobe and superior parietal cortex. In contrast, the TT-risk genotype children with FH had more pronounced age-related changes, mainly in the frontal lobes compared to the non-risk genotype children. Interactive effects of age, FH and ERBB4 variations were also found on episodic memory and working memory, which are often impaired in SCZ and BPD. Healthy children carrying the risk-genotype in ERBB4 and/or with FH had cortical measures resembling those reported in SCZ or BPD. These subclinical cortical variations may provide early indicators for increased risk of psychiatric disorders and improve our understanding of the effect of the NRG1-ERBB4 pathway on brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Douet
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii and The Queen's Medical Center, 1356 Lusitana Street, UH Tower, Room 716, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA,
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81
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Lewis DA, Glausier JR. Alterations in Prefrontal Cortical Circuitry and Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia. NEBRASKA SYMPOSIUM ON MOTIVATION. NEBRASKA SYMPOSIUM ON MOTIVATION 2016; 63:31-75. [PMID: 27627824 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30596-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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82
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Chung DW, Volk DW, Arion D, Zhang Y, Sampson AR, Lewis DA. Dysregulated ErbB4 Splicing in Schizophrenia: Selective Effects on Parvalbumin Expression. Am J Psychiatry 2016; 173:60-8. [PMID: 26337038 PMCID: PMC5242561 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15020150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alternative splicing of ErbB4 transcripts is dysregulated in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. ErbB4 regulates the activity of parvalbumin interneurons, and therefore dysregulated ErbB4 splicing could contribute to lower parvalbumin interneuron activity and consequently lower parvalbumin levels in schizophrenia. However, ErbB4 is also present in calretinin interneurons, which are not affected in schizophrenia. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that dysregulated ErbB4 splicing occurs selectively in parvalbumin interneurons and is associated with lower parvalbumin levels in schizophrenia. METHOD Tissue samples enriched in calretinin and parvalbumin interneurons were laser microdissected from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex layers 2 and 4, respectively, from matched pairs of schizophrenia and comparison subjects. Transcript levels for pan-ErbB4, four ErbB4 splicing variants (JM-a, JM-b, CYT-1, CYT-2), parvalbumin, and calretinin were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in each layer. Transcript levels for myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT), which regulates ErbB4 splicing, were quantified in gray matter by qPCR and in parvalbumin interneurons by microarray. RESULTS Calretinin and parvalbumin mRNAs were preferentially expressed in layers 2 and 4, respectively. In schizophrenia subjects, lower parvalbumin levels, higher CYT-1 and JM-a levels, and lower CYT-2 and JM-b levels were detected selectively in layer 4. In layer 4, the JM-a/JM-b ratio was inversely correlated with parvalbumin levels in schizophrenia subjects. MIAT levels were preferentially higher in parvalbumin interneurons in schizophrenia subjects. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that elevated MIAT expression alters ErbB4 splicing selectively in parvalbumin interneurons in schizophrenia. Dysregulated ErbB4 splicing in schizophrenia may contribute to lower activity of parvalbumin interneurons and an activity-dependent down-regulation of parvalbumin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Chung
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
| | - David W Volk
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Dominique Arion
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Yun Zhang
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Allan R Sampson
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
| | - David A Lewis
- From the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, and the Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and the Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh
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83
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Gao R, Penzes P. Common mechanisms of excitatory and inhibitory imbalance in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Curr Mol Med 2015; 15:146-67. [PMID: 25732149 DOI: 10.2174/1566524015666150303003028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Schizophrenia (SCZ) are cognitive disorders with complex genetic architectures but overlapping behavioral phenotypes, which suggests common pathway perturbations. Multiple lines of evidence implicate imbalances in excitatory and inhibitory activity (E/I imbalance) as a shared pathophysiological mechanism. Thus, understanding the molecular underpinnings of E/I imbalance may provide essential insight into the etiology of these disorders and may uncover novel targets for future drug discovery. Here, we review key genetic, physiological, neuropathological, functional, and pathway studies that suggest alterations to excitatory/inhibitory circuits are keys to ASD and SCZ pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Penzes
- Department of Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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84
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Perez-Garcia CG. ErbB4 in Laminated Brain Structures: A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Schizophrenia. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:472. [PMID: 26733804 PMCID: PMC4683445 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The susceptibility genes for schizophrenia Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and ErbB4 have critical functions during brain development and in the adult. Alterations in the ErbB4 signaling pathway cause a variety of neurodevelopmental defects including deficiencies in neuronal migration, synaptic plasticity, and myelination. I have used the ErbB4-/- HER4heart KO mice to study the neurodevelopmental insults associated to deficiencies in the NRG1-ErbB4 signaling pathway and their potential implication with brain disorders such as schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disease affecting 1% of the population worldwide. ErbB4 deletion results in an array of neurodevelopmental deficits that are consistent with a schizophrenic model. First, similar defects appear in multiple brain structures, from the cortex to the cerebellum. Second, these defects affect multiple aspects of brain development, from deficits in neuronal migration to impairments in excitatory/inhibitory systems, including reductions in brain volume, cortical and cerebellar heterotopias, alterations in number and distribution of specific subpopulations of interneurons, deficiencies in the astrocytic and oligodendrocytic lineages, and additional insults in major brain structures. This suggests that alterations in specific neurodevelopmental genes that play similar functions in multiple neuroanatomical structures might account for some of the symptomatology observed in schizophrenic patients, such as defects in cognition. ErbB4 mutation uncovers flaws in brain development that are compatible with a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, and it establishes a comprehensive model to study the basis of the disorder before symptoms are detected in the adult.
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85
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Liao J, He Q, Li M, Chen Y, Liu Y, Wang J. LncRNA MIAT: Myocardial infarction associated and more. Gene 2015; 578:158-61. [PMID: 26707210 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs are emerging as regulatory RNAs that participate in the regulation of gene expression and play vital roles in various biological and pathological processes. Long non-coding (lncRNA) is a novel class of non-coding RNAs that regulates gene expression by binding to chromatin regulators and interfering RNAs to affect cellular response. Myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) is identified as lncRNAs, which is involved in various diseases, pathological and physiological processes, such as myocardial infarction, diabetic retinopathy, paranoid schizophrenia, microvascular dysfunction and formation of nuclear bodies, and neurogenic commitment. Here we review the growing understanding and potential utilization of MIAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangquan Liao
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No.11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qingyong He
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Min Li
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No.11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yinfeng Chen
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No.11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yongmei Liu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
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86
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Mechanisms of Long Non-coding RNAs in Mammalian Nervous System Development, Plasticity, Disease, and Evolution. Neuron 2015; 88:861-877. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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87
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Merelo V, Durand D, Lescallette AR, Vrana KE, Hong LE, Faghihi MA, Bellon A. Associating schizophrenia, long non-coding RNAs and neurostructural dynamics. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:57. [PMID: 26483630 PMCID: PMC4588008 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence indicate that schizophrenia has a strong genetic component. But the exact nature and functional role of this genetic component in the pathophysiology of this mental illness remains a mystery. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a recently discovered family of molecules that regulate gene transcription through a variety of means. Consequently, lncRNAs could help us bring together apparent unrelated findings in schizophrenia; namely, genomic deficiencies on one side and neuroimaging, as well as postmortem results on the other. In fact, the most consistent finding in schizophrenia is decreased brain size together with enlarged ventricles. This anomaly appears to originate from shorter and less ramified dendrites and axons. But a decrease in neuronal arborizations cannot explain the complex pathophysiology of this psychotic disorder; however, dynamic changes in neuronal structure present throughout life could. It is well recognized that the structure of developing neurons is extremely plastic. This structural plasticity was thought to stop with brain development. However, breakthrough discoveries have shown that neuronal structure retains some degree of plasticity throughout life. What the neuroscientific field is still trying to understand is how these dynamic changes are regulated and lncRNAs represent promising candidates to fill this knowledge gap. Here, we present evidence that associates specific lncRNAs with schizophrenia. We then discuss the potential role of lncRNAs in neurostructural dynamics. Finally, we explain how dynamic neurostructural modifications present throughout life could, in theory, reconcile apparent unrelated findings in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Merelo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL, USA
| | - Dante Durand
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL, USA
| | - Adam R Lescallette
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology Hershey, PA, USA ; Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kent E Vrana
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology Hershey, PA, USA
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mohammad Ali Faghihi
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alfredo Bellon
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology Hershey, PA, USA ; Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry Hershey, PA, USA
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88
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Banerjee A, Wang HY, Borgmann-Winter KE, MacDonald ML, Kaprielian H, Stucky A, Kvasic J, Egbujo C, Ray R, Talbot K, Hemby SE, Siegel SJ, Arnold SE, Sleiman P, Chang X, Hakonarson H, Gur RE, Hahn CG. Src kinase as a mediator of convergent molecular abnormalities leading to NMDAR hypoactivity in schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:1091-100. [PMID: 25330739 PMCID: PMC5156326 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Numerous investigations support decreased glutamatergic signaling as a pathogenic mechanism of schizophrenia, yet the molecular underpinnings for such dysregulation are largely unknown. In the post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), we found striking decreases in tyrosine phosphorylation of N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2 (GluN2) that is critical for neuroplasticity. The decreased GluN2 activity in schizophrenia may not be because of downregulation of NMDA receptors as MK-801 binding and NMDA receptor complexes in postsynaptic density (PSD) were in fact increased in schizophrenia cases. At the postreceptor level, however, we found striking reductions in the protein kinase C, Pyk 2 and Src kinase activity that in tandem can decrease GluN2 activation. Given that Src serves as a hub of various signaling mechanisms affecting GluN2 phosphorylation, we postulated that Src hypoactivity may result from convergent alterations of various schizophrenia susceptibility pathways and thus mediate their effects on NMDA receptor signaling. Indeed, the DLPFC of schizophrenia cases exhibit increased PSD-95 and erbB4 and decreased receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase-α (RPTPα) and dysbindin-1, each of which reduces Src activity via protein interaction with Src. To test genomic underpinnings for Src hypoactivity, we examined genome-wide association study results, incorporating 13 394 cases and 34 676 controls. We found no significant association of individual variants of Src and its direct regulators with schizophrenia. However, a protein-protein interaction-based network centered on Src showed significant enrichment of gene-level associations with schizophrenia compared with other psychiatric illnesses. Our results together demonstrate striking decreases in NMDA receptor signaling at the postreceptor level and propose Src as a nodal point of convergent dysregulations affecting NMDA receptor pathway via protein-protein associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Banerjee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Hoau-Yan Wang
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, City University of New York Medical School, New York, NY 10031
| | | | - Mathew L. MacDonald
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Hagop Kaprielian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Andres Stucky
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, City University of New York Medical School, New York, NY 10031
| | - Jessica Kvasic
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, City University of New York Medical School, New York, NY 10031
| | - Chijioke Egbujo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Rabindranath Ray
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Konrad Talbot
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Scott E Hemby
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
| | - Steven J. Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Steven E. Arnold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Patrick Sleiman
- The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Xiao Chang
- The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
| | - Chang-Gyu Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
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89
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Wang C, Aleksic B, Ozaki N. Glia-related genes and their contribution to schizophrenia. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2015; 69:448-61. [PMID: 25759284 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia, a debilitating disease with 1% prevalence in the general population, is characterized by major neuropsychiatric symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, and deficits in emotional and social behavior. Previous studies have directed their investigations on the mechanism of schizophrenia towards neuronal dysfunction and have defined schizophrenia as a 'neuron-centric' disorder. However, along with the development of genetics and systematic biology approaches in recent years, the crucial role of glial cells in the brain has also been shown to contribute to the etiopathology of schizophrenia. Here, we summarize comprehensive data that support the involvement of glial cells (including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglial cells) in schizophrenia and list several acknowledged glia-related genes or molecules associated with schizophrenia. Instead of purely an abnormality of neurons in schizophrenia, an additional 'glial perspective' provides us a novel and promising insight into the causal mechanisms and treatment for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyao Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Branko Aleksic
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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90
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Tamminga CA, Zukin RS. Schizophrenia: Evidence implicating hippocampal GluN2B protein and REST epigenetics in psychosis pathophysiology. Neuroscience 2015. [PMID: 26211447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is strongly implicated in the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Functionally, basal hippocampal activity (perfusion) is elevated in schizophrenic psychosis, as measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and with magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion techniques, while hippocampal activation to memory tasks is reduced. Subfield-specific hippocampal molecular pathology exists in human psychosis tissue which could underlie this neuronal hyperactivity, including increased GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in hippocampal CA3, along with increased postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) along with augmented dendritic spines on the pyramidal neuron apical dendrites. We interpret these observations to implicate a reduction in the influence of a ubiquitous gene repressor, repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in psychosis; REST is involved in the age-related maturation of the NMDA receptor from GluN2B- to GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors through epigenetic remodeling. These CA3 changes in psychosis leave the hippocampus liable to pathological increases in neuronal activity, feedforward excitation and false memory formation, sometimes with psychotic content.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Tamminga
- UT Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - R S Zukin
- Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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91
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Lu YM, Gao YP, Tao RR, Liao MH, Huang JY, Wu G, Han F, Li XM. Calpain-Dependent ErbB4 Cleavage Is Involved in Brain Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:2600-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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92
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Zeledón M, Eckart N, Taub M, Vernon H, Szymanski M, Wang R, Chen PL, Nestadt G, McGrath JA, Sawa A, Pulver AE, Avramopoulos D, Valle D. Identification and functional studies of regulatory variants responsible for the association of NRG3 with a delusion phenotype in schizophrenia. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2015; 1:36-46. [PMID: 26528484 PMCID: PMC4627703 DOI: 10.1159/000371518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported genetic linkage for Schizophrenia (SZ) (NPL of 4.7) at 10q22 in the Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population. In follow up fine mapping we found strong evidence of association between three intronic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the 5' end of Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) and the delusion factor score of our phenotypic principal component analysis. Two independent groups replicated these findings, indicating that variants in NRG3 confer risk for a delusion-rich SZ subtype. To identify the causative variants, we sequenced the 162 kb linkage disequilibrium (LD) block covering the NRG3 5' end in 47 AJ SZ patients at the extremes of the delusion factor quantitative trait distribution. Among the identified variants we found 5 noncoding SNVs present on the high delusion factor haplotype and significantly overrepresented in high delusion factor subjects. We tested these for regulatory effects and found that risk alleles of rs10883866 and rs60827755 decreased and increased, respectively, the expression of a reporter gene as compared to the reference allele. In post-mortem brain RNA quantification experiments we found the same variants also perturb relative expression of alternative NRG3 isoforms. In summary, we have identified regulatory SNVs contributing to the association of NRG3 with delusion symptoms in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Zeledón
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Nicole Eckart
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Margaret Taub
- Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Hilary Vernon
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Megan Szymanski
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Ruihua Wang
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Pei-Lung Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Gerry Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - John A. McGrath
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Epidemiology-Genetics Program, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Ann E. Pulver
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Epidemiology-Genetics Program, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - David Valle
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
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93
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Harrison PJ. The current and potential impact of genetics and genomics on neuropsychopharmacology. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:671-81. [PMID: 23528807 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
One justification for the major scientific and financial investments in genetic and genomic studies in medicine is their therapeutic potential, both for revealing novel targets for drugs which treat the disease process, as well as allowing for more effective and safe use of existing medications. This review considers the extent to which this promise has yet been realised within psychopharmacology, how things are likely to develop in the foreseeable future, and the key issues involved. It draws primarily on examples from schizophrenia and its treatments. One observation is that there is evidence for a range of genetic influences on different aspects of psychopharmacology in terms of discovery science, but far less evidence that meets the standards required before such discoveries impact upon clinical practice. One reason is that results reveal complex genetic influences that are hard to replicate and usually of very small effect. Similarly, the slow progress being made in revealing the genes that underlie the major psychiatric syndromes hampers attempts to apply the findings to identify novel drug targets. Nevertheless, there are some intriguing positive findings of various kinds, and clear potential for genetics and genomics to play an increasing and major role in psychiatric drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
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94
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Muraki K, Tanigaki K. Neuronal migration abnormalities and its possible implications for schizophrenia. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:74. [PMID: 25805966 PMCID: PMC4354421 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that displays behavioral deficits such as decreased sensory gating, reduced social interaction and working memory deficits. The neurodevelopmental model is one of the widely accepted hypotheses of the etiology of schizophrenia. Subtle developmental abnormalities of the brain which stated long before the onset of clinical symptoms are thought to lead to the emergence of illness. Schizophrenia has strong genetic components but its underlying molecular pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Genetic linkage and association studies have identified several genes involved in neuronal migrations as candidate susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, although their effect size is small. Recent progress in copy number variation studies also has identified much higher risk loci such as 22q11. Based on these genetic findings, we are now able to utilize genetically-defined animal models. Here we summarize the results of neurodevelopmental and behavioral analysis of genetically-defined animal models. Furthermore, animal model experiments have demonstrated that embryonic and perinatal neurodevelopmental insults in neurogenesis and neuronal migrations cause neuronal functional and behavioral deficits in affected adult animals, which are similar to those of schizophrenic patients. However, these findings do not establish causative relationship. Genetically-defined animal models are a critical approach to explore the relationship between neuronal migration abnormalities and behavioral abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazue Muraki
- Shiga Medical Center, Research Institute Moriyama, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kenji Tanigaki
- Shiga Medical Center, Research Institute Moriyama, Shiga, Japan
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95
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Jajodia A, Kaur H, Kumari K, Gupta M, Baghel R, Srivastava A, Sood M, Chadda RK, Jain S, Kukreti R. Evidence for schizophrenia susceptibility alleles in the Indian population: An association of neurodevelopmental genes in case-control and familial samples. Schizophr Res 2015; 162:112-7. [PMID: 25579050 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with lifetime prevalence of ~1% worldwide. A genotyping study was conducted using a custom panel of Illumina 1536 SNPs in 840 schizophrenia cases and 876 controls (351 patients and 385 controls from North India; and 436 patients, 401 controls and 143 familial samples with 53 probands containing 37 complete and 16 incomplete trios from South India). Meta-analysis of this population of Indo-European and Dravidian ancestry identified three strongly associated variants with schizophrenia: STT3A (rs548181, p=1.47×10(-5)), NRG1 (rs17603876, p=8.66×10(-5)) and GRM7 (rs3864075, p=4.06×10(-3)). Finally, a meta-analysis was conducted comparing our data with data from the Schizophrenia Psychiatric Genome-Wide Association Study Consortium (PGC-SCZ) that supported rs548181 (p=1.39×10(-7)). In addition, combined analysis of sporadic case-control association and a transmission disequilibrium test in familial samples from South Indian population identified three associations: rs1062613 (p=3.12×10(-3)), a functional promoter variant of HTR3A; rs6710782 (p=3.50×10(-3)), an intronic variant of ERBB4; and rs891903 (p=1.05×10(-2)), an intronic variant of EBF1. The results support the risk variants observed in the earlier published work and suggest a potential role of neurodevelopmental genes in the schizophrenia pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Jajodia
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Kalpana Kumari
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Meenal Gupta
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Ruchi Baghel
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Ankit Srivastava
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Mamta Sood
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Chadda
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Sanjeev Jain
- Molecular Genetic Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560029, India
| | - Ritushree Kukreti
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India.
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96
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Deng C, Pan B, Hu CH, Han M, Huang XF. Differential effects of short- and long-term antipsychotic treatment on the expression of neuregulin-1 and ErbB4 receptors in the rat brain. Psychiatry Res 2015; 225:347-54. [PMID: 25576368 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and ErbB4 genes have been identified as candidate genes for schizophrenia. Post-mortem studies indicated that NRG1-ErbB4 signalling is impaired in schizophrenia subjects. This study investigated whether short- or long-term antipsychotic treatment has different effects on the expression of NRG1 and ErbB4 receptors. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally with either aripiprazole (0.75 mg/kg), haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg), olanzapine (0.5 mg/kg), or vehicle, 3 times/day for 1 or 12 weeks. Western blotting was performed to examine the expression of NRG1 isoforms (135 kDa, 70 kDa and 40 kDa) and ErbB4 receptors. Both 1-week haloperidol and olanzapine treatment increased NRG1-70kDa expression in the hippocampus; haloperidol also up-regulated ErbB4 levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In the 12-week group, aripiprazole decreased the expression of all three NRG1 isoforms and ErbB4 receptors in the PFC, NRG1-70 kDa and -40 kDa in the cingulate cortex (Cg), and NRG1-135 kDa, -70 kDa and ErbB4 receptors in the hippocampus; haloperidol reduced NRG1-135 kDa in the PFC, NRG1-40 kDa in all three brain regions, and ErbB4 receptor levels in the PFC and hippocampus; NRG1-40 kDa in the PFC and Cg was also down-regulated by olanzapine. These results suggest that the time-dependent and region-specific effects of antipsychotics on NRG1-ErbB4 signalling may contribute to the efficacy of antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Deng
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
| | - Bo Pan
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Chang-Hua Hu
- Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Institute of Modern Biopharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, People׳s Republic of China
| | - Mei Han
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
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97
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Abstract
Over 100 loci are now associated with schizophrenia risk as identified by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genome-wide association studies. These findings mean that 'genes for schizophrenia' have unquestionably been found. However, many questions remain unanswered, including several which affect their therapeutic significance. The SNPs individually have minor effects, and even cumulatively explain only a modest fraction of the genetic predisposition. The remainder likely results from many more loci, from rare variants, and from gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. The risk SNPs are almost all non-coding, meaning that their biological significance is unclear; probably their effects are mediated via an influence on gene regulation, and emerging evidence suggests that some key molecular events occur during early brain development. The loci include novel genes of unknown function as well as genes and pathways previously implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, e.g. NMDA receptor signalling. Genes in the latter category have the clearer therapeutic potential, although even this will be a challenging process because of the many complexities concerning the genetic architecture and mediating mechanisms. This review summarises recent schizophrenia genetic findings and some key issues they raise, particularly with regard to their implications for identifying and validating novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Harrison
- University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
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98
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Wakuda T, Iwata K, Iwata Y, Anitha A, Takahashi T, Yamada K, Vasu MM, Matsuzaki H, Suzuki K, Mori N. Perinatal asphyxia alters neuregulin-1 and COMT gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 56:149-54. [PMID: 25194460 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest that perinatal complications, particularly hypoxia-related ones, increase the risk of schizophrenia. Recent genetic studies of the disorder have identified several putative susceptibility genes, some of which are known to be regulated by hypoxia. It can be postulated therefore that birth complications that cause hypoxia in the fetal brain may be associated with a dysregulation in the expression of some of the schizophrenia candidate genes. To test this, we used an animal model of perinatal asphyxia, in which rat pups were exposed to 15 min of intrauterine anoxia during Caesarean section birth, and examined the expression of mRNA of five of the putative susceptibility genes (NRG1, ErbB4, AKT1, COMT and BDNF) by real-time quantitative PCR in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus at 6 and 12 weeks after birth. The expression of NRG1 mRNA was significantly decreased in the mPFC, but not in the hippocampus, at 6 and 12 weeks after birth. In addition, a significant increase in COMT mRNA expression was observed in the mPFC at 12 weeks. The alteration in mRNA levels of NRG1 and COMT was not associated with a change in their protein levels. These results suggest that perinatal asphyxia may lead to disturbances in the PFC, which in turn may exert a long-lasting influence on the expression of specific genes, such as NRG1 and COMT. Our results also suggest that translational interruption may occur in this model of perinatal asphyxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyasu Wakuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Keiko Iwata
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji-cho, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Ayyappan Anitha
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Taro Takahashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamada
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Mahesh Mundalil Vasu
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hideo Matsuzaki
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji-cho, Japan
| | - Katsuaki Suzuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Norio Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan; Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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99
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Schmidt MJ, Mirnics K. Neurodevelopment, GABA system dysfunction, and schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:190-206. [PMID: 24759129 PMCID: PMC4262918 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The origins of schizophrenia have eluded clinicians and researchers since Kraepelin and Bleuler began documenting their findings. However, large clinical research efforts in recent decades have identified numerous genetic and environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. The combined data strongly support the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia and underscore the importance of the common converging effects of diverse insults. In this review, we discuss the evidence that genetic and environmental risk factors that predispose to schizophrenia disrupt the development and normal functioning of the GABAergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karoly Mirnics
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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100
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Kaalund SS, Newburn EN, Ye T, Tao R, Li C, Deep-Soboslay A, Herman MM, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, Lipska BK, Kleinman JE. Contrasting changes in DRD1 and DRD2 splice variant expression in schizophrenia and affective disorders, and associations with SNPs in postmortem brain. Mol Psychiatry 2014; 19:1258-66. [PMID: 24322206 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine 2 receptor (DRD2) is of major interest to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ) both as a target for antipsychotic drug action as well as a SCZ-associated risk gene. The dopamine 1 receptor (DRD1) is thought to mediate some of the cognitive deficits in SCZ, including impairment of working memory that relies on normal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) function. To better understand the association of dopamine receptors with SCZ, we studied the expression of three DRD2 splice variants and the DRD1 transcript in DLPFC, hippocampus and caudate nucleus in a large cohort of subjects (~700), including patients with SCZ, affective disorders and nonpsychiatric controls (from 14th gestational week to 85 years of age), and examined genotype-expression associations of 278 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in or near DRD2 and DRD1 genes. Expression of D2S mRNA and D2S/D2-long (D2L) ratio were significantly increased in DLPFC of patients with SCZ relative to controls (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001, respectively), whereas D2L, D2Longer and DRD1 were decreased (P<0.0001). Patients with affective disorders showed an opposite pattern: reduced expression of D2S (major depressive disorder, P<0.0001) and increased expression of D2L and DRD1 (bipolar disorder, P<0.0001). Moreover, SCZ-associated risk alleles at rs1079727, rs1076560 and rs2283265 predicted increased D2S/D2L expression ratio (P<0.05) in control individuals. Our data suggest that altered splicing of DRD2 and expression of DRD1 may constitute a pathophysiological mechanism in risk for SCZ and affective disorders. The association between SCZ risk-associated polymorphism and the ratio of D2S/D2L is consistent with this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Kaalund
- 1] Human Brain Collection Core, IRP, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA [2] Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen NV, Denmark [3] Faculty of Health Sciences, Protein Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E N Newburn
- Human Brain Collection Core, IRP, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - T Ye
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Tao
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C Li
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - M M Herman
- Human Brain Collection Core, IRP, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - T M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B K Lipska
- Human Brain Collection Core, IRP, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
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