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Butler AA, Webb WM, Lubin FD. Regulatory RNAs and control of epigenetic mechanisms: expectations for cognition and cognitive dysfunction. Epigenomics 2015; 8:135-51. [PMID: 26366811 DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The diverse functions of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can influence virtually every aspect of the transcriptional process including epigenetic regulation of genes. In the CNS, regulatory RNA networks and epigenetic mechanisms have broad relevance to gene transcription changes involved in long-term memory formation and cognition. Thus, it is becoming increasingly clear that multiple classes of ncRNAs impact neuronal development, neuroplasticity, and cognition. Currently, a large gap exists in our knowledge of how ncRNAs facilitate epigenetic processes, and how this phenomenon affects cognitive function. In this review, we discuss recent findings highlighting a provocative role for ncRNAs including lncRNAs and piRNAs in the control of epigenetic mechanisms involved in cognitive function. Furthermore, we discuss the putative roles for these ncRNAs in cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson A Butler
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - William M Webb
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Farah D Lubin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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202
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Brigidi GS, Santyr B, Shimell J, Jovellar B, Bamji SX. Activity-regulated trafficking of the palmitoyl-acyl transferase DHHC5. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8200. [PMID: 26334723 PMCID: PMC4569850 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is mediated by the dynamic localization of proteins to and from synapses. This is controlled, in part, through activity-induced palmitoylation of synaptic proteins. Here we report that the ability of the palmitoyl-acyl transferase, DHHC5, to palmitoylate substrates in an activity-dependent manner is dependent on changes in its subcellular localization. Under basal conditions, DHHC5 is bound to PSD-95 and Fyn kinase, and is stabilized at the synaptic membrane through Fyn-mediated phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue within the endocytic motif of DHHC5. In contrast, DHHC5's substrate, δ-catenin, is highly localized to dendritic shafts, resulting in the segregation of the enzyme/substrate pair. Neuronal activity disrupts DHHC5/PSD-95/Fyn kinase complexes, enhancing DHHC5 endocytosis, its translocation to dendritic shafts and its association with δ-catenin. Following DHHC5-mediated palmitoylation of δ-catenin, DHHC5 and δ-catenin are trafficked together back into spines where δ-catenin increases cadherin stabilization and recruitment of AMPA receptors to the synaptic membrane. Synaptic plasticity is mediated by the dynamic localization of proteins at synapses, which is partly controlled via palmitoylation of synaptic proteins. Here, the authors show how neuronal activity regulates the palmitoylation reaction through the translocation of the palmitoyl-acyl transferase DHHC5.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Stefano Brigidi
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T-1Z3
| | - Brendan Santyr
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T-1Z3
| | - Jordan Shimell
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T-1Z3
| | - Blair Jovellar
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T-1Z3
| | - Shernaz X Bamji
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T-1Z3
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Nakai N, Otsuka S, Myung J, Takumi T. Autism spectrum disorder model mice: Focus on copy number variation and epigenetics. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2015; 58:976-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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204
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de Koning MB, van Duin EDA, Boot E, Bloemen OJN, Bakker JA, Abel KM, van Amelsvoort TAMJ. PRODH rs450046 and proline x COMT Val¹⁵⁸ Met interaction effects on intelligence and startle in adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3111-22. [PMID: 26068888 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3971-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with an increased risk for psychotic disorders, suggesting a relationship between genotypes and the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Two genes in the deleted region, catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) and proline dehydrogenase (oxidase) 1 (PRODH), contain polymorphisms associated with neuropsychiatric phenotypes. OBJECTIVES Here, we explored the association between polymorphisms and full-scale intelligence (FSIQ), startle reactivity (SR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) in adults with 22q11DS. METHODS Forty-five adults with 22q11DS were genotyped for PRODH rs450046, rs372055 and COMT Val(158)Met. Plasma proline levels, FSIQ, SR and PPI were measured. RESULTS Thirty-five percent of the subjects were hyperprolinemic with a median proline value of 456 μmol/L. C allele carriers of PRODH rs450046 had a lower FSIQ compared to T allele carriers, indicating the C allele to be a risk allele (C allele: mean FSIQ 60.2 (sd 8.7); T allele: mean FSIQ 73.7 (sd 11.5); F 1,43 = 7.59; p = 0.009; partial η (2) = 0.15). A significant interaction effect of proline levels and COMT Val(158)Met genotype was found for SR (F 1,16 = 7.9; p = 0.01; partial η (2) = 0.33), but not for PPI and FSIQ. In subjects with hyperprolinemia, the COMT Val(158)Met genotype effect on SR was stronger than in subjects with normal proline levels. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these data provide further evidence for the risk effect of elevated proline levels combined with the COMT Met allele and support the possibilities of using 22q11DS as a model to investigate genotype effects on psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariken B de Koning
- Arkin Mental Health Care, Baron G.A. Tindalstraat 27, 1019 TS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
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205
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McCammon JM, Sive H. Addressing the Genetics of Human Mental Health Disorders in Model Organisms. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2015; 16:173-97. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090314-050048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M. McCammon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142;
| | - Hazel Sive
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142;
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
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Zhu C, Chen C, Huang J, Zhang H, Zhao X, Deng R, Dou J, Jin H, Chen R, Xu M, Chen Q, Wang Y, Yu J. SUMOylation at K707 of DGCR8 controls direct function of primary microRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2015. [PMID: 26202964 PMCID: PMC4652762 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DGCR8 (DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8) is essential for primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) processing in the cell nucleus. It specifically combines with Drosha, a nuclear RNase III enzyme, to form the Microprocessor complex (MC) that cleaves pri-miRNA to precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA), which is further processed to mature miRNA by Dicer, a cytoplasmic RNase III enzyme. Increasing evidences suggest that pri-/pre-miRNAs have direct functions in regulation of gene expression, however the underlying mechanism how it is fine-tuned remains unclear. Here we find that DGCR8 is modified by SUMO1 at the major site K707, which can be promoted by its ERK-activated phosphorylation. SUMOylation of DGCR8 enhances the protein stability by preventing the degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. More importantly, SUMOylation of DGCR8 does not alter its association with Drosha, the MC activity and miRNA biogenesis, but rather influences its affinity with pri-miRNAs. This altered affinity of DGCR8 with pri-miRNAs seems to control the direct functions of pri-miRNAs in recognition and repression of the target mRNAs, which is evidently linked to the DGCR8 function in regulation of tumorigenesis and cell migration. Collectively, our data suggest a novel mechanism that SUMOylation of DGCR8 controls direct functions of pri-miRNAs in gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhong Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xian Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Rong Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jinzhuo Dou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jianxiu Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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207
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Zhao D, Lin M, Chen J, Pedrosa E, Hrabovsky A, Fourcade HM, Zheng D, Lachman HM. MicroRNA Profiling of Neurons Generated Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Patients with Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder, and 22q11.2 Del. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132387. [PMID: 26173148 PMCID: PMC4501820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We are using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to study neuropsychiatric disorders associated with 22q11.2 microdeletions (del), the most common known schizophrenia (SZ)-associated genetic factor. Several genes in the region have been implicated; a promising candidate is DGCR8, which codes for a protein involved in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. We carried out miRNA expression profiling (miRNA-seq) on neurons generated from iPSCs derived from controls and SZ patients with 22q11.2 del. Using thresholds of p<0.01 for nominal significance and 1.5-fold differences in expression, 45 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected (13 lower in SZ and 32 higher). Of these, 6 were significantly down-regulated in patients after correcting for genome wide significance (FDR<0.05), including 4 miRNAs that map to the 22q11.2 del region. In addition, a nominally significant increase in the expression of several miRNAs was found in the 22q11.2 neurons that were previously found to be differentially expressed in autopsy samples and peripheral blood in SZ and autism spectrum disorders (e.g., miR-34, miR-4449, miR-146b-3p, and miR-23a-5p). Pathway and function analysis of predicted mRNA targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs showed enrichment for genes involved in neurological disease and psychological disorders for both up and down regulated miRNAs. Our findings suggest that: i. neurons with 22q11.2 del recapitulate the miRNA expression patterns expected of 22q11.2 haploinsufficiency, ii. differentially expressed miRNAs previously identified using autopsy samples and peripheral cells, both of which have significant methodological problems, are indeed disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders and likely have an underlying genetic basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejian Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Mingyan Lin
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Erika Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Hrabovsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - H. Matthew Fourcade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Herbert M. Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, New York, United States of America
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208
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Guna A, Butcher NJ, Bassett AS. Comparative mapping of the 22q11.2 deletion region and the potential of simple model organisms. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:18. [PMID: 26137170 PMCID: PMC4487986 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9113-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common micro-deletion syndrome. The associated 22q11.2 deletion conveys the strongest known molecular risk for schizophrenia. Neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including intellectual disability, are also prominent though variable in severity. Other developmental features include congenital cardiac and craniofacial anomalies. Whereas existing mouse models have been helpful in determining the role of some genes overlapped by the hemizygous 22q11.2 deletion in phenotypic expression, much remains unknown. Simple model organisms remain largely unexploited in exploring these genotype-phenotype relationships. Methods We first developed a comprehensive map of the human 22q11.2 deletion region, delineating gene content, and brain expression. To identify putative orthologs, standard methods were used to interrogate the proteomes of the zebrafish (D. rerio), fruit fly (D. melanogaster), and worm (C. elegans), in addition to the mouse. Spatial locations of conserved homologues were mapped to examine syntenic relationships. We systematically cataloged available knockout and knockdown models of all conserved genes across these organisms, including a comprehensive review of associated phenotypes. Results There are 90 genes overlapped by the typical 2.5 Mb deletion 22q11.2 region. Of the 46 protein-coding genes, 41 (89.1 %) have documented expression in the human brain. Identified homologues in the zebrafish (n = 37, 80.4 %) were comparable to those in the mouse (n = 40, 86.9 %) and included some conserved gene cluster structures. There were 22 (47.8 %) putative homologues in the fruit fly and 17 (37.0 %) in the worm involving multiple chromosomes. Individual gene knockdown mutants were available for the simple model organisms, but not for mouse. Although phenotypic data were relatively limited for knockout and knockdown models of the 17 genes conserved across all species, there was some evidence for roles in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including four of the six mitochondrial genes in the 22q11.2 deletion region. Conclusions Simple model organisms represent a powerful but underutilized means of investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in 22q11.2DS. This comparative multi-species study provides novel resources and support for the potential utility of non-mouse models in expression studies and high-throughput drug screening. The approach has implications for other recurrent copy number variations associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-015-9113-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Guna
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Nancy J Butcher
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Anne S Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ; Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room 1100, M5S 2S1 Toronto, ON Canada
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209
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Rosen AM, Spellman T, Gordon JA. Electrophysiological endophenotypes in rodent models of schizophrenia and psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:1041-9. [PMID: 25910423 PMCID: PMC4444383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is caused by a diverse array of risk factors and results in a similarly diverse set of symptoms. Electrophysiological endophenotypes lie between risks and symptoms and have the potential to link the two. Electrophysiological studies in rodent models, described here, demonstrate that widely differing risk factors result in a similar set of core electrophysiological endophenotypes, suggesting the possibility of a shared neurobiological substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Rosen
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University New York, NY 10032
| | - Timothy Spellman
- Department of Physiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University New York, NY 10032
| | - Joshua A. Gordon
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University New York, NY 10032,Division of Integrative Neuroscience New York State Psychiatric Institute New York NY 10032,Correspondence to: Joshua A. Gordon 1051 Riverside Drive Unit 87 Kolb Annex Room 140 New York, NY 10032 Ph. 646 774-7116 Fax. 646 774-7101
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210
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Deletion of Rapgef6, a candidate schizophrenia susceptibility gene, disrupts amygdala function in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e577. [PMID: 26057047 PMCID: PMC4490285 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In human genetic studies of schizophrenia, we uncovered copy-number variants in RAPGEF6 and RAPGEF2 genes. To discern the effects of RAPGEF6 deletion in humans, we investigated the behavior and neural functions of a mouse lacking Rapgef6. Rapgef6 deletion resulted in impaired amygdala function measured as reduced fear conditioning and anxiolysis. Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and prefrontal cortex-dependent working memory tasks were intact. Neural activation measured by cFOS phosphorylation demonstrated a reduction in hippocampal and amygdala activation after fear conditioning, while neural morphology assessment uncovered reduced spine density and primary dendrite number in pyramidal neurons of the CA3 hippocampal region of knockout mice. Electrophysiological analysis showed enhanced long-term potentiation at cortico-amygdala synapses. Rapgef6 deletion mice were most impaired in hippocampal and amygdalar function, brain regions implicated in schizophrenia pathophysiology. The results provide a deeper understanding of the role of the amygdala in schizophrenia and suggest that RAPGEF6 may be a novel therapeutic target in schizophrenia.
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211
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Kocerha J, Dwivedi Y, Brennand KJ. Noncoding RNAs and neurobehavioral mechanisms in psychiatric disease. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:677-684. [PMID: 25824307 PMCID: PMC4440836 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The human genome project has revolutionized our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in psychiatric disease. It is now abundantly clear that neurobehavioral phenotypes are epigenetically controlled by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The microRNA (miRNA) class of ncRNAs are ubiquitously expressed throughout the brain and govern all major neuronal pathways. The attractive therapeutic potential of miRNAs is underscored by their pleiotropic capacities, putatively targeting multiple pathways within a single neuron. Many psychiatric diseases stem from a multifactorial origin, thus conventional drug targeting of single proteins may not prove most effective. In this exciting post-genome sequencing era, many new epigenetic targets are emerging for therapeutic investigation. Here we review the reported roles of miRNAs, as well as other ncRNA classes, in the pathology of psychiatric disorders; there are both common and unique ncRNA mechanisms that influence the various diagnoses. Collectively, these potent epigenetic regulators may clarify the disrupted signaling networks in psychiatric phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannet Kocerha
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8064, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, 9-20B New York, NY 10029, USA
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212
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Duan J, Sanders AR, Moy W, Drigalenko EI, Brown EC, Freda J, Leites C, Göring HHH, Gejman PV. Transcriptome outlier analysis implicates schizophrenia susceptibility genes and enriches putatively functional rare genetic variants. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:4674-85. [PMID: 26022996 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We searched a gene expression dataset comprised of 634 schizophrenia (SZ) cases and 713 controls for expression outliers (i.e., extreme tails of the distribution of transcript expression values) with SZ cases overrepresented compared with controls. These outlier genes were enriched for brain expression and for genes known to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. SZ cases showed higher outlier burden (i.e., total outlier events per subject) than controls for genes within copy number variants (CNVs) associated with SZ or neurodevelopmental disorders. Outlier genes were enriched for CNVs and for rare putative regulatory variants, but this only explained a small proportion of the outlier subjects, highlighting the underlying presence of additional genetic and potentially, epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubao Duan
- Center for Psychiatric Genetics and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA,
| | - Alan R Sanders
- Center for Psychiatric Genetics and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Winton Moy
- Center for Psychiatric Genetics and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eugene I Drigalenko
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA and
| | - Eric C Brown
- Center for Biomedical Research Informatics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Harald H H Göring
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA and
| | | | - Pablo V Gejman
- Center for Psychiatric Genetics and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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213
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Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that patients with psychiatric disorders have altered microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the circulation and brain. Furthermore, animal studies have shown that manipulating the levels of particular miRNAs in the brain can alter behaviour. Here, we review recent studies in humans, animal models, cellular systems and bioinformatics that have advanced our understanding of the contribution of brain miRNAs to the regulation of behaviour in the context of psychiatric conditions. These studies highlight the potential of miRNA levels to be used in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and suggest that brain miRNAs could become novel treatment targets for psychiatric disorders.
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214
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Aksoy-Aksel A, Zampa F, Schratt G. MicroRNAs and synaptic plasticity--a mutual relationship. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 369:rstb.2013.0515. [PMID: 25135976 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are rapidly emerging as central regulators of gene expression in the postnatal mammalian brain. Initial studies mostly focused on the function of specific miRNAs during the development of neuronal connectivity in culture, using classical gain- and loss-of-function approaches. More recently, first examples have documented important roles of miRNAs in plastic processes in intact neural circuits in the rodent brain related to higher cognitive abilities and neuropsychiatric disease. At the same time, evidence is accumulating that miRNA function itself is subjected to sophisticated control mechanisms engaged by the activity of neural circuits. In this review, we attempt to pay tribute to this mutual relationship between miRNAs and synaptic plasticity. In particular, in the first part, we summarize how neuronal activity influences each step in the lifetime of miRNAs, including the regulation of transcription, maturation, gene regulatory function and turnover in mammals. In the second part, we discuss recent examples of miRNA function in synaptic plasticity in rodent models and their implications for higher cognitive function and neurological disorders, with a special emphasis on epilepsy as a disorder of abnormal nerve cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Aksoy-Aksel
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Biochemisch-Pharmakologisches Centrum Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Federico Zampa
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Biochemisch-Pharmakologisches Centrum Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Biochemisch-Pharmakologisches Centrum Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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215
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Shorter KR, Miller BH. Epigenetic mechanisms in schizophrenia. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 118:1-7. [PMID: 25958205 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, have been implicated in a number of complex diseases. Schizophrenia and other major psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with abnormalities in multiple epigenetic mechanisms, resulting in altered gene expression during development and adulthood. Polymorphisms and copy number variants in schizophrenia risk genes contribute to the high heritability of the disease, but environmental factors that lead to epigenetic modifications may either reduce or exacerbate the expression of molecular and behavioral phenotypes associated with schizophrenia and related disorders. In the present paper, we will review the current understanding of molecular dysregulation in schizophrenia, including disruption of the dopamine, NMDA, and GABA signaling pathways, and discuss the role of epigenetic factors underlying disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly R Shorter
- McKnight Brain Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Brooke H Miller
- McKnight Brain Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA.
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216
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Dysregulation of miR-34a links neuronal development to genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:573-84. [PMID: 25623948 PMCID: PMC4414679 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a heritable neuropsychiatric disorder with largely unknown pathogenesis. Given their prominent role in brain function and disease, we hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs) might be of importance for BD. Here we show that levels of miR-34a, which is predicted to target multiple genes implicated as genetic risk factors for BD, are increased in postmortem cerebellar tissue from BD patients, as well as in BD patient-derived neuronal cultures generated by reprogramming of human fibroblasts into induced neurons or into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) subsequently differentiated into neurons. Of the predicted miR-34a targets, we validated the BD risk genes ankyrin-3 (ANK3) and voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit beta-3 (CACNB3) as direct miR-34a targets. Using human iPSC-derived neuronal progenitor cells, we further show that enhancement of miR-34a expression impairs neuronal differentiation, expression of synaptic proteins and neuronal morphology, whereas reducing endogenous miR-34a expression enhances dendritic elaboration. Taken together, we propose that miR-34a serves as a critical link between multiple etiological factors for BD and its pathogenesis through the regulation of a molecular network essential for neuronal development and synaptogenesis.
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217
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Hsu PK, Xu B, Mukai J, Karayiorgou M, Gogos JA. The BDNF Val66Met variant affects gene expression through miR-146b. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 77:228-37. [PMID: 25771167 PMCID: PMC5579022 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Variation in gene expression is an important mechanism underlying susceptibility to complex disease and traits. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) account for a substantial portion of the total detected genetic variation in gene expression but how exactly variants acting in trans modulate gene expression and disease susceptibility remains largely unknown. The BDNF Val66Met SNP has been associated with a number of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and related traits. Using global microRNA expression profiling in hippocampus of humanized BDNF Val66Met knock-in mice we showed that this variant results in dysregulation of at least one microRNA, which in turn affects downstream target genes. Specifically, we show that reduced levels of miR-146b (mir146b), lead to increased Per1 and Npas4 mRNA levels and increased Irak1 protein levels in vitro and are associated with similar changes in the hippocampus of hBDNF(Met/Met) mice. Our findings highlight trans effects of common variants on microRNA-mediated gene expression as an integral part of the genetic architecture of complex disorders and traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ken Hsu
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Mukai
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Joseph A Gogos
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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218
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Zhang F, Xu Y, Shugart YY, Yue W, Qi G, Yuan G, Cheng Z, Yao J, Wang J, Wang G, Cao H, Guo W, Zhou Z, Wang Z, Tian L, Jin C, Yuan J, Liu C, Zhang D. Converging evidence implicates the abnormal microRNA system in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2015; 41:728-35. [PMID: 25429046 PMCID: PMC4393688 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbu148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous findings are inconsistent; yet, converging evidence suggests an association between schizophrenia (SZ) and the impairment of posttranscriptional regulation of brain development through microRNA (miRNA) systems. METHODS This study aims to (1) compare the overall frequency of 121 rare variants (RVs) in 59 genes associated with the miRNA system in genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-derived data including 768 SZ cases and 1348 healthy controls and validated in an independent GWAS data including 1802 SZ cases and 1447 controls; (2) profile genome-wide miRNA expression in blood collected from 15 early-onset SZ (EOS) cases and 15 healthy controls; and (3) construct a miRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory network using our previous genome-wide mRNA expression data generated from a separate sample of 18 EOS cases and 12 healthy controls. RESULTS Our findings indicate that: (1) In genes associated with the control of miRNAs, there are approximately 50% more RVs in SZ cases than in controls (P ≤ 2.62E-10); (2) The observed lower miRNA activity in EOS patients compared with the healthy controls suggests that miRNAs are abnormally downregulated; (3) There exists a predicted regulatory network among some downregulated miRNAs and some upregulated mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, results from all 3 lines of evidence, suggest that the genetically based dysregulation of miRNA systems undermines miRNAs' inhibitory effects, resulting in the abnormal upregulation of genome transcription in the development of SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China;,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yin Yao Shugart
- Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD;,Department of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD;,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Weihua Yue
- Department of Psychiatry, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Mental Health of Peking University/Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China;,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Guoyang Qi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guozhen Yuan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zaohuo Cheng
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianjun Yao
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jidong Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hongbao Cao
- Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Wei Guo
- Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Zhenhe Zhou
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Chunhui Jin
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianmin Yuan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Wuxi Mental Health Center of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Chenxing Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Mental Health of Peking University/Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Mental Health of Peking University/Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences/PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
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219
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Molecular substrates of altered axonal growth and brain connectivity in a mouse model of schizophrenia. Neuron 2015; 86:680-95. [PMID: 25913858 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion carriers show specific cognitive deficits, and ∼30% of them develop schizophrenia. One of the disrupted genes is ZDHHC8, which encodes for a palmitoyltransferase. We show that Zdhhc8-deficient mice have reduced palmitoylation of proteins that regulate axonal growth and branching. Analysis of axonal projections of pyramidal neurons from both Zdhhc8-deficient and Df(16)A(+/-) mice, which model the 22q11.2 deletion, revealed deficits in axonal growth and terminal arborization, which can be prevented by reintroduction of active ZDHHC8 protein. Impaired terminal arborization is accompanied by a reduction in the strength of synaptic connections and altered functional connectivity and working memory. The effect of ZDHHC8 is mediated in part via Cdc42-dependent modulation of Akt/Gsk3β signaling at the tip of the axon and can be reversed by pharmacologically decreasing Gsk3β activity during postnatal brain development. Our findings provide valuable mechanistic insights into the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms associated with a schizophrenia-predisposing mutation.
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220
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Meechan DW, Maynard TM, Tucker ES, Fernandez A, Karpinski BA, Rothblat LA, LaMantia AS. Modeling a model: Mouse genetics, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, and disorders of cortical circuit development. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 130:1-28. [PMID: 25866365 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the developmental etiology of autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia remains a major challenge for establishing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these common, difficult-to-treat diseases that compromise neural circuits in the cerebral cortex. One aspect of this challenge is the breadth and overlap of ASD, ADHD, and SCZ deficits; another is the complexity of mutations associated with each, and a third is the difficulty of analyzing disrupted development in at-risk or affected human fetuses. The identification of distinct genetic syndromes that include behavioral deficits similar to those in ASD, ADHC and SCZ provides a critical starting point for meeting this challenge. We summarize clinical and behavioral impairments in children and adults with one such genetic syndrome, the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, routinely called 22q11DS, caused by micro-deletions of between 1.5 and 3.0 MB on human chromosome 22. Among many syndromic features, including cardiovascular and craniofacial anomalies, 22q11DS patients have a high incidence of brain structural, functional, and behavioral deficits that reflect cerebral cortical dysfunction and fall within the spectrum that defines ASD, ADHD, and SCZ. We show that developmental pathogenesis underlying this apparent genetic "model" syndrome in patients can be defined and analyzed mechanistically using genomically accurate mouse models of the deletion that causes 22q11DS. We conclude that "modeling a model", in this case 22q11DS as a model for idiopathic ASD, ADHD and SCZ, as well as other behavioral disorders like anxiety frequently seen in 22q11DS patients, in genetically engineered mice provides a foundation for understanding the causes and improving diagnosis and therapy for these disorders of cortical circuit development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Meechan
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Thomas M Maynard
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Eric S Tucker
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Neuroscience Graduate Program, and Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Alejandra Fernandez
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Beverly A Karpinski
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Lawrence A Rothblat
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States; Department of Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Anthony-S LaMantia
- Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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221
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Abstract
Long-range synchrony between distant brain regions accompanies multiple forms of behavior. This review compares and contrasts the methods by which long-range synchrony is evaluated in both humans and model animals. Three examples of behaviorally relevant long-range synchrony are discussed in detail: gamma-frequency synchrony during visual perception, hippocampal-prefrontal synchrony during working memory, and prefrontal-amygdala synchrony during anxiety. Implications for circuit mechanism, translation, and clinical relevance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Z Harris
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032; ,
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222
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Morishita H, Kundakovic M, Bicks L, Mitchell A, Akbarian S. Interneuron epigenomes during the critical period of cortical plasticity: Implications for schizophrenia. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 124:104-10. [PMID: 25849095 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia, a major psychiatric disorder defined by delusions and hallucinations, among other symptoms, often with onset in early adulthood, is potentially associated with molecular and cellular alterations in parvalbumin-expressing fast spiking interneurons and other constituents of the cortical inhibitory GABAergic circuitry. The underlying mechanisms, including the role of disease-associated risk factors operating in adolescence such as drug abuse and social stressors, remain incompletely understood. Here, we summarize emerging findings from animal models, highlighting the ability of parvalbuminergic interneurons (PVI) to induce, during the juvenile period, long-term plastic changes in prefrontal and visual cortex, thereby altering perception, cognition and behavior in the adult. Of note, molecular alterations in PVI from subjects with schizophrenia, including downregulated expression of a subset of GABAergic genes, have also been found in juvenile stress models of the disorder. Some of the transcriptional alterations observed in schizophrenia postmortem brain could be linked to changes in the epigenetic architecture of GABAergic gene promoters, including dysregulated DNA methylation, histone modification patterns and disruption of promoter-enhancer interactions at site of chromosomal loop formations. Therefore, we predict that, in the not-to-distant future, PVI- and other cell-type specific epigenomic mappings in the animal model and human brain will provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related psychotic diseases, including the role of cortical GABAergic circuitry in shaping long-term plasticity and cognitive function of the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirofumi Morishita
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States.
| | - Marija Kundakovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
| | - Lucy Bicks
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
| | - Amanda Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States.
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223
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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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224
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Hagerman PJ, Hagerman RJ. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1338:58-70. [PMID: 25622649 PMCID: PMC4363162 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that affects some but not all carriers of small, noncoding CGG-repeat expansions (55-200 repeats; premutation) within the fragile X gene (FMR1). Principal features of FXTAS include intention tremor, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, memory and executive function deficits, autonomic dysfunction, brain atrophy with white matter disease, and cognitive decline. Although FXTAS was originally considered to be confined to the premutation range, rare individuals with a gray zone (45-54 repeats) or an unmethylated full mutation (>200 repeats) allele have now been described, the constant feature of the disorder remaining the requirement for FMR1 expression, in contradistinction to the gene silencing mechanism of fragile X syndrome. Although transcriptional activity is required for FXTAS pathogenesis, the specific trigger(s) for FXTAS pathogenesis remains elusive, highlighting the need for more research in this area. This need is underscored by recent neuroimaging findings of changes in the central nervous system that consistently appear well before the onset of clinical symptoms, thus creating an opportunity to delay or prevent the appearance of FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California , Davis , School of Medicine, Davis, California; The MIND Institute, University of California , Davis , Health System, Sacramento, California
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225
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Filion GJ. The signed Kolmogorov-Smirnov test: why it should not be used. Gigascience 2015; 4:9. [PMID: 25722854 PMCID: PMC4342197 DOI: 10.1186/s13742-015-0048-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test is often used to decide whether two random samples have the same statistical distribution. A popular modification of the KS test is to use a signed version of the KS statistic to infer whether the values of one sample are statistically larger than the values of the other. The underlying hypotheses of the KS test are intrinsically incompatible with this approach and the test can produce false positives supported by extremely low p-values. This potentially makes the signed KS test a tool of p-hacking, which should be discouraged by replacing it with standard tests such as the t-test and by providing confidence intervals instead of p-values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume J Filion
- Genome Architecture, Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain ; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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226
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Copy number variable microRNAs in schizophrenia and their neurodevelopmental gene targets. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:158-66. [PMID: 25034949 PMCID: PMC4464826 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in the human genome and may contribute to risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. miRNAs play an acknowledged role in the strongest of genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, 22q11.2 deletions. We hypothesized that in schizophrenia there would be an enrichment of other rare copy number variants (CNVs) that overlap miRNAs. METHODS Using high-resolution genome-wide microarrays and rigorous methods, we compared the miRNA content of rare CNVs in well-characterized cohorts of schizophrenia cases (n = 420) and comparison subjects, excluding 22q11.2 CNVs. We also performed a gene-set enrichment analysis of the predicted miRNA target genes. RESULTS The schizophrenia group was enriched for the proportion of individuals with a rare CNV overlapping a miRNA (3.29-fold increase over comparison subjects, p < .0001). The presence of a rare CNV overlapping a miRNA remained a significant predictor of schizophrenia case status (p = .0072) in a multivariate logistic regression model correcting for total CNV size. In contrast, comparable analyses correcting for CNV size showed no enrichment of rare CNVs overlapping protein-coding genes. A gene-set enrichment analysis indicated that predicted target genes of recurrent CNV-overlapped miRNAs in schizophrenia may be functionally enriched for neurodevelopmental processes, including axonogenesis and neuron projection development. Predicted gene targets driving these results included CAPRIN1, NEDD4, NTRK2, PAK2, RHOA, and SYNGAP1. CONCLUSIONS These data are the first to demonstrate a genome-wide role for CNVs overlapping miRNAs in the genetic risk for schizophrenia. The results provide support for an expanded multihit model of causation, with potential implications for miRNA-based therapeutics.
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227
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Kamal MA, Mushtaq G, Greig NH. Current Update on Synopsis of miRNA Dysregulation in Neurological Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2015; 14:492-501. [PMID: 25714967 PMCID: PMC5878050 DOI: 10.2174/1871527314666150225143637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been implicated in various neurological disorders (NDs) of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, schizophrenia and autism. If dysregulated miRNAs are identified in patients suffering from NDs, this may serve as a biomarker for the earlier diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Identifying the role of miRNAs in normal cellular processes and understanding how dysregulated miRNA expression is responsible for their neurological effects is also critical in the development of new therapeutic strategies for NDs. miRNAs hold great promise from a therapeutic point of view especially if it can be proved that a single miRNA has the ability to influence several target genes, making it possible for the researchers to potentially modify a whole disease phenotype by modulating a single miRNA molecule. Hence, better understanding of the mechanisms by which miRNA play a role in the pathogenesis of NDs may provide novel targets to scientists and researchers for innovative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gohar Mushtaq
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nigel H. Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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228
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Disruption of medial prefrontal synchrony in the subchronic phencyclidine model of schizophrenia in rats. Neuroscience 2014; 287:157-63. [PMID: 25542422 PMCID: PMC4317768 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Subchronic PCP pretreatment reduced theta oscillations in medial prefrontal cortex. Subchronic PCP pretreatment produced abnormal cortical synchronization in putative cortical pyramidal cells. Subchronic PCP pretreatment produced abnormal locking of cortical spikes to lower oscillation frequencies.
Subchronic treatment with the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) produces behavioral abnormalities in rodents which are considered a reliable pharmacological model of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Alterations in prefrontal neuronal firing after acute PCP administration have been observed, however enduring changes in prefrontal activity after subchronic PCP treatment have not been studied. To address this we have recorded cortical oscillations and unit responses in putative cortical pyramidal cells in subchronic PCP-treated rats (2 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days) under urethane anesthesia. We found that this regimen reduced theta oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex. It further produced abnormal cortical synchronization in putative cortical pyramidal cells. These alterations in prefrontal cortex functioning may contribute to cognitive deficits seen in subchronic NMDA antagonist pre-treated animals in prefrontal-dependent tasks.
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229
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Gedik H, Erdal ME, Yilmaz SG, Sengul C, Sengul CB, Herken H. Association of microRNA biogenesis pathway gene variants and alcohol dependence risk. DNA Cell Biol 2014; 34:220-6. [PMID: 25495208 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2014.2549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol dependence (AD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder to which both genetic and environmental factors contribute. Especially, multiple genetic factors are promising to explain the etiology of AD. microRNAs (miRNAs) are members of a family of noncoding small RNAs, which are thought to be responsible for the altered gene expression in neuropsychiatric disorders. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the miRNA biogenesis pathway may result in dysregulation of miRNA levels inside the cell. The aim of this study was to test an association between miRNA biogenesis gene variants and AD risk. Real-time polymerase chain reaction genotyping experiment was conducted on DNA samples from 123 alcohol-dependent patients and 135 healthy controls. We found that AGO1 rs595961 (χ(2) = 9.066, p = 0.003; odds ratio [OR] = 0.459, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.275-0.768) and AGO2 rs4961280 (χ(2) = 4.111, p = 0.043; OR = 0.590, 95% CI: 0.353-0.986) G alleles have significantly altered the risk for AD, and also there is a significant association of GEMIN4 rs910924 (χ(2) = 5.291, p = 0.021; OR = 1.913, 95% CI: 1.094-3.344) T allele with the risk for AD. We also found statistically significant difference in AGO1 rs595961 (χ(2) = 11.139, p = 0.001) and DGCR8 rs1640299 (χ(2) = 13.001, p = 0.002) genotype frequencies between case-control groups. This is the first study to investigate the effects of SNPs in the miRNA biogenesis pathway on AD risk. In conclusion, we identified a significant association of miRNA biogenesis genes with altered AD risk, and these results could be a guide to research on the role of miRNAs in AD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Gedik
- 1 Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Mersin University , Mersin, Turkey
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230
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Dwivedi Y. Emerging role of microRNAs in major depressive disorder: diagnosis and therapeutic implications. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2014. [PMID: 24733970 PMCID: PMC3984890 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2014.16.1/ydwivedi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major public health concern. Despite tremendous advances, the pathogenic mechanisms associated with MDD are still unclear. Moreover, a significant number of MDD subjects do not respond to the currently available medication. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs that control gene expression by modulating translation, messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation, or stability of mRNA targets. The role of miRNAs in disease pathophysiology is emerging rapidly. Recent studies demonstrating the involvement of miRNAs in several aspects of neural plasticity, neurogenesis, and stress response, and more direct studies in human postmortem brain provide strong evidence that miRNAs can not only play a critical role in MDD pathogenesis, but can also open up new avenues for the development of therapeutic targets. Circulating miRNAs are now being considered as possible biomarkers in disease pathogenesis and in monitoring therapeutic responses because of the presence and/or release of miRNAs in blood cells as well as in other peripheral tissues. In this review, these aspects are discussed in a comprehensive and critical manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Gstir R, Schafferer S, Scheideler M, Misslinger M, Griehl M, Daschil N, Humpel C, Obermair GJ, Schmuckermair C, Striessnig J, Flucher BE, Hüttenhofer A. Generation of a neuro-specific microarray reveals novel differentially expressed noncoding RNAs in mouse models for neurodegenerative diseases. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 20:1929-43. [PMID: 25344396 PMCID: PMC4238357 DOI: 10.1261/rna.047225.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have generated a novel, neuro-specific ncRNA microarray, covering 1472 ncRNA species, to investigate their expression in different mouse models for central nervous system diseases. Thereby, we analyzed ncRNA expression in two mouse models with impaired calcium channel activity, implicated in Epilepsy or Parkinson's disease, respectively, as well as in a mouse model mimicking pathophysiological aspects of Alzheimer's disease. We identified well over a hundred differentially expressed ncRNAs, either from known classes of ncRNAs, such as miRNAs or snoRNAs or which represented entirely novel ncRNA species. Several differentially expressed ncRNAs in the calcium channel mouse models were assigned as miRNAs and target genes involved in calcium signaling, thus suggesting feedback regulation of miRNAs by calcium signaling. In the Alzheimer mouse model, we identified two snoRNAs, whose expression was deregulated prior to amyloid plaque formation. Interestingly, the presence of snoRNAs could be detected in cerebral spine fluid samples in humans, thus potentially serving as early diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease. In addition to known ncRNAs species, we also identified 63 differentially expressed, entirely novel ncRNA candidates, located in intronic or intergenic regions of the mouse genome, genomic locations, which previously have been shown to harbor the majority of functional ncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Gstir
- Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simon Schafferer
- Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marcel Scheideler
- RNA Biology Group, Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Matthias Misslinger
- Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Griehl
- Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina Daschil
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of General and Social Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Humpel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of General and Social Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Claudia Schmuckermair
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joerg Striessnig
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernhard E Flucher
- Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Hüttenhofer
- Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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232
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Crabtree GW, Gogos JA. Synaptic plasticity, neural circuits, and the emerging role of altered short-term information processing in schizophrenia. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2014; 6:28. [PMID: 25505409 PMCID: PMC4243504 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity alters the strength of information flow between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and thus modifies the likelihood that action potentials in a presynaptic neuron will lead to an action potential in a postsynaptic neuron. As such, synaptic plasticity and pathological changes in synaptic plasticity impact the synaptic computation which controls the information flow through the neural microcircuits responsible for the complex information processing necessary to drive adaptive behaviors. As current theories of neuropsychiatric disease suggest that distinct dysfunctions in neural circuit performance may critically underlie the unique symptoms of these diseases, pathological alterations in synaptic plasticity mechanisms may be fundamental to the disease process. Here we consider mechanisms of both short-term and long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission and their possible roles in information processing by neural microcircuits in both health and disease. As paradigms of neuropsychiatric diseases with strongly implicated risk genes, we discuss the findings in schizophrenia and autism and consider the alterations in synaptic plasticity and network function observed in both human studies and genetic mouse models of these diseases. Together these studies have begun to point toward a likely dominant role of short-term synaptic plasticity alterations in schizophrenia while dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be due to a combination of both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg W. Crabtree
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A. Gogos
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
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Merico D, Costain G, Butcher NJ, Warnica W, Ogura L, Alfred SE, Brzustowicz LM, Bassett AS. MicroRNA Dysregulation, Gene Networks, and Risk for Schizophrenia in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Front Neurol 2014; 5:238. [PMID: 25484875 PMCID: PMC4240070 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2014.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the etiology of schizophrenia is increasingly recognized. Microdeletions at chromosome 22q11.2 are recurrent structural variants that impart a high risk for schizophrenia and are found in up to 1% of all patients with schizophrenia. The 22q11.2 deletion region overlaps gene DGCR8, encoding a subunit of the miRNA microprocessor complex. We identified miRNAs overlapped by the 22q11.2 microdeletion and for the first time investigated their predicted target genes, and those implicated by DGCR8, to identify targets that may be involved in the risk for schizophrenia. The 22q11.2 region encompasses seven validated or putative miRNA genes. Employing two standard prediction tools, we generated sets of predicted target genes. Functional enrichment profiles of the 22q11.2 region miRNA target genes suggested a role in neuronal processes and broader developmental pathways. We then constructed a protein interaction network of schizophrenia candidate genes and interaction partners relevant to brain function, independent of the 22q11.2 region miRNA mechanisms. We found that the predicted gene targets of the 22q11.2 deletion miRNAs, and targets of the genome-wide miRNAs predicted to be dysregulated by DGCR8 hemizygosity, were significantly represented in this schizophrenia network. The findings provide new insights into the pathway from 22q11.2 deletion to expression of schizophrenia, and suggest that hemizygosity of the 22q11.2 region may have downstream effects implicating genes elsewhere in the genome that are relevant to the general schizophrenia population. These data also provide further support for the notion that robust genetic findings in schizophrenia may converge on a reasonable number of final pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Merico
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Gregory Costain
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Nancy J Butcher
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - William Warnica
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Lucas Ogura
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Simon E Alfred
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Linda M Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University , Piscataway, NJ , USA
| | - Anne S Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada ; The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada
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234
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MicroRNAs in Schizophrenia: Implications for Synaptic Plasticity and Dopamine-Glutamate Interaction at the Postsynaptic Density. New Avenues for Antipsychotic Treatment Under a Theranostic Perspective. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 52:1771-1790. [PMID: 25394379 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8962-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite dopamine-glutamate aberrant interaction that has long been considered a relevant landmark of psychosis pathophysiology, several aspects of these two neurotransmitters reciprocal interaction remain to be defined. The emerging role of postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins at glutamate synapse as a molecular "lego" making a functional hub where different signals converge may add a new piece of information to understand how dopamine-glutamate interaction may work with regard to schizophrenia pathophysiology and treatment. More recently, compelling evidence suggests a relevant role for microRNA (miRNA) as a new class of dopamine and glutamate modulators with regulatory functions in the reciprocal interaction of these two neurotransmitters. Here, we aimed at addressing the following issues: (i) Do miRNAs have a role in schizophrenia pathophysiology in the context of dopamine-glutamate aberrant interaction? (ii) If miRNAs are relevant for dopamine-glutamate interaction, at what level this modulation takes place? (iii) Finally, will this knowledge open the door to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools? The biogenesis of miRNAs and their role in synaptic plasticity with relevance to schizophrenia will be considered in the context of dopamine-glutamate interaction, with special focus on miRNA interaction with PSD elements. From this framework, implications both for biomarkers identification and potential innovative interventions will be considered.
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235
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Forstner AJ, Basmanav FB, Mattheisen M, Böhmer AC, Hollegaard MV, Janson E, Strengman E, Priebe L, Degenhardt F, Hoffmann P, Herms S, Maier W, Mössner R, Rujescu D, Ophoff RA, Moebus S, Mortensen PB, Børglum AD, Hougaard DM, Frank J, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Zimmer A, Nöthen MM, Miró X, Cichon S. Investigation of the involvement of MIR185 and its target genes in the development of schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2014; 39:386-96. [PMID: 24936775 PMCID: PMC4214873 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.130189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder of unclear etiology. The strongest known genetic risk factor is the 22q11.2 microdeletion. Research has yet to confirm which genes within the deletion region are implicated in schizophrenia. The minimal 1.5 megabase deletion contains MIR185, which encodes microRNA 185. METHODS We determined miR-185 expression in embryonic and adult mouse brains. Common and rare variants at this locus were then investigated using a human genetics approach. First, we performed gene-based analyses for MIR185 common variants and target genes using Psychiatric Genomics Consortium genome-wide association data. Second, MIR185 was resequenced in German patients (n = 1000) and controls (n = 500). We followed up promising variants by genotyping an additional European sample (patients, n = 3598; controls, n = 4082). RESULTS In situ hybridization in mice revealed miR-185 expression in brain regions implicated in schizophrenia. Gene-based tests revealed association between common variants in 3 MIR185 target genes (ATAT1, SH3PXD2A, NTRK3) and schizophrenia. Further analyses in mice revealed overlapping expression patterns for these target genes and miR-185. Resequencing identified 2 rare patient-specific novel variants flanking MIR185. However, follow-up genotyping provided no further evidence of their involvement in schizophrenia. LIMITATIONS Power to detect rare variant associations was limited. CONCLUSION Human genetic analyses generated no evidence of the involvement of MIR185 in schizophrenia. However, the expression patterns of miR-185 and its target genes in mice, and the genetic association results for the 3 target genes, suggest that further research into the involvement of miR-185 and its downstream pathways in schizophrenia is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Markus M. Nöthen
- Correspondence to: M.M. Nöthen, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
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Demars MP, Morishita H. Cortical parvalbumin and somatostatin GABA neurons express distinct endogenous modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Mol Brain 2014; 7:75. [PMID: 25359633 PMCID: PMC4228157 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-014-0075-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition from GABAergic interneurons in brain circuits is a critical component of cognitive function. This inhibition is regulated through a diverse network of neuromodulation. A number of recent studies suggest that one of the major regulators of interneuron function is nicotinic acetylcholinergic transmission and dysregulation of both systems is common in psychiatric conditions. However, how nicotinic modulation impacts specific subpopulations of diverse GABAergic interneurons remains in question. One potential way of conferring specificity to the convergence of GABAergic and nicotinic signaling is through the expression of a unique family of nicotinic acetycholine receptor modulators, the Lynx family. The present study sought to identify members of the Lynx family enriched in cortical interneurons and to elucidate subpopulations of GABAergic neurons that express unique nicotinic modulators. RESULTS We utilize double fluorescence in situ hybridization to examine the interneuronal expression of the Lynx family in adult mouse visual cortex. We find that two of the Lynx family members, Lynx1 and Lypd6, are enriched in interneuron populations in cortex. Nearly all parvalbumin interneurons express Lynx1 but we did not detect Lypd6 in this population. Conversely, in somatostatin interneurons Lypd6 was found in a subset localized to deep cortical layers but no somatostatin neurons show detectable levels of Lynx1. Using a combination of genetic and viral manipulations we further show that a subpopulation of deep-layer cortico-cortical long-range somatostatin neurons also express Lypd6. CONCLUSIONS This work shows that distinct subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons express unique Lynx family members. The pattern of expression of Lynx family members within interneurons places them in a unique position to potentially regulate the convergence of GABAergic and nicotinic systems, dysfunction of which are characteristic of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Demars
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Hirofumi Morishita
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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237
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Bicker S, Lackinger M, Weiß K, Schratt G. MicroRNA-132, -134, and -138: a microRNA troika rules in neuronal dendrites. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:3987-4005. [PMID: 25008044 PMCID: PMC11113804 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic mRNA transport and local translation in the postsynaptic compartment play an important role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Local protein synthesis at the synapse has to be precisely orchestrated by a plethora of factors including RNA binding proteins as well as microRNAs, an extensive class of small non-coding RNAs. By binding to complementary sequences in target mRNAs, microRNAs fine-tune protein synthesis and thereby represent critical regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Research over the last years identified an entire network of dendritic microRNAs that fulfills an essential role in synapse development and physiology. Recent studies provide evidence that these small regulatory molecules are highly regulated themselves, at the level of expression as well as function. The importance of microRNAs for correct function of the nervous system is reflected by an increasing number of studies linking dysregulation of microRNA pathways to neurological disorders. By focusing on three extensively studied examples (miR-132, miR-134, miR-138), this review will attempt to illustrate the complex regulatory roles of dendritic microRNAs at the synapse and their implications for pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bicker
- Biochemical-Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Lackinger
- Biochemical-Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weiß
- Biochemical-Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- Biochemical-Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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238
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Five children with deletions of 1p34.3 encompassing AGO1 and AGO3. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:761-5. [PMID: 25271087 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (miRNA, siRNA, and piRNA) regulate gene expression through targeted destruction or translational repression of specific messenger RNA in a fundamental biological process called RNA interference (RNAi). The Argonaute proteins, which derive from a highly conserved family of genes found in almost all eukaryotes, are critical mediators of this process. Four AGO genes are present in humans, three of which (AGO 1, 3, and 4) reside in a cluster on chromosome 1p35p34. The effects of germline AGO variants or dosage alterations in humans are not known, however, prior studies have implicated dysregulation of the RNAi mechanism in the pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. We describe five patients with hypotonia, poor feeding, and developmental delay who were found to have microdeletions of chromosomal region 1p34.3 encompassing the AGO1 and AGO3 genes. We postulate that haploinsufficiency of AGO1 and AGO3 leading to impaired RNAi may be responsible for the neurocognitive deficits present in these patients. However, additional studies with rigorous phenotypic characterization of larger cohorts of affected individuals and systematic investigation of the underlying molecular defects will be necessary to confirm this.
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239
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Sun E, Shi Y. MicroRNAs: Small molecules with big roles in neurodevelopment and diseases. Exp Neurol 2014; 268:46-53. [PMID: 25128264 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in the development and functions of the brain. Extensive studies have revealed critical roles for miRNAs in brain development and function. Dysregulation or altered expression of miRNAs is associated with abnormal brain development and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental diseases. This review serves to highlight the versatile roles of these small RNA molecules in normal brain development and their association with neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, two closely related neuropsychiatric disorders of neurodevelopmental origin, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sun
- Department of Neurosciences, Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurosciences, Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Sellier C, Hwang VJ, Dandekar R, Durbin-Johnson B, Charlet-Berguerand N, Ander BP, Sharp FR, Angkustsiri K, Simon TJ, Tassone F. Decreased DGCR8 expression and miRNA dysregulation in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103884. [PMID: 25084529 PMCID: PMC4118991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [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: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletion of the 1.5–3 Mb region of chromosome 22 at locus 11.2 gives rise to the chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), also known as DiGeorge and Velocardiofacial Syndromes. It is the most common micro-deletion disorder in humans and one of the most common multiple malformation syndromes. The syndrome is characterized by a broad phenotype, whose characterization has expanded considerably within the last decade and includes many associated findings such as craniofacial anomalies (40%), conotruncal defects of the heart (CHD; 70–80%), hypocalcemia (20–60%), and a range of neurocognitive anomalies with high risk of schizophrenia, all with a broad phenotypic variability. These phenotypic features are believed to be the result of a change in the copy number or dosage of the genes located in the deleted region. Despite this relatively clear genetic etiology, very little is known about which genes modulate phenotypic variations in humans or if they are due to combinatorial effects of reduced dosage of multiple genes acting in concert. Here, we report on decreased expression levels of genes within the deletion region of chromosome 22, including DGCR8, in peripheral leukocytes derived from individuals with 22q11DS compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found dysregulated miRNA expression in individuals with 22q11DS, including miR-150, miR-194 and miR-185. We postulate this to be related to DGCR8 haploinsufficiency as DGCR8 regulates miRNA biogenesis. Importantly we demonstrate that the level of some miRNAs correlates with brain measures, CHD and thyroid abnormalities, suggesting that the dysregulated miRNAs may contribute to these phenotypes and/or represent relevant blood biomarkers of the disease in individuals with 22q11DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Sellier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Vicki J. Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Ravi Dandekar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | | | - Bradley P. Ander
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Frank R. Sharp
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Angkustsiri
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Tony J. Simon
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gómez-Sintes R, Kvajo M, Gogos JA, Lucas JJ. Mice with a naturally occurring DISC1 mutation display a broad spectrum of behaviors associated to psychiatric disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:253. [PMID: 25126062 PMCID: PMC4115618 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted in schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene is associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders as it is disrupted by a balanced translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 11 in a large Scottish pedigree with high prevalence of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Since its identification, several mouse models with DISC1 genetic modifications have been generated using different approaches. Interestingly, a natural deletion of 25bp in the 129 mouse strain alters the DISC1 gene reading frame leading to a premature stop codon very close to the gene breakpoint in the mutant allele of the Scottish family. In the present study we confirmed that the 129DISC1Del mutation results in reduced level of full length DISC1 in hippocampus of heterozygous mice and we have characterized the behavioral consequences of heterozygous 129DISC1Del mutation in a mixed B6129 genetic background. We found alterations in spontaneous locomotor activity (hyperactivity in males and hypoactivity in females), deficits in pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) and also increased despair behavior in heterozygous 129DISC1Del mice, thus reproducing typical behaviors associated to psychiatric disorders. Since this mouse strain is widely and commercially available, we propose it as an amenable tool to study DISC1-related biochemical alterations and psychiatric behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gómez-Sintes
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM Madrid, Spain ; Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid, Spain
| | - Mirna Kvajo
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A Gogos
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY, USA
| | - José J Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM Madrid, Spain ; Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid, Spain
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Berman RF, Buijsen RA, Usdin K, Pintado E, Kooy F, Pretto D, Pessah IN, Nelson DL, Zalewski Z, Charlet-Bergeurand N, Willemsen R, Hukema RK. Mouse models of the fragile X premutation and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2014; 6:25. [PMID: 25136376 PMCID: PMC4135345 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-6-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Carriers of the fragile X premutation (FPM) have CGG trinucleotide repeat expansions of between 55 and 200 in the 5'-UTR of FMR1, compared to a CGG repeat length of between 5 and 54 for the general population. Carriers were once thought to be without symptoms, but it is now recognized that they can develop a variety of early neurological symptoms as well as being at risk for developing the late onset neurodegenerative disorder fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Several mouse models have contributed to our understanding of FPM and FXTAS, and findings from studies using these models are summarized here. This review also discusses how this information is improving our understanding of the molecular and cellular abnormalities that contribute to neurobehavioral features seen in some FPM carriers and in patients with FXTAS. Mouse models show much of the pathology seen in FPM carriers and in individuals with FXTAS, including the presence of elevated levels of Fmr1 mRNA, decreased levels of fragile X mental retardation protein, and ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions. Abnormalities in dendritic spine morphology in several brain regions are associated with neurocognitive deficits in spatial and temporal memory processes, impaired motor performance, and altered anxiety. In vitro studies have identified altered dendritic and synaptic architecture associated with abnormal Ca(2+) dynamics and electrical network activity. FPM mice have been particularly useful in understanding the roles of Fmr1 mRNA, fragile X mental retardation protein, and translation of a potentially toxic polyglycine peptide in pathology. Finally, the potential for using these and emerging mouse models for preclinical development of therapies to improve neurological function in FXTAS is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Berman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Room 502C, UC Davis, 1515 Newton Court, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | | | - Karen Usdin
- NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Isaac N Pessah
- Department Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David L Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zachary Zalewski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Rob Willemsen
- Department Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Renate K Hukema
- Department Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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243
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A mouse model that recapitulates cardinal features of the 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome including schizophrenia- and epilepsy-related alterations. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 76:128-37. [PMID: 24090792 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide scans have uncovered rare copy number variants conferring high risk of psychiatric disorders. The 15q13.3 microdeletion is associated with a considerably increased risk of idiopathic generalized epilepsy, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. METHODS A 15q13.3 microdeletion mouse model (Df[h15q13]/+) was generated by hemizygous deletion of the orthologous region and characterized with focus on schizophrenia- and epilepsy-relevant parameters. RESULTS Df(h15q13)/+ mice showed marked changes in neuronal excitability in acute seizure assays, with increased propensity to develop myoclonic and absence-like seizures but decreased propensity for clonic and tonic seizures. Furthermore, they had impaired long-term spatial reference memory and a decreased theta frequency in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Electroencephalogram characterization revealed auditory processing deficits similar to those observed in schizophrenia. Gamma band power was increased during active state, but evoked gamma power following auditory stimulus (40 Hz) was dramatically reduced, mirroring observations in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, Df(h15q13)/+ mice showed schizophrenia-like decreases in amplitudes of auditory evoked potentials. Although displaying a grossly normal behavior, Df(h15q13)/+ mice are more aggressive following exposure to mild stressors, similar to what is described in human deletion carriers. Furthermore, Df(h15q13)/+ mice have increased body weight, and a similar increase in body weight was subsequently found in a sample of human subjects with 15q13.3 deletion. CONCLUSIONS The Df(h15q13)/+ mouse shows similarities to several alterations related to the 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, offering a novel tool for addressing the underlying biology of these diseases.
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Abstract
The 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans and presents with a complex and variable psychiatric phenotype. Patients show cognitive impairment and have a higher probability of psychiatric disorders. As much as 30% of patients with 22q11DS suffer from schizophrenia, the strongest association between any mutation and the disease. Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disease that affects multiple brain regions, giving rise to a constellation of seemingly unrelated symptoms including hallucinations, social withdrawal, and memory deficits. Synaptic or neuronal malfunctions within certain physiological circuits appear to be at the core of these symptoms. Understanding disease at the synaptic level requires genetic model systems where intact neural circuits can be interrogated for functional deficits. Because of the overlap between 22q11DS and schizophrenia, models of 22q11DS may be key genetic tools for investigating both diseases. Here we discuss the advantages of using a synaptic function approach to studying mouse models of 22q11DS, review recent findings, and discuss them in the broader context of 22q11DS and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie R Earls
- Department of Development Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stanislav S Zakharenko
- Department of Development Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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245
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Huang JT, Wang J, Srivastava V, Sen S, Liu SM. MicroRNA Machinery Genes as Novel Biomarkers for Cancer. Front Oncol 2014; 4:113. [PMID: 24904827 PMCID: PMC4032885 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) directly and indirectly affect tumorigenesis. To be able to perform their myriad roles, miRNA machinery genes, such as Drosha, DGCR8, Dicer1, XPO5, TRBP, and AGO2, must generate precise miRNAs. These genes have specific expression patterns, protein-binding partners, and biochemical capabilities in different cancers. Our preliminary analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas consortium on multiple types of cancer revealed significant alterations in these miRNA machinery genes. Here, we review their biological structures and functions with an eye toward understanding how they could serve as cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Tao Huang
- Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Vibhuti Srivastava
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Subrata Sen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Song-Mei Liu
- Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
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246
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Volvert ML, Prévot PP, Close P, Laguesse S, Pirotte S, Hemphill J, Rogister F, Kruzy N, Sacheli R, Moonen G, Deiters A, Merkenschlager M, Chariot A, Malgrange B, Godin JD, Nguyen L. MicroRNA targeting of CoREST controls polarization of migrating cortical neurons. Cell Rep 2014; 7:1168-83. [PMID: 24794437 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.03.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The migration of cortical projection neurons is a multistep process characterized by dynamic cell shape remodeling. The molecular basis of these changes remains elusive, and the present work describes how microRNAs (miRNAs) control neuronal polarization during radial migration. We show that miR-22 and miR-124 are expressed in the cortical wall where they target components of the CoREST/REST transcriptional repressor complex, thereby regulating doublecortin transcription in migrating neurons. This molecular pathway underlies radial migration by promoting dynamic multipolar-bipolar cell conversion at early phases of migration, and later stabilization of cell polarity to support locomotion on radial glia fibers. Thus, our work emphasizes key roles of some miRNAs that control radial migration during cerebral corticogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Laure Volvert
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Pierre-Paul Prévot
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Pierre Close
- GIGA-Signal Transduction, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Sophie Laguesse
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Sophie Pirotte
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - James Hemphill
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Florence Rogister
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Kruzy
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Rosalie Sacheli
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Gustave Moonen
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alain Chariot
- GIGA-Signal Transduction, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Brigitte Malgrange
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Juliette D Godin
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Laurent Nguyen
- GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium; Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium.
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Kolshus E, Dalton VS, Ryan KM, McLoughlin DM. When less is more--microRNAs and psychiatric disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2014; 129:241-56. [PMID: 23952691 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, including genes involved in neuronal function and plasticity that have relevance for brain function and mental health. We therefore performed a systematic review of miRNAs in general adult psychiatric disorders. METHOD Systematic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science were conducted to identify published clinical articles on microRNAs in general adult psychiatric disorders. We also reviewed references from included articles. RESULTS There is mounting evidence of microRNAs' regulatory roles in a number of central nervous system processes, including neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The majority of clinical studies of microRNAs in psychiatric disorders are in schizophrenia, where a number of specific microRNAs have been identified in separate studies. There is some evidence of marked downregulation of some microRNAs in affective disorders. Treatment with antidepressants appears to upregulate microRNA levels. There is currently little evidence from human studies in anxiety, addiction or other psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION MicroRNA research in psychiatry is currently in a nascent period, but represents an emerging and exciting area, with the potential to clarify molecular mechanisms of disease and identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kolshus
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Jonas RK, Montojo CA, Bearden CE. The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome as a window into complex neuropsychiatric disorders over the lifespan. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 75:351-60. [PMID: 23992925 PMCID: PMC3875621 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is rapidly accumulating that rare, recurrent copy number variants represent large effect risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) (velocardiofacial syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome) is the most common known contiguous gene deletion syndrome and is associated with diverse neuropsychiatric disorders across the life span. One of the most intriguing aspects of the syndrome is the variability in clinical and cognitive presentation: children with 22q11DS have high prevalence of autism spectrum, attention deficit, and anxiety disorders, as well as psychotic-like features, and up to 30% of adolescents and adults develop schizophrenia-like psychosis. Recently, cases of early-onset Parkinson's disease in adults have been reported, collectively suggesting a role for disrupted dopaminergic neurotransmission in the observed neuropsychiatric phenotypes. There is also some evidence that 22q11DS-associated autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia represent two unrelated phenotypic manifestations, consistent with a neuropsychiatric pleiotropy model. This genetic lesion thus provides a unique model for the discovery of specific genomic risk and (potentially) protective factors for neuropsychiatric disease. Here, we provide an overview of neuropsychiatric findings to date, which highlight the value of this syndrome in mapping the developmental trajectory of dimensional phenotypes that traverse multiple diagnostic categories. Potential sources of genetic variability that may contribute to the disorder's heterogeneous presentation are reviewed. Because of its known genetic etiology, animal models can readily be developed that recapitulate specific aspects of the syndrome. Future research directions involve translational models and potential for drug screenable targets in the context of this human model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Jonas
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Caroline A Montojo
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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249
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Sala C, Segal M. Dendritic spines: the locus of structural and functional plasticity. Physiol Rev 2014; 94:141-88. [PMID: 24382885 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00012.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of high-resolution time lapse imaging and molecular biological tools has changed dramatically the rate of progress towards the understanding of the complex structure-function relations in synapses of central spiny neurons. Standing issues, including the sequence of molecular and structural processes leading to formation, morphological change, and longevity of dendritic spines, as well as the functions of dendritic spines in neurological/psychiatric diseases are being addressed in a growing number of recent studies. There are still unsettled issues with respect to spine formation and plasticity: Are spines formed first, followed by synapse formation, or are synapses formed first, followed by emergence of a spine? What are the immediate and long-lasting changes in spine properties following exposure to plasticity-producing stimulation? Is spine volume/shape indicative of its function? These and other issues are addressed in this review, which highlights the complexity of molecular pathways involved in regulation of spine structure and function, and which contributes to the understanding of central synaptic interactions in health and disease.
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250
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Yin J, Lin J, Luo X, Chen Y, Li Z, Ma G, Li K. miR-137: a new player in schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:3262-71. [PMID: 24566148 PMCID: PMC3958910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15023262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex genetic disease and characterized by affective, cognitive, neuromorphological, and molecular abnormalities that may have a neurodevelopmental origin. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical to neurodevelopment and adult neuronal processes by modulating the activity of multiple genes within biological networks. MiR-137 as a brain-enriched microRNA, plays important roles in regulating embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) fate determination, neuronal proliferation and differentiation, and synaptic maturation. Its dysregulation causes changes in the gene expression regulation network of the nervous system, thus inducing mental disorders. Recently, miR-137 has been confirmed as a gene related to schizophrenia susceptibility. In the following review, we summarize the expression pattern, epigenetic regulation and functions of miR-137. A more complete picture of the miR-137, which is dysregulated in psychiatric illness, may improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Yin
- Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
| | - Juda Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
| | - Xudong Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
| | - Yanyan Chen
- Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
| | - Zheng Li
- Unit on Synapse Development and Plasticity, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Guoda Ma
- Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
| | - Keshen Li
- Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, China.
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