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Mainieri F, La Bella S, Rinaldi M, Chiarelli F. Rare genetic forms of obesity in childhood and adolescence, a comprehensive review of their molecular mechanisms and diagnostic approach. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:4781-4793. [PMID: 37607976 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Obesity represents a major health problem in the pediatric population with an increasing prevalence worldwide, associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and due to both genetic and environmental factors. Rare forms of obesity are mostly monogenic, and less frequently due to polygenic influence. Polygenic form of obesity is usually the common obesity with single gene variations exerting smaller impact on weight and is commonly non-syndromic.Non-syndromic monogenic obesity is associated with variants in single genes typically related to the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin signalling pathway, which plays a key role in hunger and satiety regulation, thus body weight control. Patients with these genetic defects usually present with hyperphagia and early-onset severe obesity. Significant progress in genetic diagnostic testing has recently made for early identification of patients with genetic obesity, which guarantees prompt intervention in terms of therapeutic management of the disease. What is Known: • Obesity represents a major health problem among children and adolescents, with an increasing prevalence worldwide, associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolic abnormalities, and it can be due to both genetic and environmental factors. • Non-syndromic monogenic obesity is linked to modifications in single genes usually involved in the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin signalling pathway, which plays a key role in hunger and satiety regulation. What is New: • The increasing understanding of rare forms of monogenic obesity has provided significant insights into the genetic causes of pediatric obesity, and our current knowledge of the various genes associated with childhood obesity is rapidly expanding. • A useful diagnostic algorithm for early identification of genetic obesity has been proposed, which can ensure a prompt intervention in terms of therapeutic management of the disease and an early prevention of the development of associated metabolic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marta Rinaldi
- Paediatric Department, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Thames Valley Deanery, Oxford, UK
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2
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Schönauer R, Jin W, Findeisen C, Valenzuela I, Devlin LA, Murrell J, Bedoukian EC, Pöschla L, Hantmann E, Riedhammer KM, Hoefele J, Platzer K, Biemann R, Campeau PM, Münch J, Heyne H, Hoffmann A, Ghosh A, Sun W, Dong H, Noé F, Wolfrum C, Woods E, Parker MJ, Neatu R, Le Guyader G, Bruel AL, Perrin L, Spiewak H, Missotte I, Fourgeaud M, Michaud V, Lacombe D, Paolucci SA, Buchan JG, Glissmeyer M, Popp B, Blüher M, Sayer JA, Halbritter J. Monoallelic intragenic POU3F2 variants lead to neurodevelopmental delay and hyperphagic obesity, confirming the gene's candidacy in 6q16.1 deletions. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:998-1007. [PMID: 37207645 PMCID: PMC10257002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While common obesity accounts for an increasing global health burden, its monogenic forms have taught us underlying mechanisms via more than 20 single-gene disorders. Among these, the most common mechanism is central nervous system dysregulation of food intake and satiety, often accompanied by neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) and autism spectrum disorder. In a family with syndromic obesity, we identified a monoallelic truncating variant in POU3F2 (alias BRN2) encoding a neural transcription factor, which has previously been suggested as a driver of obesity and NDD in individuals with the 6q16.1 deletion. In an international collaboration, we identified ultra-rare truncating and missense variants in another ten individuals sharing autism spectrum disorder, NDD, and adolescent-onset obesity. Affected individuals presented with low-to-normal birth weight and infantile feeding difficulties but developed insulin resistance and hyperphagia during childhood. Except for a variant leading to early truncation of the protein, identified variants showed adequate nuclear translocation but overall disturbed DNA-binding ability and promotor activation. In a cohort with common non-syndromic obesity, we independently observed a negative correlation of POU3F2 gene expression with BMI, suggesting a role beyond monogenic obesity. In summary, we propose deleterious intragenic variants of POU3F2 to cause transcriptional dysregulation associated with hyperphagic obesity of adolescent onset with variable NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Schönauer
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wenjun Jin
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christin Findeisen
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Laura Alice Devlin
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ Newcastle, UK
| | - Jill Murrell
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emma C Bedoukian
- Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Linda Pöschla
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena Hantmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Korbinian M Riedhammer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Hoefele
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Konrad Platzer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronald Biemann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philipp M Campeau
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Johannes Münch
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrike Heyne
- Hasso-Plattner-Institute, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA; Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland: FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Hoffmann
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Adhideb Ghosh
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Wenfei Sun
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Hua Dong
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Falko Noé
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Christian Wolfrum
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Emily Woods
- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Ruxandra Neatu
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ Newcastle, UK
| | - Gwenael Le Guyader
- Unité neurovasculaire et troubles cognitifs, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Ange-Line Bruel
- Equipe GAD, UMR1231 Inserm, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Perrin
- UF de Génétique Clinique Département de Génétique, CHU Paris - Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
| | - Helena Spiewak
- North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub, Central Laboratory, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Isabelle Missotte
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Territorial, Nouvelle Calédonie, France
| | - Melanie Fourgeaud
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndrome Malformatifs, CHU de Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Michaud
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndrome Malformatifs, CHU de Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Didier Lacombe
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndrome Malformatifs, CHU de Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah A Paolucci
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jillian G Buchan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Bernt Popp
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center of Functional Genomics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - John A Sayer
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ Newcastle, UK; The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Road, NE7 7DN Newcastle, UK; NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, NE4 5PL Newcastle, UK
| | - Jan Halbritter
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
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3
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Correa-Silva SR, Kunii I, Mitne-Neto M, Moreira CM, Dias-da-Silva MR, Abucham J. Copy number variation in pituitary stalk interruption syndrome: A large case series of sporadic non-syndromic patients and literature review. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13221. [PMID: 36495109 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal hypothalamic/posterior pituitary development appears to be a major determinant of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS). The observation of familial cases and associated congenital abnormalities suggests a genetic basis. Single-gene mutations explain less than 5% of the cases, and whole exome sequencing has shown heterogeneous results. The present study aimed to assess copy number variation (CNV) using array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in patients with non-syndromic PSIS and comprehensively review data from the literature on CNV analysis in congenital hypopituitarism (CH) patients. Twenty-one patients with sporadic CH from our outpatient clinics presented with ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP) and no central nervous system abnormalities on magnetic resonance image (MRI) or any other malformations on physical examination at presentation were enrolled in the study. aCGH using a whole-genome customized 400K oligonucleotide platform was performed in our patients. For the literature review, we searched for case reports of patients with CH and CNV detected by either karyotype or aCGH reported in PubMed up to November 2021. Thirty-five distinct rare CNVs were observed in 18 patients (86%) and two of them (6%) were classified as pathogenic: one deletion of 1.8 Mb in chromosome 17 (17q12) and one deletion of 15 Mb in chromosome 18 (18p11.32p11.21), each one in a distinct patient. In the literature review, 67 pathogenic CNVs were published in 83 patients with CH, including the present study. Most of these patients had EPP (78% out of the 45 evaluated by sellar MRI) and were syndromic (70%). The most frequently affected chromosomes were X, 18, 20 and 1. Our study has found that CNV can be a mechanism of genetic abnormality in non-syndromic patients with CH and EPP. In future studies, one or more genes in those CNVs, both pathogenic and variant of uncertain significance, may be considered as good candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia R Correa-Silva
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ilda Kunii
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Magnus R Dias-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Abucham
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Machida O, Shimojima KY, Shiihara T, Akamine S, Kira R, Hasegawa Y, Nishi E, Okamoto N, Nagata S, Yamamoto T. Interstitial deletions in the proximal regions of 6q: 12 original cases and a literature review. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2022; 11:143-148. [PMID: 36200032 PMCID: PMC9438003 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2022.01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial microdeletions in the proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 6 are rare. Herein we have reported 12 patients with developmental delays associated with interstitial microdeletions in 6q ranging from q12 to q22. The microdeletions were detected by chromosomal microarray testing. To confirm the clinical significance of these deletions, genotype-phenotype correlation analysis was performed using genetic and predicted loss-of-function data. SIM1 was recognized as the gene responsible for developmental delay, particularly in Prader-Willi syndrome-like phenotypes. Other genes possibly related to developmental delay were ZNF292, PHIP, KCNQ5, and NUS1. To further establish the correlation between the genotype and phenotype, more patient information is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Machida
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Division of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamamoto Shimojima
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Processing, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiihara
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akamine
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Kira
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuiko Hasegawa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Izumi, Japan
| | - Eriko Nishi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Izumi, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Izumi, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagata
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Division of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Address correspondence to:Toshiyuki Yamamoto, Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ward, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. E-mail:
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5
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Okazaki T, Kawaguchi T, Saiki Y, Aoki C, Kasagi N, Adachi K, Saida K, Matsumoto N, Nanba E, Maegaki Y. Clinical course of a Japanese patient with developmental delay linked to a small 6q16.1 deletion. Hum Genome Var 2022; 9:14. [PMID: 35581197 PMCID: PMC9114330 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-022-00194-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
There is only one report of patients with developmental delay due to a 6q16.1 deletion that does not contain the SIM1 gene. A 3-year-old female showed strabismus, cleft soft palate, hypotonia at birth, and global developmental delay. Exome sequencing detected a de novo 6q16.1 deletion (chr6: 99282717-100062596) (hg19). The following genes were included in this region: POU3F2, FBXL4, FAXC, COQ3, PNISR, USP45, TSTD3, CCNC, and PRDM13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Okazaki
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kawaguchi
- grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Division of Child Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Yusuke Saiki
- grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Division of Child Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Chisako Aoki
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan
| | - Noriko Kasagi
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan ,grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Department of Fundamental Nursing, School of Health Science, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
| | - Kaori Adachi
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan ,grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Ken Saida
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Eiji Nanba
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan ,grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Research Strategy Division, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Maegaki
- grid.412799.00000 0004 0619 0992Division of Clinical Genetics, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago, Japan ,grid.265107.70000 0001 0663 5064Division of Child Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
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6
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Kamiyama T, Niwa R. Transcriptional Regulators of Ecdysteroid Biosynthetic Enzymes and Their Roles in Insect Development. Front Physiol 2022; 13:823418. [PMID: 35211033 PMCID: PMC8863297 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.823418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones are responsible for coordinating many aspects of biological processes in most multicellular organisms, including insects. Ecdysteroid, the principal insect steroid hormone, is biosynthesized from dietary cholesterol or plant sterols. In the last 20 years, a number of ecdysteroidogenic enzymes, including Noppera-bo, Neverland, Shroud, Spook/Spookier, Cyp6t3, Phantom, Disembodied, Shadow, and Shade, have been identified and characterized in molecular genetic studies using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. These enzymes are encoded by genes collectively called the Halloween genes. The transcriptional regulatory network, governed by multiple regulators of transcription, chromatin remodeling, and endoreplication, has been shown to be essential for the spatiotemporal expression control of Halloween genes in D. melanogaster. In this review, we summarize the latest information on transcriptional regulators that are crucial for controlling the expression of ecdysteroid biosynthetic enzymes and their roles in insect development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Kamiyama
- College of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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7
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Juriaans AF, Kerkhof GF, Hokken-Koelega ACS. The Spectrum of the Prader-Willi-like Pheno- and Genotype: A Review of the Literature. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:1-18. [PMID: 34460908 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic syndrome, caused by the loss of expression of the paternal chromosome 15q11-q13 region. Over the past years, many cases of patients with characteristics similar to PWS, but without a typical genetic aberration of the 15q11-q13 region, have been described. These patients are often labelled as Prader-Willi-like (PWL). PWL is an as-yet poorly defined syndrome, potentially affecting a significant number of children and adults. In the current clinical practice, patients labelled as PWL are mostly left without treatment options. Considering the similarities with PWS, children with PWL might benefit from the same care and treatment as children with PWS. This review gives more insight into the pheno- and genotype of PWL and includes 86 papers, containing 368 cases of patients with a PWL phenotype. We describe mutations and aberrations for consideration when suspicion of PWS remains after negative testing. The most common genetic diagnoses were Temple syndrome (formerly known as maternal uniparental disomy 14), Schaaf-Yang syndrome (truncating mutation in the MAGEL2 gene), 1p36 deletion, 2p deletion, 6q deletion, 6q duplication, 15q deletion, 15q duplication, 19p deletion, fragile X syndrome, and Xq duplication. We found that the most prevalent symptoms in the entire group were developmental delay/intellectual disability (76%), speech problems (64%), overweight/obesity (57%), hypotonia (56%), and psychobehavioral problems (53%). In addition, we propose a diagnostic approach to patients with a PWL phenotype for (pediatric) endocrinologists. PWL comprises a complex and diverse group of patients, which calls for multidisciplinary care with an individualized approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia F Juriaans
- National Reference Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome and Prader-Willi-like, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerthe F Kerkhof
- National Reference Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome and Prader-Willi-like, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Anita C S Hokken-Koelega
- National Reference Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome and Prader-Willi-like, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Zhang K, Liu S, Gu W, Lv Y, Yu H, Gao M, Wang D, Zhao J, Li X, Gai Z, Zhao S, Liu Y, Yuan Y. Transmission of a Novel Imprinting Center Deletion Associated With Prader-Willi Syndrome Through Three Generations of a Chinese Family: Case Presentation, Differential Diagnosis, and a Lesson Worth Thinking About. Front Genet 2021; 12:630650. [PMID: 34504512 PMCID: PMC8421676 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.630650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic syndrome caused by the loss of function of genes in 15q11-q13 that are subject to regulation by genomic imprinting and expressed from the paternal allele only. The main clinical features of PWS patients are hypotonia during the neonatal and infantile stages, accompanied by delayed neuropsychomotor development, hyperphagia, obesity, hypogonadism, short stature, small hands and feet, mental disabilities, and behavioral problems. However, PWS has a clinical overlap with other disorders, especially those with other gene variations or chromosomal imbalances but sharing part of the similar clinical manifestations with PWS, which are sometimes referred to as Prader–Willi syndrome-like (PWS-like) disorders. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that significant obesity as a consequence of hyperphagia in PWS usually develops between the ages of 1 and 6 years, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Thus, PWS is often not clinically recognized in infants and, on the other hand, may be wrongly suspected in obese and intellectually disabled patients. Therefore, an accurate investigation is necessary to differentiate classical PWS from PWS-like phenotypes, which is imperative for further treatment. For PWS, it is usually sporadic, and very rare family history and affected siblings have been described. Here, we report the clinical and molecular findings in a three-generation family with a novel 550-kb microdeletion affecting the chromosome 15 imprinting center (IC). Overall, the present study finds that the symptoms of our patient are somewhat different from those of typical PWS cases diagnosed and given treatment in our hospital. The familial occurrence and clinical features were challenging to our diagnostic strategy. The microdeletion included a region within the complex small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide protein N (SNRPN) gene locus encompassing the PWS IC and was identified by using a variety of techniques. Haplotype studies suggest that the IC microdeletion was vertically transmitted from an unaffected paternal grandmother to an unaffected father and then caused PWS in two sibling grandchildren when the IC microdeletion was inherited paternally. Based on the results of our study, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was applied successfully to exclude imprinting deficiency in preimplantation embryos before transfer into the mother’s uterus. Our study may be especially instructive regarding accurate diagnosis, differential diagnosis, genetic counseling, and PGD for familial PWS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Children Inherited Metabolism and Endocrine Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqiang Lv
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Haihua Yu
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Min Gao
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shimin Zhao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yiyuan Yuan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Geets E, Meuwissen MEC, Van Hul W. Clinical, molecular genetics and therapeutic aspects of syndromic obesity. Clin Genet 2018; 95:23-40. [PMID: 29700824 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has become a major health problem worldwide. To date, more than 25 different syndromic forms of obesity are known in which one (monogenic) or multiple (polygenic) genes are involved. This review gives an overview of these forms and focuses more in detail on 6 syndromes: Prader Willi Syndrome and Prader Willi like phenotype, Bardet Biedl Syndrome, Alström Syndrome, Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary malformations and mental Retardation syndrome and 16p11.2 (micro)deletions. Years of research provided plenty of information on the molecular genetics of these disorders and the obesity phenotype leading to a more individualized treatment of the symptoms, however, many questions still remain unanswered. As these obesity syndromes have different signs and symptoms in common, it makes it difficult to accurately diagnose patients which may result in inappropriate treatment of the disease. Therefore, the big challenge for clinicians and scientists is to more clearly differentiate all syndromic forms of obesity to provide conclusive genetic explanations and eventually deliver accurate genetic counseling and treatment. In addition, further delineation of the (functions of the) underlying genes with the use of array- or next-generation sequencing-based technology will be helpful to unravel the mechanisms of energy metabolism in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Geets
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M E C Meuwissen
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - W Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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Candelo E, Feinstein MM, Ramirez-Montaño D, Gomez JF, Pachajoa H. First Case Report of Prader-Willi-Like Syndrome in Colombia. Front Genet 2018; 9:98. [PMID: 29619043 PMCID: PMC5871659 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prader-Willi-like syndrome (PWLS) is believed to be caused by a variety of disruptions in genetic pathways both inside and outside of the genetic region implicated in PWS. By definition, PWLS does not demonstrate mutations in the 15q11-q13 region itself. It is a rare disorder whose clinical hallmarks include hypotonia, obesity, short extremities, and delayed development. This syndrome has been described in patients with 1p, 2p, 3p, 6q, and 9q chromosome abnormalities and in cases with maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 14 and fragile X syndrome. Case presentation: In the present report, we describe a 9-year-old Colombian patient who demonstrated features of PWS and was ultimately diagnosed with PWLS after genetic analysis revealed a 14.97 Mb deletion of 6q16.1-q21. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of PWLS in Colombia and represents one of the largest documented 6q21 deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Max M Feinstein
- Health School, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Juan F Gomez
- Paediatric Neurology, Fundación Valle Del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Harry Pachajoa
- Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Genetics Department, Fundacion Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
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11
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Abstract
Transcriptional control of oxytocinergic cell development influences social, sexual, and appetite related behaviors and is implicated in disorders such as autism and Prader-Willi syndrome. Mediator 12 (Med12) is a transcriptional coactivator required for multiple facets of brain development including subsets of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. We surveyed hormone gene expression within the hypothalamo-pituitary axis of med12 mutant zebrafish embryos with a focus on oxytocin (oxt) expression. Some transcripts, such as oxt, vasopressin (avp) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) are undetectable in the med12 mutant, while others are upregulated or downregulated to varying degrees. In med12 mutants, the expression patterns of upstream transcriptional regulators of oxytocinergic cell development remain largely intact in the pre-optic area, suggesting a more direct influence of Med12 on oxt expression. We show that Med12 is required for Wnt signaling in zebrafish. However, oxt expression is unaffected in Wnt-inhibited embryos indicating independence of Wnt signaling. In fact, overactive Wnt signaling inhibits oxt expression, and we identify a Wnt-sensitive period starting at 24 h post fertilization (hpf). Thus, Med12 and repression of Wnt signaling display critical but unrelated roles in regulating oxt expression. Summary: Mediator 12, a transcriptional coactivator, greatly enhances Wnt signaling in the developing embryo. Separate from its role in Wnt signaling, Mediator 12 is required for oxytocin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Spikol
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
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12
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13
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Geets E, Aerts E, Verrijken A, Van Hoorenbeeck K, Verhulst S, Van Gaal L, Van Hul W. DNA sequencing and copy number variation analysis of MCHR2 in a cohort of Prader Willi like (PWL) patients. Obes Res Clin Pract 2017; 12:158-166. [PMID: 29066024 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a syndromic form of obesity caused by a chromosomal aberration on chromosome 15q11.2-q13. Patients with a comparable phenotype to PWS not carrying the 15q11.2-q13 defect are classified as Prader Willi like (PWL). In literature, PWL patients do frequently harbor deletions at 6q16, which led to the identification of the single-minded 1 (SIM1) gene as a possible cause for the presence of obesity in these patients. However, our previous work in a PWL cohort showed a rather limited involvement of SIM1 in the obesity phenotype. In this paper, we investigated the causal role of the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 2 (MCHR2) gene in PWL patients, as most of the reported 6q16 deletions also encompass this gene and it is suggested to be active in the control of feeding behavior and energy metabolism. METHODS Copy number variation analysis of the MCHR2 genomic region followed by mutation analysis of MCHR2 was performed in a PWL cohort. RESULTS Genome-wide microarray analysis of 109 patients with PWL did not show any gene harboring deletions on chromosome 6q16. Mutation analysis in 92 patients with PWL demonstrated three MCHR2 variants: p.T47A (c.139A>G), p.A76A (c.228T>C) and c.*16A>G. We identified a significantly higher prevalence of the c.228T>C C allele in our PWL cohort compared to previously published results and controls of the ExAC Database. CONCLUSION Overall, our results are in line with some previously performed studies suggesting that MCHR2 is not a major contributor to human obesity and the PWL phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Geets
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evi Aerts
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Verrijken
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Stijn Verhulst
- Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Van Gaal
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
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14
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Parmeggiani G, Bigoni S, Buldrini B, Garani G, Clauser L, Galiè M, Ferlini A, Fini S. Double Interstitial Deletion of the Long Arm of Chromosome 6 in a Patient with Pierre Robin Sequence, Dysmorphisms, and Severe Developmental Delay. Mol Syndromol 2017; 9:30-37. [PMID: 29456481 DOI: 10.1159/000480159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported here is the case of a 1.8-year-old boy with a 9.6- Mb deletion in 6q13q14.1 and an 11.2-Mb deletion in 6q21q22.31, ascertained through array CGH, as the result of a complex de novo chromosome rearrangement. The clinical picture of this patient is characterized by severe psychomotor delay, dysmorphic features, and some congenital defects. Although, as reported in the literature, phenotypes associated with 6q deletions may vary, an attempt was made to associate the patient's symptoms to either deletion, comparing them to previously reported cases. Only a limited specific correlation was found, probably due to the prevalence of very common symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Parmeggiani
- UOL of Medical Genetics, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Bigoni
- UOL of Medical Genetics, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Barbara Buldrini
- UOL of Medical Genetics, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Garani
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatology, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luigi Clauser
- Cranio-Orbito-Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Manilo Galiè
- Cranio-Orbito-Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- UOL of Medical Genetics, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sergio Fini
- UOL of Medical Genetics, Department of Reproduction and Growth and Department of Medical Science, Ferrara, Italy
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Donahue ML, Rohena LO. Rare presentation of 6q16.3 microdeletion syndrome with severe upper limb reduction defects and duodenal atresia. Clin Case Rep 2017; 5:905-914. [PMID: 28588837 PMCID: PMC5457987 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a patient with a 17.31 MB interstitial deletion of 6q16.3‐6q22.31, who demonstrates a unique constellation of 6q‐ features. Among 6q‐ patients, he has limb reduction among the most severe reported, he is the second patient with duodenal atresia, and is the first documented case of diaphragmatic eventration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Donahue
- Department of Pediatrics; San Antonio Military Medical Center; San Antonio Texas
| | - Luis O. Rohena
- Division of Medical Genetics; Department of Pediatrics; San Antonio Military Medical Center; San Antonio Texas
- Department of Pediatrics; University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; San Antonio Texas
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16
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Recent progress in genetics, epigenetics and metagenomics unveils the pathophysiology of human obesity. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 130:943-86. [PMID: 27154742 DOI: 10.1042/cs20160136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In high-, middle- and low-income countries, the rising prevalence of obesity is the underlying cause of numerous health complications and increased mortality. Being a complex and heritable disorder, obesity results from the interplay between genetic susceptibility, epigenetics, metagenomics and the environment. Attempts at understanding the genetic basis of obesity have identified numerous genes associated with syndromic monogenic, non-syndromic monogenic, oligogenic and polygenic obesity. The genetics of leanness are also considered relevant as it mirrors some of obesity's aetiologies. In this report, we summarize ten genetically elucidated obesity syndromes, some of which are involved in ciliary functioning. We comprehensively review 11 monogenic obesity genes identified to date and their role in energy maintenance as part of the leptin-melanocortin pathway. With the emergence of genome-wide association studies over the last decade, 227 genetic variants involved in different biological pathways (central nervous system, food sensing and digestion, adipocyte differentiation, insulin signalling, lipid metabolism, muscle and liver biology, gut microbiota) have been associated with polygenic obesity. Advances in obligatory and facilitated epigenetic variation, and gene-environment interaction studies have partly accounted for the missing heritability of obesity and provided additional insight into its aetiology. The role of gut microbiota in obesity pathophysiology, as well as the 12 genes associated with lipodystrophies is discussed. Furthermore, in an attempt to improve future studies and merge the gap between research and clinical practice, we provide suggestions on how high-throughput '-omic' data can be integrated in order to get closer to the new age of personalized medicine.
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17
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Milani D, Cagnoli GA, Baccarin M, Alfei E, Guerneri S, Esposito S. Insights into 6q21-q22: Refinement of the critical region for acro-cardio-facial syndrome. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2016; 56:187-189. [PMID: 27038333 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Deletions on chromosome 6q are rarely reported in the literature, and genotype-phenotype correlations are poorly understood. We report a child with a deletion of the 6q21-q22 chromosomal region, providing some intriguing results about the correlation between this region and acro-cardio-facial syndrome, congenital heart disease, split hand and foot malformation, and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Milani
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Anna Cagnoli
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Baccarin
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Alfei
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatric Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Guerneri
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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18
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Spikol ED, Laverriere CE, Robnett M, Carter G, Wolfe E, Glasgow E. Zebrafish Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome: Fast Track to Pharmacotherapeutics. Diseases 2016; 4. [PMID: 27857842 PMCID: PMC5110251 DOI: 10.3390/diseases4010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by an insatiable appetite, leading to chronic overeating and obesity. Additional features include short stature, intellectual disability, behavioral problems and incomplete sexual development. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic basis of PWS, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disorder remain poorly understood. Treatment for PWS consists mainly of palliative therapies; curative therapies are sorely needed. Zebrafish, Danio rerio, represent a promising way forward for elucidating physiological problems such as obesity and identifying new pharmacotherapeutic options for PWS. Over the last decade, an increased appreciation for the highly conserved biology among vertebrates and the ability to perform high-throughput drug screening has seen an explosion in the use of zebrafish for disease modeling and drug discovery. Here, we review recent advances in developing zebrafish models of human disease. Aspects of zebrafish genetics and physiology that are relevant to PWS will be discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish models will be contrasted with current animal models for this syndrome. Finally, we will present a paradigm for drug screening in zebrafish that is potentially the fastest route for identifying and delivering curative pharmacotherapies to PWS patients.
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19
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Geets E, Zegers D, Beckers S, Verrijken A, Massa G, Van Hoorenbeeck K, Verhulst S, Van Gaal L, Van Hul W. Copy number variation (CNV) analysis and mutation analysis of the 6q14.1-6q16.3 genes SIM1 and MRAP2 in Prader Willi like patients. Mol Genet Metab 2016; 117:383-8. [PMID: 26795956 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), caused by a paternal defect on 15q11.2-q13, is the most common form of syndromic obesity. However, patients clinically diagnosed with PWS do not always show this defect on chromosome 15q and are therefore molecularly categorized as Prader Willi like (PWL). Deletions at 6q14.1-q16.3 encompassing MRAP2 and SIM1 were reported in some individuals with a PWL phenotype. In addition, a few mutations in SIM1 and MRAP2 were also previously identified in cohorts of obese individuals. Therefore, we decided to perform copy number variation analysis of the 6q14.1-6q16.3 region followed by mutation analysis of SIM1 and MRAP2 in a PWL cohort. METHODS A genome-wide microarray analysis was performed in a group of 109 PWL patients. Next, we screened 94 PWL patients for mutations in SIM1 and MRAP2 using high-resolution melting curve analysis and Sanger sequencing. Additionally, 363 obese children and adolescents were screened for mutations in MRAP2. RESULTS No gene harboring deletions were identified at the 6q14.1-q16.3 region in the 109 PWL patients. SIM1 mutation analysis resulted in the identification of one very rare nonsynonymous variant p.P352S (rs3734354). Another rare nonsynonymous variant, p.A40S, was detected in the MRAP2 gene. No variants were identified in the 363 obese individuals. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to literature reports, no gene harboring deletions were identified in the SIM1 and MRAP2 regions in our PWL cohort. Secondly, taking into account their very low minor allele frequencies in public sequencing databases and the results of in silico prediction programs, further functional analysis of p.P352S found in SIM1 and p.A40S found in MRAP2 is useful. This would provide further support for a possible role of SIM1 and MRAP2 in the pathogenesis of the PWL phenotype albeit in a limited number of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Geets
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Doreen Zegers
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sigri Beckers
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Verrijken
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Massa
- Department of Pediatrics, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Stijn Verhulst
- Department of Pediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Van Gaal
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Huvenne H, Dubern B, Clément K, Poitou C. Rare Genetic Forms of Obesity: Clinical Approach and Current Treatments in 2016. Obes Facts 2016; 9:158-73. [PMID: 27241181 PMCID: PMC5644891 DOI: 10.1159/000445061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity results from a synergistic relationship between genes and the environment. The phenotypic expression of genetic factors involved in obesity is variable, allowing to distinguish several clinical pictures of obesity. Monogenic obesity is described as rare and severe early-onset obesity with abnormal feeding behavior and endocrine disorders. This is mainly due to autosomal recessive mutations in genes of the leptin-melanocortin pathway which plays a key role in the hypothalamic control of food intake. Melanocortin 4 receptor(MC4R)-linked obesity is characterized by the variable severity of obesity and no notable additional phenotypes. Mutations in the MC4R gene are involved in 2-3% of obese children and adults; the majority of these are heterozygous. Syndromic obesity is associated with mental retardation, dysmorphic features, and organ-specific developmental abnormalities. Additional genes participating in the development of hypothalamus and central nervous system have been regularly identified. But to date, not all involved genes have been identified so far. New diagnostic tools, such as whole-exome sequencing, will probably help to identify other genes. Managing these patients is challenging. Indeed, specific treatments are available only for specific types of monogenic obesity, such as leptin deficiency. Data on bariatric surgery are limited and controversial. New molecules acting on the leptin-melanocortin pathway are currently being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Huvenne
- GHICL, Saint-Vincent de Paul Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Lille, France
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21
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Niwa YS, Niwa R. Transcriptional regulation of insect steroid hormone biosynthesis and its role in controlling timing of molting and metamorphosis. Dev Growth Differ 2015; 58:94-105. [PMID: 26667894 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The developmental transition from juvenile to adult is often accompanied by many systemic changes in morphology, metabolism, and reproduction. Curiously, both mammalian puberty and insect metamorphosis are triggered by a pulse of steroid hormones, which can harmonize gene expression profiles in the body and thus orchestrate drastic biological changes. However, understanding of how the timing of steroid hormone biosynthesis is regulated at the molecular level is poor. The principal insect steroid hormone, ecdysteroid, is biosynthesized from dietary cholesterol in the specialized endocrine organ called the prothoracic gland. The periodic pulses of ecdysteroid titers determine the timing of molting and metamorphosis. To date, at least nine families of ecdysteroidogenic enzyme genes have been identified. Expression levels of these genes correlate well with ecdysteroid titers, indicating that the transcriptional regulatory network plays a critical role in regulating the ecdysteroid biosynthesis pathway. In this article, we summarize the transcriptional regulation of ecdysteroid biosynthesis. We first describe the development of prothoracic gland cells during Drosophila embryogenesis, and then provide an overview of the transcription factors that act in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and signaling. We also discuss the external signaling pathways that target these transcriptional regulators. Furthermore, we describe conserved and/or diverse aspects of steroid hormone biosynthesis in insect species as well as vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko S Niwa
- Life Science Center, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Saitama, Japan
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22
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Desch L, Marle N, Mosca-Boidron AL, Faivre L, Eliade M, Payet M, Ragon C, Thevenon J, Aral B, Ragot S, Ardalan A, Dhouibi N, Bensignor C, Thauvin-Robinet C, El Chehadeh S, Callier P. 6q16.3q23.3 duplication associated with Prader-Willi-like syndrome. Mol Cytogenet 2015; 8:42. [PMID: 26110021 PMCID: PMC4479069 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-015-0151-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by hypotonia, delayed neuropsychomotor development, overeating, obesity and mental deficiency. This phenotype is encountered in other conditions, defining Prader-Willi-like syndrome (PWLS). CASE PRESENTATION We report a 14-year-old boy with a complex small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) associated with PWLS. The propositus presents clinical features commonly found in patients with PWLS, including growth hormone deficit. Banding karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed a marker derived from chromosome 6 and a neocentromere as suspected, but array-CGH enabled us to characterize this marker as a der(10)t(6;10)(6qter → 6q23.3::10p11.1 → 10p11.21)dn. As far as we know, this is the first diagnosed case of PWLS associated with a complex sSMC, involving a 30.9 Mb gain in the 6q16.3q23.3 region and a 3.5 Mb gain in the 10p11.21p11.1 region. Several genes have been mapped to the 6q region including the TCBA1 gene, which is associated with developmental delay and recurrent infections, the ENPP1 gene, associated with insulin resistance and susceptibility to obesity and the BMIQ3 gene, associated with body mass index (BMI). No OMIM gene was found in the smallest 10p11.21p11.1 region. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the duplicated chromosome segment 6q16.3q23.3 may be responsible for the phenotype of our case and may also be a candidate locus of PWLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Desch
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Nathalie Marle
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | | | - Laurence Faivre
- />Centre de référence maladies rares « anomalies du développement et syndromes malformatifs » de l’Est, Centre de Génétique, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Marie Eliade
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Muriel Payet
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Clemence Ragon
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Julien Thevenon
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Bernard Aral
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Sylviane Ragot
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | | | | | | | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- />Centre de référence maladies rares « anomalies du développement et syndromes malformatifs » de l’Est, Centre de Génétique, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Salima El Chehadeh
- />Centre de référence maladies rares « anomalies du développement et syndromes malformatifs » de l’Est, Centre de Génétique, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Patrick Callier
- />Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
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Incomplete penetrance and phenotypic variability of 6q16 deletions including SIM1. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:1010-8. [PMID: 25351778 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
6q16 deletions have been described in patients with a Prader-Willi-like (PWS-like) phenotype. Recent studies have shown that certain rare single-minded 1 (SIM1) loss-of-function variants were associated with a high intra-familial risk for obesity with or without features of PWS-like syndrome. Although SIM1 seems to have a key role in the phenotype of patients carrying 6q16 deletions, some data support a contribution of other genes, such as GRIK2, to explain associated behavioural problems. We describe 15 new patients in whom de novo 6q16 deletions were characterised by comparative genomic hybridisation or single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis, including the first patient with fetopathological data. This fetus showed dysmorphic facial features, cerebellar and cerebral migration defects with neuronal heterotopias, and fusion of brain nuclei. The size of the deletion in the 14 living patients ranged from 1.73 to 7.84 Mb, and the fetus had the largest deletion (14 Mb). Genotype-phenotype correlations confirmed the major role for SIM1 haploinsufficiency in obesity and the PWS-like phenotype. Nevertheless, only 8 of 13 patients with SIM1 deletion exhibited obesity, in agreement with incomplete penetrance of SIM1 haploinsufficiency. This study in the largest series reported to date confirms that the PWS-like phenotype is strongly linked to 6q16.2q16.3 deletions and varies considerably in its clinical expression. The possible involvement of other genes in the 6q16.2q16.3-deletion phenotype is discussed.
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24
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Danielsen ET, Moeller ME, Dorry E, Komura-Kawa T, Fujimoto Y, Troelsen JT, Herder R, O'Connor MB, Niwa R, Rewitz KF. Transcriptional control of steroid biosynthesis genes in the Drosophila prothoracic gland by ventral veins lacking and knirps. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004343. [PMID: 24945799 PMCID: PMC4063667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Specialized endocrine cells produce and release steroid hormones that govern development, metabolism and reproduction. In order to synthesize steroids, all the genes in the biosynthetic pathway must be coordinately turned on in steroidogenic cells. In Drosophila, the steroid producing endocrine cells are located in the prothoracic gland (PG) that releases the steroid hormone ecdysone. The transcriptional regulatory network that specifies the unique PG specific expression pattern of the ecdysone biosynthetic genes remains unknown. Here, we show that two transcription factors, the POU-domain Ventral veins lacking (Vvl) and the nuclear receptor Knirps (Kni), have essential roles in the PG during larval development. Vvl is highly expressed in the PG during embryogenesis and is enriched in the gland during larval development, suggesting that Vvl might function as a master transcriptional regulator in this tissue. Vvl and Kni bind to PG specific cis-regulatory elements that are required for expression of the ecdysone biosynthetic genes. Knock down of either vvl or kni in the PG results in a larval developmental arrest due to failure in ecdysone production. Furthermore, Vvl and Kni are also required for maintenance of TOR/S6K and prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) signaling in the PG, two major pathways that control ecdysone biosynthesis and PG cell growth. We also show that the transcriptional regulator, Molting defective (Mld), controls early biosynthetic pathway steps. Our data show that Vvl and Kni directly regulate ecdysone biosynthesis by transcriptional control of biosynthetic gene expression and indirectly by affecting PTTH and TOR/S6K signaling. This provides new insight into the regulatory network of transcription factors involved in the coordinated regulation of steroidogenic cell specific transcription, and identifies a new function of Vvl and Knirps in endocrine cells during post-embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morten E. Moeller
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elad Dorry
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tatsuya Komura-Kawa
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fujimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jesper T. Troelsen
- Department of Science, Systems and Models, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rachel Herder
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael B. O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- PRESTO, JST, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kim F. Rewitz
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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25
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Kim MJ, Oksenberg N, Hoffmann TJ, Vaisse C, Ahituv N. Functional characterization of SIM1-associated enhancers. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:1700-8. [PMID: 24203700 PMCID: PMC3943516 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the single-minded homology 1 (SIM1) gene in humans and mice leads to severe obesity, suggesting that altered expression of SIM1, by way of regulatory elements such as enhancers, could predispose individuals to obesity. Here, we identified transcriptional enhancers that could regulate SIM1, using comparative genomics coupled with zebrafish and mouse transgenic enhancer assays. Owing to the dual role of Sim1 in hypothalamic development and in adult energy homeostasis, the enhancer activity of these sequences was annotated from embryonic to adult age. Of the seventeen tested sequences, two SIM1 candidate enhancers (SCE2 and SCE8) were found to have brain-enhancer activity in zebrafish. Both SCE2 and SCE8 also exhibited embryonic brain-enhancer expression in mice, and time course analysis of SCE2 activity showed overlapping expression with Sim1 from embryonic to adult age, notably in the hypothalamus in adult mice. Using a deletion series, we identified the critical region in SCE2 that is needed for enhancer activity in the developing brain. Sequencing this region in obese and lean cohorts revealed a higher prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were unique to obese individuals, with one variant reducing developmental-enhancer activity in zebrafish. In summary, we have characterized two brain enhancers in the SIM1 locus and identified a set of obesity-specific SNPs within one of them, which may predispose individuals to obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee J. Kim
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Institute for Human Genetics
| | - Nir Oksenberg
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Institute for Human Genetics
| | - Thomas J. Hoffmann
- Institute for Human Genetics
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and
| | - Christian Vaisse
- Institute for Human Genetics
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nadav Ahituv
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Institute for Human Genetics
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