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Lin NH, Jian WS, Snider N, Perng MD. Glial fibrillary acidic protein is pathologically modified in Alexander disease. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107402. [PMID: 38782207 PMCID: PMC11259701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe pathological events potentially involved in the disease pathogenesis of Alexander disease (AxD). This is a primary genetic disorder of astrocyte caused by dominant gain-of-function mutations in the gene coding for an intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Pathologically, this disease is characterized by the upregulation of GFAP and its accumulation as Rosenthal fibers. Although the genetic basis linking GFAP mutations with Alexander disease has been firmly established, the initiating events that promote GFAP accumulation and the role of Rosenthal fibers (RFs) in the disease process remain unknown. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that disease-associated mutations promote GFAP aggregation through aberrant posttranslational modifications. We found high molecular weight GFAP species in the RFs of AxD brains, indicating abnormal GFAP crosslinking as a prominent pathological feature of this disease. In vitro and cell-based studies demonstrate that cystine-generating mutations promote GFAP crosslinking by cysteine-dependent oxidation, resulting in defective GFAP assembly and decreased filament solubility. Moreover, we found GFAP was ubiquitinated in RFs of AxD patients and rodent models, supporting this modification as a critical factor linked to GFAP aggregation. Finally, we found that arginine could increase the solubility of aggregation-prone mutant GFAP by decreasing its ubiquitination and aggregation. Our study suggests a series of pathogenic events leading to AxD, involving interplay between GFAP aggregation and abnormal modifications by GFAP ubiquitination and oxidation. More important, our findings provide a basis for investigating new strategies to treat AxD by targeting abnormal GFAP modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Syuan Jian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Natasha Snider
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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2
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Alexander AL, Lim SY, Massingham LJ, Phillips O, Chambers MK, Donahue JE. Authors' response to: "Alexander disease genetics: Beyond GFAP exon sequencing?". J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 83:67-68. [PMID: 37990770 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Alexander
- Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Swee Yang Lim
- Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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3
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Cypers G. Alexander disease genetics: Beyond GFAP exon sequencing? J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 83:65-66. [PMID: 37990643 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gert Cypers
- Department of Neurology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis Campus Aalst, Aalst, Belgium
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4
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Anis S, Fay-Karmon T, Lassman S, Shbat F, Lesman-Segev O, Mor N, Barel O, Dominissini D, Chorin O, Pras E, Greenbaum L, Hassin-Baer S. Adult-onset Alexander disease among patients of Jewish Syrian descent. Neurogenetics 2023; 24:303-310. [PMID: 37658208 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-023-00732-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare autosomal dominant leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations in the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene. The age of symptoms onset ranges from infancy to adulthood, with variable clinical and radiological manifestations. Adult-onset AxD manifests as a chronic and progressive condition, characterized by bulbar, motor, cerebellar, and other clinical signs and symptoms. Neuroradiological findings typically involve the brainstem and cervical spinal cord. Adult-onset AxD has been described in diverse populations but is rare in Israel. We present a series of patients diagnosed with adult-onset AxD from three families, all of Jewish Syrian descent. Five patients (4 females) were diagnosed with adult-onset AxD due to the heterozygous mutation c.219G > A, p.Met73Ile in GFAP. Age at symptoms onset ranged from 48 to 61 years. Clinical characteristics were typical and involved progressive bulbar and gait disturbance, followed by pyramidal and cerebellar impairment, dysautonomia, and cognitive decline. Imaging findings included medullary and cervical spinal atrophy and mostly infratentorial white matter hyperintensities. A newly recognized cluster of adult-onset AxD in Jews of Syrian origin is presented. This disorder should be considered in differential diagnosis in appropriate circumstances. Genetic counselling for family members is required in order to discuss options for future family planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saar Anis
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsvia Fay-Karmon
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simon Lassman
- St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
- Arrow Project for Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Fadi Shbat
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Orit Lesman-Segev
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Nofar Mor
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ortal Barel
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan Dominissini
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Odelia Chorin
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Rare Diseases, Lily and Edmond Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Elon Pras
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Lior Greenbaum
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Sharon Hassin-Baer
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Alexander AL, Lim SY, Massingham LJ, Phillips O, Chambers MK, Donahue JE. Pathologic Alexander Disease with Normal GFAP Sequencing: An Autopsy Case Report and Literature Review. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2022; 81:1033-1036. [PMID: 36137250 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Alexander
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Swee Yang Lim
- Department of Neurology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Oliver Phillips
- Department of Neurology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - John E Donahue
- Division of Neuropathology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Heshmatzad K, Naderi N, Masoumi T, Pouraliakbar H, Kalayinia S. Identification of a novel de novo pathogenic variant in GFAP in an Iranian family with Alexander disease by whole-exome sequencing. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:174. [PMID: 36088400 PMCID: PMC9464415 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00799-5] [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: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare leukodystrophy with an autosomal dominant inheritance mode. Variants in GFAP lead to this disorder and it is classified into three distinguishable subgroups: infantile, juvenile, and adult-onset types. Objective The aim of this study is to report a novel variant causing AxD and collect all the associated variants with juvenile and adult-onset as well. Methods We report a 2-year-old female with infantile AxD. All relevant clinical and genetic data were evaluated. Search strategy for all AxD types was performed on PubMed. The extracted data include total recruited patients, number of patients carrying a GFAP variant, nucleotide and protein change, zygosity and all the clinical symptoms. Results A novel de novo variant c.217A > G: p. Met73Val was found in our case by whole-exome sequencing. In silico analysis categorized this variant as pathogenic. Totally 377 patients clinically diagnosed with juvenile or adult-onset forms were recruited in these articles, among them 212 patients were affected with juvenile or adult-onset form carrier of an alteration in GFAP. A total of 98 variants were collected. Among these variants c.262C > T 11/212 (5.18%), c.1246C > T 9/212 (4.24%), c.827G > T 8/212 (3.77%), c.232G > A 6/212 (2.83%) account for the majority of reported variants. Conclusion This study highlighted the role of genetic in AxD diagnosing. It also helps to provide more information in order to expand the genetic spectrum of Iranian patients with AxD. Our literature review is beneficial in defining a better genotype–phenotype correlation of AxD disorder.
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Yang AW, Lin NH, Yeh TH, Snider N, Perng MD. Effects of Alexander disease-associated mutations on the assembly and organization of GFAP intermediate filaments. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar69. [PMID: 35511821 PMCID: PMC9635275 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-01-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease is a primary genetic disorder of astrocytes caused by dominant mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). How single-amino-acid changes can lead to cytoskeletal catastrophe and brain degeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, we have analyzed 14 missense mutations located in the GFAP rod domain to investigate how these mutations affect in vitro filament assembly. Whereas the internal rod mutants assembled into filaments that were shorter than those of wild type, the rod end mutants formed structures with one or more of several atypical characteristics, including short filament length, irregular width, roughness of filament surface, and filament aggregation. When transduced into primary astrocytes, GFAP mutants with in vitro assembly defects usually formed cytoplasmic aggregates, which were more resistant to biochemical extraction. The resistance of GFAP to solubilization was also observed in brain tissues of patients with Alexander disease, in which a significant proportion of insoluble GFAP were accumulated in Rosenthal fiber fractions. These findings provide clinically relevant evidence that link GFAP assembly defects to disease pathology at the tissue level and suggest that altered filament assembly and properties as a result of GFAP mutation are critical initiating factors for the pathogenesis of Alexander disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Wen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hung Yeh
- Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Natasha Snider
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan,Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan,*Address correspondence to: Ming-Der Perng ()
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8
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Hagemann TL. Alexander disease: models, mechanisms, and medicine. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 72:140-147. [PMID: 34826654 PMCID: PMC8901527 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease is a primary disorder of astrocytes caused by gain-of-function mutations in the gene for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which lead to protein aggregation and a reactive astrocyte response, with devastating effects on the central nervous system. Over the past two decades since the discovery of GFAP as the culprit, several cellular and animal models have been generated, and much has been learned about underlying mechanisms contributing to the disease. Despite these efforts, many aspects of Alexander disease have remained enigmatic, particularly the initiating events in GFAP accumulation and astrocyte pathology, the relation between astrocyte dysfunction and myelin deficits, and the variability in age of onset and disease severity. More recent work in both old and new models has begun to address these complex questions and identify new therapeutics that finally offer the promise of effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L. Hagemann
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705
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van Asperen JV, Robe PA, Hol EM. GFAP Alternative Splicing and the Relevance for Disease – A Focus on Diffuse Gliomas. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221102065. [PMID: 35673702 PMCID: PMC9185002 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221102065] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament protein that is
characteristic for astrocytes and neural stem cells, and their malignant analogues in
glioma. Since the discovery of the protein 50 years ago, multiple alternative splice
variants of the GFAP gene have been discovered, leading to different GFAP isoforms. In
this review, we will describe GFAP isoform expression from gene to protein to network,
taking the canonical isoforms GFAPα and the main alternative variant GFAPδ as the starting
point. We will discuss the relevance of studying GFAP and its isoforms in disease, with a
specific focus on diffuse gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessy V. van Asperen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre A.J.T. Robe
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Grossi A, Morelli F, Di Duca M, Caroli F, Moroni I, Tonduti D, Bachetti T, Ceccherini I. Parental Somatic Mosaicism Uncovers Inheritance of an Apparently De Novo GFAP Mutation. Front Genet 2021; 12:744068. [PMID: 34950187 PMCID: PMC8688950 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.744068] [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: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease is a leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations of GFAP gene. Recurrence in siblings from healthy parents provides a confirmation to the transmission of variants through germinal mosaicism. With the use of DNA isolated from peripheral blood, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of GFAP locus was performed with deep coverage (≥500×) in 11 probands and their parents (trios) with probands heterozygous for apparently de novo GFAP mutations. Indeed, one parent had somatic mosaicism, estimated in the range of 8.9%–16%, for the mutant allele transmitted to the affected sibling. Parental germline mosaicism deserves attention, as it is critical in assessing the risk of recurrence in families with Alexander disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Grossi
- UOSD Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Morelli
- UOSD Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Di Duca
- Laboratory of Molecular Nephrology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Caroli
- UOSD Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Moroni
- Department of Pediatric Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Tonduti
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology - C.O.A.L.A (Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies), V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- UOSD Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Laboratory of Developmental Neuro-Biology, DISTAV, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- UOSD Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Amano E, Yoshida T, Mizuta I, Oyama J, Sakashita S, Ueyama S, Machida A, Yokota T. Activation of a Cryptic Splice Site of GFAP in a Patient With Adult-Onset Alexander Disease. NEUROLOGY-GENETICS 2021; 7:e626. [PMID: 34611548 PMCID: PMC8488758 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective Alexander disease (ALXDRD) is an autosomal dominant neurologic disorder caused by mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene and is pathologically defined by Rosenthal fiber accumulation. Most mutations are exonic missense mutations, and splice site mutations are rare. We report a very-late-onset autopsied case of adult-onset ALXDRD with a novel splice site mutation. Methods Genetic testing of GFAP was performed by Sanger sequencing. Using autopsied brain tissues, GFAP transcript analysis was performed. Results The patient presented mild upper motor neuron symptoms in contrast to the severe atrophy of spinal cord and medulla oblongata. The patient had c.619-1G>A mutation, which is located in the canonical splice acceptor site of intron 3. The brain RNA analysis identified the r.619_621del (p.Glu207del) mutation, which is explained by the activation of the cryptic splice acceptor site in the second and third nucleotides from the 5′ end of the exon 4. Discussion GFAP gene expression analysis is necessary to clarify the effects of intronic mutations on splicing, even if they are in canonical splice sites. This case showed a much milder phenotype than those in previous cases with missense mutations at Glu207, thereby expanding the clinical spectrum of ALXDRD with Glu207 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichiro Amano
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomokatsu Yoshida
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ikuko Mizuta
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jun Oyama
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shingo Sakashita
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Syunsuke Ueyama
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akira Machida
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takanori Yokota
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (E.A., T. Yokota); Department of Neurology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (E.A., A.M.), Ibaraki; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (T. Yoshida, I.M.); Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (J.O.); Department of Pathology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.S.), Ibaraki; Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center (S.S.), Chiba; and Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital (S.U.), Ibaraki, Japan
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12
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Heshmatzad K, Haghi Panah M, Tavasoli AR, Ashrafi MR, Mahdieh N, Rabbani B. GFAP variants leading to infantile Alexander disease: Phenotype and genotype analysis of 135 cases and report of a de novo variant. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 207:106754. [PMID: 34146839 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder due to GFAP mutations; infantile AxD is the most common severe form which usually results in death. In this study, phenotype and genotype analysis of all reported cases with IAxD are reported as well as a de novo variant. METHODS We conduct a comprehensive review on all reported Infantile AxD due to GFAP mutation. Clinical data and genetics of the reported patients were analyzed. Clinical evaluations, pedigree drawing, MRI and sequencing of GFAP were performed. RESULTS 135 patients clinically diagnosed with IAxD had GFAP mutations. A total of fifty three variants of GFAP were determined; 19 of them were located at 1A domain. The four common prevalent variants (c 0.715C>T, c 0.236G˃A, c 0.716G˃A, and c 0.235C˃T) were responsible for 64/135 (47.4%) of the patients. Seizure was the dominant clinical symptom (62.3%) followed by macrocephaly (41%), developmental delay (23.9%) and spasticity (23.9%). A de novo variant c 0.715C˃T was found in the presented Iranian case. DISCUSSION The majority of GFAP variant are located in a specific domain of the protein. Seizure as the most common symptom of IAxD could be considered. This study highlighted the role of genetic testing for diagnosing AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katayoun Heshmatzad
- Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahya Haghi Panah
- Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Tavasoli
- Myelin Disorders Clinic, Pediatric Neurology Division, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Ashrafi
- Myelin Disorders Clinic, Pediatric Neurology Division, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nejat Mahdieh
- Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cardiogenetic Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahareh Rabbani
- Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran.
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Does genetic anticipation occur in familial Alexander disease? Neurogenetics 2021; 22:215-219. [PMID: 34046764 PMCID: PMC8241638 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-021-00642-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alexander Disease (AxD) is a rare leukodystrophy caused by missense mutations of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Primarily seen in infants and juveniles, it can present in adulthood. We report a family with inherited AxD in which the mother presented with symptoms many years after her daughter. We reviewed the age of onset in all published cases of familial AxD and found that 32 of 34 instances of parent–offspring pairs demonstrated an earlier age of onset in offspring compared to the parent. We suggest that genetic anticipation occurs in familial AxD and speculate that genetic mosaicism could explain this phenomenon.
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Abstract
Alexander disease (ALXDRD) is a primary astrocyte disease caused by GFAP gene mutation. The clinical features of ALXDRD vary from infantile-onset cerebral white matter involvement to adult-onset brainstem involvement. Several studies revealed that the level of GFAP overexpression is correlated with disease severity, and basic research on therapies to reduce abnormal GFAP accumulation has recently been published. Therefore, the accumulation of clinical data to advance understanding of the natural history is essential for clinical trials expected in the future. This review focuses on the clinical characteristics of ALXDRD including the clinical symptoms, imaging findings and genetics to provide diagnostic information useful in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokatsu Yoshida
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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15
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Yoshida T. [Clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria on Alexander disease]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2020; 60:581-588. [PMID: 32779598 DOI: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.cn-001442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Alexander disease (ALXDRD) is a primary astrocyte disease caused by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene mutation. ALXDRD had been clinically regarded as a cerebral white matter disease that affects only children for about 50 years since the initial report in 1949; however, in the early part of the 21st century, case reports of adult-onset ALXDRD with medulla and spinal cord lesions increased. Basic research on therapies to reduce abnormal GFAP accumulation, such as drug-repositioning and antisense oligonucleotide suppression, has recently been published. The accumulation of clinical data to advance understanding of natural history is essential for clinical trials expected in the future. In this review, I classified ALXDRD into two subtypes: early-onset and late-onset, and detail the clinical symptoms, imaging findings, and genetic characteristics as well as the epidemiology and historical changes in the clinical classification described in the literature. The diagnostic criteria based on Japanese ALXDRD patients that are useful in daily clinical practice are also mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokatsu Yoshida
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
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Helman G, Takanohashi A, Hagemann TL, Perng MD, Walkiewicz M, Woidill S, Sase S, Cross Z, Du Y, Zhao L, Waldman A, Haake BC, Fatemi A, Brenner M, Sherbini O, Messing A, Vanderver A, Simons C. Type II Alexander disease caused by splicing errors and aberrant overexpression of an uncharacterized GFAP isoform. Hum Mutat 2020; 41:1131-1137. [PMID: 32126152 PMCID: PMC7491703 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alexander disease results from gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). At least eight GFAP isoforms have been described, however, the predominant alpha isoform accounts for ∼90% of GFAP protein. We describe exonic variants identified in three unrelated families with Type II Alexander disease that alter the splicing of GFAP pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) and result in the upregulation of a previously uncharacterized GFAP lambda isoform (NM_001363846.1). Affected members of Family 1 and Family 2 shared the same missense variant, NM_001363846.1:c.1289G>A;p.(Arg430His) while in Family 3 we identified a synonymous variant in the adjacent nucleotide, NM_001363846.1:c.1290C>A;p.(Arg430Arg). Using RNA and protein analysis of brain autopsy samples, and a mini-gene splicing reporter assay, we demonstrate both variants result in the upregulation of the lambda isoform. Our approach demonstrates the importance of characterizing the effect of GFAP variants on mRNA splicing to inform future pathophysiologic and therapeutic study for Alexander disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Helman
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Asako Takanohashi
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ming D. Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Marzena Walkiewicz
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Woidill
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sunetra Sase
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zachary Cross
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yangzhu Du
- Human Immunology Core, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ling Zhao
- Human Immunology Core, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amy Waldman
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ali Fatemi
- Moser Center for Leukodystrophies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Omar Sherbini
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Albee Messing
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA,Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Correspondence to: Adeline Vanderver: , Cas Simons:
| | - Cas Simons
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia,Correspondence to: Adeline Vanderver: , Cas Simons:
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Abstract
Background Alexander disease is caused by dominantly acting mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the major intermediate filament of astrocytes in the central nervous system. Main body In addition to the sequence variants that represent the origin of disease, GFAP accumulation also takes place, together leading to a gain-of-function that has sometimes been referred to as “GFAP toxicity.” Whether the nature of GFAP toxicity in patients, who have mixtures of both mutant and normal protein, is the same as that produced by simple GFAP excess, is not yet clear. Conclusion The implications of these questions for the design of effective treatments are discussed.
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Heaven MR, Wilson L, Barnes S, Brenner M. Relative stabilities of wild-type and mutant glial fibrillary acidic protein in patients with Alexander disease. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15604-15612. [PMID: 31484723 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is an often fatal astrogliopathy caused by dominant gain-of-function missense mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. The mechanism by which the mutations produce the AxD phenotype is not known. However, the observation that features of AxD are displayed by mice that express elevated levels of GFAP from a human WT GFAP transgene has contributed to the notion that the mutations produce AxD by increasing accumulation of total GFAP above some toxic threshold rather than the mutant GFAP being inherently toxic. A possible mechanism for accumulation of GFAP in AxD patients is that the mutated GFAP variants are more stable than the WT, an attribution abetted by observations that GFAP complexes containing GFAP variants are more resistant to solvent extraction. Here we tested this hypothesis by determining the relative levels of WT and mutant GFAP in three individuals with AxD, each of whom carried a common but different GFAP mutation (R79C, R239H, or R416W). Mass spectrometry analysis identified a peptide specific to the mutant or WT GFAP in each patient, and we quantified this peptide by comparing its signal to that of an added [15N]GFAP standard. In all three individuals, the level of mutant GFAP was less than that of the WT. This finding suggests that AxD onset is due to an intrinsic toxicity of the mutant GFAP instead of it acting indirectly by being more stable than WT GFAP and thereby increasing the total GFAP level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Heaven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Landon Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Abstract
Alexander disease is a rare and generally fatal disorder of the central nervous system, originally defined by the distinctive neuropathology consisting of abundant Rosenthal fibers within the cytoplasm and processes of astrocytes. More recently, mutations in GFAP, encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein, the major intermediate filament protein of astrocytes, have been identified in nearly all patients. No other genetic causes have yet been identified. The precise mechanisms by which mutations lead to disease are poorly understood. Despite the genetic homogeneity, there are a wide range of clinical phenotypes. The genetic issues and the approach to diagnosis are the prime consideration in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albee Messing
- Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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20
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Hol EM, Capetanaki Y. Type III Intermediate Filaments Desmin, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Vimentin, and Peripherin. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:9/12/a021642. [PMID: 29196434 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SummaryType III intermediate filament (IF) proteins assemble into cytoplasmic homopolymeric and heteropolymeric filaments with other type III and some type IV IFs. These highly dynamic structures form an integral component of the cytoskeleton of muscle, brain, and mesenchymal cells. Here, we review the current ideas on the role of type III IFs in health and disease. It turns out that they not only offer resilience to mechanical strains, but, most importantly, they facilitate very efficiently the integration of cell structure and function, thus providing the necessary scaffolds for optimal cellular responses upon biochemical stresses and protecting against cell death, disease, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yassemi Capetanaki
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
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21
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Sirerol-Piquer MS, Durán-Moreno M, García-Verdugo JM, Matias-Guiu J. Alexander Disease Mutations Produce Cells with Coexpression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and NG2 in Neurosphere Cultures and Inhibit Differentiation into Mature Oligodendrocytes. Front Neurol 2017; 8:255. [PMID: 28634469 PMCID: PMC5459916 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The disease is characterized by presence of GFAP aggregates in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and loss of myelin. OBJECTIVES Determine the effect of AxD-related mutations on adult neurogenesis. METHODS We transfected different types of mutant GFAP into neurospheres using the nucleofection technique. RESULTS We find that mutations may cause coexpression of GFAP and NG2 in neurosphere cultures, which would inhibit the differentiation of precursors into oligodendrocytes and thus explain the myelin loss occurring in the disease. Transfection produces cells that differentiate into new cells marked simultaneously by GFAP and NG2 and whose percentage increased over days of differentiation. Increased expression of GFAP is due to a protein with an anomalous structure that forms aggregates throughout the cytoplasm of new cells. These cells display down-expression of vimentin and nestin. Up-expression of cathepsin D and caspase-3 in the first days of differentiation suggest that apoptosis as a lysosomal response may be at work. HSP27, a protein found in Rosenthal bodies, is expressed less at the beginning of the process although its presence increases in later stages. CONCLUSION Our findings seem to suggest that the mechanism of development of AxD may not be due to a function gain due to increase of GFAP, but to failure in the differentiation process may occur at the stage in which precursor cells transform into oligodendrocytes, and that possibility may provide the best explanation for the clinical and radiological images described in AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulises Gómez-Pinedo
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Neuroscience Institute, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Salomé Sirerol-Piquer
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Durán-Moreno
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Matias-Guiu
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Neuroscience Institute, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Lin NH, Huang YS, Opal P, Goldman RD, Messing A, Perng MD. The role of gigaxonin in the degradation of the glial-specific intermediate filament protein GFAP. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:3980-3990. [PMID: 27798231 PMCID: PMC5156539 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-06-0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a primary genetic disorder of astrocytes caused by dominant mutations in the gene encoding the intermediate filament (IF) protein GFAP. This disease is characterized by excessive accumulation of GFAP, known as Rosenthal fibers, within astrocytes. Abnormal GFAP aggregation also occurs in giant axon neuropathy (GAN), which is caused by recessive mutations in the gene encoding gigaxonin. Given that one of the functions of gigaxonin is to facilitate proteasomal degradation of several IF proteins, we sought to determine whether gigaxonin is involved in the degradation of GFAP. Using a lentiviral transduction system, we demonstrated that gigaxonin levels influence the degradation of GFAP in primary astrocytes and in cell lines that express this IF protein. Gigaxonin was similarly involved in the degradation of some but not all AxD-associated GFAP mutants. In addition, gigaxonin directly bound to GFAP, and inhibition of proteasome reversed the clearance of GFAP in cells achieved by overexpressing gigaxonin. These studies identify gigaxonin as an important factor that targets GFAP for degradation through the proteasome pathway. Our findings provide a critical foundation for future studies aimed at reducing or reversing pathological accumulation of GFAP as a potential therapeutic strategy for AxD and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Albee Messing
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705.,Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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Heaven MR, Flint D, Randall SM, Sosunov AA, Wilson L, Barnes S, Goldman JE, Muddiman DC, Brenner M. Composition of Rosenthal Fibers, the Protein Aggregate Hallmark of Alexander Disease. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:2265-82. [PMID: 27193225 PMCID: PMC5036859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by astrocytic protein aggregates called Rosenthal fibers (RFs). We used mouse models of AxD to determine the protein composition of RFs to obtain information about disease mechanisms including the hypothesis that sequestration of proteins in RFs contributes to disease. A method was developed for RF enrichment, and analysis of the resulting fraction using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation mass spectrometry identified 77 proteins not previously associated with RFs. Three of five proteins selected for follow-up were confirmed enriched in the RF fraction by immunobloting of both the AxD mouse models and human patients: receptor for activated protein C kinase 1 (RACK1), G1/S-specific cyclin D2, and ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X. Immunohistochemistry validated cyclin D2 as a new RF component, but results for RACK1 and DDX3X were equivocal. None of these was decreased in the non-RF fractions compared to controls. A similar result was obtained for the previously known RF component, alphaB-crystallin, which had been a candidate for sequestration. Thus, no support was obtained for the sequestration hypothesis for AxD. Providing possible insight into disease progression, the association of several of the RF proteins with stress granules suggests a role for stress granules in the origin of RFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Heaven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Daniel Flint
- Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Shan M. Randall
- Keck Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | | | - Landon Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - James E. Goldman
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032
| | - David C. Muddiman
- Keck Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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24
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Ferreira MC, Dorboz I, Rodriguez D, Boespflug Tanguy O. Screening for GFAP rearrangements in a cohort of Alexander disease and undetermined leukoencephalopathy patients. Eur J Med Genet 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Wrzosek M, Giza E, Płonek M, Podgórski P, Vandevelde M. Alexander disease in a dog: case presentation of electrodiagnostic, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings with review of literature. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:115. [PMID: 25985984 PMCID: PMC4448536 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alexander disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that has not often been described in dogs. None of the existing descriptions include electrodiagnostic or magnetic resonance imaging workup. This is the first presentation of the results of an electrodiagnostic evaluation including electromyography, motor nerve conduction velocity, F-wave, the brainstem auditory evoked response and magnetic resonance imaging of a dog with Alexander disease. Case presentation A six month old male entire Bernese mountain dog was presented with central nervous system symptoms of generalized tremor, general stiffness, decreased proprioceptive positioning, a reduced menace response, decreased physiological nystagmus, myotonic spasms and increased spinal reflexes which progressed to lateral recumbency. The electromyography revealed normal muscle activity and a decreased motor nerve conduction velocity, temporal dispersion of the compound muscle action potential, prolonged F-wave minimal latency, lowered F-ratio, decreased latency, and lowered amplitude of the brainstem auditory evoked potentials. The magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed ventriculomegaly and linear hyperintensity on the border of the cortical grey and white matter. The histopathological examination confirmed the presence of diffuse degenerative changes of the white matter throughout the neuraxis. A proliferation of abnormal astrocytes was found at the border between the white matter and cortex. There was also a massive accumulation of eosinophilic Rosenthal fibers as well as diffuse proliferation of abnormally large astrocytes and unaffected neurons. Conclusion This is the first histopathologically confirmed case of Alexander disease in a dog with a full neurological workup. The results of the electrodiagnostic and magnetic resonance imaging examinations allow for a high-probability antemortem diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disorder in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Wrzosek
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Giza
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Marta Płonek
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Podgórski
- Department of General and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Borowska 213, 50-556, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Marc Vandevelde
- NeuroCenter, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse 109A, 3001, Berne, Switzerland.
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26
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Brenner M, Messing A. A new mutation in GFAP widens the spectrum of Alexander disease. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:1-2. [PMID: 24961628 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brenner
- M Brenner is at the Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Albee Messing
- M Brenner is at the Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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27
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Identification of a novel nonsense mutation in the rod domain of GFAP that is associated with Alexander disease. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:72-8. [PMID: 24755947 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Revised: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is an astrogliopathy that primarily affects the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS). AxD is caused by mutations in a gene encoding GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). The GFAP mutations in AxD have been reported to act in a gain-of-function manner partly because the identified mutations generate practically full-length GFAP. We found a novel nonsense mutation (c.1000 G>T, p.(Glu312Ter); also termed p.(E312*)) within a rod domain of GFAP in a 67-year-old Korean man with a history of memory impairment and leukoencephalopathy. This mutation, GFAP p.(E312*), removes part of the 2B rod domain and the whole tail domain from the GFAP. We characterized GFAP p.(E312*) using western blotting, in vitro assembly and sedimentation assay, and transient transfection of human adrenal cortex carcinoma SW13 (Vim(+)) cells with plasmids encoding GFAP p.(E312*). The GFAP p.(E312*) protein, either alone or in combination with wild-type GFAP, elicited self-aggregation. In addition, the assembled GFAP p.(E312*) aggregated into paracrystal-like structures, and GFAP p.(E312*) elicited more GFAP aggregation than wild-type GFAP in the human adrenal cortex carcinoma SW13 (Vim(+)) cells. Our findings are the first report, to the best of our knowledge, on this novel nonsense mutation of GFAP that is associated with AxD and paracrystal formation.
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Kanski R, Sneeboer MAM, van Bodegraven EJ, Sluijs JA, Kropff W, Vermunt MW, Creyghton MP, De Filippis L, Vescovi A, Aronica E, van Tijn P, van Strien ME, Hol EM. Histone acetylation in astrocytes suppresses GFAP and stimulates a re-organization of the intermediate filament network. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:4368-80. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.145912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) is the main intermediate filament in astrocytes and is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms during development. We demonstrate that histone acetylation controls GFAP expression also in mature astrocytes. Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) with Trichostatin-A or Sodium-butyrate reduced GFAP expression in primary human astrocytes and astrocytoma cells. Since splicing occurs co-transcriptional, we investigated whether histone acetylation changes the ratio between the canonical isoform GFAPα and the alternative GFAPδ splice-variant. We observed that decreased transcription of GFAP enhanced alternative isoform expression, as HDAC inhibition increased the GFAPδ/α ratio favouring GFAPδ. Expression of GFAPδ was dependent on the presence and binding of the splicing factors of the SR protein family. Inhibition of HDAC activity also resulted in aggregation of the GFAP network, reminiscent to our earlier findings of a GFAPδ-induced network collapse. Together, our data demonstrate that HDAC inhibition results in changes in transcription, splicing, and organization of GFAP. These data imply that a tight regulation of histone acetylation in astrocytes is essential, since dysregulation of gene expression causes aggregation of GFAP, a hallmark of human diseases like Alexander's disease.
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29
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Gao K, Wang CR, Jiang F, Wong AYK, Su N, Jiang JH, Chai RC, Vatcher G, Teng J, Chen J, Jiang YW, Yu ACH. Traumatic scratch injury in astrocytes triggers calcium influx to activate the JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway and switch on GFAP expression. Glia 2013; 61:2063-77. [PMID: 24123203 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte activation is a hallmark of central nervous system injuries resulting in glial scar formation (astrogliosis). The activation of astrocytes involves metabolic and morphological changes with complex underlying mechanisms, which should be defined to provide targets for astrogliosis intervention. Astrogliosis is usually accompanied by an upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Using an in vitro scratch injury model, we scratched primary cultures of cerebral cortical astrocytes and observed an influx of calcium in the form of waves spreading away from the wound through gap junctions. Using the calcium blocker BAPTA-AM and the JNK inhibitor SP600125, we demonstrated that the calcium wave triggered the activation of JNK, which then phosphorylated the transcription factor c-Jun to facilitate the binding of AP-1 to the GFAP gene promoter to switch on GFAP upregulation. Blocking calcium mobilization with BAPTA-AM in an in vivo stab wound model reduced GFAP expression and glial scar formation, showing that the calcium signal, and the subsequent regulation of downstream signaling molecules, plays an essential role in brain injury response. Our findings demonstrated that traumatic scratch injury to astrocytes triggered a calcium influx from the extracellular compartment and activated the JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway to switch on GFAP expression, identifying a previously unreported signaling cascade that is important in astrogliosis and the physiological response following brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Gao
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory for Neuroscience (National Health and Family Planning Commission), Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Effects of a polymorphism in the GFAP promoter on the age of onset and ambulatory disability in late-onset Alexander disease. J Hum Genet 2013; 58:635-8. [PMID: 23903069 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2013.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Most patients with AxD have a de novo dominant missense mutation in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. Patients with late-onset AxD exhibit a more variable onset and severity than patients with early-onset AxD, suggesting the existence of factors that modify the clinical phenotype of late-onset AxD. A -250-bp C/A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the GFAP promoter (rs2070935) in the activator protein-1 binding site is a candidate factor for modification of the clinical phenotype. We analyzed the SNP in 10 patients with late-onset AxD and evaluated the effects of the SNP on the clinical course of late-onset AxD. Three of four cases with the C/C genotype lost the ability to walk in their 30s or 40s, whereas all six cases with the other genotypes retained the ability to walk throughout their 30s. The age of onset in patients with the C/C genotype was significantly earlier than in patients with the other genotypes (P<0.05). A more severe phenotype was observed in the patient in whom the C allele of rs2070935 was in cis with the GFAP mutation compared with the patient in whom the C allele of rs2070935 was in trans with the GFAP mutation. Our investigation revealed the possibility that the C/C genotype at rs2070935 of the GFAP promoter in late-onset AxD was associated with an earlier onset and a more rapid progression of ambulatory disability compared with the other genotypes.
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Melchionda L, Fang M, Wang H, Fugnanesi V, Morbin M, Liu X, Li W, Ceccherini I, Farina L, Savoiardo M, D'Adamo P, Zhang J, Costa A, Ravaglia S, Ghezzi D, Zeviani M. Adult-onset Alexander disease, associated with a mutation in an alternative GFAP transcript, may be phenotypically modulated by a non-neutral HDAC6 variant. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2013; 8:66. [PMID: 23634874 PMCID: PMC3654953 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1172-8-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We studied a family including two half-siblings, sharing the same mother, affected by slowly progressive, adult-onset neurological syndromes. In spite of the diversity of the clinical features, characterized by a mild movement disorder with cognitive impairment in the elder patient, and severe motor-neuron disease (MND) in her half-brother, the brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features were compatible with adult-onset Alexander’s disease (AOAD), suggesting different expression of the same, genetically determined, condition. Methods Since mutations in the alpha isoform of glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP-α, the only cause so far known of AOAD, were excluded, we applied exome Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify gene variants, which were then functionally validated by molecular characterization of recombinant and patient-derived cells. Results Exome-NGS revealed a mutation in a previously neglected GFAP isoform, GFAP-ϵ, which disrupts the GFAP-associated filamentous cytoskeletal meshwork of astrocytoma cells. To shed light on the different clinical features in the two patients, we sought for variants in other genes. The male patient had a mutation, absent in his half-sister, in X-linked histone deacetylase 6, a candidate MND susceptibility gene. Conclusions Exome-NGS is an unbiased approach that not only helps identify new disease genes, but may also contribute to elucidate phenotypic expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Melchionda
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
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