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Pizzano M, Shire S, Shih W, Levato L, Landa R, Lord C, Smith T, Kasari C. Profiles of minimally verbal autistic children: Illuminating the neglected end of the spectrum. Autism Res 2024; 17:1218-1229. [PMID: 38803132 PMCID: PMC11186722 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Heterogeneity among individuals on the autism spectrum is widely acknowledged as a barrier to develop effective interventions. Overcoming this challenge requires characterization of individual differences, especially for children that are minimally verbal and often excluded from research studies. Most studies that describe autistic subgroups identify a single minimally verbal verbal group based on a single identifying measure (e.g., ADOS module one or single item indicating absence of phrase speech). Determining personalized courses of intervention requires a more detailed understanding since a single intervention will not be effective for all who are minimally verbal. The present study identified comprehensive profiles of cognitive, language, and social communication skills within a large, diverse, group of minimally verbal children with autism. The analysis combined baseline data from two studies to yield a sample of 344 participants, who were 3 to 8 years old at the time of study onset, with 60% who identified as having a race/ethnicity other than White. Via latent profile analysis (LPA), a three-group model was identified as best fit to the data. Profile identification was dependent on a participant's combination of cognitive, expressive, and social communication characteristics, rather than a single domain. One group (n = 206) had global delays, while the other two groups (n = 95 and n = 43) had variable strengths in cognition and communication. Findings suggest that low-frequency/minimally verbal communicators with autism have heterogeneous characteristics that can be systematically organized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pizzano
- Department of Psychiatry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Shire
- School of Education, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Wendy Shih
- Department of Psychiatry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lynne Levato
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Landa
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Tristram Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Connie Kasari
- Department of Psychiatry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Education and Information Studies, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
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2
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Passchier EMJ, Bisseling Q, Helman G, van Spaendonk RML, Simons C, Olsthoorn RCL, van der Veen H, Abbink TEM, van der Knaap MS, Min R. Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts: a variant update and review of the literature. Front Genet 2024; 15:1352947. [PMID: 38487253 PMCID: PMC10938252 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1352947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The leukodystrophy megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) is characterized by infantile-onset macrocephaly and chronic edema of the brain white matter. With delayed onset, patients typically experience motor problems, epilepsy and slow cognitive decline. No treatment is available. Classic MLC is caused by bi-allelic recessive pathogenic variants in MLC1 or GLIALCAM (also called HEPACAM). Heterozygous dominant pathogenic variants in GLIALCAM lead to remitting MLC, where patients show a similar phenotype in early life, followed by normalization of white matter edema and no clinical regression. Rare patients with heterozygous dominant variants in GPRC5B and classic MLC were recently described. In addition, two siblings with bi-allelic recessive variants in AQP4 and remitting MLC have been identified. The last systematic overview of variants linked to MLC dates back to 2006. We provide an updated overview of published and novel variants. We report on genetic variants from 508 patients with MLC as confirmed by MRI diagnosis (258 from our database and 250 extracted from 64 published reports). We describe 151 unique MLC1 variants, 29 GLIALCAM variants, 2 GPRC5B variants and 1 AQP4 variant observed in these MLC patients. We include experiments confirming pathogenicity for some variants, discuss particularly notable variants, and provide an overview of recent scientific and clinical insight in the pathophysiology of MLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. J. Passchier
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Quinty Bisseling
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Guy Helman
- Translational Bioinformatics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Cas Simons
- Translational Bioinformatics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Hieke van der Veen
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Truus E. M. Abbink
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marjo S. van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rogier Min
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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3
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Li WK, Zhang SQ, Peng WL, Shi YH, Yuan B, Yuan YT, Xue ZY, Wang JC, Han WJ, Chen ZF, Shan SF, Xue BQ, Chen JL, Zhang C, Zhu SJ, Tai YL, Cheng TL, Qiu ZL. Whole-brain in vivo base editing reverses behavioral changes in Mef2c-mutant mice. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:116-128. [PMID: 38012399 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01499-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-brain genome editing to correct single-base mutations and reduce or reverse behavioral changes in animal models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not yet been achieved. We developed an apolipoprotein B messenger RNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-embedded cytosine base editor (AeCBE) system for converting C·G to T·A base pairs. We demonstrate its effectiveness by targeting AeCBE to an ASD-associated mutation of the MEF2C gene (c.104T>C, p.L35P) in vivo in mice. We first constructed Mef2cL35P heterozygous mice. Male heterozygous mice exhibited hyperactivity, repetitive behavior and social abnormalities. We then programmed AeCBE to edit the mutated C·G base pairs of Mef2c in the mouse brain through the intravenous injection of blood-brain barrier-crossing adeno-associated virus. This treatment successfully restored Mef2c protein levels in several brain regions and reversed the behavioral abnormalities in Mef2c-mutant mice. Our work presents an in vivo base-editing paradigm that could potentially correct single-base genetic mutations in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ke Li
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qian Zhang
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wan-Ling Peng
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Han Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ting Yuan
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jian Han
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Fang Shan
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Qing Xue
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Long Chen
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Jia Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Lin Tai
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Lin Cheng
- Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zi-Long Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital & MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Neuroscience Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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St George-Hyslop F, Haneklaus M, Kivisild T, Livesey FJ. Loss of CNTNAP2 Alters Human Cortical Excitatory Neuron Differentiation and Neural Network Development. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:780-791. [PMID: 37001843 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss-of-function mutations in the contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene are causal for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. CNTNAP2 encodes CASPR2, a single-pass transmembrane protein that belongs to the neurexin family of cell adhesion molecules. These proteins have a variety of functions in developing neurons, including connecting presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, and mediating signaling across the synapse. METHODS To study the effect of loss of CNTNAP2 function on human cerebral cortex development, and how this contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells from one neurotypical control donor null for full-length CNTNAP2, modeling cortical development from neurogenesis through to neural network formation in vitro. RESULTS CNTNAP2 is particularly highly expressed in the first two populations of early-born excitatory cortical neurons, and loss of CNTNAP2 shifted the relative proportions of these two neuronal types. Live imaging of excitatory neuronal growth showed that loss of CNTNAP2 reduced neurite branching and overall neuronal complexity. At the network level, developing cortical excitatory networks null for CNTNAP2 had complex changes in activity compared with isogenic controls: an initial period of relatively reduced activity compared with isogenic controls, followed by a lengthy period of hyperexcitability, and then a further switch to reduced activity. CONCLUSIONS Complete loss of CNTNAP2 contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders through complex changes in several aspects of human cerebral cortex excitatory neuron development that culminate in aberrant neural network formation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances St George-Hyslop
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moritz Haneklaus
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Toomas Kivisild
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Zhang Q, Wang Y, Zhou J, Zhou R, Liu A, Meng L, Ji X, Hu P, Xu Z. 11q13.3q13.4 deletion plus 9q21.13q21.33 duplication in an affected girl arising from a familial four-way balanced chromosomal translocation. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2023; 11:e2248. [PMID: 37475652 PMCID: PMC10568374 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We describe a 13-year-old girl with a 11q13.3q13.4 deletion encompassing the SHANK2 gene and a 9q21.13q21.33 duplication. She presented with pre- and postnatal growth retardation, global developmental delay, severe language delay, cardiac abnormalities, and dysmorphisms. Her maternal family members all had histories of reproductive problems. METHODS Maternal family members with histories of reproductive problems were studied using G-banded karyotyping and optical genome mapping (OGM). Long-range PCR (LR-PCR) and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the precise break point sequences obtained by OGM. RESULTS G-banded karyotyping characterized the cytogenetic results as 46,XX,der(9)?del(9)(q21q22)t(9;14)(q22;q24),der(11)ins(11;?9)(q13;?q21q22),der(14)t(9;14). Using OGM, we determined that asymptomatic female family members with reproductive problems were carriers of a four-way balanced chromosome translocation. Their karyotype results were further refined as 46,XX,der(9)del(9)(q21.13q21.33)t(9;14)(q21.33;q22.31),der(11)del(11)(q13.3q13.4)ins(11;9)(q13.3;q21.33q21.13),der(14)t(9:14)ins(14;11)(q23.1;q13.4q13.3). Thus, we confirmed that the affected girl inherited the maternally derived chromosome 11. Furthermore, using LR-PCR, we showed that three disease-related genes (TMC1, NTRK2, and KIAA0586) were disrupted by the breakpoints. CONCLUSIONS Our case highlights the importance of timely parental origin testing for patients with rare copy number variations, as well as the accurate characterization of balanced chromosomal rearrangements in families with reproductive problems. In addition, our case demonstrates that OGM is a useful clinical application for analyzing complex structural variations within the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxin Zhang
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Ran Zhou
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - An Liu
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Lulu Meng
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Xiuqing Ji
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
| | - Zhengfeng Xu
- Department of Prenatal DiagnosisWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjingChina
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Vorstman JAS, Scherer SW. Contemplating syndromic autism. Genet Med 2023; 25:100919. [PMID: 37330697 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A S Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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7
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Saeliw T, Kanlayaprasit S, Thongkorn S, Songsritaya K, Sanannam B, Sae-Lee C, Jindatip D, Hu VW, Sarachana T. Epigenetic Gene-Regulatory Loci in Alu Elements Associated with Autism Susceptibility in the Prefrontal Cortex of ASD. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087518. [PMID: 37108679 PMCID: PMC10139202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alu elements are transposable elements that can influence gene regulation through several mechanisms; nevertheless, it remains unclear whether dysregulation of Alu elements contributes to the neuropathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we characterized transposable element expression profiles and their sequence characteristics in the prefrontal cortex tissues of ASD and unaffected individuals using RNA-sequencing data. Our results showed that most of the differentially expressed transposable elements belong to the Alu family, with 659 loci of Alu elements corresponding to 456 differentially expressed genes in the prefrontal cortex of ASD individuals. We predicted cis- and trans-regulation of Alu elements to host/distant genes by conducting correlation analyses. The expression level of Alu elements correlated significantly with 133 host genes (cis-regulation, adjusted p < 0.05) associated with ASD as well as the cell survival and cell death of neuronal cells. Transcription factor binding sites in the promoter regions of differentially expressed Alu elements are conserved and associated with autism candidate genes, including RORA. COBRA analyses of postmortem brain tissues showed significant hypomethylation in global methylation analyses of Alu elements in ASD subphenotypes as well as DNA methylation of Alu elements located near the RNF-135 gene (p < 0.05). In addition, we found that neuronal cell density, which was significantly increased (p = 0.042), correlated with the expression of genes associated with Alu elements in the prefrontal cortex of ASD. Finally, we determined a relationship between these findings and the ASD severity (i.e., ADI-R scores) of individuals with ASD. Our findings provide a better understanding of the impact of Alu elements on gene regulation and molecular neuropathology in the brain tissues of ASD individuals, which deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanit Saeliw
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Songphon Kanlayaprasit
- Systems Neuroscience of Autism and Psychiatric Disorders (SYNAPS) Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Surangrat Thongkorn
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kwanjira Songsritaya
- The M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bumpenporn Sanannam
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Chanachai Sae-Lee
- Research Division, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Depicha Jindatip
- Systems Neuroscience of Autism and Psychiatric Disorders (SYNAPS) Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Systems Neuroscience of Autism and Psychiatric Disorders (SYNAPS) Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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8
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The Role of MEF2 Transcription Factor Family in Neuronal Survival and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043120. [PMID: 36834528 PMCID: PMC9963821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors comprises four highly conserved members that play an important role in the nervous system. They appear in precisely defined time frames in the developing brain to turn on and turn off genes affecting growth, pruning and survival of neurons. MEF2s are known to dictate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and restrict the number of synapses in the hippocampus, thus affecting learning and memory formation. In primary neurons, negative regulation of MEF2 activity by external stimuli or stress conditions is known to induce apoptosis, albeit the pro or antiapoptotic action of MEF2 depends on the neuronal maturation stage. By contrast, enhancement of MEF2 transcriptional activity protects neurons from apoptotic death both in vitro and in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence places this transcription factor in the center of many neuropathologies associated with age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions or gradual but irreversible neuron loss. In this work, we discuss how the altered function of MEF2s during development and in adulthood affecting neuronal survival may be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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9
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Wang Y, Liu C, Deng J, Xu Q, Lin J, Li H, Hu M, Hu C, Li Q, Xu X. Behavioral and Sensory Deficits Associated with Dysfunction of GABAergic System in a Novel shank2-Deficient Zebrafish Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2208. [PMID: 36768529 PMCID: PMC9916955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyper-reactivity to sensory inputs is a common and debilitating symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the underlying neural abnormalities remain unclear. Two of three patients in our clinical cohort screen harboring de novo SHANK2 mutations also exhibited high sensitivity to visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli, so we examined whether shank2 deficiencies contribute to sensory abnormalities and other ASD-like phenotypes by generating a stable shank2b-deficient zebrafish model (shank2b-/-). The adult shank2b-/- zebrafish demonstrated reduced social preference and kin preference as well as enhanced behavioral stereotypy, while larvae exhibited hyper-sensitivity to auditory noise and abnormal hyperactivity during dark-to-light transitions. This model thus recapitulated the core developmental and behavioral phenotypes of many previous genetic ASD models. Expression levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunit mRNAs and proteins were also reduced in shank2b-/- zebrafish, and these animals exhibited greater sensitivity to drug-induced seizures. Our results suggest that GABAergic dysfunction is a major contributor to the sensory hyper-reactivity in ASD, and they underscore the need for interventions that target sensory-processing disruptions during early neural development to prevent disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Chunxue Liu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jingxin Deng
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Qiong Xu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children’s Hopstial of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wangyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Meixin Hu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Chunchun Hu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children’s Hopstial of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wangyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
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10
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Yun M, Kim E, Jung MW. Enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in Shank2-deficient mice. Mol Autism 2022; 13:40. [PMID: 36192805 PMCID: PMC9531513 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior. Cognitive inflexibility has been proposed as a potential basis for these symptoms of ASD. More generally, behavioral inflexibility has been proposed to underlie repetitive and restrictive behavior in ASD. Here, we investigated whether and how behavioral flexibility is compromised in a widely used animal model of ASD.
Methods We compared the behavioral performance of Shank2-knockout mice and wild-type littermates in reversal learning employing a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm. A conditioned stimulus (odor) was paired with an unconditioned appetitive (water, 6 µl) or aversive (air puff) stimulus in a probabilistic manner. We also compared air puff-induced eye closure responses of Shank2-knockout and wild-type mice. Results Male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed impaired reversal learning when the expected outcomes consisted of a water reward and a strong air puff. Moreover, male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed stronger anticipatory eye closure responses to the air puff compared to wild-type littermates, raising the possibility that the impairment might reflect enhanced fear. In support of this contention, male Shank2-knockout mice showed intact reversal learning when the strong air puff was replaced with a mild air puff and when the expected outcomes consisted of only rewards. Limitations We examined behavioral flexibility in one behavioral task (reversal learning in a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm) using one ASD mouse model (Shank2-knockout mice). Thus, future work is needed to clarify the extent to which our findings (that enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in ASD) can explain the behavioral inflexibility associated with ASD. Also, we examined only the relationship between fear and behavioral flexibility, leaving open the question of whether abnormalities in processes other than fear contribute to behavioral inflexibility in ASD. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms linking Shank2-knockout and enhanced fear remain to be elucidated. Conclusions Our results indicate that enhanced fear suppresses reversal learning in the presence of an intact capability to learn cue-outcome contingency changes in Shank2-knockout mice. Our findings suggest that behavioral flexibility might be seriously limited by abnormal emotional responses in ASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miru Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
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11
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Nevado J, García-Miñaúr S, Palomares-Bralo M, Vallespín E, Guillén-Navarro E, Rosell J, Bel-Fenellós C, Mori MÁ, Milá M, Del Campo M, Barrúz P, Santos-Simarro F, Obregón G, Orellana C, Pachajoa H, Tenorio JA, Galán E, Cigudosa JC, Moresco A, Saleme C, Castillo S, Gabau E, Pérez-Jurado L, Barcia A, Martín MS, Mansilla E, Vallcorba I, García-Murillo P, Cammarata-Scalisi F, Gonçalves Pereira N, Blanco-Lago R, Serrano M, Ortigoza-Escobar JD, Gener B, Seidel VA, Tirado P, Lapunzina P. Variability in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome in a Cohort of 210 Individuals. Front Genet 2022; 13:652454. [PMID: 35495150 PMCID: PMC9044489 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.652454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS, OMIM# 606232) results from either different rearrangements at the distal region of the long arm of chromosome 22 (22q13.3) or pathogenic sequence variants in the SHANK3 gene. SHANK3 codes for a structural protein that plays a central role in the formation of the postsynaptic terminals and the maintenance of synaptic structures. Clinically, patients with PMS often present with global developmental delay, absent or severely delayed speech, neonatal hypotonia, minor dysmorphic features, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), among other findings. Here, we describe a cohort of 210 patients with genetically confirmed PMS. We observed multiple variant types, including a significant number of small deletions (<0.5 Mb, 64/189) and SHANK3 sequence variants (21 cases). We also detected multiple types of rearrangements among microdeletion cases, including a significant number with post-zygotic mosaicism (9.0%, 17/189), ring chromosome 22 (10.6%, 20/189), unbalanced translocations (de novo or inherited, 6.4%), and additional rearrangements at 22q13 (6.3%, 12/189) as well as other copy number variations in other chromosomes, unrelated to 22q deletions (14.8%, 28/189). We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics among patients with different sizes of deletions and with SHANK3 variants. Our findings suggest that SHANK3 plays an important role in this syndrome but is probably not uniquely responsible for all the spectrum features in PMS. We emphasize that only an adequate combination of different molecular and cytogenetic approaches allows an accurate genetic diagnosis in PMS patients. Thus, a diagnostic algorithm is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián Nevado
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sixto García-Miñaúr
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Palomares-Bralo
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Vallespín
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Cristina Bel-Fenellós
- Departamento de Investigación y Psicología en Educación, Facultad de Educación, UCM, Madrid, Spain.,CEE Estudio-3, Afanias, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Mori
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Pilar Barrúz
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Santos-Simarro
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Jair Antonio Tenorio
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Galán
- Hospital Materno-Infantil Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | | | - César Saleme
- Maternity Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvia Castillo
- Sección Genética, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Luis Pérez-Jurado
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Servicio de Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Hospital del Mar (IMIM)/Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Barcia
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Maria Soledad Martín
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Mansilla
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Vallcorba
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Raquel Blanco-Lago
- Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo (Asturias), Spain
| | - Mercedes Serrano
- Unidad de Neuropediatría, Hospital San Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Pilar Tirado
- Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Lapunzina
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM)-IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA-European Reference Network, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Doddato G, Fabbiani A, Scandurra V, Canitano R, Mencarelli MA, Renieri A, Ariani F. Identification of a Novel SHANK2 Pathogenic Variant in a Patient with a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040688. [PMID: 35456494 PMCID: PMC9025881 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic defects in the SHANK2 gene, encoding for synaptic scaffolding protein, are associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorders and mild to moderate intellectual disability. Until now, limited patient clinical descriptions have been published. Only 13 unrelated patients with SHANK2 pathogenic variations or microdeletions have been reported worldwide. By Exome Sequencing, we identified a de novo stop-gain variant, c.334C>T, p.(Gln112*), in an Italian patient with a neurodevelopmental disorder. The patient (9 years old) presented the following facial features: a flat profile, thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, a bulbous nasal tip and a prominent columella, retracted ears, dental anomalies. The patient showed speech delay and mild neuromotor delay but not autism spectrum disorder. In conclusion, this patient with a novel pathogenic variant in SHANK2 enlarges the phenotypic spectrum of SHANK2-mutated patients and demonstrates that the severity of SHANK2-associated disorders is highly variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Doddato
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabbiani
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Valeria Scandurra
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (V.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Canitano
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (V.S.); (R.C.)
| | | | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Francesca Ariani
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-233303
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13
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Combined aCGH and Exome Sequencing Analysis Improves Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnosis: A Case Report. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58040522. [PMID: 35454361 PMCID: PMC9030270 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58040522] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The development and standardization of genome-wide technologies able to carry out high-resolution, genomic analyses in a cost- and time-affordable way is increasing our knowledge regarding the molecular bases of complex diseases like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a group of heterogeneous diseases with multifactorial origins. Genetic factors seem to be involved, albeit they remain still largely unknown. Here, we report the case of a child with a clinical suspicion of ASD investigated by using such a genomic high-resolution approach. Materials and Methods: Both array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and exome sequencing were carried out on the family trio. aCGH was performed using the 4 × 180 K SurePrint G3 Human CGH Microarray, while the Human All Exon V7 targeted SureSelect XT HS panel was used for exome sequencing. Results: aCGH identified a paternally inherited duplication of chromosome 7 involving the CNTNAP2 gene, while 5 potentially clinically-relevant variants were identified by exome sequencing. Conclusions: Within the identified genomic alterations, the CNTNAP2 gene duplication may be related to the patient’s phenotype. Indeed, this gene has already been associated with brain development and cognitive functions, including language. The paternal origin of the alteration cannot exclude an incomplete penetrance. Moreover, other genomic factors may act as phenotype modifiers combined with CNTNAP2 gene duplication. Thus, the case reported herein strongly reinforces the need to use extensive genomic analyses to shed light on the bases of complex diseases.
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14
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Fu X, Yao T, Chen X, Li H, Wu J. MEF2C gene variations are associated with ADHD in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:431-439. [PMID: 35357565 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is associated with hyperactivity and might be a novel risk gene for susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between MEF2C genetic variants and ADHD in the Chinese Han population. A total of 215 patients with ADHD and 233 controls were recruited for this study. The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV questionnaire was used to evaluate the clinical features of ADHD. In silico analysis was used to annotate the biological functions of the promising single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our findings indicated that MEF2C rs587490 was significantly associated with ADHD in the multiplicative model (OR = 0.640, p = 0.002). Participants with the rs587490 TT allele exhibited less hyperactivity/impulsivity than those with the rs587490 CC allele. Furthermore, the expression quantitative trait loci analysis suggested that rs587490 could regulate the gene expression of MEF2C in the hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, and frontal white matter. Our study concluded that the MEF2C rs587490 T allele is significantly associated with a reduced risk of ADHD in the Chinese Han population, which provides new insight into the genetic etiology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiru Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Zhang Z, Zhao Y. Progress on the roles of MEF2C in neuropsychiatric diseases. Mol Brain 2022; 15:8. [PMID: 34991657 PMCID: PMC8740500 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00892-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 C (MEF2C), one of the transcription factors of the MADS-BOX family, is involved in embryonic brain development, neuronal formation and differentiation, as well as in the growth and pruning of axons and dendrites. MEF2C is also involved in the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the relationship between MEF2C and neuropsychiatric disorders, and provide further insights into the mechanism of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Zhang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.,Department of Mental Health, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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16
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Loureiro LO, Howe JL, Reuter MS, Iaboni A, Calli K, Roshandel D, Pritišanac I, Moses A, Forman-Kay JD, Trost B, Zarrei M, Rennie O, Lau LYS, Marshall CR, Srivastava S, Godlewski B, Buttermore ED, Sahin M, Hartley D, Frazier T, Vorstman J, Georgiades S, Lewis SME, Szatmari P, Bradley CAL, Tabet AC, Willems M, Lumbroso S, Piton A, Lespinasse J, Delorme R, Bourgeron T, Anagnostou E, Scherer SW. A recurrent SHANK3 frameshift variant in Autism Spectrum Disorder. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:91. [PMID: 34737294 PMCID: PMC8568906 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is genetically complex with ~100 copy number variants and genes involved. To try to establish more definitive genotype and phenotype correlations in ASD, we searched genome sequence data, and the literature, for recurrent predicted damaging sequence-level variants affecting single genes. We identified 18 individuals from 16 unrelated families carrying a heterozygous guanine duplication (c.3679dup; p.Ala1227Glyfs*69) occurring within a string of 8 guanines (genomic location [hg38]g.50,721,512dup) affecting SHANK3, a prototypical ASD gene (0.08% of ASD-affected individuals carried the predicted p.Ala1227Glyfs*69 frameshift variant). Most probands carried de novo mutations, but five individuals in three families inherited it through somatic mosaicism. We scrutinized the phenotype of p.Ala1227Glyfs*69 carriers, and while everyone (17/17) formally tested for ASD carried a diagnosis, there was the variable expression of core ASD features both within and between families. Defining such recurrent mutational mechanisms underlying an ASD outcome is important for genetic counseling and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia O Loureiro
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Howe
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Miriam S Reuter
- Canada's Genomics Enterprise (CGEn), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kristina Calli
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Delnaz Roshandel
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Iva Pritišanac
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan Moses
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brett Trost
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olivia Rennie
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lynette Y S Lau
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christian R Marshall
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Siddharth Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brianna Godlewski
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Buttermore
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Frazier
- Autism Speaks and Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne M E Lewis
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clarrisa A Lisa Bradley
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Tabet
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
- Genetics Department, Cytogenetic Unit, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, F-75019, Paris, France
| | | | - Serge Lumbroso
- Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU Nimes, Univ. Montpellier, Nimes, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- Unité de Génétique Moléculaire, IGMA, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | | | - Richard Delorme
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, F-75019, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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17
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Lee S, Kang H, Jung H, Kim E, Lee E. Gene Dosage- and Age-Dependent Differential Transcriptomic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:683196. [PMID: 34177464 PMCID: PMC8226033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.683196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein that is known to regulate excitatory synapse assembly and synaptic transmission and has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies on Shank2-mutant mice provided mechanistic insights into their autistic-like phenotypes, but it remains unclear how transcriptomic patterns are changed in brain regions of the mutant mice in age- and gene dosage-dependent manners. To this end, we performed RNA-Seq analyses of the transcripts from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice lacking exons 6 and 7 at juvenile (week 3) and adult (week 12) stages. Juvenile heterozygous Shank2-mutant mice showed upregulation of glutamate synapse-related genes, downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, and transcriptomic changes that are opposite to those observed in ASD (anti-ASD) such as upregulation of ASD_down (downregulated in ASD), GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Juvenile homozygous Shank2 mice showed upregulation of chromatin-related genes and transcriptomic changes that are in line with those occurring in ASD (pro-ASD) such as downregulation of ASD_down, GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Adult heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice both exhibited downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes and pro-ASD transcriptomic changes. Therefore, the gene dosage- and age-dependent effects of Shank2 deletions in mice include differential transcriptomic changes across distinct functional contexts, including synapses, chromatin, ribosomes, mitochondria, GABA neurons, and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, KISTI, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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18
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Chaudhary R, Agarwal V, Kaushik AS, Rehman M. Involvement of myocyte enhancer factor 2c in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06854. [PMID: 33981903 PMCID: PMC8082549 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2), a family of transcription factor of MADS (minichromosome maintenance 1, agamous, deficiens and serum response factor)-box family needed in the growth and differentiation of a variety of human cells, such as neural, immune, endothelial, and muscles. As per existing literature, MEF2 transcription factors have also been associated with synaptic plasticity, the developmental mechanisms governing memory and learning, and several neurologic conditions, like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recent genomic findings have ascertained a link between MEF2 defects, particularly in the MEF2C isoform and the ASD. In this review, we summarized a concise overview of the general regulation, structure and functional roles of the MEF2C transcription factor. We further outlined the potential role of MEF2C as a risk factor for various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD, MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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19
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Targeted sequencing and integrative analysis to prioritize candidate genes in neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3863-3873. [PMID: 33860439 PMCID: PMC8280036 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02377-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of diseases characterized by high heterogeneity and frequently co-occurring symptoms. The mutational spectrum in patients with NDDs is largely incomplete. Here, we sequenced 547 genes from 1102 patients with NDDs and validated 1271 potential functional variants, including 108 de novo variants (DNVs) in 78 autosomal genes and seven inherited hemizygous variants in six X chromosomal genes. Notably, 36 of these 78 genes are the first to be reported in Chinese patients with NDDs. By integrating our genetic data with public data, we prioritized 212 NDD candidate genes with FDR < 0.1, including 17 novel genes. The novel candidate genes interacted or were co-expressed with known candidate genes, forming a functional network involved in known pathways. We highlighted MSL2, which carried two de novo protein-truncating variants (p.L192Vfs*3 and p.S486Ifs*11) and was frequently connected with known candidate genes. This study provides the mutational spectrum of NDDs in China and prioritizes 212 NDD candidate genes for further functional validation and genetic counseling.
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20
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Wang T, Zhang Y, Liu L, Wang Y, Chen H, Fan T, Li J, Xia K, Sun Z. Targeted sequencing and integrative analysis of 3,195 Chinese patients with neurodevelopmental disorders prioritized 26 novel candidate genes. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:312-323. [PMID: 33994118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a set of complex disorders characterized by diverse and co-occurring clinical symptoms. The genetic contribution in patients with NDDs remains largely unknown. Here, we sequence 519 NDD-related genes in 3,195 Chinese probands with neurodevelopmental phenotypes and identify 2,522 putative functional mutations consisting of 137 de novo mutations (DNMs) in 86 genes and 2,385 rare inherited mutations (RIMs) with 22 X-linked hemizygotes in 13 genes, 2 homozygous mutations in 2 genes and 23 compound heterozygous mutations in 10 genes. Furthermore, the DNMs of 16,807 probands with NDDs are retrieved from public datasets and combine in an integrated analysis with the mutation data of our Chinese NDD probands by taking 3,582 in-house controls of Chinese origin as background. We prioritize 26 novel candidate genes. Notably, six of these genes - ITSN1, UBR3, CADM1, RYR3, FLNA, and PLXNA3 - preferably contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as demonstrated by high co-expression and/or interaction with ASD genes confirmed via rescue experiments in a mouse model. Importantly, these genes are differentially expressed in the ASD cortex in a significant manner and involved in ASD-associated networks. Together, our study expands the genetic spectrum of Chinese NDDs, further facilitating both basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; DIAGenes Precision Medicine, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China
| | - Liqui Liu
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huiqian Chen
- Shanghai Adeptus Biotechnology, Shanghai 200126, China
| | - Tianda Fan
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Jinchen Li
- National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, 410083, China.
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligences Technology (CEBSIT), Shanghai 200031, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, China.
| | - Zhongsheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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21
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Kato H, Kushima I, Mori D, Yoshimi A, Aleksic B, Nawa Y, Toyama M, Furuta S, Yu Y, Ishizuka K, Kimura H, Arioka Y, Tsujimura K, Morikawa M, Okada T, Inada T, Nakatochi M, Shinjo K, Kondo Y, Kaibuchi K, Funabiki Y, Kimura R, Suzuki T, Yamakawa K, Ikeda M, Iwata N, Takahashi T, Suzuki M, Okahisa Y, Takaki M, Egawa J, Someya T, Ozaki N. Rare genetic variants in the gene encoding histone lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) and their contributions to susceptibility to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:421. [PMID: 33279929 PMCID: PMC7719193 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01107-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of epigenetic processes involving histone methylation induces neurodevelopmental impairments and has been implicated in schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variants in the gene encoding lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) have been suggested to confer a risk for such disorders. However, rare genetic variants in KDM4C have not been fully evaluated, and the functional impact of the variants has not been studied using patient-derived cells. In this study, we conducted copy number variant (CNV) analysis in a Japanese sample set (2605 SCZ and 1141 ASD cases, and 2310 controls). We found evidence for significant associations between CNVs in KDM4C and SCZ (p = 0.003) and ASD (p = 0.04). We also observed a significant association between deletions in KDM4C and SCZ (corrected p = 0.04). Next, to explore the contribution of single nucleotide variants in KDM4C, we sequenced the coding exons in a second sample set (370 SCZ and 192 ASD cases) and detected 18 rare missense variants, including p.D160N within the JmjC domain of KDM4C. We, then, performed association analysis for p.D160N in a third sample set (1751 SCZ and 377 ASD cases, and 2276 controls), but did not find a statistical association with these disorders. Immunoblotting analysis using lymphoblastoid cell lines from a case with KDM4C deletion revealed reduced KDM4C protein expression and altered histone methylation patterns. In conclusion, this study strengthens the evidence for associations between KDM4C CNVs and these two disorders and for their potential functional effect on histone methylation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Kato
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. .,Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Mori
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XBrain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Yoshimi
- grid.259879.80000 0000 9075 4535Division of Clinical Sciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, Faculty and Graduate School of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Branko Aleksic
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nawa
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Miho Toyama
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sho Furuta
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yanjie Yu
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kanako Ishizuka
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuko Arioka
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.437848.40000 0004 0569 8970Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keita Tsujimura
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XInnovative Research Unit for Developmental Disorders, Institute of Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mako Morikawa
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshiya Inada
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakatochi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XPublic Health Informatics Unit, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinjo
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDivision of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDivision of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuko Funabiki
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Kimura
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Suzuki
- grid.260433.00000 0001 0728 1069Department of Neurodevelopmental Disorder Genetics, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.474690.8Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yamakawa
- grid.260433.00000 0001 0728 1069Department of Neurodevelopmental Disorder Genetics, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.474690.8Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masashi Ikeda
- grid.256115.40000 0004 1761 798XDepartment of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Nakao Iwata
- grid.256115.40000 0004 1761 798XDepartment of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takahashi
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan ,grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XResearch Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan ,grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XResearch Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yuko Okahisa
- grid.261356.50000 0001 1302 4472Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Manabu Takaki
- grid.261356.50000 0001 1302 4472Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Jun Egawa
- grid.260975.f0000 0001 0671 5144Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Someya
- grid.260975.f0000 0001 0671 5144Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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22
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Phenotypic spectrum of SHANK2-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:104072. [PMID: 32987185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
SHANK2 code a scaffolding protein located at the postsynaptic membrane of glutamatergic neurons. To date, only nine patients were reported with a SHANK2-variation or microdeletion. Molecular anomalies were identified through screening of large cohorts of patients, but only poor patient clinical descriptions were available. However, this information is crucial for patient care. Here, we describe two additional unrelated patients carrying a SHANK2 de novo variant, improving the delineation of the condition. Phenotypic analysis of these 11 patients identified as major features of the condition: mild to moderate intellectual disability, speech delay, poor language skills, and autism spectrum disorders.
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23
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Exploration of intermediate-sized INDELs by next-generation multigene panel testing in Han Chinese patients with breast cancer. Hum Genome Var 2019; 6:51. [PMID: 31700649 PMCID: PMC6820797 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-019-0080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multigene panel testing via next-generation sequencing focuses on the detection of small-sized mutations, such as single nucleotide variants and short insertions and deletions (INDELs). However, intermediate-sized INDELs have not been fully explored due to technical difficulties. Here, we performed bioinformatics analyses to identify intermediate-sized INDELs in 54 cancer-related genes from 583 Han Chinese patients with breast cancer. We detected a novel deletion-insertion in a translational variant of PTEN (also known as PTENα) in one patient.
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24
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Zhou WZ, Zhang J, Li Z, Lin X, Li J, Wang S, Yang C, Wu Q, Ye AY, Wang M, Wang D, Pu TZ, Wu YY, Wei L. Targeted resequencing of 358 candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder in a Chinese cohort reveals diagnostic potential and genotype-phenotype correlations. Hum Mutat 2019; 40:801-815. [PMID: 30763456 PMCID: PMC6593842 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a childhood neuropsychiatric disorder with a complex genetic architecture. The diagnostic potential of a targeted panel of ASD genes has only been evaluated in small cohorts to date and is especially understudied in the Chinese population. Here, we designed a capture panel with 358 genes (111 syndromic and 247 nonsyndromic) for ASD and sequenced a Chinese cohort of 539 cases evaluated with the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) as well as 512 controls. ASD cases were found to carry significantly more ultra‐rare functional variants than controls. A subset of 78 syndromic and 54 nonsyndromic genes was the most significantly associated and should be given high priority in the future screening of ASD patients. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were detected in 9.5% of cases. Variants in SHANK3 and SHANK2 were the most frequent, especially in females, and occurred in 1.2% of cases. Duplications of 15q11–13 were detected in 0.8% of cases. Variants in CNTNAP2 and MEF2C were correlated with epilepsy/tics in cases. Our findings reveal the diagnostic potential of ASD genetic panel testing and new insights regarding the variant spectrum. Genotype–phenotype correlations may facilitate the diagnosis and management of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Zhen Zhou
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases, Diagnostic Laboratory Service, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Lin
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Changhong Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qixi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Adam Yongxin Ye
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yu-Yu Wu
- Yuning Psychiatry Clinic, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liping Wei
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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