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Riego ML, Meher PK, Brzozowska B, Akuwudike P, Bucher M, Oestreicher U, Lundholm L, Wojcik A. Chromosomal damage, gene expression and alternative transcription in human lymphocytes exposed to mixed ionizing radiation as encountered in space. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11502. [PMID: 38769353 PMCID: PMC11106305 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62313-7] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Astronauts travelling in space will be exposed to mixed beams of particle radiation and photons. Exposure limits that correspond to defined cancer risk are calculated by multiplying absorbed doses by a radiation-type specific quality factor that reflects the biological effectiveness of the particle without considering possible interaction with photons. We have shown previously that alpha radiation and X-rays may interact resulting in synergistic DNA damage responses in human peripheral blood lymphocytes but the level of intra-individual variability was high. In order to assess the variability and validate the synergism, blood from two male donors was drawn at 9 time points during 3 seasons of the year and exposed to 0-2 Gy of X-rays, alpha particles or 1:1 mixture of both (half the dose each). DNA damage response was quantified by chromosomal aberrations and by mRNA levels of 3 radiation-responsive genes FDXR, CDKN1A and MDM2 measured 24 h post exposure. The quality of response in terms of differential expression of alternative transcripts was assessed by using two primer pairs per gene. A consistently higher than expected effect of mixed beams was found in both donors for chromosomal aberrations and gene expression with some seasonal variability for the latter. No synergy was detected for alternative transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagrosa López Riego
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Prabodha Kumar Meher
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beata Brzozowska
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pamela Akuwudike
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Bucher
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | | | - Lovisa Lundholm
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland.
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2
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Gagliardi M. The role of developmental caregiving programming in modulating our affiliation tendency and the vulnerability to social anxiety and eating disorders. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1259415. [PMID: 38239461 PMCID: PMC10794631 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1259415] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Attachment is the evolutionarily-established process through which humans create bonds with others to receive care from them. The phenomenon is as essential to our physical survival as it is to our psychological development. An increasing number of studies demonstrates that in sensitive periods during the early years of life, our brain circuitry is programmed in the interactions with our caregivers, with the imprinting of information over multiple attachment dimensions. Adopting a basic brain-computer analogy, we can think of this knowledge as the psycho-social firmware of our mind. According to a recently proposed extension of the classical three-dimensional view, one attachment dimension - somaticity - concerns the caregiver's task of reflecting and confirming the child's (internal) states - such as sensations, emotions, and representations - to support the child's ability to identify and define those entities autonomously. Relying on multidisciplinary evidence - from neuroscientific, developmental, evolutionary, and clinical sources - we suggest that somaticity (H1) has the adaptive function to modulate our tendency to comply and affiliate with a reference group but also (H2) increases the vulnerability to developing Social Anxiety (SA) and Eating Disorders (EDs). We evaluate H1-H2, (1) indicating the evolutionary role of somaticity in modulating our affiliation tendency to optimize the ancestral threat-opportunity balance coming from infectious diseases and (2) showing the deep connection between SA-EDs and the features most closely related to somaticity - interoception and parenting style. Finally, we discuss three relevant implications of H1-H2: (A) Bringing into research focus the adaptive role of our firmware knowledge system versus the hardware (neural substrate) and software (higher cognition) ones. (B) Complementing the well-grounded Objectification and Allocentric Lock Theories, allowing us to integrate multiple levels of explanation on the etiology of psychopathology. (C) Suggesting the design of new psychological treatments. While not aiming to prove H1-H2, our analysis supports them and encourages their direct testing.
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3
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Guevara E, Gopalan S, Massey DJ, Adegboyega M, Zhou W, Solis A, Anaya AD, Churchill SE, Feldblum J, Lawler RR. Getting it right: Teaching undergraduate biology to undermine racial essentialism. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad032. [PMID: 38023347 PMCID: PMC10674104 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
How we teach human genetics matters for social equity. The biology curriculum appears to be a crucial locus of intervention for either reinforcing or undermining students' racial essentialist views. The Mendelian genetic models dominating textbooks, particularly in combination with racially inflected language sometimes used when teaching about monogenic disorders, can increase middle and high school students' racial essentialism and opposition to policies to increase equity. These findings are of particular concern given the increasing spread of racist misinformation online and the misappropriation of human genomics research by white supremacists, who take advantage of low levels of genetics literacy in the general public. Encouragingly, however, teaching updated information about the geographical distribution of human genetic variation and the complex, multifactorial basis of most human traits, reduces students' endorsement of racial essentialism. The genetics curriculum is therefore a key tool in combating misinformation and scientific racism. Here, we describe a framework and example teaching materials for teaching students key concepts in genetics, human evolutionary history, and human phenotypic variation at the undergraduate level. This framework can be flexibly applied in biology and anthropology classes and adjusted based on time availability. Our goal is to provide undergraduate-level instructors with varying levels of expertise with a set of evidence-informed tools for teaching human genetics to combat scientific racism, including an evolving set of instructional resources, as well as learning goals and pedagogical approaches. Resources can be found at https://noto.li/YIlhZ5. Additionally, we hope to generate conversation about integrating modern genetics into the undergraduate curriculum, in light of recent findings about the risks and opportunities associated with teaching genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Guevara
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Shyamalika Gopalan
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Dashiell J Massey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Mayowa Adegboyega
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215316, China
| | - Alma Solis
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Alisha D Anaya
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Steven E Churchill
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Joseph Feldblum
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Richard R Lawler
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, United States
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4
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Sear R, Townsend C. 'Dysgenic fertility' is an ideological, not a scientific, concept. A Comment on: 'Stability and change in male fertility patterns by cognitive ability across 32 birth cohorts' (2023), by Bratsberg & Rogeberg. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230390. [PMID: 37909106 PMCID: PMC10618866 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0390] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently Bratsberg & Rogeberg (2023) presented an analysis in Biology Letters of how cognitive ability is associated with fertility in Norwegian men. Our concern relates to the theoretical framework of this paper. The analysis is framed around the concept of 'dysgenic fertility', which is treated throughout as a scientific theory, but 'dysgenic fertility' is not science, it is an ideological concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sear
- Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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5
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Abstract
Genetic factors are involved in the etiology of most diseases, but prior to 2000, the methods for identifying such factors were very limited. Genome-wide association study (GWAS), developed in the 2000s, is an analytical method that can be applied to most diseases, including endocrine disorders. GWAS has provided a wealth of information on disease risks and the molecular pathogenesis of many human diseases. This review summarizes key findings from GWAS for thyroid physiology and diseases, and illustrates how GWAS is a powerful research tool to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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6
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Herzig AF, Clerget-Darpoux F, Génin E. The False Dawn of Polygenic Risk Scores for Human Disease Prediction. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081266. [PMID: 36013215 PMCID: PMC9409868 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are being constructed for many diseases and are presented today as a promising avenue in the field of human genetics. These scores aim at predicting the risk of developing a disease by leveraging the many genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted during the two last decades. Important investments are being made to improve score estimates by increasing GWAS sample sizes, by developing more sophisticated methods, and by proposing different corrections for potential biases. PRSs have entered the market with direct-to-consumer companies proposing to compute them from saliva samples and even recently to help parents select the healthiest embryos. In this paper, we recall how PRSs arose and question the credit they are given by revisiting underlying assumptions in light of the history of human genetics and by comparing them with estimated breeding values (EBVs) used for selection in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony F. Herzig
- Inserm, Université de Brest, EFS, CHU Brest, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France;
| | - Françoise Clerget-Darpoux
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Institut Imagine, Laboratoire Embryologie et Génétique des Malformations, F-75015 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (F.C.-D.); (E.G.)
| | - Emmanuelle Génin
- Inserm, Université de Brest, EFS, CHU Brest, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France;
- Correspondence: (F.C.-D.); (E.G.)
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7
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Lin S, Chen Z, Chen T, Deng W, Wan X, Zhang Z. Theanine metabolism and transport in tea plants ( Camellia sinensis L.): advances and perspectives. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022; 43:327-341. [PMID: 35430936 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2036692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Theanine, a tea plant-specific non-proteinogenic amino acid, is the most abundant free amino acid in tea leaves. It is also one of the most important quality components of tea because it endows the "umami" taste, relaxation-promoting, and many other health benefits of tea infusion. Its content in tea leaves is directly correlated with the quality and price of green tea. Theanine biosynthesis primarily occurs in roots and is transported to new shoots in tea plants. Recently, great advances have been made in theanine metabolism and transport in tea plants. Along with the deciphering of the genomic sequences of tea plants, new genes in theanine metabolic pathway were discovered and functionally characterized. Theanine transporters were identified and were characterized on the affinity for: theanine, substrate specificity, spatiotemporal expression, and the role in theanine root-to-shoot transport. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of theanine accumulation by: cultivars, seasons, nutrients, and environmental factors are also being rapidly uncovered. Transcription factors were identified to be critical regulators of theanine biosynthesis. In this review, we summarize the progresses in theanine: biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport processes. We also discuss the future studies on theanine in tea plants, and application of the knowledge to crops to synthesize theanine to improve the health-promoting quality of non-tea crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijia Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Ziping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Tingting Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Weiwei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Zhaoliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, PR China
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8
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Vaura F, Palmu J, Aittokallio J, Kauko A, Niiranen T. Genetic, Molecular, and Cellular Determinants of Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Traits. Circ Res 2022; 130:611-631. [PMID: 35175841 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.319891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite the well-known sex dimorphism in cardiovascular disease traits, the exact genetic, molecular, and cellular underpinnings of these differences are not well understood. A growing body of evidence currently points at the links between cardiovascular disease traits and the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and metabolome. However, the sex-specific differences in these links remain largely unstudied due to challenges in bioinformatic methods, inadequate statistical power, analytic costs, and paucity of valid experimental models. This review article provides an overview of the literature on sex differences in genetic architecture, heritability, epigenetic changes, transcriptomic signatures, and metabolomic profiles in relation to cardiovascular disease traits. We also review the literature on the associations between sex hormones and cardiovascular disease traits and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, focusing on human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Vaura
- Department of Internal Medicine (F.V., J.P., A.K., T.N.), University of Turku, Finland
| | - Joonatan Palmu
- Department of Internal Medicine (F.V., J.P., A.K., T.N.), University of Turku, Finland
| | - Jenni Aittokallio
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (J.A.), University of Turku, Finland.,Division of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine (J.A.), Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anni Kauko
- Department of Internal Medicine (F.V., J.P., A.K., T.N.), University of Turku, Finland
| | - Teemu Niiranen
- Department of Internal Medicine (F.V., J.P., A.K., T.N.), University of Turku, Finland.,Division of Medicine (T.N.), Turku University Hospital, Finland.,Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland (T.N.)
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9
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Heritability: What's the point? What is it not for? A human genetics perspective. Genetica 2022; 150:199-208. [DOI: 10.1007/s10709-022-00149-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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10
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Abstract
Genetic concepts are regularly used in arguments about racial inequality. This review summarizes research about the relationship between genetics education and a particular form of racial prejudice known as genetic essentialism. Genetic essentialism is a cognitive form of prejudice that is used to rationalize inequality. Studies suggest that belief in genetic essentialism among genetics students can be increased or decreased based on what students learn about human genetics and why they learn it. Research suggests that genetics education does little to prevent the development of genetic essentialism, and it may even exacerbate belief in it. However, some forms of genetics education can avert this problem. In particular, if instructors teach genetics to help students understand the flaws in genetic essentialist arguments, then it is possible to reduce belief in genetic essentialism among biology students. This review outlines our knowledge about how to accomplish this goal and the research that needs to be done to end genetic essentialism through genetics education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Donovan
- BSCS Science Learning, 5415 Mark Dabling Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
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11
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Schleim S. Why mental disorders are brain disorders. And why they are not: ADHD and the challenges of heterogeneity and reification. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:943049. [PMID: 36072457 PMCID: PMC9441484 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.943049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific attempts to identify biomarkers to reliably diagnose mental disorders have thus far been unsuccessful. This has inspired the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach which decomposes mental disorders into behavioral, emotional, and cognitive domains. This perspective article argues that the search for biomarkers in psychiatry presupposes that the present mental health categories reflect certain (neuro-) biological features, that is, that these categories are reified as biological states or processes. I present two arguments to show that this assumption is very unlikely: First, the heterogeneity (both within and between subjects) of mental disorders is grossly underestimated, which is particularly salient for an example like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Second, even the search for the biological basis of psychologically more basic categories (cognitive and emotional processes) than the symptom descriptions commonly used in mental disorder classifications has thus far been inconclusive. While philosophers have discussed this as the problem of mind-body-reductionism for ages, Turkheimer presented a theoretical framework comparing weak and strong biologism which is more useful for empirical research. This perspective article concludes that mental disorders are brain disorders in the sense of weak, but not strong biologism. This has important implications for psychiatric research: The search for reliable biomarkers for mental disorder categories we know is unlikely to ever be successful. This implies that biology is not the suitable taxonomic basis for psychiatry, but also psychology at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Schleim
- Theory and History of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Heymans Institute for Psychological Research, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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12
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Wagh VV, Vyas P, Agrawal S, Pachpor TA, Paralikar V, Khare SP. Peripheral Blood-Based Gene Expression Studies in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review. Front Genet 2021; 12:736483. [PMID: 34721526 PMCID: PMC8548640 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.736483] [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: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and socio-occupational impairment. The duration of observation and variability in symptoms can make the accurate diagnosis difficult. Identification of biomarkers for schizophrenia (SCZ) can help in early diagnosis, ascertaining the diagnosis, and development of effective treatment strategies. Here we review peripheral blood-based gene expression studies for identification of gene expression biomarkers for SCZ. A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science databases for blood-based gene expression studies in SCZ. A list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was compiled and analyzed for overlap with genetic markers, differences based on drug status of the participants, functional enrichment, and for effect of antipsychotics. This literature survey identified 61 gene expression studies. Seventeen out of these studies were based on expression microarrays. A comparative analysis of the DEGs (n = 227) from microarray studies revealed differences between drug-naive and drug-treated SCZ participants. We found that of the 227 DEGs, 11 genes (ACOT7, AGO2, DISC1, LDB1, RUNX3, SIGIRR, SLC18A1, NRG1, CHRNB2, PRKAB2, and ZNF74) also showed genetic and epigenetic changes associated with SCZ. Functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed dysregulation of proline and 4-hydroxyproline metabolism. Also, arginine and proline metabolism was the most functionally enriched pathway for SCZ in our analysis. Follow-up studies identified effect of antipsychotic treatment on peripheral blood gene expression. Of the 27 genes compiled from the follow-up studies AKT1, DISC1, HP, and EIF2D had no effect on their expression status as a result of antipsychotic treatment. Despite the differences in the nature of the study, ethnicity of the population, and the gene expression analysis method used, we identified several coherent observations. An overlap, though limited, of genetic, epigenetic and gene expression changes supports interplay of genetic and environmental factors in SCZ. The studies validate the use of blood as a surrogate tissue for biomarker analysis. We conclude that well-designed cohort studies across diverse populations, use of high-throughput sequencing technology, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) based computational analysis will significantly improve our understanding and diagnostic capabilities for this complex disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Vilas Wagh
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Parin Vyas
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Suchita Agrawal
- The Psychiatry Unit, KEM Hospital and KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune, India
| | | | - Vasudeo Paralikar
- The Psychiatry Unit, KEM Hospital and KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune, India
| | - Satyajeet P Khare
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
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13
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Traxler L, Lagerwall J, Eichhorner S, Stefanoni D, D'Alessandro A, Mertens J. Metabolism navigates neural cell fate in development, aging and neurodegeneration. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm048993. [PMID: 34345916 PMCID: PMC8353098 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.048993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An uninterrupted energy supply is critical for the optimal functioning of all our organs, and in this regard the human brain is particularly energy dependent. The study of energy metabolic pathways is a major focus within neuroscience research, which is supported by genetic defects in the oxidative phosphorylation mechanism often contributing towards neurodevelopmental disorders and changes in glucose metabolism presenting as a hallmark feature in age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders. However, as recent studies have illuminated roles of cellular metabolism that span far beyond mere energetics, it would be valuable to first comprehend the physiological involvement of metabolic pathways in neural cell fate and function, and to subsequently reconstruct their impact on diseases of the brain. In this Review, we first discuss recent evidence that implies metabolism as a master regulator of cell identity during neural development. Additionally, we examine the cell type-dependent metabolic states present in the adult brain. As metabolic states have been studied extensively as crucial regulators of malignant transformation in cancer, we reveal how knowledge gained from the field of cancer has aided our understanding in how metabolism likewise controls neural fate determination and stability by directly wiring into the cellular epigenetic landscape. We further summarize research pertaining to the interplay between metabolic alterations and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and expose how an improved understanding of metabolic cell fate control might assist in the development of new concepts to combat age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Traxler
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Jessica Lagerwall
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Sophie Eichhorner
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Davide Stefanoni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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14
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Che WI, Westerlind H, Lundberg IE, Hellgren K, Kuja-Halkola R, Holmqvist M. Familial aggregation and heritability: a nationwide family-based study of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 80:1461-1466. [PMID: 34130985 PMCID: PMC8522465 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-219914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The magnitude of the genetic contribution to idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) is unknown. In this project, we aimed to investigate the familial aggregation and heritability of IIM. METHODS This is a family-based study using nationwide healthcare register data in Sweden. We matched each patient with IIM to individuals without IIM, identified their first-degree relatives and determined the IIM status among all first-degree relatives. We estimated the adjusted ORs (aORs) of familial aggregation of IIM using conditional logistic regression. In addition, we used tetrachoric correlation to estimate the heritability of IIM. RESULTS We included 7615 first-degree relatives of 1620 patients with IIM diagnosed between 1997 and 2016 and 37 309 first-degree relatives of 7797 individuals without IIM. Compared with individuals without IIM, patients with IIM were more likely to have ≥1 first-degree relative affected by IIM (aOR=4.32, 95% CI 2.00 to 9.34). Furthermore, the aOR of familial aggregation of IIM in full siblings was 2.53 (95% CI 1.62 to 3.96). The heritability of IIM was 22% (95% CI 12% to 31%) among any first-degree relatives and 24% (95% CI 12% to 37%) among full siblings. CONCLUSIONS IIM has a familial component with a risk of aggregation among first-degree relatives and a heritability of about 20%. This information is of importance for future aetiological studies and in clinical counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weng Ian Che
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helga Westerlind
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid E Lundberg
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Rheumatology, Gastro. Derm, Rheuma, Karolinska Institutet Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Hellgren
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Rheumatology, Gastro. Derm, Rheuma, Karolinska Institutet Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ralf Kuja-Halkola
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Holmqvist
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Rheumatology, Gastro. Derm, Rheuma, Karolinska Institutet Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Heilbronner U, Papiol S, Budde M, Andlauer TFM, Strohmaier J, Streit F, Frank J, Degenhardt F, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Witt SH, Forstner AJ, Loerbroks A, Amelang M, Stürmer T, Müller-Myhsok B, Nöthen MM, Rietschel M, Schulze TG. "The Heidelberg Five" personality dimensions: Genome-wide associations, polygenic risk for neuroticism, and psychopathology 20 years after assessment. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:77-89. [PMID: 33590662 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
HeiDE is a longitudinal population-based study that started in the 1990s and, at baseline, assessed an array of health-related personality questionnaires in 5133 individuals. Five latent personality dimensions (The Heidelberg Five) were identified and interpreted as Emotional Lability (ELAB), Lack of Behavioral Control (LBCN), Type A Behavior (TYAB), Locus of Control over Disease (LOCC), and Psychoticism (PSYC). At follow-up, 3268 HeiDE participants (post-QC) were genotyped on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. To further characterize The Heidelberg Five, we analyzed genomic underpinnings, their relations to the genetic basis of the Big Five trait Neuroticism, and longitudinal associations with psychiatric symptoms at follow-up. SNP-based heritability was significant for ELAB (34%) and LBCN (29%). A genome-wide association study for each personality dimension was conducted; only the phenotype PSYC yielded a genome-wide significant finding (p < 5 × 10-8 , top SNP rs138223660). Gene-based analyses identified significant findings for ELAB, TYAB, and PSYC. Polygenic risk scores for Neuroticism were only associated with ELAB. Each of The Heidelberg Five was related to depressive symptoms at follow-up. ELAB, LBCN, and PSYC were also associated with lifetime anxiety symptoms. These results highlight the clinical importance of health-related personality traits and identify LBCN as a heritable "executive function" personality trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Heilbronner
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sergi Papiol
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Budde
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Till F M Andlauer
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jana Strohmaier
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Franziska Degenhardt
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas J Forstner
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Center for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Manfred Amelang
- Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Til Stürmer
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bertram Müller-Myhsok
- Department of Translational Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas G Schulze
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA
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16
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Al-Qawasmi R, Coe C. Genetic influence on the curves of occlusion in children seeking orthodontic treatment. Int Orthod 2021; 19:82-87. [PMID: 33516649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ortho.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the proportion of variability in the Curve of Wilson (COW) and the Curve of Spee (COS) that is explained by genetic factors in siblings seeking orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pre-treatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of 148 sibling patients were selected. The sample consisted of 79 females and 69 males with a mean age of 12 years 7 months. The COS was measured by creating a tangent line from the distobuccal cusp of the mandibular first molars and the highest incisal tip of the mandibular incisors. Measurements were taken from that tangent line to the deepest point on the premolars and canines. The COW was measured using the molar axis line to the perpendicular to WALA (Will Andrews Lawrence Andrews) points' axis line. RESULTS The results indicate that these occlusal curves are generally moderate to highly heritable. Heritability of COW-maxilla was 78.3%, heritability of COW-mandible was 43.2% and heritability of COS was 100% (P-value<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Most of the developmental variability in the curves of occlusion comes from genetic differences, with very little contribution from environmental factors. Therefore, siblings tend to show similar occlusal curves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riyad Al-Qawasmi
- University of Detroit Mercy, Orthodontics Division, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
| | - Cory Coe
- Grand Rapids, Private Practice, Michigan, USA
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17
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Frkatovic A, Zaytseva OO, Klaric L. Genetic Regulation of Immunoglobulin G Glycosylation. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2021; 112:259-287. [PMID: 34687013 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-76912-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Defining the genetic components that control glycosylation of the human immunoglobulin G (IgG) is an ongoing effort, which has so far been addressed by means of heritability, linkage and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Unlike the synthesis of proteins, N-glycosylation biosynthesis is not a template-driven process, but rather a complex process regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. Current heritability studies have shown that while up to 75% of the variation in levels of some IgG glycan traits can be explained by genetics, some glycan traits are completely defined by environmental influences. Advances in both high-throughput genotyping and glycan quantification methods have enabled genome-wide association studies that are increasingly used to estimate associations of millions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and glycosylation traits. Using this method, 18 genomic regions have so far been robustly associated with IgG N-glycosylation, discovering associations with genes encoding glycosyltransferases, but also transcription factors, co-factors, membrane transporters and other genes with no apparent role in IgG glycosylation. Further computational analyses have shown that IgG glycosylation is likely to be regulated through the expression of glycosyltransferases, but have also for the first time suggested which transcription factors are involved in the process. Moreover, it was also shown that IgG glycosylation and inflammatory diseases share common underlying causal genetic variants, suggesting that studying genetic regulation of IgG glycosylation helps not only to better understand this complex process but can also contribute to understanding why glycans are changed in disease. However, further studies are needed to unravel whether changes in IgG glycosylation are causing these diseases or the changes in the glycome are caused by the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Frkatovic
- Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Genos Ltd., Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Olga O Zaytseva
- Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Genos Ltd., Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lucija Klaric
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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18
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Xie S, Karlsson H, Dalman C, Widman L, Rai D, Gardner RM, Magnusson C, Sandin S, Tabb LP, Newschaffer CJ, Lee BK. The Familial Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Intellectual Disability. Autism Res 2020; 13:2242-2250. [PMID: 33103358 PMCID: PMC7821228 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly heritable, yet how its familial risk and heritability may vary by cognitive ability is not well understood. In this population‐based cohort study, we examined the familial risk and heritability of ASD with and without co‐occurring intellectual disability (ID). We estimated odds ratios and heritability of ASD with ID (ASD+ID) and ASD without ID (ASD−ID) using register‐based diagnosis data of 567,436 index persons born in 1984–2009 in Stockholm County, Sweden, and their parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. The familial risk profile exhibited differences between ASD−ID and ASD+ID, most notably for index persons with affected parents. For example, for an index person who had at least one parent with ASD, the child's odds of ASD−ID and ASD+ID (95% confidence interval (CI)) increased by 16.2 (14.2–18.6) and 7.4 (5.5–10.0) folds, respectively. The more closely related a family member with ASD was, the greater the observed risk was of ASD in the index person, especially for ASD−ID. The broad‐sense heritability (95% CI) for ASD − ID and ASD+ID were 64.6% (46.0–100.0%) and 33.4% (14.4–58.4%), respectively. Familial risk and heritability of ASD may vary by intellectual ability, which implies that risk factors between these ASD phenotypes may differ. Our findings from the heritability analysis and familial risk analysis suggest that ASD−ID may have a greater genetic basis than ASD+ID, although this should be verified in future studies. Lay Summary Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly heritable, yet how its familial risk and heritability may vary by cognitive ability is not well‐understood. In a population‐based cohort study on families of 567,436 index persons using Swedish registers data, we found that the familial risk profile differed between ASD with and without intellectual disability. Our findings from the heritability analysis and familial risk analysis suggest that ASD−ID may have a greater genetic basis than ASD+ID, although this should be verified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherlly Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Håkan Karlsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Dalman
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnea Widman
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.,Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Renee M Gardner
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Magnusson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Sandin
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Loni P Tabb
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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19
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Odum AL, Becker RJ, Haynes JM, Galizio A, Frye CCJ, Downey H, Friedel JE, Perez DM. Delay discounting of different outcomes: Review and theory. J Exp Anal Behav 2020; 113:657-679. [PMID: 32147840 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Steep delay discounting is characterized by a preference for small immediate outcomes relative to larger delayed outcomes and is predictive of drug abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and other maladaptive behaviors. Nancy M. Petry was a pioneer in delay discounting research who demonstrated that people discount delayed monetary gains less steeply than they discount substances with abuse liability. Subsequent research found steep discounting for not only drugs, but other nonmonetary outcomes such as food, sex, and health. In this systematic review, we evaluate the hypotheses proposed to explain differences in discounting as a function of the type of outcome and explore the trait- and state-like nature of delay discounting. We found overwhelming evidence for the state-like quality of delay discounting: Consistent with Petry and others' work, nonmonetary outcomes are discounted more steeply than monetary outcomes. We propose two hypotheses that together may account for this effect: Decreasing Future Preference and Decreasing Future Worth. We also found clear evidence that delay discounting has trait-like qualities: People who steeply discount monetary outcomes steeply discount nonmonetary outcomes as well. The implication is that changing delay discounting for one outcome could change discounting for other outcomes.
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20
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Floris M, Cano A, Porru L, Addis R, Cambedda A, Idda ML, Steri M, Ventura C, Maioli M. Direct-to-Consumer Nutrigenetics Testing: An Overview. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12020566. [PMID: 32098227 PMCID: PMC7071525 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, specialized companies offering genetic testing services without the involvement of clinicians are growing; this development is a direct consequence of the significant decrease in genotyping and sequencing costs. Online companies offer predictions about the risk of developing complex diseases during one's life course, and they offer suggestions for personal lifestyle. Several companies have been created that provide nutrigenetics services; these companies suggest dietary indications-a central issue in the prevention and etiopathogenesis of specific diseases-based on one's personal genetic background. Dietary patterns are defined on the basis of a limited set of genetic markers. In this article, we analyze the online nutrigenetics services offered by 45 companies worldwide, to obtain an overall picture of the costs, the types of nutritional traits considered and the level of scientific precision of the services proposed. Our analysis clearly highlights the need for specific guidelines, in order to ensure a set of minimum quality standards for the nutrigenetics services offered to the customer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Floris
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (L.P.); (A.C.)
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, traversa La Crucca 3, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonella Cano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (L.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Porru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (L.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta Addis
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Cambedda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (L.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Laura Idda
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, traversa La Crucca 3, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Maristella Steri
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, SS 554 Km 4,500, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Carlo Ventura
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems–Eldor Lab, Innovation Accelerator, CNR, Via Piero Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (L.P.); (A.C.)
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, SS 554 Km 4,500, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems–Eldor Lab, Innovation Accelerator, CNR, Via Piero Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
- Center for Developmental Biology and Reprogramming-CEDEBIOR, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.M.)
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21
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Berkowitz A. Playing the genome card. J Neurogenet 2019; 34:189-197. [PMID: 31872788 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2019.1706093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the 1990s, prominent biologists and journalists predicted that by 2020 each of us would carry a genome card, which would allow physicians to access our entire genome sequence and routinely use this information to diagnose and treat common and debilitating conditions. This is not yet the case. Why not? Common and debilitating diseases are rarely caused by single-gene mutations, and this was recognized before these genome card predictions had been made. Debilitating conditions, including common psychiatric disorders, are typically caused either by rare mutations or by complex interactions of many genes, each having a small effect, and epigenetic, environmental, and microbial factors. In such cases, having a complete genome sequence may have limited utility in diagnosis and treatment. Genome sequencing technologies have transformed biological research in many ways, but had a much smaller effect than expected on treatments of common diseases. Thus, early proponents of genome sequencing effectively "mis-promised" its benefits. One reason may be that there are incentives for both biologists and journalists to tell simple stories, including the idea of relatively simple genetic causation of common, debilitating diseases. These incentives may have led to misleading predictions, which to some extent continue today. Although the Human Genome Project has facilitated biological research generally, the mis-promising of medical benefits, at least for treating common and debilitating disorders, could undermine support for scientific research over the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Berkowitz
- Department of Biology and Cellular & Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
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22
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Missing heritability of complex diseases: case solved? Hum Genet 2019; 139:103-113. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Noble
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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24
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Abstract
The developmental systems approach is a perspective that has been adopted by increasing numbers of developmental scientists since it emerged in the twentieth century. The overview presented in this paper makes clear that proponents of this approach and proponents of modern behavior analysis should be natural allies. Despite some distinctions between the two schools of thought, the essential ideas associated with each are compatible with the other; in particular, scientists in both camps work to analyze the provenance of behavior and recognize the central role that contextual factors play in behavioral expression.
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