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Li L, Lu L, Xiao Z, Lv J, Huang H, Wu B, Zhao T, Li C, Wang W, Wang H. Deamidation enables pathogenic SMAD6 variants to activate the BMP signaling pathway. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2532-5. [PMID: 38913236 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2532-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
The BMP signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating early embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. SMAD6 encodes a negative regulator of BMP, and rare variants of SMAD6 are recurrently found in individuals with birth defects. However, we observed that a subset of rare pathogenic variants of SMAD6 consistently exhibited positive regulatory effects instead of the initial negative effects on the BMP signaling pathway. We sought to determine whether these SMAD6 variants have common pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we showed that pathogenic SMAD6 variants accompanying this functional reversal exhibit similar increases in deamidation. Mechanistically, increased deamidation of SMAD6 variants promotes the accumulation of the BMP receptor BMPR1A and the formation of new complexes, both of which lead to BMP signaling pathway activation. Specifically, two residues, N262 and N404, in SMAD6 were identified as the crucial sites of deamidation, which was catalyzed primarily by glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2 (GFPT2). Additionally, treatment of cells harboring SMAD6 variants with a deamidase inhibitor restored the inhibitory effect of SMAD6 on the BMP signaling pathway. Conversely, when wild-type SMAD6 was manually simulated to mimic the deamidated state, the reversed function of activating BMP signaling was reproduced. Taken together, these findings show that deamidation of SMAD6 plays a crucial role in the functional reversal of BMP signaling activity, which can be induced by a subset of various SMAD6 variants. Our study reveals a common pathogenic mechanism shared by these variants and provides a potential strategy for preventing birth defects through deamidation regulation, which might prevent the off-target effects of gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Reproduction and Development, and Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Lei Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Ziqi Xiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jingyi Lv
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Reproduction and Development, and Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Reproduction and Development, and Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518028, China
| | - Tongjin Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Reproduction and Development, and Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518028, China.
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Coelho A, Lima-Bastos S, Gobira P, Lisboa S. Endocannabinoid signaling and epigenetics modifications in the neurobiology of stress-related disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220034. [PMID: 37520658 PMCID: PMC10372471 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220034] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure is associated with psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also a vulnerability factor to developing or reinstating substance use disorder. Stress causes several changes in the neuro-immune-endocrine axis, potentially resulting in prolonged dysfunction and diseases. Changes in several transmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glucocorticoids, and cytokines, are associated with psychiatric disorders or behavioral alterations in preclinical studies. Complex and interacting mechanisms make it very difficult to understand the physiopathology of psychiatry conditions; therefore, studying regulatory mechanisms that impact these alterations is a good approach. In the last decades, the impact of stress on biology through epigenetic markers, which directly impact gene expression, is under intense investigation; these mechanisms are associated with behavioral alterations in animal models after stress or drug exposure, for example. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates stress response, reward circuits, and other physiological functions, including hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and immune response. eCBs, for example, act retrogradely at presynaptic neurons, limiting the release of neurotransmitters, a mechanism implicated in the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects after stress. Epigenetic mechanisms can impact the expression of eCB system molecules, which in turn can regulate epigenetic mechanisms. This review will present evidence of how the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms interact and the consequences of this interaction in modulating behavioral changes after stress exposure in preclinical studies or psychiatric conditions. Moreover, evidence that correlates the involvement of the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms in drug abuse contexts will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A. Coelho
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio Lima-Bastos
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro H. Gobira
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina F. Lisboa
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Stoccoro A, Conti E, Scaffei E, Calderoni S, Coppedè F, Migliore L, Battini R. DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Young Children with Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119138. [PMID: 37298088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119138] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, the underlying pathological mechanisms of which are not yet completely understood. Although several genetic and genomic alterations have been linked to ASD, for the majority of ASD patients, the cause remains unknown, and the condition likely arises due to complex interactions between low-risk genes and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms that are highly sensitive to environmental factors and influence gene function without altering the DNA sequence, particularly aberrant DNA methylation, are involved in ASD pathogenesis. This systematic review aimed to update the clinical application of DNA methylation investigations in children with idiopathic ASD, investigating its potential application in clinical settings. To this end, a literature search was performed on different scientific databases using a combination of terms related to the association between peripheral DNA methylation and young children with idiopathic ASD; this search led to the identification of 18 articles. In the selected studies, DNA methylation is investigated in peripheral blood or saliva samples, at both gene-specific and genome-wide levels. The results obtained suggest that peripheral DNA methylation could represent a promising methodology in ASD biomarker research, although further studies are needed to develop DNA-methylation-based clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Shen B, Zhang R, Yang G, Peng Y, Nie Q, Yu H, Dong W, Chen B, Song C, Tian Y, Qin L, Shu J, Hong S, Li L. Cannabidiol prevents methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity by modulating dopamine receptor D1-mediated calcium-dependent phosphorylation of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:972828. [PMID: 36147353 PMCID: PMC9486307 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.972828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, methamphetamine (METH) abuse has sharply increased in the United States, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. METH abuse not only leads to serious drug dependence, but also produces irreversible neurotoxicity. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapies for the treatment of METH use disorders. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive (and non-addictive) cannabinoid from the cannabis plant, shows neuroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties under METH exposure. At present, however, the mechanisms underlying these properties remain unclear, which continues to hinder research on its therapeutic potential. In the current study, computational simulations showed that CBD and METH may directly bind to the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) via two overlapping binding sites. Moreover, CBD may compete with METH for the PHE-313 binding site. We also found that METH robustly induced apoptosis with activation of the caspase-8/caspase-3 cascade in-vitro and in-vivo, while CBD pretreatment prevented these changes. Furthermore, METH increased the expression of DRD1, phosphorylation of Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) at serine 421 (Ser421), and level of intracellular Ca2+in-vitro and in-vivo, but these effects were blocked by CBD pretreatment. The DRD1 antagonist SCH23390 significantly prevented METH-induced apoptosis, MeCP2 phosphorylation, and Ca2+ overload in-vitro. In contrast, the DRD1 agonist SKF81297 markedly increased apoptosis, MeCP2 phosphorylation, and Ca2+ overload, which were blocked by CBD pretreatment in-vitro. These results indicate that CBD prevents METH-induced neurotoxicity by modulating DRD1-mediated phosphorylation of MeCP2 and Ca2+ signaling. This study suggests that CBD pretreatment may resist the effects of METH on DRD1 by competitive binding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lihua Li
- *Correspondence: Shijun Hong, ; Lihua Li,
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Shen B, Zhang D, Zeng X, Guan L, Yang G, Liu L, Huang J, Li Y, Hong S, Li L. Cannabidiol inhibits methamphetamine-induced dopamine release via modulation of the DRD1-MeCP2-BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1521-1537. [PMID: 34997862 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06051-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Adaptive alteration of dopamine (DA) system in mesocorticolimbic circuits is an extremely intricate and dynamic process, which contributes to maintaining methamphetamine (METH)-related disorders. There are no approved pharmacotherapies for METH-related disorders. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis, has received attention for its therapeutic potential in treating METH-related disorders. However, the major research obstacles of CBD are the yet to be clarified mechanisms behind its therapeutic potential. Recent evidence showed that DA system may be active target of CBD. CBD could be a promising dopaminergic medication for METH-related disorders. OBJECTIVES We investigated the role of the DA receptor D1 (DRD1)-methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling pathway in DA release induced by METH. Investigating the intervention effects of CBD on the DRD1-MeCP2-BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway could help clarify the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential of CBD in METH-related disorders. RESULTS METH (400 μM) significantly increased DA release from primary neurons in vitro, which was blocked by CBD (1 μM) pretreatment. METH (400 μM) significantly increased the expression levels of DRD1, BDNF, and TrkB, but decreased the expression of MeCP2 in the neurons, whereas CBD (1 μM) pretreatment notably inhibited the protein changes induced by METH. In addition, DRD1 antagonist SCH23390 (10 μM) inhibited the DA release and protein change induced by METH in vitro. However, DRD1 agonist SKF81297 (10 μM) induced DA release and protein change in vitro, which was also blocked by CBD (1 μM) pretreatment. METH (2 mg/kg) significantly increased the DA level in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats with activation of the DRD1-MeCP2-BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, but these changes were blocked by CBD (40 or 80 mg/kg) pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that METH induces DA release via the DRD1-MeCP2-BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. Furthermore, CBD significantly inhibits DA release induced by METH through modulation of this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Shen
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Dongxian Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zeng
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Lina Guan
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Genmeng Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Liu Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Shijun Hong
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
| | - Lihua Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine of National Health Commission (NHC), Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
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Sánchez-Lafuente CL, Kalynchuk LE, Caruncho HJ, Ausió J. The Role of MeCP2 in Regulating Synaptic Plasticity in the Context of Stress and Depression. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040748. [PMID: 35203405 PMCID: PMC8870391 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a transcriptional regulator that is highly abundant in the brain. It binds to methylated genomic DNA to regulate a range of physiological functions implicated in neuronal development and adult synaptic plasticity. MeCP2 has mainly been studied for its role in neurodevelopmental disorders, but alterations in MeCP2 are also present in stress-related disorders such as major depression. Impairments in both stress regulation and synaptic plasticity are associated with depression, but the specific mechanisms underlying these changes have not been identified. Here, we review the interplay between stress, synaptic plasticity, and MeCP2. We focus our attention on the transcriptional regulation of important neuronal plasticity genes such as BDNF and reelin (RELN). Moreover, we provide evidence from recent studies showing a link between chronic stress-induced depressive symptoms and dysregulation of MeCP2 expression, underscoring the role of this protein in stress-related pathology. We conclude that MeCP2 is a promising target for the development of novel, more efficacious therapeutics for the treatment of stress-related disorders such as depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla L. Sánchez-Lafuente
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada; (C.L.S.-L.); (L.E.K.); (H.J.C.)
| | - Lisa E. Kalynchuk
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada; (C.L.S.-L.); (L.E.K.); (H.J.C.)
| | - Hector J. Caruncho
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada; (C.L.S.-L.); (L.E.K.); (H.J.C.)
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Huang J, Zhang F, Su M, Li J, Yi W, Hou L, Yang S, Liu J, Zhang H, Ma T, Wu D. MeCP2 prevents age-associated cognitive decline via restoring synaptic plasticity in a senescence-accelerated mouse model. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13451. [PMID: 34363729 PMCID: PMC8441320 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Age‐related cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with the deficits of synaptic plasticity. Therefore, exploring promising targets to enhance synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative disorders is crucial. It has been demonstrated that methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) plays a vital role in neuronal development and MeCP2 malfunction causes various neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the role of MeCP2 in neurodegenerative diseases has been less reported. In the study, we found that MeCP2 expression in the hippocampus was reduced in the hippocampus of senescence‐accelerated mice P8 (SAMP8) mice. Overexpression of hippocampal MeCP2 could elevate synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in SAMP8 mice, while knockdown of MeCP2 impaired synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in senescence accelerated‐resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. MeCP2‐mediated regulation of synaptic plasticity may be associated with CREB1 pathway. These results suggest that MeCP2 plays a vital role in age‐related cognitive decline by regulating synaptic plasticity and indicate that MeCP2 may be promising targets for the treatment of age‐related cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin‐Lan Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Scientific research center of traditional Chinese medicine Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Nanning China
| | - Min Su
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration School of Pharmacy Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine School of Pharmacy Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Wen Yi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Li‐Xiang Hou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Si‐Man Yang
- Scientific research center of traditional Chinese medicine Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Nanning China
| | - Jin‐Yuan Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Hao‐An Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration School of Pharmacy Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine School of Pharmacy Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Deng‐Pan Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacy School of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
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D'Mello SR. MECP2 and the Biology of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. J Neurochem 2021; 159:29-60. [PMID: 33638179 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), a rare X-linked genomic disorder affecting predominantly males, is caused by duplication of the chromosomal region containing the methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a multi-functional protein required for proper brain development and maintenance of brain function during adulthood. Disease symptoms include severe motor and cognitive impairment, delayed or absent speech development, autistic features, seizures, ataxia, recurrent respiratory infections and shortened lifespan. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a relatively modest increase in MECP2 protein causes such severe disease symptoms are poorly understood and consequently there are no treatments available for this fatal disorder. This review summarizes what is known to date about the structure and complex regulation of MECP2 and its many functions in the developing and adult brain. Additionally, recent experimental findings on the cellular and molecular underpinnings of MDS based on cell culture and mouse models of the disorder are reviewed. The emerging picture from these studies is that MDS is a neurodegenerative disorder in which neurons die in specific parts of the central nervous system, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Neuronal death likely results from astrocytic dysfunction, including a breakdown of glutamate homeostatic mechanisms. The role of elevations in the expression of glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) in astrocytes and the microtubule-associated protein, Tau, in neurons to the pathogenesis of MDS is discussed. Lastly, potential therapeutic strategies to potentially treat MDS are discussed.
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Kikuchi M, Nakazawa T, Kinoshita M, Yamamori H, Yasuda Y, Fujimoto M, Hashimoto R, Numata S. Methylation Analysis in Monozygotic Twins With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia and Discordant Responses to Clozapine. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:734606. [PMID: 34616320 PMCID: PMC8488120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.734606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that involves both genetic and environmental factors. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is a well-established therapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In this study, we focused on a set of monozygotic twins with treatment-resistant schizophrenia in which one twin effectively responded to clozapine treatment and the other did not. Our previous study generated neurons from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from these patients and compared the transcriptome profiles between mock- and clozapine-treated neurons. In this study, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling to investigate the mechanisms underlying gene expression changes. First, we extracted the differentially methylated sites from each twin based on statistical analysis. Then, we combined the DNA methylation profiling with transcriptome profiling from our previous RNA-seq data. Among the genes with altered methylation and expression, we found the different proportions of the genes related to neuronal and synaptic functions between the clozapine responder and non-responder (35.7 and 6.7%, respectively). This trend was observed even when the basal differences between the responder and non-responder was excluded. These results suggest that effective clozapine action may correct the abnormalities of neuronal and synapse functions in schizophrenia via changes in methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Kikuchi
- Department of Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takanobu Nakazawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Kinoshita
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hidenaga Yamamori
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Japan Community Health Care Organization Osaka Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuka Yasuda
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.,Medical Corporation Foster, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michiko Fujimoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shusuke Numata
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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Rea V, Van Raay TJ. Using Zebrafish to Model Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparison of ASD Risk Genes Between Zebrafish and Their Mammalian Counterparts. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:575575. [PMID: 33262688 PMCID: PMC7686559 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.575575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a highly variable and complex set of neurological disorders that alter neurodevelopment and cognitive function, which usually presents with social and learning impairments accompanied with other comorbid symptoms like hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, or repetitive behaviors. Autism can be caused by genetic and/or environmental factors and unraveling the etiology of ASD has proven challenging, especially given that different genetic mutations can cause both similar and different phenotypes that all fall within the autism spectrum. Furthermore, the list of ASD risk genes is ever increasing making it difficult to synthesize a common theme. The use of rodent models to enhance ASD research is invaluable and is beginning to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease. Recently, zebrafish have been recognized as a useful model of neurodevelopmental disorders with regards to genetics, pharmacology and behavior and one of the main foundations supporting autism research (SFARI) recently identified 12 ASD risk genes with validated zebrafish mutant models. Here, we describe what is known about those 12 ASD risk genes in human, mice and zebrafish to better facilitate this research. We also describe several non-genetic models including pharmacological and gnotobiotic models that are used in zebrafish to study ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terence J. Van Raay
- Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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