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Fang T, Liu MN, Liu MQ, Tian XY, Zhang XJ, Liu F, Hao W, Wu N, Li H, Li J. A preliminary study on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms and methylation of dopamine system-related genes with psychotic symptoms in patients with methamphetamine use disorder. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1428-1440. [PMID: 38151046 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16238] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) can substantially jeopardize public security due to its high-risk social psychology and behaviour. Given that the dopamine reward system is intimately correlated with MAUD, we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as well as methylation status of dopamine receptor type 4 (DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes, and paranoid and motor-impulsive symptoms in MAUD patients. A total of 189 MAUD patients participated in our study. Peripheral blood samples were used to detect 3 SNPs and 35 CpG units of methylation in the DRD4 gene promoter region and 5 SNPs and 39 CpG units in the COMT gene. MAUD patients with the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele have a lower percentage of paranoid symptoms than those with the rs1800955 TT allele. Individuals with paranoid symptoms exhibited a reduced methylation degree at a particular DRD4 CpG2.3 unit. The interaction of the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele and the reduced DRD4CpG2.3 methylation degree were associated with a lower occurrence of paranoid symptoms. Meanwhile, those with the COMT rs4818 CC allele had lower motor-impulsivity scores in MAUD patients but greater COMT methylation levels in the promoter region and methylation degree at the COMT CpG 51.52 unit. Therefore, based only on the COMT rs4818 CC polymorphism, there was a negative correlation between COMT methylation and motor-impulsive scores. Our preliminary results provide a clue that the combination of SNP genotype and methylation status of the DRD4 and COMT genes serve as biological indicators for the prevalence of relatively high-risk psychotic symptoms in MAUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Nan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Qi Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Compulsory Detoxification Center of Changsha Public Security Bureau, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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Geraci F, Passiatore R, Penzel N, Laudani S, Bertolino A, Blasi G, Graziano ACE, Kikidis GC, Mazza C, Parihar M, Rampino A, Sportelli L, Trevisan N, Drago F, Papaleo F, Sambataro F, Pergola G, Leggio GM. Sex dimorphism controls dysbindin-related cognitive dysfunctions in mice and humans with the contribution of COMT. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02527-3. [PMID: 38532008 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02527-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunctions are core-enduring symptoms of schizophrenia, with important sex-related differences. Genetic variants of the DTBPN1 gene associated with reduced dysbindin-1 protein (Dys) expression negatively impact cognitive functions in schizophrenia through a functional epistatic interaction with Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Dys is involved in the trafficking of dopaminergic receptors, crucial for prefrontal cortex (PFC) signaling regulation. Moreover, dopamine signaling is modulated by estrogens via inhibition of COMT expression. We hypothesized a sex dimorphism in Dys-related cognitive functions dependent on COMT and estrogen levels. Our multidisciplinary approach combined behavioral-molecular findings on genetically modified mice, human postmortem Dys expression data, and in vivo fMRI during a working memory task performance. We found cognitive impairments in male mice related to genetic variants characterized by reduced Dys protein expression (pBonferroni = 0.0001), as well as in male humans through a COMT/Dys functional epistatic interaction involving PFC brain activity during working memory (t(23) = -3.21; pFDR = 0.004). Dorsolateral PFC activity was associated with lower working memory performance in males only (p = 0.04). Also, male humans showed decreased Dys expression in dorsolateral PFC during adulthood (pFDR = 0.05). Female Dys mice showed preserved cognitive performances with deficits only with a lack of estrogen tested in an ovariectomy model (pBonferroni = 0.0001), suggesting that genetic variants reducing Dys protein expression could probably become functional in females when the protective effect of estrogens is attenuated, i.e., during menopause. Overall, our results show the differential impact of functional variants of the DTBPN1 gene interacting with COMT on cognitive functions across sexes in mice and humans, underlying the importance of considering sex as a target for patient stratification and precision medicine in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Passiatore
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nora Penzel
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Samuele Laudani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Psychiatric Unit - University Hospital, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Blasi
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Psychiatric Unit - University Hospital, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Adriana C E Graziano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca C Kikidis
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ciro Mazza
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Madhur Parihar
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Antonio Rampino
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Psychiatric Unit - University Hospital, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sportelli
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 GD, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolò Trevisan
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulio Pergola
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
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Chi J, Ma Y, Shi M, Lu C, Jiang Q, Li Y, Zhang X, Shi X, Wang L, Li S. Associations between Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphisms and cognitive impairments, psychiatric symptoms and tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia. Brain Res 2024; 1826:148740. [PMID: 38142723 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148740] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a crucial enzyme involved in dopamine metabolism and has been implicated in the etiology of tardive dyskinesia (TD). We aimed to investigate the associations between COMT gene polymorphisms and the occurrence and severity of TD in a Chinese population, as well as the impact on the psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairments observed in TD patients. METHODS A total of 216 chronic schizophrenia patients, including 59 TD patients and 157 NTD patients, were recruited for this study. Three SNPs of the COMT gene (rs4680, rs165599 and rs4818) were selected and genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). TD severity, psychopathology and cognitive functioning were assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Repeated Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), respectively. RESULTS In TD patients, total AIMs scores were higher in carriers of the rs4680 AA genotype than in carriers of the AG and GG genotypes (p = 0.01, 0.006), carriers of the rs4818 GC and CC genotypes had higher orofacial scores than in GG genotypes (p = 0.032, 0.002). In male TD patients, carriers of the rs165599 GA genotype scored lower in the extremities and trunk scores than AA genotype carriers (p = 0.015). Moreover, in male TD patients, COMT rs4818 was associated with cognition, since the C allele carriers had significantly higher immediate memory (p = 0.043) and verbal function (p = 0.040) scores than the G allele carriers. In addition, rs165599 genotype interacted with TD diagnosis on depressed factor (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION Within the Chinese population, COMT gene polymorphisms could potentially serve as biomarkers for the symptoms and prognosis of TD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Chi
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Yanyan Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Menglei Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Chenghao Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Qiaona Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Yanzhe Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xiaomei Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China.
| | - Shen Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China.
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Besin V, Humardani FM, Yulianti T, Justyn M. Genomic profile of Parkinson's disease in Asians. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 552:117682. [PMID: 38016627 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117682] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) has witnessed an alarming rise in prevalence, highlighting the suboptimal nature of early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. To address this issue, genetic testing has emerged as a potential avenue. In this comprehensive review, we have meticulously summarized the variants associated with PD in Asian populations. Our review reveals that these variants exert their influence on diverse biological pathways, encompassing the autophagy-lysosome pathway, cholesterol metabolism, circadian rhythm regulation, immune system response, and synaptic function. Conventionally, PD has been linked to other diseases; however, our findings shed light on a shared genetic susceptibility among these conditions, implying an underlying pathophysiological mechanism that unifies them. Moreover, it is noteworthy that these PD-associated variants can significantly impact drug responses during therapeutic interventions. This review not only provides a consolidated overview of the genetic variants associated with PD in Asian populations but also contributes novel insights into the intricate relationships between PD and other diseases by elucidating shared genetic components. These findings underscore the importance of personalized approaches in diagnosing and treating PD based on individual genetic profiles to optimize patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentinus Besin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Surabaya, Surabaya 60292, Indonesia
| | - Farizky Martriano Humardani
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Surabaya, Surabaya 60292, Indonesia; Magister in Biomedical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65112, Indonesia.
| | - Trilis Yulianti
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Matthew Justyn
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjajaran University, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia
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Estrogen - A key neurosteroid in the understanding and treatment of mental illness in women. Psychiatry Res 2023; 319:114991. [PMID: 36502712 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The commentary is an invited brief about my contribution to Psychiatry Research. My work has built on the "estrogen hypothesis", as stated by Hafner, Riecher-Rossler and Seeman in the 1990's. This hypothesis was that estrogen provides 'protection' against the early onset of severe schizophrenia in women, and with decreasing brain estrogens at the menopause, mental ill health worsens in women. In this paper, results from clinical trials conducted over many decades, that involved administering exogenous estrogen in different types and doses, show an overall positive impact - with improved symptoms of schizophrenia in women. This led to the conduct of further successful clinical trials of gonadal hormone treatment in women with PMDD and menopausal depression, plus understanding more about depression caused by hormone contraceptives. The role of estrogens in stress vulnerability is reflected in the sex-dependent reaction to childhood trauma, which has led to our new work in the neurobiological effects of early life trauma in women.
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Dean B, Thomas EHX, Bozaoglu K, Tan EJ, Van Rheenen TE, Neill E, Sumner PJ, Carruthers SP, Scarr E, Rossell SL, Gurvich C. Evidence that a working memory cognitive phenotype within schizophrenia has a unique underlying biology. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114873. [PMID: 36252418 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
It is suggested studying phenotypes within the syndrome of schizophrenia will accelerate understanding the complex molecular pathology of the disorder. Supporting this hypothesis, we have identified a sub-group within schizophrenia with impaired working memory (WM) and have used Affymetrix™ Human Exon 1.0 ST Arrays to compare their blood RNA levels (n=16) to a group of with intact WM (n=18). Levels of 72 RNAs were higher in blood from patients with impaired WM, 11 of which have proven links to the maintenance of different aspects of working memory (cognition). Overall, changed gene expression in those with impaired WM could be linked to cognition through glutamatergic activity, olfaction, immunity, inflammation as well as energy and metabolism. Our data gives preliminary support to the hypotheses that there is a working memory deficit phenotype within the syndrome of schizophrenia with has a biological underpinning. In addition, our data raises the possibility that a larger study could show that the specific changes in gene expression we have identified could prove to be the biomarkers needed to develop a blood test to identify those with impaired WM; a significant step toward allowing the use of personalised medicine directed toward improving their impaired working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dean
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth H X Thomas
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiymet Bozaoglu
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric J Tan
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tamsyn E Van Rheenen
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Erica Neill
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip J Sumner
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean P Carruthers
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caroline Gurvich
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Xavier J, Bastos CR, Camerini L, Amaral PB, Jansen K, de Mattos Souza LD, da Silva RA, Pinheiro RT, Lara DR, Ghisleni G. Interaction between COMT Val 158 Met polymorphism and childhood trauma predicts risk for depression in men. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:385-396. [PMID: 35441426 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a disabling illness with complex etiology. While the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene, in particular the functional Val158 Met polymorphism, has been related to depression, the mechanisms underlying this gene-disease association are not completely understood. Therefore, we explore the association of COMT Val158 Met polymorphism with depression as well as its interaction with childhood trauma in 1,136 young adults from a population-based study carried out in the city of Pelotas-Brazil. The diagnosis was performed through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 (MINI 5.0), and trauma was assessed with the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). Total DNA was extracted and genotyped by real-time PCR and the QTLbase dataset was queried to perform large-scale quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Our research showed no direct association between the Val158 Met polymorphism and the diagnosis of depression (women: χ2=0.10, d=1, p=0.751 and men: χ2=0.003, df=1 p=0.956). However, the Met-allele of the Val158 Met polymorphism modified the effect of childhood trauma in men [OR=2.58 (95% CI:1.05-6.29); p=0.038] conferring risk for depression only on those who suffer from trauma. The conditional effect from moderation analysis showed that trauma impacts the risk of depression only in men carrying the Met-allele (Effect: 0.9490, Standard Error (SE): 0.2570; p=0.0002). QTLbase and dataset for Val158 Met polymorphism were consistent for markers that influence chromatin accessibility transcription capacity including histone methylation and acetylation. The changes caused in gene regulation by childhood trauma exposure and polymorphism may serve as evidence of the mechanism whereby the interaction increases susceptibility to this disorder in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaína Xavier
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Clarissa Ribeiro Bastos
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Laísa Camerini
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paola Bajadares Amaral
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Karen Jansen
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luciano Dias de Mattos Souza
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Azevedo da Silva
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tavares Pinheiro
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Diogo Rizzato Lara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Ghisleni
- Center of Health Sciences, Post-Graduation Program of Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Changes in cortical gene expression in the muscarinic M1 receptor knockout mouse: potential relevance to schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and cognition. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2021; 7:44. [PMID: 34521861 PMCID: PMC8440523 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem and neuroimaging studies show low levels of cortical muscarinic M1 receptors (CHRM1) in patients with schizophrenia which is significant because CHRM signalling has been shown to change levels of gene expression and cortical gene expression is altered in schizophrenia. We decided to identify CHRM1-mediated changes in cortical gene expression by measuring levels of RNA in the cortex of the Chrm1-/- mouse (n = 10), where there would be no signalling by that receptor, and in wild type mouse (n = 10) using the Affymetrix Mouse Exon 1.0 ST Array. We detected RNA for 15,501 annotated genes and noncoding RNA of which 1,467 RNAs were higher and 229 RNAs lower in the cortex of the Chrm1-/- mouse. Pathways and proteins affected by the changes in cortical gene expression in the Chrm1-/- are linked to the molecular pathology of schizophrenia. Our human cortical gene expression data showed 47 genes had altered expression in Chrm1-/- mouse and the frontal pole from patients with schizophrenia with the change in expression of 44 genes being in opposite directions. In addition, genes with altered levels of expression in the Chrm1-/- mouse have been shown to affect amyloid precursor protein processing which is associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, and 69 genes with altered expression in the Chrm1-/- mouse are risk genes associated with human cognitive ability. Our findings argue CHRM1-mediated changes in gene expression are relevant to the pathophysiologies of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease and the maintenance of cognitive ability in humans.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder with a different, but not necessarily milder clinical presentation in women as compared to men. These sex differences have largely been attributed to the protective role of estrogens. This article reviews the current state of estrogen research in schizophrenia. RECENT FINDINGS Estrogens regulate important pathophysiological pathways in schizophrenia, including dopamine activity, mitochondrial function, and the stress system. Estrogen deficiency is common in both sexes and is associated with increases in psychotic symptoms. Hyperprolactinemia causes secondary estrogen deficiency and can be a reaction to stress, or secondary to prolactin-raising antipsychotics. Therefore, prolactin-sparing antipsychotics should be preferred especially in premenopausal women, who are more prone to hyperprolactinemia. Premenopausal women furthermore require lower doses of antipsychotics than men, since estrogens raise the availability and efficacy of antipsychotics. SUMMARY The past years have established the importance of estrogens in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and have shown its relevance to clinical practice through its influence on antipsychotic drug efficacy. Future research should focus on the neurobiological and clinical effect of contraceptives in premenopausal women with schizophrenia. Furthermore, the potential of estrogen-like augmentation with raloxifene and phytoestrogens in schizophrenia should be established in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodyl A. Brand
- University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen
| | - Janna N. de Boer
- University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Iris E.C. Sommer
- University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen
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Dean B, Gogos A. The impact of ovariectomy and chronic estrogen treatment on gene expression in the rat cortex: Implications for psychiatric disorders. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 127:105192. [PMID: 33730612 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens, via estrogen-mediated changes in CNS function, have been suggested to be beneficial in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. Few studies have used transcriptomic technologies to determine the effect of estrogen on gene expression in the CNS. Thus, we aimed to examine the impact of ovariectomy (the removal of all ovarian hormones) and estrogen replacement on rat frontal cortical gene expression. We used the Agilent SurePrint G3 Gene Expression Rat Array to measure levels of RNA in intact (cycling) female rats and in ovariectomized rats that were, or were not, given 17β-estradiol in implants for 4 weeks. Compared to untreated ovariectomized rats, intact rats (effect of ovarian hormones; comparison 1) and rats receiving 17β-estradiol replacement (estrogen-specific effects; comparison 2) showed significant changes in cortical gene expression (58 and 36 genes, respectively). These changes in gene expression would be expected to affect pathways that regulate neurotransmitters, glutathione and sphingolipids; pathways known to be implicated in the pathophysiologies of psychiatric disorders. When we compared the levels of gene expression in the two comparisons that had a significance of p < 0.01 independent of magnitude of change, there was a strong correlation between fold changes in gene expression for 127 genes. We posit that this correlation is due to the level of expression of these genes being strongly influenced by both cycling and replacement estrogen. Further exploration of ovarian hormone- and estrogen-sensitive gene expression may provide new insight into the aetiology of aspects of psychiatric disorders that show sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dean
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Benitez CM, Knox SJ. Harnessing genome-wide association studies to minimize adverse radiation-induced side effects. Radiat Oncol J 2020; 38:226-235. [PMID: 33233031 PMCID: PMC7785837 DOI: 10.3857/roj.2020.00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is used as definitive treatment in approximately two-thirds of all cancers. However, like any treatment, radiation has significant acute and long-term side effects including secondary malignancies. Even when similar radiation parameters are used, 5%–10% of patients will experience adverse radiation side effects. Genomic susceptibility is thought to be responsible for approximately 40% of the clinical variability observed. In the era of precision medicine, the link between genetic susceptibility and radiation-induced side effects is further strengthening. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have begun to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) attributed to overall and tissue-specific toxicity following radiation for treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancers. Here, we review the use of GWAS in identifying polymorphisms that are predictive of acute and long-term radiation-induced side effects with a focus on chest, pelvic, and head-and-neck irradiation. Integration of GWAS with “omic” data, patient characteristics, and clinical correlates into predictive models could decrease radiation-induced side effects while increasing therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecil M Benitez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Susan J Knox
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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