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The retinal pigmentation pathway in human albinism: Not so black and white. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101091. [PMID: 35729001 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Albinism is a pigment disorder affecting eye, skin and/or hair. Patients usually have decreased melanin in affected tissues and suffer from severe visual abnormalities, including foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting. Combining our data with those of the literature, we propose a single functional genetic retinal signalling pathway that includes all 22 currently known human albinism disease genes. We hypothesise that defects affecting the genesis or function of different intra-cellular organelles, including melanosomes, cause syndromic forms of albinism (Hermansky-Pudlak (HPS) and Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS)). We put forward that specific melanosome impairments cause different forms of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1-8). Further, we incorporate GPR143 that has been implicated in ocular albinism (OA1), characterised by a phenotype limited to the eye. Finally, we include the SLC38A8-associated disorder FHONDA that causes an even more restricted "albinism-related" ocular phenotype with foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting but without pigmentation defects. We propose the following retinal pigmentation pathway, with increasingly specific genetic and cellular defects causing an increasingly specific ocular phenotype: (HPS1-11/CHS: syndromic forms of albinism)-(OCA1-8: OCA)-(GPR143: OA1)-(SLC38A8: FHONDA). Beyond disease genes involvement, we also evaluate a range of (candidate) regulatory and signalling mechanisms affecting the activity of the pathway in retinal development, retinal pigmentation and albinism. We further suggest that the proposed pigmentation pathway is also involved in other retinal disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration. The hypotheses put forward in this report provide a framework for further systematic studies in albinism and melanin pigmentation disorders.
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Strong A, Callahan KP, Guo R, Ron H, Zackai EH. X-Autosome translocations: X-inactivation and effect on phenotype. Clin Dysmorphol 2021; 30:186-188. [PMID: 34148988 PMCID: PMC9969345 DOI: 10.1097/mcd.0000000000000381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alanna Strong
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Rose Guo
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Hayley Ron
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Elaine H. Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
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Favilla BP, Meloni VA, Perez AB, Moretti-Ferreira D, de Souza DH, Bellucco FT, Melaragno MI. Spread of X-chromosome inactivation into autosomal regions in patients with unbalanced X-autosome translocations and its phenotypic effects. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:2295-2305. [PMID: 33913603 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Patients with unbalanced X-autosome translocations are rare and usually present a skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) pattern, with the derivative chromosome being preferentially inactivated, and with a possible spread of XCI into the autosomal regions attached to it, which can inactivate autosomal genes and affect the patients' phenotype. We describe three patients carrying different unbalanced X-autosome translocations, confirmed by G-banding karyotype and array techniques. We analyzed their XCI pattern and inactivation spread into autosomal regions, through HUMARA, ZDHHC15 gene assay and the novel 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay, and identified an extremely skewed XCI pattern toward the derivative chromosomes for all the patients, and a variable pattern of late-replication on the autosomal regions of the derivative chromosomes. All patients showed phenotypical overlap with patients presenting deletions of the autosomal late-replicating regions, suggesting that the inactivation of autosomal segments may be responsible for their phenotype. Our data highlight the importance of the XCI spread into autosomal regions for establishing the clinical picture in patients carrying unbalanced X-autosome translocations, and the incorporation of EdU as a novel and precise tool to evaluate the inactivation status in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Pereira Favilla
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, UNIFESP-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera Ayres Meloni
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, UNIFESP-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Perez
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, UNIFESP-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo Moretti-Ferreira
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Deise Helena de Souza
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Isabel Melaragno
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, UNIFESP-Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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De novo unbalanced translocations have a complex history/aetiology. Hum Genet 2018; 137:817-829. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Prader-Willi Syndrome: The Disease that Opened up Epigenomic-Based Preemptive Medicine. Diseases 2016; 4:diseases4010015. [PMID: 28933395 PMCID: PMC5456307 DOI: 10.3390/diseases4010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of paternally expressed genes on chromosome 15 due to paternal deletion of 15q11–q13, maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 15, or an imprinting mutation. We previously developed a DNA methylation-based PCR assay to identify each of these three genetic causes of PWS. The assay enables straightforward and rapid diagnosis during infancy and therefore allows early intervention such as nutritional management, physical therapy, or growth hormone treatment to prevent PWS patients from complications such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is known that various environmental factors induce epigenomic changes during the perinatal period, which increase the risk of adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes and intellectual disabilities. Therefore, a similar preemptive approach as used in PWS would also be applicable to acquired disorders and would make use of environmentally-introduced “epigenomic signatures” to aid development of early intervention strategies that take advantage of “epigenomic reversibility”.
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Sisdelli L, Vidi AC, Moysés-Oliveira M, Di Battista A, Bortolai A, Moretti-Ferreira D, da Silva MRD, Melaragno MI, Carvalheira G. Incorporation of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) as a novel strategy for identification of the skewed X inactivation pattern in balanced and unbalanced X-rearrangements. Hum Genet 2015; 135:185-92. [PMID: 26670424 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-015-1622-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation occurs randomly in normal female cells. However, the inactivation can be skewed in patients with alterations in X-chromosome. In balanced X-autosome translocations, normal X is preferentially inactivated, while in unbalanced X alterations, the aberrant X is usually inactivated. Here, we present a novel strategy to verify the skewed X inactivation pattern through the incorporation of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) into cells, in 11 patients: five carriers of balanced X-autosome translocations and six of unbalanced X-chromosome alterations. Since EdU is a labeled nucleoside analog of thymidine, its incorporation during DNA synthesis can reveal late replication regions and the inactive X-chromosome. All EdU findings were validated by the human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA) assay. The late replication regions were easily and quickly visualized in all cells, where inactive Xs are marked with strong green fluorescence. It was observed that the normal X-chromosome was preferentially inactivated in patients with balanced X-autosome translocations; while the aberrant X-chromosome was inactivated in most cells from patients with unbalanced alterations. By performing the fluorescence-based EdU assay, the differences between the active and inactive X-chromosomes are more easily recognizable than by classic cytogenetic methods. Furthermore, EdU incorporation allows the observation of the late replication regions in autosomal segments present in X derivatives from X-autosome translocations. Therefore, EdU assay permits an accurate and efficient cytogenetic evaluation of the X inactivation pattern with a low-cost, easy to perform and highly reproducible technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Sisdelli
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Angela Cristina Vidi
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Moysés-Oliveira
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Adriana Di Battista
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bortolai
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Danilo Moretti-Ferreira
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil
| | - Magnus R Dias da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Melaragno
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Gianna Carvalheira
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04023-900, Brazil.
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Visser M, Kayser M, Grosveld F, Palstra RJ. Genetic variation in regulatory DNA elements: the case of OCA2 transcriptional regulation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:169-77. [PMID: 24387780 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutations within the OCA2 gene or the complete absence of the OCA2 protein leads to oculocutaneous albinism type 2. The OCA2 protein plays a central role in melanosome biogenesis, and it is a strong determinant of the eumelanin content in melanocytes. Transcript levels of the OCA2 gene are strongly correlated with pigmentation intensities. Recent studies demonstrated that the transcriptional level of OCA2 is to a large extent determined by the noncoding SNP rs12913832 located 21.5 kb upstream of the OCA2 gene promoter. In this review, we discuss current hypotheses and the available data on the mechanism of OCA2 transcriptional regulation and how this is influenced by genetic variation. Finally, we will explore how future epigenetic studies can be used to advance our insight into the functional biology that connects genetic variation to human pigmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijke Visser
- Department of Forensic Molecular Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Yeung KS, Chee YY, Luk HM, Kan ASY, Tang MHY, Lau ET, Shuen AY, Lo IFM, Chan KYK, Chung BHY. Spread of X inactivation on chromosome 15 is associated with a more severe phenotype in a girl with an unbalanced t(X; 15) translocation. Am J Med Genet A 2014; 164A:2521-8. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.36670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- KS Yeung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - YY Chee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - HM Luk
- Clinical Genetic Service; Department of Health; Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Anita SY Kan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - Mary HY Tang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - Elizabeth T Lau
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - Andrew Y Shuen
- Department of Human Genetics; McGill University; Montreal Canada
| | - Ivan FM Lo
- Clinical Genetic Service; Department of Health; Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Kelvin YK Chan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
| | - Brian HY Chung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; China
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Kubota T, Miyake K, Hariya N, Mochizuki K. Epigenetics as a basis for diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders: challenges and opportunities. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014; 14:685-97. [DOI: 10.1586/14737159.2014.925805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Kunio M, Yang C, Minakuchi Y, Ohori K, Soutome M, Hirasawa T, Kazuki Y, Adachi N, Suzuki S, Itoh M, Goto YI, Andoh T, Kurosawa H, Akamatsu W, Ohyama M, Okano H, Oshimura M, Sasaki M, Toyoda A, Kubota T. Comparison of Genomic and Epigenomic Expression in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Rett Syndrome. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66729. [PMID: 23805272 PMCID: PMC3689680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monozygotic (identical) twins have been widely used in genetic studies to determine the relative contributions of heredity and the environment in human diseases. Discordance in disease manifestation between affected monozygotic twins has been attributed to either environmental factors or different patterns of X chromosome inactivation (XCI). However, recent studies have identified genetic and epigenetic differences between monozygotic twins, thereby challenging the accepted experimental model for distinguishing the effects of nature and nurture. Here, we report the genomic and epigenomic sequences in skin fibroblasts of a discordant monozygotic twin pair with Rett syndrome, an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by autistic features, epileptic seizures, gait ataxia and stereotypical hand movements. The twins shared the same de novo mutation in exon 4 of the MECP2 gene (G269AfsX288), which was paternal in origin and occurred during spermatogenesis. The XCI patterns in the twins did not differ in lymphocytes, skin fibroblasts, and hair cells (which originate from ectoderm as does neuronal tissue). No reproducible differences were detected between the twins in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertion-deletion polymorphisms (indels), or copy number variations. Differences in DNA methylation between the twins were detected in fibroblasts in the upstream regions of genes involved in brain function and skeletal tissues such as Mohawk Homeobox (MKX), Brain-type Creatine Kinase (CKB), and FYN Tyrosine Kinase Protooncogene (FYN). The level of methylation in these upstream regions was inversely correlated with the level of gene expression. Thus, differences in DNA methylation patterns likely underlie the discordance in Rett phenotypes between the twins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyake Kunio
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Chunshu Yang
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Yohei Minakuchi
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Kenta Ohori
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Masaki Soutome
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Takae Hirasawa
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Noboru Adachi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Seiko Suzuki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital for Mental, Nervous, and Muscular Disorders, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Itoh
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu-ichi Goto
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Andoh
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kurosawa
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Wado Akamatsu
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sasaki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital for Mental, Nervous, and Muscular Disorders, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Takeo Kubota
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
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Reissmann M, Ludwig A. Pleiotropic effects of coat colour-associated mutations in humans, mice and other mammals. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2013; 24:576-86. [PMID: 23583561 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2013.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The characterisation of the pleiotropic effects of coat colour-associated mutations in mammals illustrates that sensory organs and nerves are particularly affected by disorders because of the shared origin of melanocytes and neurocytes in the neural crest; e.g. the eye-colour is a valuable indicator of disorders in pigment production and eye dysfunctions. Disorders related to coat colour-associated alleles also occur in the skin (melanoma), reproductive tract and immune system. Additionally, the coat colour phenotype of an individual influences its general behaviour and fitness. Mutations in the same genes often produce similar coat colours and pleiotropic effects in different species (e.g., KIT [reproductive disorders, lethality], EDNRB [megacolon] and LYST [CHS]). Whereas similar disorders and similar-looking coat colour phenotypes sometimes have a different genetic background (e.g., deafness [EDN3/EDNRB, MITF, PAX and SNAI2] and visual diseases [OCA2, RAB38, SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TRPM1 and TYR]). The human predilection for fancy phenotypes that ignore disorders and genetic defects is a major driving force for the increase of pleiotropic effects in domestic species and laboratory subjects since domestication has commenced approximately 18,000 years ago.
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Key Words
- AS
- ASIP
- ATRN
- Agouti signalling protein
- Albino
- Angelman syndrome
- Attractin (mahogany)
- BLOC
- Biogenesis of lysosomal organelles complex
- CCSD
- CHS
- CSD
- CSNB
- Canine congenital sensorineural deafness
- Chediak-Higashi syndrome
- Coat colour gene
- Congenital sensorineural deafness
- Congenital stationary night blindness
- Disorder
- EDN3
- EDNRB
- Endothelin 3
- Endothelin receptor type B
- Epistasis
- Fitness
- GS
- Griscelli syndrome (type 1 or 2)
- HPS
- HSCR
- Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome with different types
- Hirschsprung disease
- IPE
- Iris pigment epithelium
- KIT
- KIT ligand (steel factor)
- KITLG
- LFS
- LYST
- Lavender foal syndrome
- Lethal
- Leucism
- Lysosomal trafficking regulator
- MC1R
- MCOA
- MCOLN3
- MGRN1
- MITF
- MYO5A
- Mahogunin ring finger 1 (E3 ubiquitin protein ligase)
- Melanocortin 1 receptor
- Melanoma
- Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor
- Mucolipin 3 (TRPML3)
- Multiple congenital ocular anomalies
- Myosin VA (heavy chain 12, myoxin)
- OA
- OCA
- OCA2
- OLWS
- OSTM1
- Ocular albinism
- Oculocutaneous albinism II (pink-eye dilution homolog)
- Oculocutaneous albinism type 1–4
- Osteopetrosis associated transmembrane protein 1 (Grey lethal osteopetrosis)
- Overo lethal white syndrome
- PAX3
- PMEL
- PWS
- Paired box 3
- Pleiotropy
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Premelanosome protein (Pmel17, SILV)
- RAB27A
- RAB27A member RAS oncogene family
- RAB38
- RAB38 member RAS oncogene family
- RPE
- Reproduction
- Retinal pigmented epithelium
- SLC24A5
- SLC2A9
- SLC45A2
- SNAI2
- STX17
- Snail homolog 2 (Drosophila), (SLUG), SOX10, SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 10
- Solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 9
- Solute carrier family 24, member 5
- Solute carrier family 45, member 2, MATP
- Syntaxin 17
- TRPM1
- TYR
- Tameness
- Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 1 (melastatin-1)
- Tyrosinase, TYRP1, Tyrosinase-related protein 1
- V-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit)
- WS
- Waardenburg syndrome (type 1, type 2 combined with Tietz syndrome type 3 Klein-Waardenburg syndrome, type 4 Waardenburg-Shah syndrome)
- alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- αMSH
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Reissmann
- Humboldt University Berlin, Department for Crop and Animal Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
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Peng Z, Shen R, Li YW, Teng KY, Shapiro CL, Lin HJL. Epigenetic repression of RARRES1 is mediated by methylation of a proximal promoter and a loss of CTCF binding. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36891. [PMID: 22615834 PMCID: PMC3355180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cis-acting promoter element responsible for epigenetic silencing of retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1) by methylation is unclear. Likewise, how aberrant methylation interplays effectors and thus affects breast neoplastic features remains largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings We first compared methylation occurring at the sequences (−664∼+420) flanking the RARRES1 promoter in primary breast carcinomas to that in adjacent benign tissues. Surprisingly, tumor cores displayed significantly elevated methylation occurring solely at the upstream region (−664∼−86), while the downstream element (−85∼+420) proximal to the transcriptional start site (+1) remained largely unchanged. Yet, hypermethylation at the former did not result in appreciable silencing effect. In contrast, the proximal sequence displayed full promoter activity and methylation of which remarkably silenced RARRES1 transcription. This phenomenon was recapitulated in breast cancer cell lines, in which methylation at the proximal region strikingly coincided with downregulation. We also discovered that CTCF occupancy was enriched at the unmethylayed promoter bound with transcription-active histone markings. Furthermore, knocking-down CTCF expression hampered RARRES1 expression, suggesting CTCF positively regulated RARRES1 transcription presumably by binding to unmethylated promoter poised at transcription-ready state. Moreover, RARRES1 restoration not only impeded cell invasion but also promoted death induced by chemotherapeutic agents, denoting its tumor suppressive effect. Its role of attenuating invasion agreed with data generated from clinical specimens revealing that RARRES1 was generally downregulated in metastatic lymph nodes compared to the tumor cores. Conclusion/Significance This report delineated silencing of RARRES1 by hypermethylation is occurring at a proximal promoter element and is associated with a loss of binding to CTCF, an activator for RARRES1 expression. We also revealed the tumor suppressive roles exerted by RARRES1 in part by promoting breast epithelial cell death and by impeding cell invasion that is an important property for metastatic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengang Peng
- Division of Medical Technology, School of Allied Medical Professions, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Molecular Biology and Cancer Genetics Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rulong Shen
- Department of Pathology, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ying-Wei Li
- Division of Medical Technology, School of Allied Medical Professions, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Molecular Biology and Cancer Genetics Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kun-Yu Teng
- Division of Medical Technology, School of Allied Medical Professions, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Molecular Biology and Cancer Genetics Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Charles L. Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Huey-Jen L. Lin
- Division of Medical Technology, School of Allied Medical Professions, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Molecular Biology and Cancer Genetics Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Medical Technology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kubota T, Takae H, Miyake K. Epigenetic mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives for neurodevelopmental disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2012; 5:369-83. [PMID: 24281407 PMCID: PMC3763642 DOI: 10.3390/ph5040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of children with mild neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, has been recently increasing in advanced countries. This increase is probably caused by environmental factors rather than genetic factors, because it is unlikely that genetic mutation rates suddenly increased within a short period. Epigenetics is a mechanism that regulates gene expression, depending not on the underlying DNA sequence but on the chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins. Because mental stress can alter the epigenetic status in neuronal cells, environmental factors may alter brain function through epigenetic changes. However, one advantage of epigenetic changes is their reversibility. Therefore, diseases due to abnormal epigenetic regulation are theoretically treatable. In fact, several drugs for treating mental diseases are known to have restoring effects on aberrant epigenetic statuses, and a novel therapeutic strategy targeting gene has been developed. In this review, we discuss epigenetic mechanisms of congenital and acquired neurodevelopmental disorders, drugs with epigenetic effects, novel therapeutic strategies for epigenetic diseases, and future perspectives in epigenetic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Kubota
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 490-3898, Japan.
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Kubota T, Miyake K, Hirasawa T. Epigenetic understanding of gene-environment interactions in psychiatric disorders: a new concept of clinical genetics. Clin Epigenetics 2012; 4:1. [PMID: 22414323 PMCID: PMC3305338 DOI: 10.1186/1868-7083-4-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a mechanism that regulates gene expression independently of the underlying DNA sequence, relying instead on the chemical modification of DNA and histone proteins. Although environmental and genetic factors were thought to be independently associated with disorders, several recent lines of evidence suggest that epigenetics bridges these two factors. Epigenetic gene regulation is essential for normal development, thus defects in epigenetics cause various rare congenital diseases. Because epigenetics is a reversible system that can be affected by various environmental factors, such as drugs, nutrition, and mental stress, the epigenetic disorders also include common diseases induced by environmental factors. In this review, we discuss the nature of epigenetic disorders, particularly psychiatric disorders, on the basis of recent findings: 1) susceptibility of the conditions to environmental factors, 2) treatment by taking advantage of their reversible nature, and 3) transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic changes, that is, acquired adaptive epigenetic changes that are passed on to offspring. These recently discovered aspects of epigenetics provide a new concept of clinical genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Kubota
- Department of Epigenetics Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
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