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Sleep M, Landaverde S, Lacoste A, Tan S, Schuback R, Reiter LT, Iyengar A. Glial expression of Drosophila UBE3A causes spontaneous seizures modulated by 5-HT signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.08.579543. [PMID: 38370819 PMCID: PMC10871353 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.08.579543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Misexpression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3A is thought to contribute to a range of neurological disorders. In the context of Dup15q syndrome, excess genomic copies of UBE3A is thought to contribute to the autism, muscle tone and spontaneous seizures characteristic of the disorder. In a Drosophila model of Dup 15q syndrome, it was recently shown glial-driven expression of the UBE3A ortholog dube3a led to a "bang-sensitive" phenotype, where mechanical shock triggers convulsions, suggesting glial dube3a expression contributes to hyperexcitability in flies. Here we directly compare the consequences of glial- and neuronal-driven dube3a expression on motor coordination and neuronal excitability in Drosophila. We utilized IowaFLI tracker and developed a hidden Markov Model to classify seizure-related immobilization. Both glial and neuronal driven dube3a expression led to clear motor phenotypes. However, only glial-driven dube3a expression displayed spontaneous immobilization events, that were exacerbated at high-temperature (38 °C). Using a tethered fly preparation we monitored flight muscle activity, we found glial-driven dube3a flies display spontaneous spike discharges which were bilaterally synchronized indicative of seizure activity. Neither control flies, nor neuronal- dube3a overexpressing flies display such firing patterns. Prior drug screen indicated bang-sensitivity in glial-driven dube3a expressing flies could be suppressed by certain 5-HT modulators. Consistent with this report, we found glial-driven dube3a flies fed the serotonin reuptake inhibitor vortioxetine and the 5HT 2A antagonist ketanserin displayed reduced immobilization and spike bursting. Together these findings highlight the potential for glial pathophysiology to drive Dup15q syndrome-related seizure activity.
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2
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Yamada T, Watanabe T, Sasaki Y. Are sleep disturbances a cause or consequence of autism spectrum disorder? Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 77:377-385. [PMID: 36949621 PMCID: PMC10871071 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms such as atypical social communication, stereotyped behaviors, and restricted interests. One of the comorbid symptoms of individuals with ASD is sleep disturbance. There are two major hypotheses regarding the neural mechanism underlying ASD, i.e., the excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance and the altered neuroplasticity hypotheses. However, the pathology of ASD remains unclear due to inconsistent research results. This paper argues that sleep is a confounding factor, thus, must be considered when examining the pathology of ASD because sleep plays an important role in modulating the E/I balance and neuroplasticity in the human brain. Investigation of the E/I balance and neuroplasticity during sleep might enhance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of ASD. It may also lead to the development of neurobiologically informed interventions to supplement existing psychosocial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamada
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Takeo Watanabe
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Yuka Sasaki
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, 02912, USA
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3
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Tsurugizawa T. Translational Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autism Spectrum Disorder From the Mouse Model to Human. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:872036. [PMID: 35585926 PMCID: PMC9108701 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.872036] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by behavioral features such as impaired social communication, repetitive behavior patterns, and a lack of interest in novel objects. A multimodal neuroimaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ASD shows highly heterogeneous abnormalities in function and structure in the brain associated with specific behavioral features. To elucidate the mechanism of ASD, several ASD mouse models have been generated, by focusing on some of the ASD risk genes. A specific behavioral feature of an ASD mouse model is caused by an altered gene expression or a modification of a gene product. Using these mouse models, a high field preclinical MRI enables us to non-invasively investigate the neuronal mechanism of the altered brain function associated with the behavior and ASD risk genes. Thus, MRI is a promising translational approach to bridge the gap between mice and humans. This review presents the evidence for multimodal MRI, including functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and volumetric analysis, in ASD mouse models and in patients with ASD and discusses the future directions for the translational study of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Tsurugizawa
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tomokazu Tsurugizawa,
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4
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Furumai R, Tamada K, Liu X, Takumi T. UBE3A regulates the transcription of IRF, an antiviral immunity. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:1947-1958. [PMID: 30690483 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
UBE3A is a gene responsible for the pathogenesis of Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as intellectual disability, delayed development and severe speech impairment. UBE3A encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase, for which several targets have been identified, including synaptic molecules. Although proteolysis mainly occurs in the cytoplasm, UBE3A is localized to the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In fact, UBE3A is also known as a transcriptional regulator of the family of nuclear receptors. However, the function of UBE3A in the nucleus remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the involvement of UBE3A in transcription in the nuclei of neurons. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed an enrichment of genes downstream of interferon regulatory factor (IRF) in a UBE3A-deficient AS mouse model. In vitro biochemical analyses further demonstrated that UBE3A interacted with IRF and, more importantly, that UBE3A enhanced IRF-dependent transcription. These results suggest a function for UBE3A as a transcriptional regulator of the immune system in the brain. These findings also provide informative molecular insights into the function of UBE3A in the brain and in AS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Furumai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Xiaoxi Liu
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima, Japan
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5
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Takumi T, Tamada K, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Bolton PF. Behavioral neuroscience of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 110:60-76. [PMID: 31059731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Several genetic causes of ASD have been identified and this has enabled researchers to construct mouse models. Mouse behavioral tests reveal impaired social interaction and communication, as well as increased repetitive behavior and behavioral inflexibility in these mice, which correspond to core behavioral deficits observed in individuals with ASD. However, the connection between these behavioral abnormalities and the underlying dysregulation in neuronal circuits and synaptic function is poorly understood. Moreover, different components of the ASD phenotype may be linked to dysfunction in different brain regions, making it even more challenging to chart the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD. Here we summarize the research on mouse models of ASD and their contribution to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, we emphasize abnormal serotonin production and regulation, as well as the disruption in circadian rhythms and sleep that are observed in a subset of ASD, and propose that spatiotemporal disturbances in brainstem development may be a primary cause of ASD that propagates towards the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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6
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Tordjman S, Cohen D, Anderson G, Botbol M, Canitano R, Coulon N, Roubertoux P. Repint of “Reframing autism as a behavioral syndrome and not a specific mental disorder: Implications of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity”. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 89:132-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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7
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Takumi T, Tamada K. CNV biology in neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 48:183-192. [PMID: 29331932 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs), characterized in recent years by cutting-edge technology, add complexity to our knowledge of the human genome. CNVs contribute not only to human diversity but also to different kinds of diseases including neurodevelopmental delay, autism spectrum disorder and neuropsychiatric diseases. Interestingly, many pathogenic CNVs are shared among these diseases. Studies suggest that pathophysiology of disease may not be simply attributed to a single driver gene within a CNV but also that multifactorial effects may be important. Gene expression and the resulting phenotypes may also be affected by epigenetic alteration and chromosomal structural changes. Combined with human genetics and systems biology, integrative research by multi-dimensional approaches using animal and cell models of CNVs are expected to further understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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8
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Wang M, Li H, Takumi T, Qiu Z, Xu X, Yu X, Bian WJ. Distinct Defects in Spine Formation or Pruning in Two Gene Duplication Mouse Models of Autism. Neurosci Bull 2017; 33:143-152. [PMID: 28258509 PMCID: PMC5360848 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a complex set of developmental neurological disorders, characterized by deficits in social communication and excessive repetitive behaviors. In recent years, ASD is increasingly being considered as a disease of the synapse. One main type of genetic aberration leading to ASD is gene duplication, and several mouse models have been generated mimicking these mutations. Here, we studied the effects of MECP2 duplication and human chromosome 15q11-13 duplication on synaptic development and neural circuit wiring in the mouse sensory cortices. We showed that mice carrying MECP2 duplication had specific defects in spine pruning, while the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model had impaired spine formation. Our results demonstrate that spine pathology varies significantly between autism models and that distinct aspects of neural circuit development may be targeted in different ASD mutations. Our results further underscore the importance of gene dosage in normal development and function of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Department of Child Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Department of Child Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Xiang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Wen-Jie Bian
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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9
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Tordjman S, Cohen D, Coulon N, Anderson GM, Botbol M, Canitano R, Roubertoux PL. Reframing autism as a behavioral syndrome and not a specific mental disorder: Implications of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 80:210. [PMID: 28153685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and molecular genetics have advanced current knowledge on genetic disorders associated with autism. A review of diverse genetic disorders associated with autism is presented and for the first time discussed extensively with regard to possible common underlying mechanisms leading to a similar cognitive-behavioral phenotype of autism. The possible role of interactions between genetic and environmental factors, including epigenetic mechanisms, is in particular examined. Finally, the pertinence of distinguishing non-syndromic autism (isolated autism) from syndromic autism (autism associated with genetic disorders) will be reconsidered. Given the high genetic and etiological heterogeneity of autism, autism can be viewed as a behavioral syndrome related to known genetic disorders (syndromic autism) or currently unknown disorders (apparent non-syndromic autism), rather than a specific categorical mental disorder. It highlights the need to study autism phenotype and developmental trajectory through a multidimensional, non-categorical approach with multivariate analyses within autism spectrum disorder but also across mental disorders, and to conduct systematically clinical genetic examination searching for genetic disorders in all individuals (children but also adults) with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Université de Rennes 1 and Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, 154 rue de Châtillon, 35200 Rennes, France; Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception, Université Paris Descartes and CNRS UMR 8158, Paris, France.
| | - D Cohen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpétrière, CNRS FRE 2987, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - N Coulon
- Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception, Université Paris Descartes and CNRS UMR 8158, Paris, France
| | - G M Anderson
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Botbol
- Departement Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - R Canitano
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - P L Roubertoux
- Aix Marseille Université, GMGF, Inserm, UMR_S 910, 13385, Marseille, France
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Liu X, Tamada K, Kishimoto R, Okubo H, Ise S, Ohta H, Ruf S, Nakatani J, Kohno N, Spitz F, Takumi T. Transcriptome profiling of white adipose tissue in a mouse model for 15q duplication syndrome. GENOMICS DATA 2015; 5:394-6. [PMID: 26484295 PMCID: PMC4583688 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2015.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is not only associated with unhealthy lifestyles, but also linked to genetic predisposition. Previously, we generated an autism mouse model (patDp/+) that carries a 6.3 Mb paternal duplication homologous to the human 15q11–q13 locus. Chromosomal abnormalities in this region are known to cause autism spectrum disorder, Prader–Willi syndrome, and Angelman syndrome in humans. We found that, in addition to autistic-like behaviors, patDp/+ mice display late-onset obesity and hypersensitivity to a high-fat diet. These phenotypes are likely to be the results of genetic perturbations since the energy expenditures and food intakes of patDp/+ mice do not significantly differ from those of wild-type mice. Intriguingly, we found that an enlargement of adipose cells precedes the onset of obesity in patDp/+ mice. To understand the underlying molecular networks responsible for this pre-obese phenotype, we performed transcriptome profiling of white adipose tissue from patDp/+ and wild-type mice using microarray. We identified 230 genes as differentially expressed genes. Sfrp5 — a gene whose expression is positively correlated with adipocyte size, was found to be up-regulated, and Fndc5, a potent inducer of brown adipogenesis was identified to be the top down-regulated gene. Subsequent pathway analysis highlighted a set of 35 molecules involved in energy production, lipid metabolism, and small molecule biochemistry as the top candidate biological network responsible for the pre-obese phenotype of patDp/+. The microarray data were deposited in NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database with accession number GSE58191. Ultimately, our dataset provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of obesity and demonstrated that patDp/+ is a valuable mouse model for obesity research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Liu
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan ; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Rui Kishimoto
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan ; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hiroko Okubo
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Satoko Ise
- Banyu Tsukuba Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Hisashi Ohta
- Banyu Tsukuba Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Sandra Ruf
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Nobuoki Kohno
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - François Spitz
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan ; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan ; JST, CREST, Japan
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11
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Kishimoto R, Tamada K, Liu X, Okubo H, Ise S, Ohta H, Ruf S, Nakatani J, Kohno N, Spitz F, Takumi T. Model mice for 15q11-13 duplication syndrome exhibit late-onset obesity and altered lipid metabolism. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:4559-72. [PMID: 26002101 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations on human chromosome 15q11-q13 have been implicated in several neurodevelopmental disorders. A paternal loss or duplication of the Prader-Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) region confers a risk of obesity, although the mechanism remains a mystery due to a lack of an animal model that accurately recreates the obesity phenotype. We performed detailed analyses of mice with duplication of PWS/AS locus (6 Mb) generated by chromosome engineering and found that animals with a paternal duplication of this region (patDp/+) show late-onset obesity, high sensitivity for high-fat diet, high levels of blood leptin and insulin without an increase in food intake. We show that prior to becoming obese, young patDp/+ mice already had enlarged white adipocytes. Transcriptome analysis of adipose tissue revealed an up-regulation of Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (Sfrp5), known to promote adipogenesis. We additionally generated a new mouse model of paternal duplication focusing on a 3 Mb region (3 Mb patDp/+) within the PWS/AS locus. These mice recapitulate the obese phenotypes including expansion of visceral adipose tissue. Our results suggest paternally expressed genes in PWS/AS locus play a significant role for the obesity and identify new potential targets for future research and treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Kishimoto
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Xiaoxi Liu
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroko Okubo
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Satoko Ise
- Banyu Tsukuba Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Hisashi Ohta
- Banyu Tsukuba Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Sandra Ruf
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan and
| | - Nobuoki Kohno
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - François Spitz
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan, JST, CREST, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Daniel G, Schmidt-Edelkraut U, Spengler D, Hoffmann A. Imprinted Zac1 in neural stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:300-314. [PMID: 25815116 PMCID: PMC4369488 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i2.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) and imprinted genes play an important role in brain development. On historical grounds, these two determinants have been largely studied independently of each other. Recent evidence suggests, however, that NSCs can reset select genomic imprints to prevent precocious depletion of the stem cell reservoir. Moreover, imprinted genes like the transcriptional regulator Zac1 can fine tune neuronal vs astroglial differentiation of NSCs. Zac1 binds in a sequence-specific manner to pro-neuronal and imprinted genes to confer transcriptional regulation and furthermore coregulates members of the p53-family in NSCs. At the genome scale, Zac1 is a central hub of an imprinted gene network comprising genes with an important role for NSC quiescence, proliferation and differentiation. Overall, transcriptional, epigenomic, and genomic mechanisms seem to coordinate the functional relationships of NSCs and imprinted genes from development to maturation, and possibly aging.
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13
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Ellegood J, Nakai N, Nakatani J, Henkelman M, Takumi T, Lerch J. Neuroanatomical Phenotypes Are Consistent With Autism-Like Behavioral Phenotypes in the 15q11-13 Duplication Mouse Model. Autism Res 2015; 8:545-55. [PMID: 25755142 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Paternally and maternally inherited deletions and duplications of human chromosome 15q11-13 are relatively common in the human population. Furthermore, duplications in the 15q region are often associated with autism. Both maternal and paternal interstitial 15q11-13 duplication mouse models have been previously created, where several behavioral differences were found in the paternal duplication (patDp/+) mouse but not in the maternal duplication (matDp/+). These included decreased sociability, behavioral inflexibility, abnormal ultrasonic vocalizations, decreased spontaneous activity, and increased anxiety. Similarly, in the current study, we found several anatomical differences in the patDp/+ mice that were not seen in the matDp/+ mice. Regional differences that are evident only in the paternal duplication are a smaller dentate gyrus and smaller medial striatum. These differences may be responsible for the behavioral inflexibility. Furthermore, a smaller dorsal raphe nucleus could be responsible for the reported serotonin defects. This study highlights consistency that can be found between behavioral and anatomical phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saiama, Japan (N.N., T.T.)
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Shiga, Japan (J.N.)
| | - Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (R.M.H., J.L.)
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saiama, Japan (N.N., T.T.)
- JST, CREST(T.T.)
| | - Jason Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (R.M.H., J.L.)
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14
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Shi SQ, Bichell TJ, Ihrie RA, Johnson CH. Ube3a imprinting impairs circadian robustness in Angelman syndrome models. Curr Biol 2015; 25:537-45. [PMID: 25660546 PMCID: PMC4348236 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The paternal allele of Ube3a is silenced by imprinting in neurons, and Angelman syndrome (AS) is a disorder arising from a deletion or mutation of the maternal Ube3a allele, which thereby eliminates Ube3a neuronal expression. Sleep disorders such as short sleep duration and increased sleep onset latency are very common in AS. RESULTS We found a unique link between neuronal imprinting of Ube3a and circadian rhythms in two mouse models of AS, including enfeebled circadian activity behavior and slowed molecular rhythms in ex vivo brain tissues. As a consequence of compromised circadian behavior, metabolic homeostasis is also disrupted in AS mice. Unsilencing the paternal Ube3a allele restores functional circadian periodicity in neurons deficient in maternal Ube3a but does not affect periodicity in peripheral tissues that are not imprinted for uniparental Ube3a expression. The ubiquitin ligase encoded by Ube3a interacts with the central clock components BMAL1 and BMAL2. Moreover, inactivation of Ube3a expression elevates BMAL1 levels in brain regions that control circadian behavior of AS-model mice, indicating an important role for Ube3a in modulating BMAL1 turnover. CONCLUSIONS Ube3a expression constitutes a direct mechanistic connection between symptoms of a human neurological disorder and the central circadian clock mechanism. The lengthened circadian period leads to delayed phase, which could explain the short sleep duration and increased sleep onset latency of AS subjects. Moreover, we report the pharmacological rescue of an AS phenotype, in this case, altered circadian period. These findings reveal potential treatments for sleep disorders in AS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-qun Shi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Terry Jo Bichell
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Rebecca A Ihrie
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Carl Hirschie Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
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15
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Genomic and genetic aspects of autism spectrum disorder. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 452:244-53. [PMID: 25173933 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.08.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in the genetic studies of ASD. In this article, we review the accumulating literatures on the monogenic forms of ASD and chromosomal abnormalities associated with ASD, the genome-wide linkage and association studies, the copy number variation (CNV) and the next generation sequencing (NGS) studies. With more than hundreds of mutations being implicated, the convergent biological pathways are emerging and the genetic landscape of ASD becomes clearer. The genetic studies provide a solid basis for future translational study for better diagnoses, intervention and treatment of ASD.
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16
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Assessing behavioural and cognitive domains of autism spectrum disorders in rodents: current status and future perspectives. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:1125-46. [PMID: 24048469 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of robust and replicable behavioural testing paradigms with translational value for psychiatric diseases is a major step forward in developing and testing etiology-directed treatment for these complex disorders. Based on the existing literature, we have generated an inventory of applied rodent behavioural testing paradigms relevant to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This inventory focused on previously used paradigms that assess behavioural domains that are affected in ASD, such as social interaction, social communication, repetitive behaviours and behavioural inflexibility, cognition as well as anxiety behaviour. A wide range of behavioural testing paradigms for rodents were identified. However, the level of face and construct validity is highly variable. The predictive validity of these paradigms is unknown, as etiology-directed treatments for ASD are currently not on the market. To optimise these studies, future efforts should address aspects of reproducibility and take into account data about the neurodevelopmental underpinnings and trajectory of ASD. In addition, with the increasing knowledge of processes underlying ASD, such as sensory information processes and synaptic plasticity, phenotyping efforts should include multi-level automated analysis of, for example, representative task-related behavioural and electrophysiological read-outs.
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Schwartzer JJ, Koenig CM, Berman RF. Using mouse models of autism spectrum disorders to study the neurotoxicology of gene-environment interactions. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2012; 36:17-35. [PMID: 23010509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
To better study the role of genetics in autism, mouse models have been developed which mimic the genetics of specific autism spectrum and related disorders. These models have facilitated research on the role genetic susceptibility factors in the pathogenesis of autism in the absence of environmental factors. Inbred mouse strains have been similarly studied to assess the role of environmental agents on neurodevelopment, typically without the complications of genetic heterogeneity of the human population. What has not been as actively pursued, however, is the methodical study of the interaction between these factors (e.g., gene and environmental interactions in neurodevelopment). This review suggests that a genetic predisposition paired with exposure to environmental toxicants plays an important role in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, and may contribute to the largely unexplained rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism worldwide. Specifically, descriptions of the major mouse models of autism and toxic mechanisms of prevalent environmental chemicals are provided followed by a discussion of current and future research strategies to evaluate the role of gene and environment interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J Schwartzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, United States.
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Animal models of psychiatric disorders that reflect human copy number variation. Neural Plast 2012; 2012:589524. [PMID: 22900207 PMCID: PMC3414062 DOI: 10.1155/2012/589524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of genetic technologies has led to the identification of several copy number variations (CNVs) in the human genome. Genome rearrangements affect dosage-sensitive gene expression in normal brain development. There is strong evidence associating human psychiatric disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia to genetic risk factors and accumulated CNV risk loci. Deletions in 1q21, 3q29, 15q13, 17p12, and 22q11, as well as duplications in 16p11, 16p13, and 15q11-13 have been reported as recurrent CNVs in ASD and/or schizophrenia. Chromosome engineering can be a useful technology to reflect human diseases in animal models, especially CNV-based psychiatric disorders. This system, based on the Cre/loxP strategy, uses large chromosome rearrangement such as deletion, duplication, inversion, and translocation. Although it is hard to reflect human pathophysiology in animal models, some aspects of molecular pathways, brain anatomy, cognitive, and behavioral phenotypes can be addressed. Some groups have created animal models of psychiatric disorders, ASD, and schizophrenia, which are based on human CNV. These mouse models display some brain anatomical and behavioral abnormalities, providing insight into human neuropsychiatric disorders that will contribute to novel drug screening for these devastating disorders.
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