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Lombardi M, Corrado L, Piola B, Comi C, Cantello R, D’Alfonso S, Mazzini L, De Marchi F. Variability in Clinical Phenotype in TARDBP Mutations: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Case Description and Literature Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2039. [PMID: 38002982 PMCID: PMC10671725 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the 43 kDa transactive-response (TAR)-DNA-binding protein (TARDBP) are associated with 2-5% of familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases. TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) is an RNA/DNA-binding protein involved in several cellular mechanisms (e.g., transcription, pre-mRNA processing, and splicing). Many ALS-linked TARDBP mutations have been described in the literature, but few phenotypic data on monogenic TARDBP-mutated ALS are available. In this paper, (1) we describe the clinical features of ALS patients carrying mutations in the TARDBP gene evaluated at the Tertiary ALS Center at Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy, from 2010 to 2020 and (2) present the results of our review of the literature on this topic, analyzing data obtained for 267 patients and highlighting their main clinical and demographic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Lombardi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Beatrice Piola
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Neurology Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy;
| | - Roberto Cantello
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Sandra D’Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
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Kaivola K, Pirinen M, Laaksovirta H, Jansson L, Rautila O, Launes J, Hokkanen L, Lahti J, Eriksson JG, Strandberg TE, FinnGen, Tienari PJ. C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat allele tagging SNPs: Associations with ALS risk and longevity. Front Genet 2023; 14:1087098. [PMID: 36936421 PMCID: PMC10014923 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1087098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion is a common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The C9orf72 locus may harbor residual risk outside the hexanucleotide repeat expansion, but the evidence is conflicting. Here, we first compared 683 unrelated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases and 3,196 controls with Finnish ancestry to find best single nucleotide polymorphisms that tag the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion and intermediate-length alleles. Rs2814707 was the best tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms for intermediate-length alleles with ≥7 repeats (p = 5 × 10-307) and rs139185008 for the hexanucleotide repeat expansion (p = 7 × 10-114) as well as alleles with ≥20 repeats. rs139185008*C associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after removing cases with the hexanucleotide repeat expansion, especially in the subpopulation homozygous for the rs2814707*T (p = 0.0002, OR = 5.06), which supports the concept of residual amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk at the C9orf72 haplotypes other than the hexanucleotide repeat expansion. We then leveraged Finnish biobank data to test the effects of rs2814707*T and rs139185008*C on longevity after removing individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / frontotemporal dementia diagnoses. In the discovery cohort (n = 230,006), the frequency of rs139185008*C heterozygotes decreased significantly with age in the comparisons between 50 and 80 years vs. >80 years (p = 0.0005) and <50 years vs. >80 years (p = 0.0001). The findings were similar but less significant in a smaller replication cohort (2-sided p = 0.037 in 50-80 years vs. >80 years and 0.061 in <50 years vs. >80 years). Analysis of the allele frequencies in 5-year bins demonstrated that the decrease of rs139185008*C started after the age of 70 years. The hexanucleotide repeat expansion tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms decreasing frequency with age suggests its' association with age-related diseases probably also outside amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karri Kaivola
- Translational Immunology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Karri Kaivola,
| | - Matti Pirinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Laaksovirta
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lilja Jansson
- Translational Immunology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Osma Rautila
- Translational Immunology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jyrki Launes
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Hokkanen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johan G. Eriksson
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo E. Strandberg
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Oulu, Center for Life Course Health Research, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Pentti J. Tienari
- Translational Immunology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Role of the Ubiquitin System in Stress Granule Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073624. [PMID: 35408984 PMCID: PMC8999021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells react to various stress conditions with the rapid formation of membrane-less organelles called stress granules (SGs). SGs form by multivalent interactions between RNAs and RNA-binding proteins and are believed to protect stalled translation initiation complexes from stress-induced degradation. SGs contain hundreds of different mRNAs and proteins, and their assembly and disassembly are tightly controlled by post-translational modifications. The ubiquitin system, which mediates the covalent modification of target proteins with the small protein ubiquitin (‘ubiquitylation’), has been implicated in different aspects of SG metabolism, but specific functions in SG turnover have only recently emerged. Here, we summarize the evidence for the presence of ubiquitylated proteins at SGs, review the functions of different components of the ubiquitin system in SG formation and clearance, and discuss the link between perturbed SG clearance and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We conclude that the ubiquitin system plays an important, medically relevant role in SG biology.
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C9orf72-G 4C 2 Intermediate Repeats and Parkinson's Disease; A Data-Driven Hypothesis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081210. [PMID: 34440384 PMCID: PMC8391122 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic C9orf72-G4C2 repeat expansions are associated with ALS/FTD, but not with Parkinson’s disease (PD); yet the possible link between intermediate repeat lengths and PD remains inconclusive. We aim to study the potential involvement of these repeats in PD. The number of C9orf72-repeats were determined by flanking and repeat-primed PCR assays, and the risk-haplotype was determined by SNP-array. Their association with PD was assessed in a stratified manner: in PD-patients-carriers of mutations in LRRK2, GBA, or SMPD1 genes (n = 388), and in PD-non-carriers (NC, n = 718). Allelic distribution was significantly different only in PD-NC compared to 600 controls when looking both at the allele with higher repeat’s size (p = 0.034) and at the combined number of repeats from both alleles (p = 0.023). Intermediate repeats (20–60 repeats) were associated with PD in PD-NC patients (p = 0.041; OR = 3.684 (CI 1.05–13.0)) but not in PD-carriers (p = 0.684). The C9orf72 risk-haplotype, determined in a subgroup of 588 PDs and 126 controls, was observed in higher frequency in PD-NC (dominant model, OR = 1.71, CI 1.04–2.81, p = 0.0356). All 19 alleles within the risk-haplotype were associated with higher C9orf72 RNA levels according to the GTEx database. Based on our data, we suggest a model in which intermediate repeats are a risk factor for PD in non-carriers, driven not only by the number of repeats but also by the variants’ genotypes within the risk-haplotype. Further studies are needed to elucidate this possible role of C9orf72 in PD pathogenesis.
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Cappella M, Pradat PF, Querin G, Biferi MG. Beyond the Traditional Clinical Trials for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and The Future Impact of Gene Therapy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:25-38. [PMID: 33074186 PMCID: PMC7902976 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-200531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and incurable motor neuron (MN) disorder affecting both upper and lower MNs. Despite impressive advances in the understanding of the disease’s pathological mechanism, classical pharmacological clinical trials failed to provide an efficient cure for ALS over the past twenty years. Two different gene therapy approaches were recently approved for the monogenic disease Spinal muscular atrophy, characterized by degeneration of lower MNs. This milestone suggests that gene therapy-based therapeutic solutions could be effective for the treatment of ALS. This review summarizes the possible reasons for the failure of traditional clinical trials for ALS. It provides then a focus on the advent of gene therapy approaches for hereditary forms of ALS. Specifically, it describes clinical use of antisense oligonucleotides in three familial forms of ALS, caused by mutations in SOD1, C9orf72 and FUS genes, respectively.. Clinical and pre-clinical studies based on AAV-mediated gene therapy approaches for both familial and sporadic ALS cases are presented as well. Overall, this overview highlights the potential of gene therapy as a transforming technology that will have a huge impact on treatment perspective for ALS patients and on the design of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Cappella
- INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- INSERM, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France.,Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry/Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgia Querin
- INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Association Institut de Myologie, Plateforme Essais Cliniques Adultes, Paris, France.,APHP, Service de Neuromyologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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Klotz S, König T, Erdler M, Ulram A, Nguyen A, Ströbel T, Zimprich A, Stögmann E, Regelsberger G, Höftberger R, Budka H, Kovacs GG, Gelpi E. Co-incidental C9orf72 expansion mutation-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration pathology and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:1009-1015. [PMID: 33131137 PMCID: PMC7898301 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The C9orf72 hexanucleotide expansion mutation is the most common cause of genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and combined FTD‐ALS. Its underlying neuropathology combines TDP‐43 pathology and dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) deposits and may also associate with other neurodegeneration‐associated protein aggregates. Herein we present a unique combination of C9orf72 mutation with sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease (CJD) in a 74‐year‐old patient with rapidly progressive dementia. Methods Detailed neuropathological examination including immunohistochemistry for several proteinopathies. Genetic analysis was conducted by repeat primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, we analyzed additional C9orf72 mutation carriers for prion−protein (PrP) deposits in brain tissue and screened the cerebellar cortex of other CJD cases for p62/DPR neuronal inclusions to assess the frequency of combined pathologies. Results Postmortem brain examination of a patient with a rapidly progressive neurological deterioration of 8 months’ duration confirmed the diagnosis of CJD. She harbored valine homozygosity at PRNP codon 129. In addition, a frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)‐pattern with TDP‐43 protein aggregates and p62+/C9RANT+ positive inclusions along with a high degree of Alzheimer‐related pathology (A3B3C3) were identified. The suspected C9orf72 expansion mutation was confirmed by repeat‐primed PCR. Screening of 13 C9orf72 cases showed no pathological PrP aggregates and screening of 100 CJD cases revealed no other C9orf72 expansion mutation carriers. Conclusion A combination of a C9orf72 expansion mutation‐related FTLD with sporadic CJD in the same patient is rare. While the rarity of both diseases makes this concurrence most likely to be coincidental, questions regarding a potential link between these two neurodegenerative pathologies deserve further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Klotz
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases (OERPE), Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa König
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Erdler
- Department of Neurology, Klinik Donaustadt mit Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Ulram
- Department of Neurosurgery, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Nguyen
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Ströbel
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases (OERPE), Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Günther Regelsberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases (OERPE), Vienna, Austria
| | - Romana Höftberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Budka
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases (OERPE), Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine Program & Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases (OERPE), Vienna, Austria
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Häkkinen S, Chu SA, Lee SE. Neuroimaging in genetic frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105063. [PMID: 32890771 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a strong clinical, genetic and pathological overlap. This review focuses on the current understanding of structural, functional and molecular neuroimaging signatures of genetic FTD and ALS. We overview quantitative neuroimaging studies on the most common genes associated with FTD (MAPT, GRN), ALS (SOD1), and both (C9orf72), and summarize visual observations of images reported in the rarer genes (CHMP2B, TARDBP, FUS, OPTN, VCP, UBQLN2, SQSTM1, TREM2, CHCHD10, TBK1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Häkkinen
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie A Chu
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Suzee E Lee
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Screening for the C9ORF72 expansion in Greek Huntington Disease phenocopies and controls and meta-analysis of current data. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2020; 10:5. [PMID: 32775019 PMCID: PMC7394208 DOI: 10.5334/tohm.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Several European studies examined the role of C9orf72 repeat expansion in patients with Huntington-disease like phenotypes (HD-L). The scope of our study is to investigate the expansion frequency in a Greek HD-L cohort and the meta-analysis of all published cases. This will be of use in genetic counseling of these cases. Methods: A cohort of 74 patients with HD-L and 67 healthy controls were screened for the C9orf72 expansion status. Case-controls comparison was assessed with the Pearson’s chi-square statistic for a 2 × 2 table. A systematic database search was conducted and seven studies, including the current study, were considered eligible for inclusion in a meta-analysis considering a total of 812 patients with HD phenocopies. Pooled mutation frequency was calculated using a Random Effects model or the Mantel-Haezsel fixed effects model, depending on the observed heterogeneity. Results: In our cohort, one patient was found to have a pathologic expansion of C9orf72, and none from the control group (chi-square: 0.91, p-value: 0.34). Pooled mutation frequency was found at 2% (CI: 1–3%) with low heterogeneity (I2:15%). Discussion: Based on this meta-analysis the recommendation for genetic testing for C9orf72 expansions is further solidified.
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He H, Huang W, Wang R, Lin Y, Guo Y, Deng J, Deng H, Zhu Y, Allen EG, Jin P, Duan R. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-associated GGGGCC repeat expansion promotes Tau phosphorylation and toxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 130:104493. [PMID: 31176718 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) and GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) are the major known genetic causes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Although expanded G4C2 repeats and Tau traditionally are associated with different clinical presentations, pathological and genetic studies have suggested a strong association between them. Here we demonstrate a strong genetic interaction between expanded G4C2 repeats and Tau. We found that co-expression of expanded G4C2 repeats and Tau could produce a synergistic deterioration of rough eyes, motor function, life span and neuromuscular junction morphological abnormalities in Drosophila. Mechanistically, compared with the normal allele containing (G4C2)3 repeats, the (G4C2)30 allele increased Tau phosphorylation levels and promoted Tau R406W aggregation. These results together suggest a potential crosstalk between expanded G4C2 repeats and Tau in modulating neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua He
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Ruoxi Wang
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Yunting Lin
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Yichen Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Haitao Deng
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Yanping Zhu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Emily G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Ranhui Duan
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
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Roulis E, Hyland C, Flower R, Gassner C, Jung HH, Frey BM. Molecular Basis and Clinical Overview of McLeod Syndrome Compared With Other Neuroacanthocytosis Syndromes. JAMA Neurol 2018; 75:1554-1562. [DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.2166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Roulis
- Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine Hyland
- Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert Flower
- Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christoph Gassner
- Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, Schlieren/Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hans H. Jung
- Department of Neurology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat M. Frey
- Blood Transfusion Service Zurich, Swiss Red Cross, Schlieren/Zürich, Switzerland
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Aydin G, Dekomien G, Hoffjan S, Gerding WM, Epplen JT, Arning L. Frequency of SCA8, SCA10, SCA12, SCA36, FXTAS and C9orf72 repeat expansions in SCA patients negative for the most common SCA subtypes. BMC Neurol 2018; 18:3. [PMID: 29316893 PMCID: PMC5761156 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-017-1009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) subtypes are often caused by expansions in non-coding regions of genes like SCA8, SCA10, SCA12 and SCA36. Other ataxias are known to be associated with repeat expansions such as fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) or expansions in the C9orf72 gene. When no mutation has been identified in the aforementioned genes next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostics may also be applied. In order to define an optimal diagnostic strategy, more information about the frequency and phenotypic characteristics of rare repeat expansion disorders associated with ataxia should be at hand. METHODS We analyzed a consecutive cohort of 440 German unrelated patients with symptoms of cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and other unspecific symptoms who were referred to our center for SCA diagnostics. They showed alleles in the normal range for the most common SCA subtypes SCA1-3, SCA6, SCA7 and SCA17. These patients were screened for expansions causing SCA8, SCA10, SCA12, SCA36 and FXTAS as well as for the pathogenic hexanucleotide repeat in the C9orf72 gene. RESULTS Expanded repeats for SCA10, SCA12 or SCA36 were not identified in the analyzed patients. Five patients showed expanded SCA8 CTA/CTG alleles with 92-129 repeats. One 51-year-old male with unclear dementia symptoms was diagnosed with a large GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72. The analysis of the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (FMR1) revealed one patient with a premutation (>50 CGG repeats) and seven patients with alleles in the grey zone (41 to 54 CGG repeats). CONCLUSIONS Altogether five patients showed 92 or more SCA8 CTA/CTG combined repeats. Our results support the assumption that smaller FMR1 gene expansions could be associated with the risk of developing neurological signs. The results do not support genetic testing for C9orf72 expansion in ataxia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülsah Aydin
- Faculty of Health, University Witten-Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Gabriele Dekomien
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Gebäude MA5/39, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabine Hoffjan
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Gebäude MA5/39, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Wanda Maria Gerding
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Gebäude MA5/39, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg T. Epplen
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Gebäude MA5/39, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Faculty of Health, University Witten-Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Larissa Arning
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Gebäude MA5/39, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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Tang SS, Li J, Tan L, Yu JT. Genetics of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: From the Bench to the Clinic. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:1157-76. [PMID: 27104909 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease with a strong genetic component. In this review, we summarize most common mutations in MAPT, GRN, and C90RF72, as well as less common mutations in VCP, CHMP2B, TARDBP, FUS gene and so on. Several guidelines have been developed to help gene testing based on genotype-phenotype correlation, the underlying histopathological subtypes, and the neuroanatomic associations. Furthermore, we also summarize molecular pathways implicated by genes and novel targets for FTLD prevention and management in recent years.
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13
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Hinz FI, Geschwind DH. Molecular Genetics of Neurodegenerative Dementias. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a023705. [PMID: 27940516 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative dementias are clinically heterogeneous, progressive diseases with frequently overlapping symptoms, such as cognitive impairments and behavior and movement deficits. Although a majority of cases appear to be sporadic, there is a large genetic component that has yet to be fully explained. Here, we review the recent genetic and genomic findings pertaining to Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and prion dementia. In this review, we describe causal and susceptibility genes identified for these dementias and discuss recent research pertaining to the molecular function of these genes. Of particular interest, there is a large overlap in clinical phenotypes, genes, and/or aggregating protein products involved in these diseases, as well as frequent comorbid presentation, indicating that these dementias may represent a continuum of syndromes rather than individual diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora I Hinz
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095.,Center for Autism Research and Treatment and Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024
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14
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Gama-Carvalho M, L Garcia-Vaquero M, R Pinto F, Besse F, Weis J, Voigt A, Schulz JB, De Las Rivas J. Linking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy through RNA-transcriptome homeostasis: a genomics perspective. J Neurochem 2017; 141:12-30. [PMID: 28054357 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we present our most recent understanding of key biomolecular processes that underlie two motor neuron degenerative disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy. We focus on the role of four multifunctional proteins involved in RNA metabolism (TDP-43, FUS, SMN, and Senataxin) that play a causal role in these diseases. Recent results have led to a novel scenario of intricate connections between these four proteins, bringing transcriptome homeostasis into the spotlight as a common theme in motor neuron degeneration. We review reported functional and physical interactions between these four proteins, highlighting their common association with nuclear bodies and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle biogenesis and function. We discuss how these interactions are turning out to be particularly relevant for the control of transcription and chromatin homeostasis, including the recent identification of an association between SMN and Senataxin required to ensure the resolution of DNA-RNA hybrid formation and proper termination by RNA polymerase II. These connections strongly support the existence of common pathways underlying the spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis phenotype. We also discuss the potential of genome-wide expression profiling, in particular RNA sequencing derived data, to contribute to unravelling the underlying mechanisms. We provide a review of publicly available datasets that have addressed both diseases using these approaches, and highlight the value of investing in cross-disease studies to promote our understanding of the pathways leading to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Gama-Carvalho
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marina L Garcia-Vaquero
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisco R Pinto
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Joachim Weis
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Aaron Voigt
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
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15
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Pati AR, Battisti C, Battistini S, Ricci C, Trapassi A, Marconi R, Mignarri A, Federico A, Dotti MT. C9ORF72 gene expansion in a patient with intellectual disability and psychiatric disease. Neurol Sci 2016; 38:207-208. [PMID: 27646412 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-016-2709-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rosa Pati
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carla Battisti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Battistini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Ricci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Marconi
- Unit of Neurology, Ospedale della Misericordia Grosseto, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Andrea Mignarri
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonio Federico
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Dotti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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16
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Patten SA, Parker JA, Wen XY, Drapeau P. Simple animal models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:797-804. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1196183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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The Association between C9orf72 Repeats and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2016; 2016:5731734. [PMID: 27375918 PMCID: PMC4916312 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5731734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in Caucasian populations. However, the relationship between C9orf72 repeats and Alzheimer's disease (AD) was not clear. Additionally, there were few articles assessing C9orf72 in other ethnicities with ALS. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the relationship between C9orf72 repeat expansions (≥30 repeats) and intermediate repeat copies (20–29 repeats) and AD or ALS. The results suggested positive correlations between C9orf72 repeat expansions and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (OR = 6.36, 95% CI = 3.13–12.92, and p < 0.00001), while intermediate repeat copies of C9orf72 gene were not associated with the risk of the disease. C9orf72 repeat expansions were positively correlated with the risk of familial and sporadic ALS (OR = 293.25, 95% CI = 148.17–580.38, and p < 0.00001; OR = 35.57, 95% CI = 19.61–64.51, and p < 0.00001). There was a positive correlation between the gene variations and ALS risk among Caucasians and Asians (OR = 57.56, 95% CI = 36.73–90.22, and p < 0.00001; OR = 6.35, 95% CI = 1.39–29.02, and p = 0.02).
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Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella clinical term that encompasses a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterised by progressive deficits in behaviour, executive function, or language. Frontotemporal dementia is a common type of dementia, particularly in patients younger than 65 years. The disease can mimic many psychiatric disorders because of the prominent behavioural features. Various underlying neuropathological entities lead to the frontotemporal dementia clinical phenotype, all of which are characterised by the selective degeneration of the frontal and temporal cortices. Genetics is an important risk factor for frontotemporal dementia. Advances in clinical, imaging, and molecular characterisation have increased the accuracy of frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, thus allowing for the accurate differentiation of these syndromes from psychiatric disorders. As the understanding of the molecular basis for frontotemporal dementia improves, rational therapies are beginning to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Bang
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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19
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C9orf 72 Repeat Expansions in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Disorder. Can J Neurol Sci 2014; 41:681-2. [DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2014.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Wang MD, Gomes J, Cashman NR, Little J, Krewski D. Intermediate CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene is a unique genetic risk factor for ALS--a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105534. [PMID: 25148523 PMCID: PMC4141758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare degenerative condition of the motor neurons. Over 10% of ALS cases are linked to monogenic mutations, with the remainder thought to be due to other risk factors, including environmental factors, genetic polymorphisms, and possibly gene-environmental interactions. We examined the association between ALS and an intermediate CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene using a meta-analytic approach. Observational studies were searched with relevant disease and gene terms from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from January 2010 through to January 2014. All identified articles were screened using disease terms, gene terms, population information, and CAG repeat information according to PRISMA guidelines. The final list of 17 articles was further evaluated based on the study location, time period, and authors to exclude multiple usage of the same study populations: 13 relevant articles were retained for this study. The range 30-33 CAG repeats in the ATXN2 gene was most strongly associated with ALS. The meta-analysis revealed that the presence of an intermediate CAG repeat (30-33) in the ATXN2 gene was associated with an increased risk of ALS [odds ratio (OR) = 4.44, 95%CI: 2.91-6.76)] in Caucasian ALS patients. There was no significant difference in the association of this CAG intermediate repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene between familial ALS cases (OR = 3.59, 1.58-8.17) and sporadic ALS cases (OR = 3.16, 1.88-5.32). These results indicate that the presence of intermediate CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene is a specific genetic risk factor for ALS, unlike monogenic mutations with an autosomal dominant transmission mode, which cause a more severe phenotype of ALS, with a higher prevalence in familial ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Dong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Gomes
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neil R. Cashman
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Julian Little
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Krewski
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Moloney EB, de Winter F, Verhaagen J. ALS as a distal axonopathy: molecular mechanisms affecting neuromuscular junction stability in the presymptomatic stages of the disease. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:252. [PMID: 25177267 PMCID: PMC4132373 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is being redefined as a distal axonopathy, in that many molecular changes influencing motor neuron degeneration occur at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) at very early stages of the disease prior to symptom onset. A huge variety of genetic and environmental causes have been associated with ALS, and interestingly, although the cause of the disease can differ, both sporadic and familial forms of ALS show a remarkable similarity in terms of disease progression and clinical manifestation. The NMJ is a highly specialized synapse, allowing for controlled signaling between muscle and nerve necessary for skeletal muscle function. In this review we will evaluate the clinical, animal experimental and cellular/molecular evidence that supports the idea of ALS as a distal axonopathy. We will discuss the early molecular mechanisms that occur at the NMJ, which alter the functional abilities of the NMJ. Specifically, we focus on the role of axon guidance molecules on the stability of the cytoskeleton and how these molecules may directly influence the cells of the NMJ in a way that may initiate or facilitate the dismantling of the neuromuscular synapse in the presymptomatic stages of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B. Moloney
- Department of Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and ScienceAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fred de Winter
- Department of Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and ScienceAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical CentreLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and ScienceAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
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