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De Michele G, Maione L, Cocozza S, Tranfa M, Pane C, Galatolo D, De Rosa A, De Michele G, Saccà F, Filla A. Ataxia and Hypogonadism: a Review of the Associated Genes and Syndromes. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:688-701. [PMID: 36997834 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
The association of hypogonadism and cerebellar ataxia was first recognized in 1908 by Gordon Holmes. Since the seminal description, several heterogeneous phenotypes have been reported, differing for age at onset, associated features, and gonadotropins levels. In the last decade, the genetic bases of these disorders are being progressively uncovered. Here, we review the diseases associating ataxia and hypogonadism and the corresponding causative genes. In the first part of this study, we focus on clinical syndromes and genes (RNF216, STUB1, PNPLA6, AARS2, SIL1, SETX) predominantly associated with ataxia and hypogonadism as cardinal features. In the second part, we mention clinical syndromes and genes (POLR3A, CLPP, ERAL1, HARS, HSD17B4, LARS2, TWNK, POLG, ATM, WFS1, PMM2, FMR1) linked to complex phenotypes that include, among other features, ataxia and hypogonadism. We propose a diagnostic algorithm for patients with ataxia and hypogonadism, and we discuss the possible common etiopathogenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Maione
- Department of Endocrinology and Reproductive Diseases, Paris-Saclay University, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin Bicetre, Paris, France
| | - Sirio Cocozza
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Tranfa
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Pane
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Galatolo
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna De Rosa
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Saccà
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Filla
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Giannini M, Porrua O. Senataxin: A key actor in RNA metabolism, genome integrity and neurodegeneration. Biochimie 2024; 217:10-19. [PMID: 37558082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The RNA/DNA helicase senataxin (SETX) has been involved in multiple crucial processes related to genome expression and integrity such us transcription termination, the regulation of transcription-replication conflicts and the resolution of R-loops. SETX has been the focus of numerous studies since the discovery that mutations in its coding gene are the root cause of two different neurodegenerative diseases: Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia type 2 (AOA2) and a juvenile form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS4). A plethora of cellular phenotypes have been described as the result of SETX deficiency, yet the precise molecular function of SETX as well as the molecular pathways leading from SETX mutations to AOA2 and ALS4 pathologies have remained unclear. However, recent data have shed light onto the biochemical activities and biological roles of SETX, thus providing new clues to understand the molecular consequences of SETX mutation. In this review we summarize near two decades of scientific effort to elucidate SETX function, we discuss strengths and limitations of the approaches and models used thus far to investigate SETX-associated diseases and suggest new possible research avenues for the study of AOA2 and ALS4 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giannini
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Odil Porrua
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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Zhao J, Ji Z, Meng G, Luo J, Zhang Y, Ou N, Bai H, Tian R, Zhi E, Huang Y, Liu N, He W, Tan Y, Li Z, Yao C, Li P. Identification of a missense variant of MND1 in meiotic arrest and non-obstructive azoospermia. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:729-735. [PMID: 37365320 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01172-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic arrest is a common pathologic phenotype of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), yet its genetic causes require further investigation. Meiotic nuclear divisions 1 (MND1) has been proved to be indispensable for meiotic recombination in many species. To date, only one variant of MND1 has been reported associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), yet there has been no report of variants in MND1 associated with NOA. Herein, we identified a rare homozygous missense variant (NM_032117:c.G507C:p.W169C) of MND1 in two NOA-affected patients from one Chinese family. Histological analysis and immunohistochemistry demonstrated meiotic arrest at zygotene-like stage in prophase I and lack of spermatozoa in the proband's seminiferous tubules. In silico modeling demonstrated that this variant might cause possible conformational change in the leucine zippers 3 with capping helices (LZ3wCH) domain of MND1-HOP2 complex. Altogether, our study demonstrated that the MND1 variant (c.G507C) is likely responsible for human meiotic arrest and NOA. And our study provides new insights into the genetic etiology of NOA and mechanisms of homologous recombination repair in male meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingpeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Guiquan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jiaqiang Luo
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Ningjing Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Haowei Bai
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Nachuan Liu
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Wenbin He
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA; National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yueqiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA; National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, China.
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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Liu C, Wang L, Li Y, Guo M, Hu J, Wang T, Li M, Yang Z, Lin R, Xu W, Chen Y, Luo M, Gao F, Chen JY, Sun Q, Liu H, Sun B, Li W. RNase H1 facilitates recombinase recruitment by degrading DNA-RNA hybrids during meiosis. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7357-7375. [PMID: 37378420 PMCID: PMC10415156 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-RNA hybrids play various roles in many physiological progresses, but how this chromatin structure is dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we show that germ cell-specific knockout of Rnaseh1, a specialized enzyme that degrades the RNA within DNA-RNA hybrids, impairs spermatogenesis and causes male infertility. Notably, Rnaseh1 knockout results in incomplete DNA repair and meiotic prophase I arrest. These defects arise from the altered RAD51 and DMC1 recruitment in zygotene spermatocytes. Furthermore, single-molecule experiments show that RNase H1 promotes recombinase recruitment to DNA by degrading RNA within DNA-RNA hybrids and allows nucleoprotein filaments formation. Overall, we uncover a function of RNase H1 in meiotic recombination, during which it processes DNA-RNA hybrids and facilitates recombinase recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Yanan Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mengmeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Teng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mengjing Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ruoyao Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yinghong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Department of Tissue and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jia-Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qianwen Sun
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Bo Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wei Li
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Chen S, Du J, Jiang H, Zhao W, Wang N, Ying A, Li J, Chen S, Shen B, Zhou Y. Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 caused by a novel homozygous mutation in SETX gene, and literature review. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1019974. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1019974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesAutosomal recessive inherited ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2), caused by SETX gene mutations, is characterized by early-onset, progressive cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, oculomotor apraxia and elevated serum α-fetoprotein (AFP). This study aimed to expand and summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of SETX variants related to AOA2.MethodsThe biochemical parameters, electromyogram and radiological findings of the patient were evaluated. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the patient using next-generation sequencing (NGS), the variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and the pathogenicity of the variants was classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines. We reviewed 57 studies of AOA2 patients with SETX mutations and collected clinical and genetic information.ResultsThe patient was a 40-year-old Chinese woman who primarily presented with numbness and weakness of the lower limbs in her teenage years. She had elevated AFP, increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. We identified a novel homozygous missense mutation of the SETX gene, c.7118 C>T (p. Thr2373Ile), in the patient via Whole-exome and Sanger sequencing. The variant was located in the DNA/RNA helicase domain and is highly conserved. The protein prediction analysis verified the SETX variant as a damaging alteration and ACMG/AMP guidelines classified it as likely pathogenic. Through a literature review, we identified 229 AOA2 cases with SETX variants, and among the variants, 156 SETX variants were exonic. We found that 107 (46.7%) patients were European, 50 (21.8%) were African and 48 (21.0%) were Asian. Among the Asian patients, five from two families were Mainland Chinese. The main clinical features were cerebellar ataxia (100%), peripheral neuropathy (94.6%), cerebellar atrophy (95.3%) and elevated AFP concentration (92.0%). Most reported SETX mutations in AOA2 patients were missense, frameshift and nonsense mutations.ConclusionWe discovered a novel homozygous variant of the SETX gene as a cause of AOA2 in the current patient and expanded the genotypic spectrum of AOA2. Moreover, the clinical features of AOA2 and genetic findings in SETX were assessed in reported cohorts and are summarized in the present study.
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R-Loop Formation in Meiosis: Roles in Meiotic Transcription-Associated DNA Damage. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6030026. [PMID: 36135313 PMCID: PMC9498298 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is specialized cell division during gametogenesis that produces genetically unique gametes via homologous recombination. Meiotic homologous recombination entails repairing programmed 200–300 DNA double-strand breaks generated during the early prophase. To avoid interference between meiotic gene transcription and homologous recombination, mammalian meiosis is thought to employ a strategy of exclusively transcribing meiotic or post-meiotic genes before their use. Recent studies have shown that R-loops, three-stranded DNA/RNA hybrid nucleotide structures formed during transcription, play a crucial role in transcription and genome integrity. Although our knowledge about the function of R-loops during meiosis is limited, recent findings in mouse models have suggested that they play crucial roles in meiosis. Given that defective formation of an R-loop can cause abnormal transcription and transcription-coupled DNA damage, the precise regulatory network of R-loops may be essential in vivo for the faithful progression of mammalian meiosis and gametogenesis.
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Sims JR, Faça VM, Pereira C, Ascenção C, Comstock W, Badar J, Arroyo-Martinez GA, Freire R, Cohen PE, Weiss RS, Smolka MB. Phosphoproteomics of ATR signaling in mouse testes. eLife 2022; 11:e68648. [PMID: 35133275 PMCID: PMC8824463 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K)-related kinase ATR is crucial for mammalian meiosis. ATR promotes meiotic progression by coordinating key events in DNA repair, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), and checkpoint-dependent quality control during meiotic prophase I. Despite its central roles in meiosis, the ATR-dependent meiotic signaling network remains largely unknown. Here, we used phosphoproteomics to define ATR signaling events in testes from mice following chemical and genetic ablation of ATR signaling. Quantitative analysis of phosphoproteomes obtained after germ cell-specific genetic ablation of the ATR activating 9-1-1 complex or treatment with ATR inhibitor identified over 14,000 phosphorylation sites from testes samples, of which 401 phosphorylation sites were found to be dependent on both the 9-1-1 complex and ATR. Our analyses identified ATR-dependent phosphorylation events in crucial DNA damage signaling and DNA repair proteins including TOPBP1, SMC3, MDC1, RAD50, and SLX4. Importantly, we identified ATR and RAD1-dependent phosphorylation events in proteins involved in mRNA regulatory processes, including SETX and RANBP3, whose localization to the sex body was lost upon ATR inhibition. In addition to identifying the expected ATR-targeted S/T-Q motif, we identified enrichment of an S/T-P-X-K motif in the set of ATR-dependent events, suggesting that ATR promotes signaling via proline-directed kinase(s) during meiosis. Indeed, we found that ATR signaling is important for the proper localization of CDK2 in spermatocytes. Overall, our analysis establishes a map of ATR signaling in mouse testes and highlights potential meiotic-specific actions of ATR during prophase I progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie R Sims
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Vitor M Faça
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Catalina Pereira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Carolline Ascenção
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - William Comstock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jumana Badar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | | | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de CanariasTenerifeSpain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La LagunaLa LagunaSpain
- Universidad Fernando Pessoa CanariasLas Palmas de Gran CanariaSpain
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Robert S Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Marcus B Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
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A Novel SETX Mutation in a Taiwanese Patient with Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxia Detected by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing, and a Literature Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020173. [PMID: 35203940 PMCID: PMC8869917 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2), also known as autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy-2 (SCAN2) (OMIM #606002), is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by early-onset progressive cerebellar ataxia, polyneuropathy, and elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein. It is caused by mutations in the SETX (OMIM #608465) gene. The prevalence of this disease is widely varied, from non-existent up to 1/150,000, depending on the region. Until now, no cases of AOA2/SCAN2 have been reported in Taiwan. Methods: Next-generation sequencing was used to detect disease-causing mutations of SETX in a Taiwanese patient presenting with autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia, polyneuropathy, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein. The candidate mutations were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Results: A compound heterozygous mutation of SETX c.6859C > T (p.R2287X) and c.7034-7036del was identified. The c.6859C > T (p.R2287X) has been previously found in a Saudi Arabia family, whereas c.7034-7036del is a novel mutation. Both mutations were predicted by bioinformatics programs to be likely pathogenic (having a damaging effect). We also reviewed the literature to address the reported clinical features of AOA2 from different populations. Conclusions: To our knowledge, we are the first to report a Taiwanese patient with AOA2/SCAN2, a result obtained by utilizing next-generation sequencing. The literature review shows that ataxia, polyneuropathy, and elevated AFP are common features and ocular motor apraxia (OMA) is a variable sign of AOA2 from different populations. OMA is rare and saccadic ocular pursuit and nystagmus are common in East Asian AOA2.
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Hadjinicolaou A, Ngo KJ, Conway DY, Provias JP, Baker SK, Brady LI, Bennett CL, La Spada AR, Fogel BL, Yoon G. De novo pathogenic variant in SETX causes a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder of early childhood-onset with severe axonal polyneuropathy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:194. [PMID: 34922620 PMCID: PMC8684165 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in SETX cause two distinct neurological diseases, a loss-of-function recessive disorder, ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2), and a dominant gain-of-function motor neuron disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 4 (ALS4). We identified two unrelated patients with the same de novo c.23C > T (p.Thr8Met) variant in SETX presenting with an early-onset, severe polyneuropathy. As rare private gene variation is often difficult to link to genetic neurological disease by DNA sequence alone, we used transcriptional network analysis to functionally validate these patients with severe de novo SETX-related neurodegenerative disorder. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify disease-associated modules from two different ALS4 mouse models and compared to confirmed ALS4 patient data to derive an ALS4-specific transcriptional signature. WGCNA of whole blood RNA-sequencing data from a patient with the p.Thr8Met SETX variant was compared to ALS4 and control patients to determine if this signature could be used to identify affected patients. WGCNA identified overlapping disease-associated modules in ALS4 mouse model data and ALS4 patient data. Mouse ALS4 disease-associated modules were not associated with AOA2 disease modules, confirming distinct disease-specific signatures. The expression profile of a patient carrying the c.23C > T (p.Thr8Met) variant was significantly associated with the human and mouse ALS4 signature, confirming the relationship between this SETX variant and disease. The similar clinical presentations of the two unrelated patients with the same de novo p.Thr8Met variant and the functional data provide strong evidence that the p.Thr8Met variant is pathogenic. The distinct phenotype expands the clinical spectrum of SETX-related disorders.
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Meiotic Silencing in Pigs: A Case Study in a Translocated Azoospermic Boar. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081137. [PMID: 34440311 PMCID: PMC8394674 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081137] [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: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carriers of balanced constitutional reciprocal translocations usually present a normal phenotype, but often show reproductive disorders. For the first time in pigs, we analyzed the meiotic process of an autosome-autosome translocation associated with azoospermia. Meiotic process analysis revealed the presence of unpaired autosomal segments with histone γH2AX accumulation sometimes associated with the XY body. Additionally, γH2AX signals were observed on apparently synapsed autosomes other than the SSC1 or SSC15, as previously observed in Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 patients or knock-out mice for the Senataxin gene. Gene expression showed a downregulation of genes selected on chromosomes 1 and 15, but no upregulation of SSCX genes. We hypothesized that the total meiotic arrest observed in this boar might be due to the silencing of crucial autosomal genes by the mechanism referred to as meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC).
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Homer HA. Senataxin: A New Guardian of the Female Germline Important for Delaying Ovarian Aging. Front Genet 2021; 12:647996. [PMID: 33995483 PMCID: PMC8118517 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.647996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Early decline in ovarian function known as premature ovarian aging (POA) occurs in around 10% of women and is characterized by a markedly reduced ovarian reserve. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects ~1% of women and refers to the severe end of the POA spectrum in which, accelerated ovarian aging leads to menopause before 40 years of age. Ovarian reserve refers to the total number of follicle-enclosed oocytes within both ovaries. Oocyte DNA integrity is a critical determinant of ovarian reserve since damage to DNA of oocytes within primordial-stage follicles triggers follicular apoptosis leading to accelerated follicle depletion. Despite the high prevalence of POA, very little is known regarding its genetic causation. Another little-investigated aspect of oocyte DNA damage involves low-grade damage that escapes apoptosis at the primordial follicle stage and persists throughout oocyte growth and later follicle development. Senataxin (SETX) is an RNA/DNA helicase involved in repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and is well-known for its roles in preventing neurodegenerative disease. Recent findings uncover an important role for SETX in protecting oocyte DNA integrity against aging-induced increases in oxidative stress. Significantly, this newly identified SETX-mediated regulation of oocyte DNA integrity is critical for preventing POA and early-onset female infertility by preventing premature depletion of the ovarian follicular pool and reducing the burden of low-grade DNA damage both in primordial and fully-grown oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden A Homer
- The Christopher Chen Oocyte Biology Research Laboratory, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
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12
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Genetics of Azoospermia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063264. [PMID: 33806855 PMCID: PMC8004677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia affects 1% of men, and it can be due to: (i) hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, (ii) primary quantitative spermatogenic disturbances, (iii) urogenital duct obstruction. Known genetic factors contribute to all these categories, and genetic testing is part of the routine diagnostic workup of azoospermic men. The diagnostic yield of genetic tests in azoospermia is different in the different etiological categories, with the highest in Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens (90%) and the lowest in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) due to primary testicular failure (~30%). Whole-Exome Sequencing allowed the discovery of an increasing number of monogenic defects of NOA with a current list of 38 candidate genes. These genes are of potential clinical relevance for future gene panel-based screening. We classified these genes according to the associated-testicular histology underlying the NOA phenotype. The validation and the discovery of novel NOA genes will radically improve patient management. Interestingly, approximately 37% of candidate genes are shared in human male and female gonadal failure, implying that genetic counselling should be extended also to female family members of NOA patients.
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13
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Subramanian GN, Lavin M, Homer HA. Premature ovarian ageing following heterozygous loss of Senataxin. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaaa080. [PMID: 33337500 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature loss of ovarian activity before 40 years of age is known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and occurs in ∼1% of women. A more subtle decline in ovarian activity, known as premature ovarian ageing (POA), occurs in ∼10% of women. Despite the high prevalence of POA, very little is known regarding its genetic causation. Senataxin (SETX) is an RNA/DNA helicase involved in repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. Homozygous mutation of SETX leads to the neurodegenerative disorder, ataxia oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2). There have been reports of POI in AOA2 females suggesting a link between SETX and ovarian ageing. Here, we studied female mice lacking either one (Setx+/-) or both (Setx-/-) copies of SETX over a 12- to 14-month period. We find that DNA damage is increased in oocytes from 8-month-old Setx+/- and Setx-/- females compared with Setx+/+ oocytes leading to a marked reduction in all classes of ovarian follicles at least 4 months earlier than typically occurs in female mice. Furthermore, during a 12-month long mating trial, Setx+/- and Setx-/- females produced significantly fewer pups than Setx+/+ females from 7 months of age onwards. These data show that SETX is critical for preventing POA in mice, likely by preserving DNA integrity in oocytes. Intriguingly, heterozygous Setx loss causes an equally severe impact on ovarian ageing as homozygous Setx loss. Because heterozygous SETX disruption is less likely to produce systemic effects, SETX compromise could underpin some cases of insidious POA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Subramanian
- The Christopher Chen Oocyte Biology Research Laboratory, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - M Lavin
- Cancer and Neuroscience Laboratory, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - H A Homer
- The Christopher Chen Oocyte Biology Research Laboratory, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
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14
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Renaud M, Tranchant C, Koenig M, Anheim M. Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxias With Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein: Uncommon Diseases, Common Biomarker. Mov Disord 2020; 35:2139-2149. [PMID: 33044027 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a biomarker of several autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs), especially ataxia telangiectasia (AT) and ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA) type 2 (AOA2). More recently, slightly elevated AFP has been reported in AOA1 and AOA4. Interestingly, AOA1, AOA2, AOA4, and AT are overlapping ARCAs characterized by oculomotor apraxia, with oculocephalic dissociation, choreo-dystonia, and/or axonal sensorimotor neuropathy, in addition to cerebellar ataxia with cerebellar atrophy. The genetic backgrounds in these disorders play central roles in nuclear maintenance through DNA repair [ATM (AT), APTX (AOA1), or PNKP (AOA4)] or RNA termination [SETX (AOA2)]. Partially discriminating thresholds of AFP have been proposed as a way to distinguish between ARCAs with elevated AFP. In these entities, elevated AFP may be an epiphenomenon as a result of liver transcriptional dysregulation. AFP is a simple and reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of ARCA in performance and interpretation of next-generation sequencing. Here, we evaluated clinical, laboratory, imaging, and molecular data of the group of ARCAs that share elevated AFP serum levels that have been described in the past two decades. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Renaud
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CHRU de Nancy, Nancy, France.,INSERM-U1256 NGERE, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Christine Tranchant
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM-U964/CNRS-UMR7104/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Koenig
- Laboratoire de Génétique de Maladies Rares EA7402, Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, Université de Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Anheim
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM-U964/CNRS-UMR7104/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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15
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Kasak L, Laan M. Monogenic causes of non-obstructive azoospermia: challenges, established knowledge, limitations and perspectives. Hum Genet 2020; 140:135-154. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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16
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Paucar M, Taylor AMR, Hadjivassiliou M, Fogel BL, Svenningsson P. Progressive Ataxia with Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein: Diagnostic Issues and Review of the Literature. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 9:tre-09-708. [PMID: 31656689 PMCID: PMC6790008 DOI: 10.7916/tohm.v0.708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Ataxias represent a challenging group of disorders due to significant clinical overlap. Here, we present a patient with early-onset progressive ataxia, polyneuropathy and discuss how elevation of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) narrows the differential diagnosis. Case report Ataxia, polyneuropathy, and mild elevation of AFP are features compatible with ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) but also with ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 4 (AOA4). A genetic analysis demonstrated biallelic mutations in senataxin (SETX), confirming the diagnosis of AOA2. Discussion Mild elevation of AFP is found in patients with AOA2 and AOA4, and higher levels are commonly seen in ataxia-telangiectasia. AFP is a useful diagnostic tool but not a biomarker for disease progression in AOA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Paucar
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, SE.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SE
| | - Alexander M R Taylor
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Brent L Fogel
- Department of Neurology, UCLA Program in Neurogenetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Per Svenningsson
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, SE.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SE
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