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Diaw SH, Delcambre S, Much C, Ott F, Kostic VS, Gajos A, Münchau A, Zittel S, Busch H, Grünewald A, Klein C, Lohmann K. DYT-THAP1: exploring gene expression in fibroblasts for potential biomarker discovery. Neurogenetics 2024; 25:141-147. [PMID: 38498291 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-024-00752-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Dystonia due to pathogenic variants in the THAP1 gene (DYT-THAP1) shows variable expressivity and reduced penetrance of ~ 50%. Since THAP1 encodes a transcription factor, modifiers influencing this variability likely operate at the gene expression level. This study aimed to assess the transferability of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in neuronal cells related to pathogenic variants in the THAP1 gene, which were previously identified by transcriptome analyses. For this, we performed quantitative (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) in cultured fibroblasts. RNA was extracted from THAP1 manifesting (MMCs) and non-manifesting mutation carriers (NMCs) as well as from healthy controls. The expression profiles of ten of 14 known neuronal DEGs demonstrated differences in fibroblasts between these three groups. This included transcription factors and targets (ATF4, CLN3, EIF2A, RRM1, YY1), genes involved in G protein-coupled receptor signaling (BDKRB2, LPAR1), and a gene linked to apoptosis and DNA replication/repair (CRADD), which all showed higher expression levels in MMCs and NMCs than in controls. Moreover, the analysis of genes linked to neurological disorders (STXBP1, TOR1A) unveiled differences in expression patterns between MMCs and controls. Notably, the genes CUEDC2, DRD4, ECH1, and SIX2 were not statistically significantly differentially expressed in fibroblast cultures. With > 70% of the tested genes being DEGs also in fibroblasts, fibroblasts seem to be a suitable model for DYT-THAP1 research despite some restrictions. Furthermore, at least some of these DEGs may potentially also serve as biomarkers of DYT-THAP1 and influence its penetrance and expressivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvie Delcambre
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362, Luxembourg
| | - Christoph Much
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fabian Ott
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Vladimir S Kostic
- Institute of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Agata Gajos
- Department of Extrapyramidal Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 90-647, Poland
| | - Alexander Münchau
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Simone Zittel
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anne Grünewald
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362, Luxembourg
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
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2
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Yellajoshyula D. Transcriptional regulatory network for neuron-glia interactions and its implication for DYT6 dystonia. DYSTONIA (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:11796. [PMID: 38737544 PMCID: PMC11087070 DOI: 10.3389/dyst.2023.11796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technologies have identified novel genes associated with inherited forms of dystonia, providing valuable insights into its genetic basis and revealing diverse genetic pathways and mechanisms involved in its pathophysiology. Since identifying genetic variation in the transcription factor coding THAP1 gene linked to isolated dystonia, numerous investigations have employed transcriptomic studies in DYT-THAP1 models to uncover pathogenic molecular mechanisms underlying dystonia. This review examines key findings from transcriptomic studies conducted on in vivo and in vitro DYT-THAP1 models, which demonstrate that the THAP1-regulated transcriptome is diverse and cell-specific, yet it is bound and co-regulated by a common set of proteins. Prominent among its functions, THAP1 and its co-regulatory network target molecular pathways critical for generating myelinating oligodendrocytes that ensheath axons and generate white matter in the central nervous system. Several lines of investigation have demonstrated the importance of myelination and oligodendrogenesis in motor function during development and in adults, emphasizing the non-cell autonomous contributions of glial cells to neural circuits involved in motor function. Further research on the role of myelin abnormalities in motor deficits in DYT6 models will enhance our understanding of axon-glia interactions in dystonia pathophysiology and provide potential therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways.
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3
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Cheng F, Zheng W, Barbuti PA, Bonsi P, Liu C, Casadei N, Ponterio G, Meringolo M, Admard J, Dording CM, Yu-Taeger L, Nguyen HP, Grundmann-Hauser K, Ott T, Houlden H, Pisani A, Krüger R, Riess O. DYT6 mutated THAP1 is a cell type dependent regulator of the SP1 family. Brain 2022; 145:3968-3984. [PMID: 35015830 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DYT6 dystonia is caused by mutations in the transcription factor THAP1. THAP1 knock-out or knock-in mouse models revealed complex gene expression changes, which are potentially responsible for the pathogenesis of DYT6 dystonia. However, how THAP1 mutations lead to these gene expression alterations and whether the gene expression changes are also reflected in the brain of THAP1 patients are still unclear. In this study we used epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches combined with multiple model systems [THAP1 patients' frontal cortex, THAP1 patients' induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain dopaminergic neurons, THAP1 heterozygous knock-out rat model, and THAP1 heterozygous knock-out SH-SY5Y cell lines] to uncover a novel function of THAP1 and the potential pathogenesis of DYT6 dystonia. We observed that THAP1 targeted only a minority of differentially expressed genes caused by its mutation. THAP1 mutations lead to dysregulation of genes mainly through regulation of SP1 family members, SP1 and SP4, in a cell type dependent manner. Comparing global differentially expressed genes detected in THAP1 patients' iPSC-derived midbrain dopaminergic neurons and THAP1 heterozygous knock-out rat striatum, we observed many common dysregulated genes and 61 of them were involved in dystonic syndrome-related pathways, like synaptic transmission, nervous system development, and locomotor behaviour. Further behavioural and electrophysiological studies confirmed the involvement of these pathways in THAP1 knock-out rats. Taken together, our study characterized the function of THAP1 and contributes to the understanding of the pathogenesis of primary dystonia in humans and rats. As SP1 family members were dysregulated in some neurodegenerative diseases, our data may link THAP1 dystonia to multiple neurological diseases and may thus provide common treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fubo Cheng
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenxu Zheng
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Peter Antony Barbuti
- Transversal Translational Medicine, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Chang Liu
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- NGS Competence Center Tuebingen, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Giulia Ponterio
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Jakob Admard
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- NGS Competence Center Tuebingen, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Claire Marie Dording
- Transversal Translational Medicine, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Libo Yu-Taeger
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Ott
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Rejko Krüger
- Transversal Translational Medicine, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
- Translational Neuroscience, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Parkinson Research Clinic, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- NGS Competence Center Tuebingen, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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4
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Diaw SH, Ott F, Münchau A, Lohmann K, Busch H. Emerging role of a systems biology approach to elucidate factors of reduced penetrance: transcriptional changes in THAP1-linked dystonia as an example. MED GENET-BERLIN 2022; 34:131-141. [PMID: 38835919 PMCID: PMC11006298 DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2022-2126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in THAP1 can cause dystonia with a penetrance of about 50 %. The underlying mechanisms are unknown and can be considered as means of endogenous disease protection. Since THAP1 encodes a transcription factor, drivers of this variability putatively act at the transcriptome level. Several transcriptome studies tried to elucidate THAP1 function in diverse cellular and mouse models, including mutation carrier-derived cells and iPSC-derived neurons, unveiling various differentially expressed genes and affected pathways. These include nervous system development, dopamine signalling, myelination, or cell-cell adhesion. A network diffusion analysis revealed mRNA splicing, mitochondria, DNA repair, and metabolism as significant pathways that may represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokhna Haissatou Diaw
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fabian Ott
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexander Münchau
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
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5
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Domingo A, Yadav R, Shah S, Hendriks WT, Erdin S, Gao D, O'Keefe K, Currall B, Gusella JF, Sharma N, Ozelius LJ, Ehrlich ME, Talkowski ME, Bragg DC. Dystonia-specific mutations in THAP1 alter transcription of genes associated with neurodevelopment and myelin. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:2145-2158. [PMID: 34672987 PMCID: PMC8595948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is a neurologic disorder associated with an increasingly large number of genetic variants in many genes, resulting in characteristic disturbances in volitional movement. Dissecting the relationships between these mutations and their functional outcomes is critical in understanding the pathways that drive dystonia pathogenesis. Here we established a pipeline for characterizing an allelic series of dystonia-specific mutations. We used this strategy to investigate the molecular consequences of genetic variation in THAP1, which encodes a transcription factor linked to neural differentiation. Multiple pathogenic mutations associated with dystonia cluster within distinct THAP1 functional domains and are predicted to alter DNA-binding properties and/or protein interactions differently, yet the relative impact of these varied changes on molecular signatures and neural deficits is unclear. To determine the effects of these mutations on THAP1 transcriptional activity, we engineered an allelic series of eight alterations in a common induced pluripotent stem cell background and differentiated these lines into a panel of near-isogenic neural stem cells (n = 94 lines). Transcriptome profiling followed by joint analysis of the most robust signatures across mutations identified a convergent pattern of dysregulated genes functionally related to neurodevelopment, lysosomal lipid metabolism, and myelin. On the basis of these observations, we examined mice bearing Thap1-disruptive alleles and detected significant changes in myelin gene expression and reduction of myelin structural integrity relative to control mice. These results suggest that deficits in neurodevelopment and myelination are common consequences of dystonia-associated THAP1 mutations and highlight the potential role of neuron-glial interactions in the pathogenesis of dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Domingo
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rachita Yadav
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Shivangi Shah
- The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - William T Hendriks
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Dadi Gao
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kathryn O'Keefe
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Benjamin Currall
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - James F Gusella
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Nutan Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - D Cristopher Bragg
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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6
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Staege S, Kutschenko A, Baumann H, Glaß H, Henkel L, Gschwendtberger T, Kalmbach N, Klietz M, Hermann A, Lohmann K, Seibler P, Wegner F. Reduced Expression of GABA A Receptor Alpha2 Subunit Is Associated With Disinhibition of DYT-THAP1 Dystonia Patient-Derived Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:650586. [PMID: 34095114 PMCID: PMC8176025 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.650586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DYT-THAP1 dystonia (formerly DYT6) is an adolescent-onset dystonia characterized by involuntary muscle contractions usually involving the upper body. It is caused by mutations in the gene THAP1 encoding for the transcription factor Thanatos-associated protein (THAP) domain containing apoptosis-associated protein 1 and inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner with reduced penetrance. Alterations in the development of striatal neuronal projections and synaptic function are known from transgenic mice models. To investigate pathogenetic mechanisms, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived medium spiny neurons (MSNs) from two patients and one family member with reduced penetrance carrying a mutation in the gene THAP1 (c.474delA and c.38G > A) were functionally characterized in comparison to healthy controls. Calcium imaging and quantitative PCR analysis revealed significantly lower Ca2+ amplitudes upon GABA applications and a marked downregulation of the gene encoding the GABAA receptor alpha2 subunit in THAP1 MSNs indicating a decreased GABAergic transmission. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed a significantly lower frequency of miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs), whereas the frequency of spontaneous action potentials (APs) was elevated in THAP1 MSNs suggesting that decreased synaptic activity might have resulted in enhanced generation of APs. Our molecular and functional data indicate that a reduced expression of GABAA receptor alpha2 subunit could eventually lead to limited GABAergic synaptic transmission, neuronal disinhibition, and hyperexcitability of THAP1 MSNs. These data give pathophysiological insight and may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for DYT-THAP1 dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Staege
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Anna Kutschenko
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Hauke Baumann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht-Kossel", Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lisa Henkel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thomas Gschwendtberger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Norman Kalmbach
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Klietz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht-Kossel", Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
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7
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Baumann H, Ott F, Weber J, Trilck-Winkler M, Münchau A, Zittel S, Kostić VS, Kaiser FJ, Klein C, Busch H, Seibler P, Lohmann K. Linking Penetrance and Transcription in DYT-THAP1: Insights From a Human iPSC-Derived Cortical Model. Mov Disord 2021; 36:1381-1391. [PMID: 33547842 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The THAP1 gene encodes a transcription factor, and pathogenic variants cause a form of autosomal dominant, isolated dystonia (DYT-THAP1) with reduced penetrance. Factors underlying both reduced penetrance and the disease mechanism of DYT-THAP1 are largely unknown. METHODS We performed transcriptome analysis on 29 cortical neuronal precursors derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines generated from manifesting and nonmanifesting THAP1 mutation carriers and control individuals. RESULTS Whole transcriptome analysis showed a penetrance-linked signature with expressional changes more pronounced in the group of manifesting (MMCs) than in nonmanifesting mutation carriers (NMCs) when compared to controls. A direct comparison of the transcriptomes in MMCs versus NMCs showed significant upregulation of the DRD4 gene in MMCs. A gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated alterations in various neurotransmitter release cycle pathways, extracellular matrix organization, and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation between MMCs and NMCs. When specifically considering transcription factors, the expression of YY1 and SIX2 differed in MMCs versus NMCs. Further, THAP1 was upregulated in the group of MMCs. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report systematically analyzing reduced penetrance in DYT-THAP1 in a human model using transcriptomes. Our findings indicate that transcriptional alterations during cortical development influence DYT-THAP1 pathogenesis and penetrance. We reinforce previously linked pathways including dopamine and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha signaling in the pathogenesis of dystonia including DYT-THAP1 and suggest extracellular matrix organization and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation as mediators of disease protection. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hauke Baumann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fabian Ott
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Joachim Weber
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Münchau
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Simone Zittel
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Frank J Kaiser
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute of Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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8
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Domingo A, Yadav R, Ozelius LJ. Isolated dystonia: clinical and genetic updates. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 128:405-416. [PMID: 33247415 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Four genes associated with isolated dystonia are currently well replicated and validated. DYT-THAP1 manifests as young-onset generalized dystonia with predominant craniocervical symptoms; and is associated with mostly deleterious missense variation in the THAP1 gene. De novo and inherited missense and protein truncating variation in GNAL as well as primarily missense variation in ANO3 cause isolated focal and/or segmental dystonia with preference for the upper half of the body and older ages at onset. The GAG deletion in TOR1A is associated with generalized dystonia with onset in childhood in the lower limbs. Rare variation in these genes causes monogenic sporadic and inherited forms of isolated dystonia; common variation may confer risk and imply that dystonia is a polygenic trait in a subset of cases. Although candidate gene screens have been successful in the past in detecting gene-disease associations, recent application of whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing methods enable unbiased capture of all genetic variation that may explain the phenotype. However, careful variant-level evaluation is necessary in every case, even in genes that have previously been associated with disease. We review the genetic architecture and phenotype of DYT-THAP1, DYT-GNAL, DYT-ANO3, and DYT-TOR1A by collecting case reports from the literature and performing variant classification using pathogenicity criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Domingo
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Rachita Yadav
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Collaborative Center for X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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9
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Dulovic-Mahlow M, Gajos A, Baumann H, Pozojevic J, Kaiser FJ, Bogucki A, Lohmann K. Highly reduced penetrance in a family with a THAP1 nonsense mutation: Role of THAP1 expression? Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019; 65:274-276. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Frederick NM, Shah PV, Didonna A, Langley MR, Kanthasamy AG, Opal P. Loss of the dystonia gene Thap1 leads to transcriptional deficits that converge on common pathogenic pathways in dystonic syndromes. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1343-1356. [PMID: 30590536 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary and repetitive co-contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles. Dystonia 6 (DYT6) is an autosomal dominant dystonia caused by loss-of-function mutations in the zinc finger transcription factor THAP1. We have generated Thap1 knock-out mice with a view to understanding its transcriptional role. While germ-line deletion of Thap1 is embryonic lethal, mice lacking one Thap1 allele-which in principle should recapitulate the haploinsufficiency of the human syndrome-do not show a discernable phenotype. This is because mice show autoregulation of Thap1 mRNA levels with upregulation at the non-affected locus. We then deleted Thap1 in glial and neuronal precursors using a nestin-conditional approach. Although these mice do not exhibit dystonia, they show pronounced locomotor deficits reflecting derangements in the cerebellar and basal ganglia circuitry. These behavioral features are associated with alterations in the expression of genes involved in nervous system development, synaptic transmission, cytoskeleton, gliosis and dopamine signaling that link DYT6 to other primary and secondary dystonic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessandro Didonna
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Monica R Langley
- Parkinson Disorders Research Program, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Anumantha G Kanthasamy
- Parkinson Disorders Research Program, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Baumann H, Jahn M, Muenchau A, Trilck-Winkler M, Lohmann K, Seibler P. Generation and characterization of eight human-derived iPSC lines from affected and unaffected THAP1 mutation carriers. Stem Cell Res 2018; 33:60-64. [PMID: 30316041 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in THAP1 (THAP domain-containing apoptosis-associated protein 1) cause a form of early-onset, isolated dystonia (DYT-THAP1, aka DYT6). Here, we describe the generation of eight human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines of manifesting and non-manifesting carriers of the THAP1 mutations p.Lys158Asnfs*23 or p.Arg13His (each 4 lines). Dermal fibroblasts were reprogrammed using non-integrating Sendai virus. The iPSC lines were comprehensively characterized including expression analyses of pluripotency markers, the potential to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, and stable karyotypes. These lines provide a valuable resource for studying the impact of THAP1 mutations on the pathology of dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hauke Baumann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Magdalena Jahn
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
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12
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Mutations in THAP1/DYT6 reveal that diverse dystonia genes disrupt similar neuronal pathways and functions. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007169. [PMID: 29364887 PMCID: PMC5798844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Its many forms are genetically, phenotypically and etiologically diverse and it is unknown whether their pathogenesis converges on shared pathways. Mutations in THAP1 [THAP (Thanatos-associated protein) domain containing, apoptosis associated protein 1], a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor with DNA binding and protein-interaction domains, cause dystonia, DYT6. There is a unique, neuronal 50-kDa Thap1-like immunoreactive species, and Thap1 levels are auto-regulated on the mRNA level. However, THAP1 downstream targets in neurons, and the mechanism via which it causes dystonia are largely unknown. We used RNA-Seq to assay the in vivo effect of a heterozygote Thap1 C54Y or ΔExon2 allele on the gene transcription signatures in neonatal mouse striatum and cerebellum. Enriched pathways and gene ontology terms include eIF2α Signaling, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Neuron Projection Development, Axonal Guidance Signaling, and Synaptic LongTerm Depression, which are dysregulated in a genotype and tissue-dependent manner. Electrophysiological and neurite outgrowth assays were consistent with those enrichments, and the plasticity defects were partially corrected by salubrinal. Notably, several of these pathways were recently implicated in other forms of inherited dystonia, including DYT1. We conclude that dysfunction of these pathways may represent a point of convergence in the pathophysiology of several forms of inherited dystonia. Dystonia is a brain disorder that causes disabling involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures. Mutations in THAP1, a zinc-finger transcription factor, cause DYT6, but its neuronal targets and functions are unknown. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of Thap1C54Y and ΔExon2 alleles on the gene transcription signatures at postnatal day 1 (P1) in the mouse striatum and cerebellum in order to correlate function with specific genes or pathways. Our unbiased transcriptomics approach showed that Thap1 mutants revealed multiple signaling pathways involved in neuronal plasticity, axonal guidance, and oxidative stress response, which are also present in other forms of dystonia, particularly DYT1. We conclude that dysfunction of these pathways may represent a point of convergence on the pathogenesis of unrelated forms of inherited dystonia.
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13
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Weisheit CE, Pappas SS, Dauer WT. Inherited dystonias: clinical features and molecular pathways. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 147:241-254. [PMID: 29325615 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63233-3.00016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent decades have witnessed dramatic increases in understanding of the genetics of dystonia - a movement disorder characterized by involuntary twisting and abnormal posture. Hampered by a lack of overt neuropathology, researchers are investigating isolated monogenic causes to pinpoint common molecular mechanisms in this heterogeneous disease. Evidence from imaging, cellular, and murine work implicates deficiencies in dopamine neurotransmission, transcriptional dysregulation, and selective vulnerability of distinct neuronal populations to disease mutations. Studies of genetic forms of dystonia are also illuminating the developmental dependence of disease symptoms that is typical of many forms of the disease. As understanding of monogenic forms of dystonia grows, a clearer picture will develop of the abnormal motor circuitry behind this relatively common phenomenology. This chapter focuses on the current data covering the etiology and epidemiology, clinical presentation, and pathogenesis of four monogenic forms of isolated dystonia: DYT-TOR1A, DYT-THAP1, DYT-GCH1, and DYT-GNAL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne E Weisheit
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Samuel S Pappas
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - William T Dauer
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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14
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Aguilo F, Zakirova Z, Nolan K, Wagner R, Sharma R, Hogan M, Wei C, Sun Y, Walsh MJ, Kelley K, Zhang W, Ozelius LJ, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Zwaka TP, Ehrlich ME. THAP1: Role in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Survival and Differentiation. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:92-107. [PMID: 28579396 PMCID: PMC5511047 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
THAP1 (THAP [Thanatos-associated protein] domain-containing, apoptosis-associated protein 1) is a ubiquitously expressed member of a family of transcription factors with highly conserved DNA-binding and protein-interacting regions. Mutations in THAP1 cause dystonia, DYT6, a neurologic movement disorder. THAP1 downstream targets and the mechanism via which it causes dystonia are largely unknown. Here, we show that wild-type THAP1 regulates embryonic stem cell (ESC) potential, survival, and proliferation. Our findings identify THAP1 as an essential factor underlying mouse ESC survival and to some extent, differentiation, particularly neuroectodermal. Loss of THAP1 or replacement with a disease-causing mutation results in an enhanced rate of cell death, prolongs Nanog, Prdm14, and/or Rex1 expression upon differentiation, and results in failure to upregulate ectodermal genes. ChIP-Seq reveals that these activities are likely due in part to indirect regulation of gene expression. Wild-type THAP1 regulates ESC potential, survival, and proliferation THAP1 is essential for ESC differentiation, particularly neuroectodermal Thap1C54Y or ΔExon2 ESCs prolong expression of pluripotent genes upon differentiation Thap1C54Y or ΔExon2 EBs show increased cell death and abnormal differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Aguilo
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Zuchra Zakirova
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Katie Nolan
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ryan Wagner
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rajal Sharma
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Megan Hogan
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Chengguo Wei
- Department of Medicine Bioinformatics Core, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yifei Sun
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Martin J Walsh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kevin Kelley
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Medicine Bioinformatics Core, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre
- Perelman Center for Cellular & Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas P Zwaka
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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15
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Hollstein R, Reiz B, Kötter L, Richter A, Schaake S, Lohmann K, Kaiser FJ. Dystonia-causing mutations in the transcription factor THAP1 disrupt HCFC1 cofactor recruitment and alter gene expression. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:2975-2983. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Paudel R, Li A, Hardy J, Bhatia KP, Houlden H, Holton J. DYT6 Dystonia: A Neuropathological Study. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 16:273-8. [PMID: 26610312 DOI: 10.1159/000440863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the thanatos-associated protein domain containing apoptosis-associated protein 1 gene (THAP1) are responsible for adult-onset isolated dystonia (DYT6). However, no neuropathological studies of genetically proven DYT6 cases have been previously reported. OBJECTIVE We report the first detailed neuropathological investigation carried out on two DYT6 brains. METHODS Genetic screening for THAP1 gene mutations using standard Sanger polymerase chain reaction sequencing identified 2 cases, 1 with a known pathogenic mutation and the other with a novel mutation. A detailed neuropathological assessment of the cases was performed. RESULTS Both DYT6 cases showed no significant neurodegeneration and no specific disease-related pathology. CONCLUSIONS No neuropathological features that could be defined as hallmark features of DYT6 dystonia were identified. Our study supports the notion that in isolated dystonia, there is no significant neurodegeneration or morphological lesions that can be identified using routine methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reema Paudel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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17
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Ruiz M, Perez-Garcia G, Ortiz-Virumbrales M, Méneret A, Morant A, Kottwitz J, Fuchs T, Bonet J, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Hof PR, Ozelius LJ, Ehrlich ME. Abnormalities of motor function, transcription and cerebellar structure in mouse models of THAP1 dystonia. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:7159-70. [PMID: 26376866 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
DYT6 dystonia is caused by mutations in THAP1 [Thanatos-associated (THAP) domain-containing apoptosis-associated protein] and is autosomal dominant and partially penetrant. Like other genetic primary dystonias, DYT6 patients have no characteristic neuropathology, and mechanisms by which mutations in THAP1 cause dystonia are unknown. Thap1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor, and most pathogenic THAP1 mutations are missense and are located in the DNA-binding domain. There are also nonsense mutations, which act as the equivalent of a null allele because they result in the generation of small mRNA species that are likely rapidly degraded via nonsense-mediated decay. The function of Thap1 in neurons is unknown, but there is a unique, neuronal 50-kDa Thap1 species, and Thap1 levels are auto-regulated on the mRNA level. Herein, we present the first characterization of two mouse models of DYT6, including a pathogenic knockin mutation, C54Y and a null mutation. Alterations in motor behaviors, transcription and brain structure are demonstrated. The projection neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei are especially altered. Abnormalities vary according to genotype, sex, age and/or brain region, but importantly, overlap with those of other dystonia mouse models. These data highlight the similarities and differences in age- and cell-specific effects of a Thap1 mutation, indicating that the pathophysiology of THAP1 mutations should be assayed at multiple ages and neuronal types and support the notion of final common pathways in the pathophysiology of dystonia arising from disparate mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Department of Neurosciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA and
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Department of Neurology
| | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Department of Neurology,
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18
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Golanska E, Gajos A, Sieruta M, Szybka M, Rudzinska M, Ochudlo S, Kmiec T, Liberski PP, Bogucki A. Screening for THAP1 Mutations in Polish Patients with Dystonia Shows Known and Novel Substitutions. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129656. [PMID: 26087139 PMCID: PMC4472661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the presence of DYT6 mutations in Polish patients with isolated dystonia and to characterize their phenotype. We sequenced THAP1 exons 1, 2 and 3 including exon-intron boundaries and 5'UTR fragment in 96 non-DYT1 dystonia patients. In four individuals single nucleotide variations were identified. The coding substitutions were: c. 238A>G (p.Ile80Val), found in two patients, and c.167A>G (p.Glu56Gly), found in one patient. The same variations were present also in the patients' symptomatic as well as asymptomatic relatives. Mutation penetration in the analyzed families was 50-66.7%. In the fourth patient, a novel c.-249C>A substitution in the promoter region was identified. The patient, initially suspected of idiopathic isolated dystonia, finally presented with pantothenate kinase 2-associated neurodegeneration phenotype and was a carrier of two PANK2 mutations. This is the first identified NBIA1 case carrying mutations in both PANK2 and THAP1 genes. In all symptomatic THAP1 mutation carriers (four probands and their three affected relatives) the first signs of dystonia occurred before the age of 23. A primary localization typical for DYT6 dystonia was observed in six individuals. Five subjects developed the first signs of dystonia in the upper limb. In one patient the disease began from laryngeal involvement. An uncommon primary involvement of lower limb was noted in the THAP1 and PANK2 mutations carrier. Neither of these THAP1 substitutions were found in 150 unrelated healthy controls. To the contrary, we identified a heterozygous C/T genotype of c.57C>T single nucleotide variation (p.Pro19Pro, rs146087734) in one healthy control, but in none of the patients. Therefore, a previously proposed association between this substitution and DYT6 dystonia seems unlikely. We found also no significant difference between cases and controls in genotypes distribution of the two-nucleotide -237-236 GA>TT (rs370983900 & rs1844977763) polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Golanska
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Agata Gajos
- Department of Movement Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Monika Sieruta
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Szybka
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Monika Rudzinska
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Silesia, Central Clinical Hospital, Katowice, Poland
- Stroke Department and Department of Neurology, Central Clinical Hospital, Katowice, Poland
| | - Stanislaw Ochudlo
- Stroke Department and Department of Neurology, Central Clinical Hospital, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kmiec
- Child Neurology Department, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel P. Liberski
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bogucki
- Department of Movement Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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