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Pizzella A, Penna E, Abate N, Frenna E, Canafoglia L, Ragona F, Russo R, Chambery A, Perrone-Capano C, Cappello S, Crispino M, Di Giaimo R. Pathological Deficit of Cystatin B Impairs Synaptic Plasticity in EPM1 Human Cerebral Organoids. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4318-4334. [PMID: 38087165 PMCID: PMC11236866 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03812-y] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Cystatin B (CSTB) is a small protease inhibitor protein being involved in cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Loss-of-function mutations in CSTB gene cause progressive myoclonic epilepsy 1 (EPM1). We previously demonstrated that CSTB is locally synthesized in synaptic nerve terminals from rat brain and secreted into the media, indicating its role in synaptic plasticity. In this work, we have further investigated the involvement of CSTB in synaptic plasticity, using synaptosomes from human cerebral organoids (hCOs) as well as from rodents' brain. Our data demonstrate that CSTB is released from synaptosomes in two ways: (i) as a soluble protein and (ii) in extracellular vesicles-mediated pathway. Synaptosomes isolated from hCOs are enriched in pre-synaptic proteins and contain CSTB at all developmental stages analyzed. CSTB presence in the synaptic territories was also confirmed by immunostaining on human neurons in vitro. To investigate if the depletion of CSTB affects synaptic plasticity, we characterized the synaptosomes from EPM1 hCOs. We found that the levels of presynaptic proteins and of an initiation factor linked to local protein synthesis were both reduced in EPM1 hCOs and that the extracellular vesicles trafficking pathway was impaired. Moreover, EPM1 neurons displayed anomalous morphology with longer and more branched neurites bearing higher number of intersections and nodes, suggesting connectivity alterations. In conclusion, our data strengthen the idea that CSTB plays a critical role in the synapse physiology and reveal that pathologically low levels of CSTB may affect synaptic plasticity, leading to synaptopathy and altered neuronal morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Pizzella
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Natalia Abate
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Frenna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Canafoglia
- Integrated Diagnostics for Epilepsy, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragona
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Cappello
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marianna Crispino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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2
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Žerovnik E. Human stefin B: from its structure, folding, and aggregation to its function in health and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1009976. [PMID: 36340691 PMCID: PMC9634419 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1009976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene for human stefin B (cystatin B) cause progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1), a neurodegenerative disorder. The most common change is dodecamer repeats in the promoter region of the gene, though missense and frameshift mutations also appear. Human stefin B primarily acts as a cysteine cathepsin inhibitor, and it also exhibits alternative functions. It plays a protective role against oxidative stress, likely via reducing mitochondrial damage and thus generating fewer mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accordingly, lack of stefin B results in increased inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, producing more ROS. The protein is cytosolic but also has an important role in the nucleus, where it prevents cleavage of the N terminal part of histone 3 by inhibiting cathepsins L and B and thus regulates transcription and cell cycle. Furthermore, it has been shown that stefin B is oligomeric in cells and that it has a specific role in the physiology of the synapse and in vesicular transport. On the basis of my research team's data on the structure, folding, and aggregation of stefin B, we have proposed that it might regulate proteostasis, possessing a chaperone-like function. In this review, I synthesize these observations and derive some conclusions on possible sources of EPM1 pathology. The interaction partners of stefin B and other gene mutations leading to EPM1-like pathology are discussed and common pathways are pinpointed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Žerovnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Perveen N, Ashraf W, Alqahtani F, Fawad Rasool M, Samad N, Imran I. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: What do we understand about protein alterations? Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:377-394. [PMID: 34132061 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
During neuronal diseases, neuronal proteins get disturbed due to changes in the connections of neurons. As a result, neuronal proteins get disturbed and cause epilepsy. At the genetic level, many mutations may take place in proteins like axon guidance proteins, leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 protein, microtubular protein, pore-forming, chromatin remodeling, and chemokine proteins which may lead toward temporal lobe epilepsy. These proteins can be targeted in the future for the treatment purpose of epilepsy. Novel avenues can be developed for therapeutic interventions by these new insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Perveen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Waseem Ashraf
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Faleh Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Fawad Rasool
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Samad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Imran Imran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Li R, Li S, Chen Z, Jin Y, Li S, Li S, Bai Z. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) stefin A: Systematic research on its cloning, expression, characterization and tissue distribution. Food Chem 2020; 335:127564. [PMID: 32738541 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
To fully understand the properties of piscine stefins (family I cystatins), the 294-bp stefinA gene from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Ci) was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). After purification by Ni2+-NTA agarose affinity chromatography, the CiStefin A protein was tested to have a molecular weight of 11.48 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.7. The typical motif of the cystatins superfamily was characterized from CiStefin A (QVVQG). CiStefin A specifically inhibited the activity of papain and cathepsin B/L. The Ki value of CiStefin A against papain was 6.5 × 10-11 M. CiStefin A showed excellent heat and acid-base tolerance. StefinA gene transcription occurred in all tested tissues of grass carp, with the highest level in the hepatopancreas. Immunolocalization staining with an anti-CiStefinA antibody revealed the CiStefinA protein distribution in all tested tissues at various levels. Overall, these results clarified the physical and biochemical properties of grass carp stefin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Li
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Shuhong Li
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China.
| | - Zhiguang Chen
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China
| | - Yu Jin
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China
| | - Shulei Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center, Jilin University, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Song Li
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China
| | - Zhizi Bai
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province 625014, China
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Žerovnik E. Possible Mechanisms by which Stefin B could Regulate Proteostasis and Oxidative Stress. Cells 2019; 8:E70. [PMID: 30669344 PMCID: PMC6357131 DOI: 10.3390/cells8010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human stefin B is a protease inhibitor from the family of cystatins. It was reported that it forms oligomers in cells. We have shown that it has a role in cell's response to misfolded proteins. We also have shown that its oligomers bind amyloid-beta (Aβ). Here, we discuss ways, how stefin B could reduce build-up of protein aggregates by other proteins and consequently reduces ROS and, how this might be connected to autophagy. When overexpressed, stefin B forms protein aggregates itself and these protein aggregates induce autophagy. Similarly, cystatin C was shown to bind Aβ and to induce autophagy. It is also suggested how more knowledge about the role of stefin B in a cell's response to misfolded proteins could be used to modulate progressive myoclonus epilepsy of type 1 EPM1 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Žerovnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Correction of a Splicing Mutation Affecting an Unverricht-Lundborg Disease Patient by Antisense Therapy. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9090455. [PMID: 30208654 PMCID: PMC6162617 DOI: 10.3390/genes9090455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) is a common form of progressive myoclonic epilepsy caused by mutations in the cystatin B gene (CSTB) that encodes an inhibitor of several lysosomal cathepsins. Presently, only pharmacological treatment and psychosocial support are available for ULD patients. To overcome the pathogenic effect of the ULD splicing mutation c.66G>A (exon 1), we investigated whether an antisense oligonucleotide therapeutic strategy could correct the defect in patient cells. A specific locked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotide was designed to block a cryptic 5′ss in intron 1. Overall, this approach allowed the restoration of the normal splicing pattern. Furthermore, the recovery was both sequence and dose-specific. In general, this work provides a proof of principle on the correction of a CSTB gene defect causing ULD through a mutation-specific antisense therapy. It adds evidence to the feasibility of this approach, joining the many studies that are paving the way for translating antisense technology into the clinical practice. The insights detailed herein make mutation-based therapy a clear candidate for personalized treatment of ULD patients, encouraging similar investigations into other genetic diseases.
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Co-chaperoning by amyloid-forming proteins: cystatins vs. crystallins. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2017; 46:789-793. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-017-1214-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Surguchov A, Surgucheva I, Sharma M, Sharma R, Singh V. Pore-Forming Proteins as Mediators of Novel Epigenetic Mechanism of Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2017; 8:3. [PMID: 28149289 PMCID: PMC5241277 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures. In the last two decades, numerous gene defects underlying different forms of epilepsy have been identified with most of these genes encoding ion channel proteins. Despite these developments, the etiology of majority of non-familial epilepsies has no known associated genetic mutations and cannot be explained by defects in identified ion channels alone. We hypothesize that de novo formation of ion channels by naturally unfolded proteins (NUPs) increases neuronal excitability. Altered ionic homeostasis may initiate/contribute to cellular cascades related to epileptogenesis in susceptible individuals. Here, we consider two small proteins, namely, α-synuclein and stefin B, as prototypical candidates to illustrate the underlying mechanism(s). Previous work points to an association between epilepsy and α-synuclein or stefin B, but the mechanism(s) underlying such association remains elusive. We review the evidence to link the structure-function of these proteins with disease processes. Epigenetic mechanisms unrelated to altered DNA sequence(s) that may affect epileptogenesis include transcriptional or posttranscriptional regulation. Such epigenetic mechanisms or their combination(s) enhance the levels of these proteins and as a result the ability to form annular structures, which upon incorporation into membrane form novel ion channels and disturb intracellular ion homeostasis. Alternative epigenetic mechanisms may change amyloidogenic proteins by posttranslational modifications, thereby increasing their propensity to form channels. Further research elucidating the details about the formation of ion channels through these mechanisms and their role in epileptogenesis may define new molecular targets and guide the development of new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Surguchov
- Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Irina Surgucheva
- Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Mukut Sharma
- Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Midwest Biomedical Research Foundation, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Ram Sharma
- Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Vikas Singh
- Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
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9
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Stoka V, Turk V, Turk B. Lysosomal cathepsins and their regulation in aging and neurodegeneration. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 32:22-37. [PMID: 27125852 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomes and lysosomal hydrolases, including the cathepsins, have been shown to change their properties with aging brain a long time ago, although their function was not really understood. The first biochemical and clinical studies were followed by a major expansion in the last 20 years with the development of animal disease models and new approaches leading to a major advancement of understanding of the role of physiological and degenerative processes in the brain at the molecular level. This includes the understanding of the major role of autophagy and the cathepsins in a number of diseases, including its critical role in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Similarly, cathepsins and some other lysosomal proteases were shown to have important roles in processing and/or degradation of several important neuronal proteins, thereby having either neuroprotective or harmful roles. In this review, we discuss lysosomal cathepsins and their regulation with the focus on cysteine cathepsins and their endogenous inhibitors, as well as their role in several neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Stoka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; J. Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Vito Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; J. Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Žerovnik E. Putative alternative functions of human stefin B (cystatin B): binding to amyloid-beta, membranes, and copper. J Mol Recognit 2016; 30. [PMID: 27577977 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We describe studies performed thus far on stefin B from the family of cystatins as a model protein for folding and amyloid fibril formation studies. We also briefly mention our studies on aggregation of some of the missense EPM1 mutants of stefin B in cells, which mimic additional pathological traits (gain in toxic function) in selected patients with EPM1 disease. We collected data on the reported interactors of stefin B and discuss several hypotheses of possible cytosolic alternative functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Žerovnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,CipKeBip-Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Duarte AJ, Ribeiro D, Chaves J, Amaral O. Characterization of a rare Unverricht-Lundborg disease mutation. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2015; 4:68-71. [PMID: 26937413 PMCID: PMC4750610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystatin B (CSTB) gene mutations cause Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD), a rare form of myoclonic epilepsy. The previous identification of a Portuguese patient, homozygous for a unique splicing defect (c.66G > A; p.Q22Q), provided awareness regarding the existence of variant forms of ULD. In this work we aimed at the characterization of this mutation at the population level and at the cellular level. The cellular fractionation studies here carried out showed mislocalization of the protein and add to the knowledge on this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Joana Duarte
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Unidade I&D-P DLS, CSPGF, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo Ribeiro
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Unidade I&D-P DLS, CSPGF, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Chaves
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Olga Amaral
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Unidade I&D-P DLS, CSPGF, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Porto, Portugal
- Corresponding author at: Departamento de Genética Humana, Unidade I&D-P DLS, CSPGF, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal.
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