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Tu MC, Chung HW, Hsu YH, Yang JJ, Wu WC. Neurovascular Correlates of Cobalamin, Folate, and Homocysteine in Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:1329-1338. [PMID: 37980672 PMCID: PMC10741318 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230763] [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] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cobalamin (Cbl) and folate are common supplements clinicians prescribe as an adjuvant therapy for dementia patients, on the presumption of their neurotrophic and/or homocysteine (Hcy) lowering effect. However, the treatment efficacy has been found mixed and the effects of Cbl/folate/Hcy on the human brain remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE To explore the neurovascular correlates of Cbl/folate/Hcy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD). METHODS Sixty-seven AD patients and 57 SIVD patients were prospectively and consecutively recruited from an outpatient clinic. Multimodal 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and white matter integrity. The relationship between neuroimaging metrics and the serum levels of Cbl/folate/Hcy was examined by using the Kruskal-Wallis test, partial correlation analysis, and moderation analysis, at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS As a whole, CBF mainly associated with Cbl/folate while white matter hyperintensities exclusively associated with Hcy. As compared with AD, SIVD exhibited more noticeable CBF correlates (spatially widespread with Cbl and focal with folate). In SIVD, a bilateral Cbl-moderated CBF coupling was found between medial prefrontal cortex and ipsilateral basal ganglia, while in the fronto-subcortical white matter tracts, elevated Hcy was associated with imaging metrics indicative of increased injury in both axon and myelin sheath. CONCLUSIONS We identified the neurovascular correlates of previously reported neurotrophic effect of Cbl/folate and neurotoxic effect of Hcy in dementia. The correlates exhibited distinct patterns in AD and SIVD. The findings may help improving the formulation of supplemental Cbl/folate treatment for dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Chien Tu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Chung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsuan Hsu
- Department of Psychology, National Chung Cheng University, Minxiong, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society, National Chung Cheng University, Minxiong, Taiwan
| | - Jir-Jei Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chau Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Device and Imaging, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Ansari S, Saini S, Jamwal S, Thakur A, Kumar A, Sehrawat P, Devi P, Malakar D. Stage specific gene expression of folate mediated one-carbon metabolism enzymes and transporters in buffalo oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. Gene Expr Patterns 2022; 46:119282. [PMID: 36244619 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
DNA synthesis and methylations are crucial during pre-implantation embryonic development, and are mediated by one-carbon metabolism of folates. Folates, transported into the cells via folate receptors (FOLR1 and FOLR2) and carriers (SLC19A1), are metabolized by various enzymes involved in folate-methionine cycle. However, the variations in temporal expression of folate transporters and folate-methionine cycle enzymes during pre-implantation embryo development is obscure. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the differential expression of the genes for folate transporters and folate-methionine cycle enzymes. We also examined the expression of folate transport proteins in different pre-implantation development stages. Immature buffalo oocytes were matured in maturation medium followed by in vitro fertilization and culture at standard culture conditions. The temporal pattern of gene expression in buffalo, when compared to previous studies, indicated an inter-specific variation. The transcripts of some enzymes and folate transporters were significantly upregulated after zygotic genome activation. The transcripts as well as proteins for FOLR1, FOLR2 and SLC19A1 were present in oocytes and all the pre-implantation embryo stages. FOLR1 was present in the nuclei of different stages of developing embryos but not in the metaphase (MII) oocytes. As a result, the present study advocates the existence of active folate transport in buffalo oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. The data provided by the analysis of differential gene expression of folate transporters and metabolic enzymes would likely contribute to a better understanding of the role of folates in embryo development as well as advancements in assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shama Ansari
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | | | | | | | - Amit Kumar
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | | | - Preeti Devi
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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3
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Pourié G, Guéant JL, Quadros EV. Behavioral profile of vitamin B 12 deficiency: A reflection of impaired brain development, neuronal stress and altered neuroplasticity. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 119:377-404. [PMID: 35337627 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of brain biology and function is one of the least characterized and therefore, there are no effective treatments for most of neurological disorders. The influence of vitamins, and particularly vitamin B12, in neurodegenerative disease is demonstrated but largely unresolved. Behaviors are often quantified to attest brain dysfunction alone or in parallel with neuro-imaging to identify regions involved. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to extending observations made in animal models to humans, since, first, behavioral tests have to be adjusted in each model to address the initial question and second, because brain analysis should not be conducted for a whole organ but rather to specific sub-structures to better define function. Indeed, cognitive functions such as psychiatric disorders and learning and memory are often cited as the most impacted by a vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, differential dysfunctions and mechanisms could be defined according sub-populations and ages. Vitamin B12 enters the cell bound to Transcobalamin, through the Transcobalamin Receptor and serves in two cell compartments, the lipid metabolism in the mitochondrion and the one-carbon metabolism involved in methylation reactions. Dysfunctions in these mechanisms can lead to two majors outcomes; axons demyelinisation and upregulation of cellular stress involving mislocalization of RNA binding proteins such as the ELAVL1/HuR or the dysregulation of pro- or anti-oxidant NUDT15, TXNRD1, VPO1 and ROC genes. Finally, it appears that apart from developmental problems that have to be identified and treated as early as possible, other therapeutic approaches for behavioral dysfunctions should investigate cellular methylation, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégory Pourié
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, UMRS 1256, NGERE-Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure, Nancy, France.
| | - Jean-Louis Guéant
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, UMRS 1256, NGERE-Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure, Nancy, France; CHRU-Nancy, National Center of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Nancy, France
| | - Edward V Quadros
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States
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4
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Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11080710. [PMID: 34442354 PMCID: PMC8398778 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11080710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate deficiency and folate receptor autoimmune disorder are major contributors to infertility, pregnancy related complications and abnormal fetal development including structural and functional abnormalities of the brain. Food fortification and prenatal folic acid supplementation has reduced the incidence of neural tube defect (NTD) pregnancies but is unlikely to prevent pregnancy-related complications in the presence of folate receptor autoantibodies (FRAb). In pregnancy, these autoantibodies can block folate transport to the fetus and in young children, folate transport to the brain. These antibodies are prevalent in neural tube defect pregnancies and in developmental disorders such as cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the latter conditions, folinic acid treatment has shown clinical improvement in some of the core ASD deficits. Early testing for folate receptor autoantibodies and intervention is likely to result in a positive outcome. This review discusses the first identification of FRAb in women with a history of neural tube defect pregnancy and FRAb’s association with sub-fertility and preterm birth. Autoantibodies against folate receptor alpha (FRα) are present in about 70% of the children with a diagnosis of ASD, and a significant number of these children respond to oral folinic acid with overall improvements in speech, language and social interaction. The diagnosis of folate receptor autoimmune disorder by measuring autoantibodies against FRα in the serum provides a marker with the potential for treatment and perhaps preventing the pathologic consequences of folate receptor autoimmune disorder.
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5
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Benoit CR, Walsh DJ, Mekerishvili L, Houerbi N, Stanton AE, McGaughey DM, Brody LC. Loss of the Vitamin B-12 Transport Protein Tcn2 Results in Maternally Inherited Growth and Developmental Defects in Zebrafish. J Nutr 2021; 151:2522-2532. [PMID: 34132337 PMCID: PMC8417929 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab151] [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: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In humans, vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) transport involves 3 paralogous proteins: transcobalamin, haptocorrin, and intrinsic factor. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) express 3 genes that encode proteins homologous to known B-12 carrier proteins: tcn2 (a transcobalamin ortholog) and 2 atypical β-domain-only homologs, tcnba and tcnbb. OBJECTIVES Given the orthologous relation between zebrafish Tcn2 and human transcobalamin, we hypothesized that zebrafish carrying null mutations of tcn2 would exhibit phenotypes consistent with vitamin B-12 deficiency. METHODS First-generation and second-generation tcn2-/- zebrafish were characterized using phenotypic assessments, metabolic analyses, viability studies, and transcriptomics. RESULTS Homozygous tcn2-/- fish produced from a heterozygous cross are viable and fertile but exhibit reduced growth, which persists into adulthood. When first-generation female tcn2-/- fish are bred, their offspring exhibit gross developmental and metabolic defects. These phenotypes are observed in all offspring from a tcn2-/- female regardless of the genotype of the male mating partner, suggesting a maternal effect, and can be rescued with vitamin B-12 supplementation. Transcriptome analyses indicate that offspring from a tcn2-/- female exhibit expression profiles distinct from those of offspring from a tcn2+/+ female, which demonstrate dysregulation of visual perception, fatty acid metabolism, and neurotransmitter signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the deposition of vitamin B-12 in the yolk by tcn2-/- females may be insufficient to support the early development of their offspring. These data present a compelling model to study the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency on early development, with a particular emphasis on transgenerational effects and gene-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney R Benoit
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Darren J Walsh
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA,School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Levan Mekerishvili
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nadia Houerbi
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abigail E Stanton
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M McGaughey
- Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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6
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Singh P, Telnova S, Zhou B, Mohamed AD, Mello VD, Wackerhage H, Guo XE, Panda AK, Yadav VK. Maternal vitamin B 12 in mice positively regulates bone, but not muscle mass and strength in post-weaning and mature offspring. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 320:R984-R993. [PMID: 33759575 PMCID: PMC8285619 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00355.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin B12 deficiency has been shown to affect bone mass in rodents and negatively impact bone formation in humans. In this study using mouse models, we define the effect of B12 supplementation in the wild-type mother and B12 deficiency in a mouse genetic model (Gif−/− mice) during gestation on bone and muscle architecture and mechanical properties in the offspring. Analysis of bones from 4-wk-old offspring of the wild-type mother following vehicle or B12 supplementation during gestation (from embryonic day 0.5 to 20.5) showed an increase in bone mass caused by an isolated increase in bone formation in the B12-supplemented group compared with vehicle controls. Analysis of the effect of B12 deficiency in the mother in a mouse genetic model (Gif−/− mice) on the long bone architecture of the offspring showed a compromised cortical and trabecular bone mass, which was completely prevented by a single injection of B12 in the B12-deficient Gif−/− mothers. Biomechanical analysis of long bones of the offspring born from B12-supplemented wild-type mothers showed an increase in bone strength, and conversely, offspring born from B12-deficient Gif−/− mothers revealed a compromised bone strength, which could be rescued by a single injection of B12 in the B12-deficient Gif−/− mother. Muscle structure and function analysis however revealed no significant effect on muscle mass, structure, and grip strength of B12 deficiency or supplementation in Gif−/− mice compared with littermate controls. Together, these results demonstrate the beneficial effect of maternally derived B12 in the regulation of bone structure and function in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parminder Singh
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Bin Zhou
- Bone Biomechanics Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Abdalla D Mohamed
- Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Henning Wackerhage
- Exercise Biology Group, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - X Edward Guo
- Bone Biomechanics Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Amulya K Panda
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vijay K Yadav
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, New York
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7
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Maruvada P, Stover PJ, Mason JB, Bailey RL, Davis CD, Field MS, Finnell RH, Garza C, Green R, Gueant JL, Jacques PF, Klurfeld DM, Lamers Y, MacFarlane AJ, Miller JW, Molloy AM, O'Connor DL, Pfeiffer CM, Potischman NA, Rodricks JV, Rosenberg IH, Ross SA, Shane B, Selhub J, Stabler SP, Trasler J, Yamini S, Zappalà G. Knowledge gaps in understanding the metabolic and clinical effects of excess folates/folic acid: a summary, and perspectives, from an NIH workshop. Am J Clin Nutr 2020; 112:1390-1403. [PMID: 33022704 PMCID: PMC7657327 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate, an essential nutrient found naturally in foods in a reduced form, is present in dietary supplements and fortified foods in an oxidized synthetic form (folic acid). There is widespread agreement that maintaining adequate folate status is critical to prevent diseases due to folate inadequacy (e.g., anemia, birth defects, and cancer). However, there are concerns of potential adverse effects of excess folic acid intake and/or elevated folate status, with the original concern focused on exacerbation of clinical effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency and its role in neurocognitive health. More recently, animal and observational studies have suggested potential adverse effects on cancer risk, birth outcomes, and other diseases. Observations indicating adverse effects from excess folic acid intake, elevated folate status, and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) remain inconclusive; the data do not provide the evidence needed to affect public health recommendations. Moreover, strong biological and mechanistic premises connecting elevated folic acid intake, UMFA, and/or high folate status to adverse health outcomes are lacking. However, the body of evidence on potential adverse health outcomes indicates the need for comprehensive research to clarify these issues and bridge knowledge gaps. Three key research questions encompass the additional research needed to establish whether high folic acid or total folate intake contributes to disease risk. 1) Does UMFA affect biological pathways leading to adverse health effects? 2) Does elevated folate status resulting from any form of folate intake affect vitamin B-12 function and its roles in sustaining health? 3) Does elevated folate intake, regardless of form, affect biological pathways leading to adverse health effects other than those linked to vitamin B-12 function? This article summarizes the proceedings of an August 2019 NIH expert workshop focused on addressing these research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Maruvada
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Patrick J Stover
- Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University AgriLife, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Joel B Mason
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Regan L Bailey
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Cindy D Davis
- Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martha S Field
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cutberto Garza
- Professor Emeritus, Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ralph Green
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Louis Gueant
- University of Lorraine and University Regional Hospital Centre of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Paul F Jacques
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David M Klurfeld
- Department of Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Yvonne Lamers
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Anne M Molloy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Irwin H Rosenberg
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Barry Shane
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jacob Selhub
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Sedigheh Yamini
- Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US FDA, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Giovanna Zappalà
- Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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8
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Lanigan LG, Russell DS, Woolard KD, Pardo ID, Godfrey V, Jortner BS, Butt MT, Bolon B. Comparative Pathology of the Peripheral Nervous System. Vet Pathol 2020; 58:10-33. [PMID: 33016246 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820959231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) relays messages between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the body. Despite this critical role and widespread distribution, the PNS is often overlooked when investigating disease in diagnostic and experimental pathology. This review highlights key features of neuroanatomy and physiology of the somatic and autonomic PNS, and appropriate PNS sampling and processing techniques. The review considers major classes of PNS lesions including neuronopathy, axonopathy, and myelinopathy, and major categories of PNS disease including toxic, metabolic, and paraneoplastic neuropathies; infectious and inflammatory diseases; and neoplasms. This review describes a broad range of common PNS lesions and their diagnostic criteria and provides many useful references for pathologists who perform PNS evaluations as a regular or occasional task in their comparative pathology practice.
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9
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Smith JR, Hayman GT, Wang SJ, Laulederkind SJF, Hoffman MJ, Kaldunski ML, Tutaj M, Thota J, Nalabolu HS, Ellanki SLR, Tutaj MA, De Pons JL, Kwitek AE, Dwinell MR, Shimoyama ME. The Year of the Rat: The Rat Genome Database at 20: a multi-species knowledgebase and analysis platform. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:D731-D742. [PMID: 31713623 PMCID: PMC7145519 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Formed in late 1999, the Rat Genome Database (RGD, https://rgd.mcw.edu) will be 20 in 2020, the Year of the Rat. Because the laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus, has been used as a model for complex human diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurological disorders and arthritis, among others, for >150 years, RGD has always been disease-focused and committed to providing data and tools for researchers doing comparative genomics and translational studies. At its inception, before the sequencing of the rat genome, RGD started with only a few data types localized on genetic and radiation hybrid (RH) maps and offered only a few tools for querying and consolidating that data. Since that time, RGD has expanded to include a wealth of structured and standardized genetic, genomic, phenotypic, and disease-related data for eight species, and a suite of innovative tools for querying, analyzing and visualizing this data. This article provides an overview of recent substantial additions and improvements to RGD's data and tools that can assist researchers in finding and utilizing the data they need, whether their goal is to develop new precision models of disease or to more fully explore emerging details within a system or across multiple systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Smith
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 414 955 8871; Fax: +1 414 955 6595;
| | - G Thomas Hayman
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Shur-Jen Wang
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Stanley J F Laulederkind
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Matthew J Hoffman
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mary L Kaldunski
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Monika Tutaj
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jyothi Thota
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Harika S Nalabolu
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Santoshi L R Ellanki
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Marek A Tutaj
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jeffrey L De Pons
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Anne E Kwitek
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Melinda R Dwinell
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mary E Shimoyama
- Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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10
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Cagnotti G, Sammartano F, Bertone I, Capucchio MT, Nicola I, Sacchi P, Bellino C, D'Angelo A. Imaging and genetic investigations of neural tube defect in a calf: case report and review of the literature. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:228-234. [PMID: 30852979 DOI: 10.1177/1040638718823037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A 15-d-old female crossbreed calf was referred because of paraplegia since birth. Clinical examination revealed a skin defect covered by hair on the dorsal midline in the thoracic area of the spine. Thoracolumbar spinal cord neuroanatomic localization was determined based on neurologic examination. Computed tomography of the thoracolumbar spine revealed incomplete fusion of the vertebral arches from T6 to T10 and duplication of the vertebral arch of T7. At the level of T6-T7, duplication of the spinal cord with 2 segments completely separated by a septum of hyperattenuating, probably cartilaginous, tissue was noted. Histologically, the spinal segments had different degrees of duplication. Three central canals were detected in one region. Genetic investigation for the presence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism, which has been investigated in both human and veterinary medicine as a possible cause of neural tube defects and abortion, was carried out and was negative in both the calf and her dam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cagnotti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sammartano
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Iride Bertone
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Isabella Nicola
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Claudio Bellino
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
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11
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Benoit CR, Stanton AE, Tartanian AC, Motzer AR, McGaughey DM, Bond SR, Brody LC. Functional and phylogenetic characterization of noncanonical vitamin B 12-binding proteins in zebrafish suggests involvement in cobalamin transport. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17606-17621. [PMID: 30237171 PMCID: PMC6231144 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, transport of food-derived cobalamin (vitamin B12) from the digestive system into the bloodstream involves three paralogous proteins: transcobalamin (TC), haptocorrin (HC), and intrinsic factor (IF). Each of these proteins contains two domains, an α-domain and a β-domain, which together form a cleft in which cobalamin binds. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are thought to possess only a single cobalamin transport protein, referred to as Tcn2, which is a transcobalamin homolog. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis to create null alleles of tcn2 in zebrafish. Fish homozygous for tcn2-null alleles were viable and exhibited no obvious developmentally or behaviorally abnormal phenotypes. For this reason, we hypothesized that previously unidentified cobalamin-carrier proteins encoded in the zebrafish genome may provide an additional pathway for cobalamin transport. We identified genes predicted to code for two such proteins, Tcn-beta-a (Tcnba) and Tcn-beta-b (Tcnbb), which differ from all previously characterized cobalamin transport proteins as they lack the α-domain. These β-domain-only proteins are representative of an undescribed class of cobalamin-carrier proteins that are highly conserved throughout the ray-finned fishes. We observed that the genes encoding the three cobalamin transport homologs, tcn2, tcnba, and tcnbb, are expressed in unique spatial and temporal patterns in the developing zebrafish. Moreover, exogenously expressed recombinant Tcnba and Tcnbb bound cobalamin with high affinity, comparable with binding by full-length Tcn2. Taken together, our results suggest that this noncanonical protein structure has evolved to fully function as a cobalamin-carrier protein, thereby allowing for a compensatory cobalamin transport mechanism in the tcn2-/- zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney R Benoit
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
| | - Abigail E Stanton
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
| | - Aileen C Tartanian
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
| | - Andrew R Motzer
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
| | - David M McGaughey
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
| | - Stephen R Bond
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Lawrence C Brody
- From the Gene and Environment Interaction Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 and
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12
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Bernard DJ, Pangilinan FJ, Cheng J, Molloy AM, Brody LC. Mice lacking the transcobalamin-vitamin B12 receptor, CD320, suffer from anemia and reproductive deficits when fed vitamin B12-deficient diet. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:3627-3640. [PMID: 30124850 PMCID: PMC6168973 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, poor nutrition, malabsorption and variation in cobalamin (vitamin B12) metabolic genes are associated with hematological, neurological and developmental pathologies. Cobalamin is transported from blood into tissues via the transcobalamin (TC) receptor encoded by the CD320 gene. We created mice carrying a targeted deletion of the mouse ortholog, Cd320. Knockout (KO) mice lacking this TC receptor have elevated levels of plasma methylmalonic acid and homocysteine but are otherwise healthy, viable, fertile and not anemic. To challenge the Cd320 KO mice we maintained them on a vitamin B12-deficient diet. After 5 weeks on this diet, reproductive failure develops in Cd320 KO females but not males. In vitro, homozygous Cd320 KO embryos from cobalamin-deficient Cd320 KO dams develop normally to embryonic day (E) 3.5, while in vivo, few uterine decidual implantation sites are observed at E7.5, suggesting that embryos perish around the time of implantation. Dietary restriction of vitamin B12 induces a severe macrocytic anemia in Cd320 KO mice after 10-12 months while control mice on this diet are anemia-free up to 2 years. Despite the severe anemia, cobalamin-deficient KO mice do not exhibit obvious neurological symptoms. Our results with Cd320 KO mice suggest that an alternative mechanism exists for mice to transport cobalamin independent of the Cd320 encoded receptor. Our findings with deficient diet are consistent with historical and epidemiological data suggesting that low vitamin B12 levels in humans are associated with infertility and developmental abnormalities. Our Cd320 KO mouse model is an ideal model system for studying vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Bernard
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Faith J Pangilinan
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun Cheng
- Transgenic Mouse Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anne M Molloy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lawrence C Brody
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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13
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Kinoshita Y, Nogami K, Jomura R, Akanuma SI, Abe H, Inouye M, Kubo Y, Hosoya KI. Investigation of Receptor-Mediated Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B 12) Transport across the Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Using Fluorescence-Labeled Cyanocobalamin. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:3583-3594. [PMID: 29966424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The blood-to-retina supply of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) across the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) was investigated by synthesizing a fluorescence-labeled cyanocobalamin (Cy5-cyanocobalamin). In the in vivo analysis following internal jugular injection of Cy5-cyanocobalamin, confocal microscopy showed the distribution of Cy5-cyanocobalamin in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), the outer plexiform layer (OPL), and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In the in vitro analysis with TR-iBRB2 cells, an in vitro model cell line of the inner BRB, Cy5-cyanocobalamin uptake by TR-iBRB2 cells exhibited a time-dependent increase after preincubation with transcobalamin II (TCII) protein, during its residual uptake without preincubation with TCII protein. The Cy5-cyanocobalamin uptake by TR-iBRB2 cells was significantly reduced in the presence of unlabeled cyanocobalamin, chlorpromazine, and chloroquine and was also significantly reduced under Ca2+-free conditions. Confocal microscopy of the TR-iBRB2 cells showed fluorescence signals of Cy5-cyanocobalamin and GFP-TCII protein, and these signals merged with each other. The RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry clearly suggested the expression of TCII receptor (TCII-R) in the inner and outer BRB. These results suggested the involvement of receptor-mediated endocytosis in the blood-to-retina transport of cyanocobalamin at the inner BRB with implying its possible involvement at the outer BRB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kinoshita
- Department of Pharmaceutics and ‡Department of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Toyama , Toyama 930-0194 , Japan
| | | | - Ryuta Jomura
- Department of Pharmaceutics and ‡Department of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Toyama , Toyama 930-0194 , Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Akanuma
- Department of Pharmaceutics and ‡Department of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Toyama , Toyama 930-0194 , Japan
| | | | | | - Yoshiyuki Kubo
- Department of Pharmaceutics and ‡Department of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Toyama , Toyama 930-0194 , Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Hosoya
- Department of Pharmaceutics and ‡Department of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Toyama , Toyama 930-0194 , Japan
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14
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Abstract
West syndrome (WS) is an early life epileptic encephalopathy associated with infantile spasms, interictal electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities including high amplitude, disorganized background with multifocal epileptic spikes (hypsarrhythmia), and often neurodevelopmental impairments. Approximately 64% of the patients have structural, metabolic, genetic, or infectious etiologies and, in the rest, the etiology is unknown. Here we review the contribution of etiologies due to various metabolic disorders in the pathology of WS. These may include metabolic errors in organic molecules involved in amino acid and glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, metal metabolism, pyridoxine deficiency or dependency, or acidurias in organelles such as mitochondria and lysosomes. We discuss the biochemical, clinical, and EEG features of these disorders as well as the evidence of how they may be implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of WS. The early recognition of these etiologies in some cases may permit early interventions that may improve the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Salar
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
| | - Solomon L. Moshé
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Department of PediatricsMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
| | - Aristea S. Galanopoulou
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkU.S.A.
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15
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Nutrients in Energy and One-Carbon Metabolism: Learning from Metformin Users. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9020121. [PMID: 28208582 PMCID: PMC5331552 DOI: 10.3390/nu9020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic vulnerability is associated with age-related diseases and concomitant co-morbidities, which include obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. Most of the health problems we face today come from excessive intake of nutrients and drugs mimicking dietary effects and dietary restriction are the most successful manipulations targeting age-related pathways. Phenotypic heterogeneity and individual response to metabolic stressors are closely related food intake. Understanding the complexity of the relationship between dietary provision and metabolic consequences in the long term might provide clinical strategies to improve healthspan. New aspects of metformin activity provide a link to many of the overlapping factors, especially the way in which organismal bioenergetics remodel one-carbon metabolism. Metformin not only inhibits mitochondrial complex 1, modulating the metabolic response to nutrient intake, but also alters one-carbon metabolic pathways. Here, we discuss findings on the mechanism(s) of action of metformin with the potential for therapeutic interpretations.
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16
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Guéant JL. One carbon metabolism, a complex metabolic network involved in pathomechanisms of inherited disorders, birth defects and age-related pathologies. Biochimie 2016; 126:1-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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