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Ioannidis V, Pandey R, Bauer HF, Schön M, Bockmann J, Boeckers TM, Lutz AK. Disrupted extracellular matrix and cell cycle genes in autism-associated Shank3 deficiency are targeted by lithium. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:704-717. [PMID: 38123724 PMCID: PMC11153165 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02362-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The Shank3 gene encodes the major postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3. Its mutation causes a syndromic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMDS). It is characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disorders (ID), ASD behavior, affective symptoms, as well as extra-cerebral symptoms. Although Shank3 deficiency causes a variety of molecular alterations, they do not suffice to explain all clinical aspects of this heterogenic syndrome. Since global gene expression alterations in Shank3 deficiency remain inadequately studied, we explored the transcriptome in vitro in primary hippocampal cells from Shank3∆11(-/-) mice, under control and lithium (Li) treatment conditions, and confirmed the findings in vivo. The Shank3∆11(-/-) genotype affected the overall transcriptome. Remarkably, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell cycle transcriptional programs were disrupted. Accordingly, in the hippocampi of adolescent Shank3∆11(-/-) mice we found proteins of the collagen family and core cell cycle proteins downregulated. In vitro Li treatment of Shank3∆11(-/-) cells had a rescue-like effect on the ECM and cell cycle gene sets. Reversed ECM gene sets were part of a network, regulated by common transcription factors (TF) such as cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and β-Catenin (CTNNB1), which are known downstream effectors of synaptic activity and targets of Li. These TFs were less abundant and/or hypo-phosphorylated in hippocampi of Shank3∆11(-/-) mice and could be rescued with Li in vitro and in vivo. Our investigations suggest the ECM compartment and cell cycle genes as new players in the pathophysiology of Shank3 deficiency, and imply involvement of transcriptional regulators, which can be modulated by Li. This work supports Li as potential drug in the management of PMDS symptoms, where a Phase III study is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Ioannidis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rakshita Pandey
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Helen Friedericke Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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2
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Khandia R, Gurjar P, Kamal MA, Greig NH. Relative synonymous codon usage and codon pair analysis of depression associated genes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3502. [PMID: 38346990 PMCID: PMC10861588 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51909-8] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression negatively impacts mood, behavior, and mental and physical health. It is the third leading cause of suicides worldwide and leads to decreased quality of life. We examined 18 genes available at the genetic testing registry (GTR) from the National Center for Biotechnological Information to investigate molecular patterns present in depression-associated genes. Different genotypes and differential expression of the genes are responsible for ensuing depression. The present study, investigated codon pattern analysis, which might play imperative roles in modulating gene expression of depression-associated genes. Of the 18 genes, seven and two genes tended to up- and down-regulate, respectively, and, for the remaining genes, different genotypes, an outcome of SNPs were responsible alone or in combination with differential expression for different conditions associated with depression. Codon context analysis revealed the abundance of identical GTG-GTG and CTG-CTG pairs, and the rarity of methionine-initiated codon pairs. Information based on codon usage, preferred codons, rare, and codon context might be used in constructing a deliverable synthetic construct to correct the gene expression level of the human body, which is altered in the depressive state. Other molecular signatures also revealed the role of evolutionary forces in shaping codon usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Khandia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, 462026, MP, India.
| | - Pankaj Gurjar
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Institutes for Systems Genetics and West China School of Nursing, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, 7 Peterlee place, Hebersham, NSW, 2770, Australia
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Wilczyński KM, Auguściak-Duma A, Stasik A, Cichoń L, Kawalec A, Janas-Kozik M. Association of OXTR, AVPR1a, LNPEP, and CD38 Genes' Expression with the Clinical Presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8359-8371. [PMID: 37886970 PMCID: PMC10604998 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interactions, communication, and behavior. Although the predominant genetic predisposition to ASD seems beyond doubt, its exact nature remains unclear. In the context of social cognition disorders and the basis of ASD, the oxytocinergic and vasopresynergic systems arouse great interest among researchers. The aim of the present study was to analyze gene expression levels for oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, as well as CD38 protein and oxytocinase, in the context of the clinical picture of autism spectrum disorders. The study included 90 people, of whom 63 were diagnosed with ASD based on anamnesis, mental status testing, and the ADOS-2 protocol. The results obtained in the presented study indicate that the balance between the levels of expression of the CD38 gene and the oxytocinase gene plays a key role in the risk and clinical presentation of ASD. In a hypothetical scenario, an imbalance in the expression of CD38 and LNPEP could potentially lead to alterations in the concentrations of oxytocin and vasopressin. At the same time, the most frequently studied genes-AVPR1a and OXTR-seem to be at best of marginal importance for the risk of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Maria Wilczyński
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Auguściak-Duma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stasik
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Lena Cichoń
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Alicja Kawalec
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Janas-Kozik
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
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Torres G, Mourad M, Iqbal S, Moses-Fynn E, Pandita A, Siddhartha SS, Sood RA, Srinivasan K, Subbaiah RT, Tiwari A, Leheste JR. Conceptualizing Epigenetics and the Environmental Landscape of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1734. [PMID: 37761876 PMCID: PMC10531442 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex interactions between gene variants and environmental risk factors underlie the pathophysiological pathways in major psychiatric disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neuropsychiatric condition in which susceptible alleles along with epigenetic states contribute to the mutational landscape of the ailing brain. The present work reviews recent evolutionary, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms potentially linked to the etiology of autism. First, we present a clinical vignette to describe clusters of maladaptive behaviors frequently diagnosed in autistic patients. Next, we microdissect brain regions pertinent to the nosology of autism, as well as cell networks from the bilateral body plan. Lastly, we catalog a number of pathogenic environments associated with disease risk factors. This set of perspectives provides emerging insights into the dynamic interplay between epigenetic and environmental variation in the development of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- German Torres
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Medaille College, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA;
| | - Mervat Mourad
- Department of Clinical Specialties, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA;
| | - Saba Iqbal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Emmanuel Moses-Fynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Ashani Pandita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Shriya S. Siddhartha
- Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA;
| | - Riya A. Sood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Kavya Srinivasan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Riya T. Subbaiah
- Department of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
| | - Alisha Tiwari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Joerg R. Leheste
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (S.I.); (E.M.-F.); (A.P.); (R.A.S.); (K.S.); (A.T.)
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Wang Y, Song J, Wang X, Qian Q, Wang H. Study on the toxic-mechanism of triclosan chronic exposure to zebrafish (Danio rerio) based on gut-brain axis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:156936. [PMID: 35772538 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Triclosan (TCS), as a broad-spectrum bactericide, is extensively used in the fine chemical and textile industries. It is recognized as a new type of environmental endocrine disruptor with frequent detection and environmental pollution. However, the toxicity mechanism regarding neurodevelopment and neurobehavior remains unclear. This study is intended to explore the underlying toxic mechanism of TCS based on gut-brain axis. TCS-chronic exposure affected the development of zebrafish, induced feminization, obesity physical signs and abnormal organ index and caused neurobehavioral abnormalities by inhibiting both neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase and dopamine activity, promoting brain neuron apoptosis and accelerating diencephalic lesions. Meanwhile, TCS-chronic exposure led to gut microbiota dysbiosis and decreased diversity, such as increased pathogenic bacteria and decreased probiotics in adult zebrafish gut, which caused many pathological damages, including partial shedding and ablation of intestinal villi, inflammatory infiltration, thinning of intestinal wall, and increased goblet cell in villus. Based on the communication between intestinal peripheral nerves and CNS, the above histopathological injuries and disorders were well underpinned and illustrated by the changes of biomarkers and the expression of related marker genes in the gut-brain axis. Additionally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), as the regulators of intestinal sympathetic nerve activation, are also secreting products of intestinal microflora and play a crucial role in regulating the balance of intestinal flora and protecting intestinal homeostasis. SCFA in low doses can effectively alleviate and rescue the toxic effects under TCS exposure, which evidenced that TCS exerted systemic toxic effects on the gut-brain axis by influencing the composition and diversity of gut flora in zebrafish, and fully demonstrated the interaction effect between intestine and brain. Hence, these findings contribute to the understanding, prevention, and diagnosis of endocrine disrupting diseases caused by environmental pollutants from the perspective of the gut-brain axis, and strengthening the early warning, management and control of TCS pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Jie Song
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Xuedong Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Qiuhui Qian
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
| | - Huili Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
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Algothmi K, Alqurashi A, Alrofaidi A, Alharbi M, Farsi R, Alburae N, Ganash M, Azhari S, Basingab F, Almuhammadi A, Alqosaibi A, Alkhatabi H, Elaimi A, Jan M, Aldhalaan H, Alrafiah A, Alhazmi S. DNA Methylation Level of Transcription Factor Binding Site in the Promoter Region of Acyl-CoA Synthetase Family Member 3 ( ACSF3) in Saudi Autistic Children. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2022; 15:131-142. [PMID: 35221709 PMCID: PMC8865760 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s346187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the main epigenetic mechanisms that affects gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Aberrant DNAm has an implication in different human diseases such as cancer, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects behavior, learning, and communication skills. Acyl-CoA synthetase family member 3 (ACSF3) encodes malonyl-CoA synthetase that is involved in the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids. The dysregulation in such gene has been reported in combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria associated with neurological symptoms such as memory problems, psychiatric diseases, and/or cognitive decline. This research aims to study DNAm in the transcription factor (TF) binding site of ACSF3 in Saudi autistic children. To determine whether the DNAm of the TF-binding site is a cause or a consequence of transcription regulation of ACSF3. METHODS RT-qPCR and DNA methylight qPCR were used to determine the expression and DNAm level in the promoter region of ACSF3, respectively. DNA and RNA were extracted from 19 cases of ASD children and 18 control samples from their healthy siblings. RESULTS The results showed a significant correlation between the gene expression of ACSF3 and specificity protein 1 (SP1) in 17 samples of ASD patients, where both genes were upregulated in 9 samples and downregulated in 8 samples. CONCLUSION Although this study found no DNAm in the binding site of SP1 within the ACSF3 promoter, the indicated correlation highlights a possible role of ACSF3 and SP1 in ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khloud Algothmi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Alqurashi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alrofaidi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Alharbi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Farsi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najla Alburae
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdah Ganash
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sheren Azhari
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatemah Basingab
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Almuhammadi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany Alqosaibi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba Alkhatabi
- King Abdulaziz University, Centre of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Medical LaboratorySciencesDepartment,Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Elaimi
- King Abdulaziz University, Centre of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Medical LaboratorySciencesDepartment,Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Jan
- College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham Aldhalaan
- Center for Autism Research at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSH & RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aziza Alrafiah
- Medical LaboratorySciencesDepartment,Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Correspondence: Aziza Alrafiah, P.O Box 80200, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 126401000 Ext. 23495, Fax +966 126401000 Ext. 21686, Email
| | - Safiah Alhazmi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Meng Y, Xu D, Zhang W, Meng W, Lan X, Wang X, Li M, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Yang H, Zhang R, Zhen Z. Effect of Early Swimming on the Behavior and Striatal Transcriptome of the Shank3 Knockout Rat Model of Autism. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:681-694. [PMID: 35387206 PMCID: PMC8979754 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s357338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by social behavior deficits and stereotyped behaviors in childhood that lacks satisfactory medical intervention. Early swimming intervention is a noninvasive method combining enriched environment and exercise, which has been proven to improve brain development in young children and to treat neurodevelopmental diseases. METHODS In this study, we tested the autism-like behavior of rats with deletions in exons 11-21 of the Shank3 gene and evaluated the effect of early swimming intervention (from postnatal day 8 to 60) on the behavior of this animal model of autism. In addition, the transcriptomes of the striatal tissues of wild-type, Shank3 knockout and Shank3 knockout swimming groups rats were analyzed. RESULTS Shank3 knockout rats exhibit core symptoms of autism, and early swimming improved the social and stereotyped behaviors in this autism rat model. Transcriptomics results revealed that compared to the wild-type group, 291 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the striatum of the Shank3 knockout group. Compared to Shank3 knockout group, 534 DEGs were identified in the striatum of Shank3 knockout swimming group. The DEGs annotated by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway shows that the impacts of Shank3 deletion were primarily reflected in synaptic structure, development, morphology, receptor function and signaling, and swimming primarily changed the terms related to the synapses in the striatum of Shank3 knockout rats, including the morphology, structure, composition, development and regulation of synapses. CONCLUSION Early swimming intervention can ameliorate behavioral abnormalities caused by Shank3 knockout, by a mechanism that may involve the process of striatal synaptic development and should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchen Meng
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Xu
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Weinan Zhang
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenshu Meng
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingyu Lan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingjuan Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhao
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haodong Yang
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Autism Research Center of Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiping Zhen
- College of P.E and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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8
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Fetit R, Hillary RF, Price DJ, Lawrie SM. The neuropathology of autism: A systematic review of post-mortem studies of autism and related disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 129:35-62. [PMID: 34273379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-mortem studies allow for the direct investigation of brain tissue in those with autism and related disorders. Several review articles have focused on aspects of post-mortem abnormalities but none has brought together the entire post-mortem literature. Here, we systematically review the evidence from post-mortem studies of autism, and of related disorders that present with autistic features. The literature consists of a small body of studies with small sample sizes, but several remarkably consistent findings are evident. Cortical layering is largely undisturbed, but there are consistent reductions in minicolumn numbers and aberrant myelination. Transcriptomics repeatedly implicate abberant synaptic, metabolic, proliferation, apoptosis and immune pathways. Sufficient replicated evidence is available to implicate non-coding RNA, aberrant epigenetic profiles, GABAergic, glutamatergic and glial dysfunction in autism pathogenesis. Overall, the cerebellum and frontal cortex are most consistently implicated, sometimes revealing distinct region-specific alterations. The literature on related disorders such as Rett syndrome, Fragile X and copy number variations (CNVs) predisposing to autism is particularly small and inconclusive. Larger studies, matched for gender, developmental stage, co-morbidities and drug treatment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Fetit
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Stephen M Lawrie
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK; Patrick Wild Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
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9
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Wang X, Ding R, Song Y, Wang J, Zhang C, Han S, Han J, Zhang R. Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation in Early Life Changes Synaptic Plasticity and Improves Symptoms in a Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8832694. [PMID: 33456456 PMCID: PMC7787794 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8832694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by social behavior deficit in childhood without satisfactory medical intervention. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a noninvasive technique derived from acupuncture and has been shown to have similar therapeutic effects in many diseases. Valproic acid- (VPA-) induced ASD is a known model of ASD in rats. The therapeutic efficacy of TEAS was evaluated in the VPA model of ASD in the present study. The offspring of a VPA-treated rat received TEAS in the early life stage followed by a series of examinations conducted in their adolescence. The results show that following TEAS treatment in early life, the social and cognitive ability in adolescence of the offspring of a VPA rat were significantly improved. In addition, the abnormal pain threshold was significantly corrected. Additional studies demonstrated that the dendritic spine density of the primary sensory cortex was decreased with Golgi staining. Results of the transcriptomic study showed that expression of some transcription factors such as the neurotrophic factor were downregulated in the hypothalamus of the VPA model of ASD. The reduced gene expression was reversed following TEAS. These results suggest that TEAS in the early life stage may mitigate disorders of social and recognition ability and normalize the pain threshold of the ASD rat model. The mechanism involved may be related to improvement of synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yayue Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Songping Han
- Wuxi HANS Health Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, China
| | - Jisheng Han
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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10
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Cole TB, Chang YC, Dao K, Daza R, Hevner R, Costa LG. Developmental exposure to diesel exhaust upregulates transcription factor expression, decreases hippocampal neurogenesis, and alters cortical lamina organization: relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neurodev Disord 2020; 12:41. [PMID: 33327933 PMCID: PMC7745370 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during development and/or in adulthood has been associated in many human studies with both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods In the present study, C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to environmentally relevant levels (250+/−50 μg/m3) of diesel exhaust (DE) or filtered air (FA) during development (E0 to PND21). The expression of several transcription factors relevant for CNS development was assessed on PND3. To address possible mechanistic underpinnings of previously observed behavioral effects of DE exposure, adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and laminar organization of neurons in the somatosensory cortex were analyzed on PND60. Results were analyzed separately for male and female mice. Results Developmental DE exposure caused a male-specific upregulation of Pax6, Tbr1, Tbr2, Sp1, and Creb1 on PND3. In contrast, in both males and females, Tbr2+ intermediate progenitor cells in the PND60 hippocampal dentate gyrus were decreased, as an indication of reduced adult neurogenesis. In the somatosensory region of the cerebral cortex, laminar distribution of Trb1, calbindin, and parvalbumin (but not of Ctip2 or Cux1) was altered by developmental DE exposure. Conclusions These results provide additional evidence to previous findings indicating the ability of developmental DE exposure to cause biochemical/molecular and behavioral alterations that may be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby B Cole
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Yu-Chi Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Gradient Corporation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Khoi Dao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ray Daza
- Department of Pathology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Hevner
- Department of Pathology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lucio G Costa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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11
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Li X, Zhang Y, Wang L, Lin Y, Gao Z, Zhan X, Huang Y, Sun C, Wang D, Liang S, Wu L. Integrated Analysis of Brain Transcriptome Reveals Convergent Molecular Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:706. [PMID: 31649562 PMCID: PMC6795181 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with etiology that remains elusive. Although there is a mounting body of investigation in different brain regions related to ASD, our knowledge about the common and distinct perturb condition between them is at the threshold of accumulation. In this study, based on protein-protein interactions, post-mortem transcriptome analysis was performed with corpus callosum (CC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples from ASD individuals and controls. Co-expression network analysis revealed that a total of seven (four for CC set, three for PFC set) core dysfunctional modules strongly enriched for known ASD-risk genes. Three quarters of them in CC set (M4, M6, M29) significantly enriched for genes annotated by genetically associated variants in our previous whole genome sequencing data. We further determined transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation subnetwork for each ASD-correlated module, including 47 pivot transcription factors, 130 pivot miRNAs, and 7 pivot lncRNAs. Moreover, there were significantly more interactions between CC-M4, -M6, and PFC-M2, mainly involved in synaptic functions and neuronal development. Our integrated multifactor analysis of ASD brain transcriptome profile illustrated underlying common and distinct molecular mechanisms and the module crosstalk between CC and PFC, helping to shed light on the molecular neuropathological underlying ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuncong Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Luxi Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yunqing Lin
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhaomin Gao
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiaolei Zhan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Dong Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Province Key Laboratory of Children Development and Genetic Research, Heilongjiang, China
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12
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Poston RG, Dunn CJ, Sarkar P, Saha RN. Persistent 6-OH-BDE-47 exposure impairs functional neuronal maturation and alters expression of neurodevelopmentally-relevant chromatin remodelers. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2018; 4:dvx020. [PMID: 29765770 PMCID: PMC5941167 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvx020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a pervasive class of brominated flame retardants that are present in the environment at particularly high levels, especially in the United States. Their environmental stability, propensity for bioaccumulation, and known potential for neurotoxicity has evoked interest regarding their effects on the developing nervous system. Exposure to PBDEs has been strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the details of their mechanistic roles in such disorders are incompletely understood. Here, we report the effects of one of the most prevalent congeners, BDE-47, and its hydroxylated metabolites on the maturation and function of embryonic rat cortical neurons. Prolonged exposure to 6OH-BDE-47 produces the strongest effects amongst the parent BDE-47 congener and its tested hydroxylated metabolites. These effects include: i) disruption of transcriptional responses to neuronal activity, ii) dysregulation of multiple genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, and intriguingly, iii) altered expression of several subunits of the developmentally-relevant BAF (Brg1-associated factors) chromatin remodeling complex, including the key subunit BAF170. Taken together, our data indicate that persistent exposure to 6OH-BDE-47 may interfere with neurodevelopmental chromatin remodeling mechanisms and gene transcription programs, which in turn are likely to interfere with downstream processes such as synapse development and overall functional maturity of neurons. Results from this study have identified a novel aspect of 6OH-BDE-47 toxicity and open new avenues to explore the effects of a ubiquitous environmental toxin on epigenetic regulation of neuronal maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Poston
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Carissa J Dunn
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Pushpita Sarkar
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Ramendra N Saha
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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13
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Ben-Shachar D. Mitochondrial multifaceted dysfunction in schizophrenia; complex I as a possible pathological target. Schizophr Res 2017; 187:3-10. [PMID: 27802911 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are key players in various essential cellular processes beyond being the main energy supplier of the cell. Accordingly, they are involved in neuronal synaptic transmission, neuronal growth and sprouting and consequently neuronal plasticity and connectivity. In addition, mitochondria participate in the modulation of gene transcription and inflammation as well in physiological responses in health and disease. Schizophrenia is currently regarded as a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired immune system, aberrant neuronal differentiation and abnormalities in various neurotransmitter systems mainly the dopaminergic, glutaminergic and GABAergic. Ample evidence has been accumulated over the last decade indicating a multifaceted dysfunction of mitochondria in schizophrenia. Indeed, mitochondrial deficit can be of relevance for the majority of the pathologies observed in this disease. In the present article, we overview specific deficits of the mitochondria in schizophrenia, with a focus on the first complex (complex I) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). We argue that complex I, being a major factor in the regulation of mitochondrial ETC, is a possible key modulator of various functions of the mitochondria. We review biochemical, molecular, cellular and functional evidence for mitochondrial impairments and their possible convergence to impact in-vitro neuronal differentiation efficiency in schizophrenia. Mitochondrial function in schizophrenia may advance our knowledge of the disease pathophysiology and open the road for new treatment targets for the benefit of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion-IIT, Haifa, Israel.
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14
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Ma T, Zhang A. Reconstructing context-specific gene regulatory network and identifying modules and network rewiring through data integration. Methods 2017; 124:36-45. [PMID: 28529066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Reconstructing context-specific transcriptional regulatory network is crucial for deciphering principles of regulatory mechanisms underlying various conditions. Recently studies that reconstructed transcriptional networks have focused on individual organisms or cell types and relied on data repositories of context-free regulatory relationships. Here we present a comprehensive framework to systematically derive putative regulator-target pairs in any given context by integrating context-specific transcriptional profiling and public data repositories of gene regulatory networks. Moreover, our framework can identify core regulatory modules and signature genes underlying global regulatory circuitry, and detect network rewiring and core rewired modules in different contexts by considering gene modules and edge (gene interaction) modules collaboratively. We applied our methods to analyzing Autism RNA-seq experiment data and produced biologically meaningful results. In particular, all 11 hub genes in a predicted rewired autistic regulatory subnetwork have been linked to autism based on literature review. The predicted rewired autistic regulatory network may shed some new insight into disease mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianle Ma
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260-2500, United States.
| | - Aidong Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260-2500, United States.
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15
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Sztainberg Y, Zoghbi HY. Lessons learned from studying syndromic autism spectrum disorders. Nat Neurosci 2017; 19:1408-1417. [PMID: 27786181 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Syndromic autism spectrum disorders represent a group of childhood neurological conditions, typically associated with chromosomal abnormalities or mutations in a single gene. The discovery of their genetic causes has increased our understanding of the molecular pathways critical for normal cognitive and social development. Human studies have revealed that the brain is particularly sensitive to changes in dosage of various proteins from transcriptional and translational regulators to synaptic proteins. Investigations of these disorders in animals have shed light on previously unknown pathogenic mechanisms leading to the identification of potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The demonstration of reversibility of several phenotypes in adult mice is encouraging, and brings hope that with novel therapies, skills and functionality might improve in affected children and young adults. As new research reveals points of convergence between syndromic and nonsyndromic autism spectrum disorders, we believe there will be opportunities for shared therapeutics for this class of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezkel Sztainberg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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16
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Asor E, Ben-Shachar D. Gene environment interaction in periphery and brain converge to modulate behavioral outcomes: Insights from the SP1 transient early in life interference rat model. World J Psychiatry 2016; 6:294-302. [PMID: 27679768 PMCID: PMC5031929 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i3.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally assumed that behavior results from an interaction between susceptible genes and environmental stimuli during critical life stages. The present article reviews the main theoretical and practical concepts in the research of gene environment interaction, emphasizing the need for models simulating real life complexity. We review a novel approach to study gene environment interaction in which a brief post-natal interference with the expression of multiple genes, by hindering the activity of the ubiquitous transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is followed by later-in-life exposure of rats to stress. Finally, this review discusses the role of peripheral processes in behavioral responses, with the Sp1 model as one example demonstrating how specific behavioral patterns are linked to modulations in both peripheral and central physiological processes. We suggest that models, which take into account the tripartite reciprocal interaction between the central nervous system, peripheral systems and environmental stimuli will advance our understanding of the complexity of behavior.
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17
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Finding novel distinctions between the sAPPα-mediated anabolic biochemical pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome plasma and brain tissue. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26052. [PMID: 27212113 PMCID: PMC4876513 DOI: 10.1038/srep26052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Fragile X syndrome (FXS) are developmental disorders. No validated blood-based biomarkers exist for either, which impedes bench-to-bedside approaches. Amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) and metabolites are usually associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). APP cleavage by α-secretase produces potentially neurotrophic secreted APPα (sAPPα) and the P3 peptide fragment. β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) cleavage produces secreted APPβ (sAPPβ) and intact Aβ. Excess Aβ is potentially neurotoxic and can lead to atrophy of brain regions such as amygdala in AD. By contrast, amygdala is enlarged in ASD but not FXS. We previously reported elevated levels of sAPPα in ASD and FXS vs. controls. We now report elevated plasma Aβ and total APP levels in FXS compared to both ASD and typically developing controls, and elevated levels of sAPPα in ASD and FXS vs. controls. By contrast, plasma and brain sAPPβ and Aβ were lower in ASD vs. controls but elevated in FXS plasma vs. controls. We also detected age-dependent increase in an α-secretase in ASD brains. We report a novel mechanistic difference in APP pathways between ASD (processing) and FXS (expression) leading to distinct APP metabolite profiles in these two disorders. These novel, distinctive biochemical differences between ASD and FXS pave the way for blood-based biomarkers for ASD and FXS.
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18
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Muller CL, Anacker AMJ, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. The serotonin system in autism spectrum disorder: From biomarker to animal models. Neuroscience 2016; 321:24-41. [PMID: 26577932 PMCID: PMC4824539 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Elevated whole blood serotonin, or hyperserotonemia, was the first biomarker identified in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is present in more than 25% of affected children. The serotonin system is a logical candidate for involvement in ASD due to its pleiotropic role across multiple brain systems both dynamically and across development. Tantalizing clues connect this peripheral biomarker with changes in brain and behavior in ASD, but the contribution of the serotonin system to ASD pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Studies of whole blood serotonin levels in ASD and in a large founder population indicate greater heritability than for the disorder itself and suggest an association with recurrence risk. Emerging data from both neuroimaging and postmortem samples also indicate changes in the brain serotonin system in ASD. Genetic linkage and association studies of both whole blood serotonin levels and of ASD risk point to the chromosomal region containing the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene in males but not in females. In ASD families with evidence of linkage to this region, multiple rare SERT amino acid variants lead to a convergent increase in serotonin uptake in cell models. A knock-in mouse model of one of these variants, SERT Gly56Ala, recapitulates the hyperserotonemia biomarker and shows increased brain serotonin clearance, increased serotonin receptor sensitivity, and altered social, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Data from other rodent models also suggest an important role for the serotonin system in social behavior, in cognitive flexibility, and in sensory development. Recent work indicates that reciprocal interactions between serotonin and other systems, such as oxytocin, may be particularly important for social behavior. Collectively, these data point to the serotonin system as a prime candidate for treatment development in a subgroup of children defined by a robust, heritable biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Muller
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - A M J Anacker
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - J Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York Presbyterian Hospital; New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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19
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Higdon R, Earl RK, Stanberry L, Hudac CM, Montague E, Stewart E, Janko I, Choiniere J, Broomall W, Kolker N, Bernier RA, Kolker E. The promise of multi-omics and clinical data integration to identify and target personalized healthcare approaches in autism spectrum disorders. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2016; 19:197-208. [PMID: 25831060 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2015.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Complex diseases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, creating a difficult challenge for diagnosis and defining subtypes. This review article describes how distinct disease subtypes can be identified through integration and analysis of clinical and multi-omics data. A broad shift toward molecular subtyping of disease using genetic and omics data has yielded successful results in cancer and other complex diseases. To determine molecular subtypes, patients are first classified by applying clustering methods to different types of omics data, then these results are integrated with clinical data to characterize distinct disease subtypes. An example of this molecular-data-first approach is in research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a spectrum of social communication disorders marked by tremendous etiological and phenotypic heterogeneity. In the case of ASD, omics data such as exome sequences and gene and protein expression data are combined with clinical data such as psychometric testing and imaging to enable subtype identification. Novel ASD subtypes have been proposed, such as CHD8, using this molecular subtyping approach. Broader use of molecular subtyping in complex disease research is impeded by data heterogeneity, diversity of standards, and ineffective analysis tools. The future of molecular subtyping for ASD and other complex diseases calls for an integrated resource to identify disease mechanisms, classify new patients, and inform effective treatment options. This in turn will empower and accelerate precision medicine and personalized healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Higdon
- 1 Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis Laboratory, Seattle Children's Research Institute , Seattle, Washington
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20
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Mao Y, Zhu X, Xing S, Zhang M, Zhang H, Wang X, Karrow N, Yang L, Yang Z. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the bovine lactoferrin gene influence milk somatic cell score and milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows. Res Vet Sci 2015; 103:107-12. [PMID: 26679804 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein found in cow's milk that plays an important role in preventing mastitis caused by intramammary infection. In this study, 20 Chinese Holstein cows were selected randomly for PCR amplification and sequencing of the bovine lactoferrin gene promoter region and used for SNP discovery in the region between nucleotide positions -461 to -132. Three SNPs (-270T>C, -190G>A and -156A>G) were identified in bovine lactoferrin, then Chinese Holstein cows (n=866) were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY (Sequenom Inc., San Diego, CA) based on the previous SNP information in this study, and the associations between SNPs or haplotype and milk somatic cell score (SCS) and production traits were analyzed by the least squares method in the GLM procedure of SAS. SNPs -270T>C and -156A>G showed close linkage disequilibrium (r(2)=0.76). The SNP -190G>A showed a significant association with SCS, and individuals with genotype GG had higher SCS than genotypes AG and AA. Associations were found between the SNPs -270T>C and -190G>A with SCS and the milk composition. The software MatInspector revealed that these SNPs were located within several potential transcription factor binding sites, including NF-κB p50, KLF7 and SP1, and may alter gene expression, but further investigation will be required to elucidate the biological and practical relevance of these SNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjiang Mao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, PR China.
| | - Xiaorui Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Shiyu Xing
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Meirong Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Niel Karrow
- Center for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Liguo Yang
- Center for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Zhangping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
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21
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Mor M, Nardone S, Sams DS, Elliott E. Hypomethylation of miR-142 promoter and upregulation of microRNAs that target the oxytocin receptor gene in the autism prefrontal cortex. Mol Autism 2015; 6:46. [PMID: 26273428 PMCID: PMC4535255 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that regulate the translation of protein from gene transcripts and are a powerful mechanism to regulate gene networks. Next-generation sequencing technologies have produced important insights into gene transcription changes that occur in the brain of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (asd). However, these technologies have not yet been employed to uncover changes in microRNAs in the brain of individuals diagnosed with asd. Methods Small RNA next-generation sequencing was performed on RNA extracted from 12 human autism brain samples and 12 controls. Real-time PCR was used to validate a sample of the differentially expressed microRNAs, and bioinformatic analysis determined common pathways of gene targets. MicroRNA expression data was correlated to genome-wide DNA methylation data to determine if there is epigenetic regulation of dysregulated microRNAs in the autism brain. Luciferase assays, real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis were used to determine how dysregulated microRNAs may regulate the expression and translation of an autism-related gene transcript. Results We determined that miR-142-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-451a, miR-144-3p, and miR-21-5p are overexpressed in the asd brain. Furthermore, the promoter region of the miR-142 gene is hypomethylated in the same brain samples, suggesting that epigenetics plays a role in dysregulation of microRNAs in the brain. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these microRNAs target genes that are involved in synaptic function. Further bioinformatic analysis, coupled with in vitro luciferase assays, determined that miR-451a and miR-21-5p can target the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. OXTR gene expression is increased in these same brain samples, and there is a positive correlation between miR-21-5p and OXTR expression. However, miR-21-5p expression negatively correlates to production of OXTR protein from the OXTR transcript. Therefore, we suggest that miR-21-5p may attenuate OXTR expression in the human autism brain. Conclusions Our data suggests that dysregulation of microRNAs may play a biological role in the brain of individuals of autism. In addition, we suggest an interaction between epigenetic mechanisms and microRNA dysregulation in the brain. Overall, this data adds an important link in our understanding of the molecular events that are dysregulated in the brain of individuals diagnosed with autism. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-015-0040-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Mor
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Hanrieta Sold 8, Safed, 13215 Israel
| | - Stefano Nardone
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Hanrieta Sold 8, Safed, 13215 Israel
| | - Dev Sharan Sams
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Hanrieta Sold 8, Safed, 13215 Israel
| | - Evan Elliott
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Hanrieta Sold 8, Safed, 13215 Israel
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Chandley MJ, Crawford JD, Szebeni A, Szebeni K, Ordway GA. NTRK2 expression levels are reduced in laser captured pyramidal neurons from the anterior cingulate cortex in males with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2015; 6:28. [PMID: 26000162 PMCID: PMC4440594 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a brain area involved in modulating behavior associated with social interaction, disruption of which is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Functional brain imaging studies demonstrate abnormalities of the ACC in ASD as compared to typically developing control patients. However, little is known regarding the cellular basis of these functional deficits in ASD. Pyramidal neurons in the ACC are excitatory glutamatergic neurons and key cellular mediators of the neural output of the ACC. This study was designed to investigate the potential role of ACC pyramidal neurons in ASD brain pathology. METHODS Postmortem ACC tissue from carefully matched ASD and typically developing control donors was obtained from two national brain collections. Pyramidal neurons and surrounding astrocytes were separately collected from layer III of the ACC by laser capture microdissection. Isolated RNA was subjected to reverse transcription and endpoint PCR to determine gene expression levels for 16 synaptic genes relevant to glutamatergic neurotransmission. Cells were also collected from the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 10) to examine those genes demonstrating differences in expression in the ACC comparing typically developing and ASD donors. RESULTS The level of NTRK2 expression was robustly and significantly lower in pyramidal neurons from ASD donors as compared to typically developing donors. Levels of expression of GRIN1, GRM8, SLC1A1, and GRIP1 were modestly lower in pyramidal neurons from ASD donors, but statistical significance for these latter genes did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. No significant expression differences of any genes were found in astrocytes laser captured from the same neocortical area. In addition, expression levels of NTRK2 and other synaptic genes were normal in pyramidal neurons laser captured from the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS These studies demonstrate a unique pathology of neocortical pyramidal neurons of the ACC in ASD. NTRK2 encodes the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), transmission through which neurotrophic factors modify differentiation, plasticity, and synaptic transmission. Reduced pyramidal neuron NTRK2 expression in the ACC could thereby contribute to abnormal neuronal activity and disrupt social behavior mediated by this brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Chandley
- />Department of Health Sciences, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70673, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Jessica D Crawford
- />Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70582, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Attila Szebeni
- />Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70582, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Katalin Szebeni
- />Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70582, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Gregory A Ordway
- />Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70582, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
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Haas BW, Smith AK. Oxytocin, vasopressin, and Williams syndrome: epigenetic effects on abnormal social behavior. Front Genet 2015; 6:28. [PMID: 25741359 PMCID: PMC4330921 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a condition caused by a deletion of ∼26-28 genes on chromosome 7q11.23 often characterized by abnormal social behavior and disrupted oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) functioning. The observation that individuals with WS exhibit OT and AVP dysregulation is compelling. There is currently a lack of evidence that any of the genes typically deleted in WS have any direct effect on either OT or AVP. In this perspective article, we present a novel epigenetic model describing how DNA methylation may impact the expression of key genes within the OT and AVP systems, which may ultimately influence the social behavior observed in WS. We draw support from data pooled from a prior empirical research study (Henrichsen et al., 2011), demonstrating that OXTR is overexpressed in WS. These preliminary findings may create new opportunities to target the OT and AVP systems with the specific goal of improving outcomes in WS and other psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Haas
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia , Athens, GA, USA ; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Georgia , Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, USA
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Jung JY, DeLuca TF, Nelson TH, Wall DP. A literature search tool for intelligent extraction of disease-associated genes. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2014; 21:399-405. [PMID: 23999671 PMCID: PMC3994846 DOI: 10.1136/amiajnl-2012-001563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To extract disorder-associated genes from the scientific literature in PubMed with greater sensitivity for literature-based support than existing methods. METHODS We developed a PubMed query to retrieve disorder-related, original research articles. Then we applied a rule-based text-mining algorithm with keyword matching to extract target disorders, genes with significant results, and the type of study described by the article. RESULTS We compared our resulting candidate disorder genes and supporting references with existing databases. We demonstrated that our candidate gene set covers nearly all genes in manually curated databases, and that the references supporting the disorder-gene link are more extensive and accurate than other general purpose gene-to-disorder association databases. CONCLUSIONS We implemented a novel publication search tool to find target articles, specifically focused on links between disorders and genotypes. Through comparison against gold-standard manually updated gene-disorder databases and comparison with automated databases of similar functionality we show that our tool can search through the entirety of PubMed to extract the main gene findings for human diseases rapidly and accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Yoon Jung
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Todd F DeLuca
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tristan H Nelson
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dennis P Wall
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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The need for a comprehensive molecular characterization of autism spectrum disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:651-73. [PMID: 24229490 DOI: 10.1017/s146114571300117x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders which have complex behavioural phenotypes. Although ASD is a highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder, genetic research alone has not provided a profound understanding of the underlying causes. Recent developments using biochemical tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics and cellular models, will pave the way to gain new insights into the underlying pathological pathways. This review addresses the state-of-the-art in the search for molecular biomarkers for ASD. In particular, the most important findings in the biochemical field are highlighted and the need for establishing streamlined interaction between behavioural studies, genetics and proteomics is stressed. Eventually, these approaches will lead to suitable translational ASD models and, therefore, a better disease understanding which may facilitate novel drug discovery efforts in this challenging field.
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Nyffeler J, Walitza S, Bobrowski E, Gundelfinger R, Grünblatt E. Association study in siblings and case-controls of serotonin- and oxytocin-related genes with high functioning autism. J Mol Psychiatry 2014; 2:1. [PMID: 25408912 PMCID: PMC4223888 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9256-2-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is heritable and neurodevelopmental with unknown causes. The serotonergic and oxytocinergic systems are of interest in autism for several reasons: (i) Both systems are implicated in social behavior, and abnormal levels of serotonin and oxytocin have been found in people with ASD; (ii) treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and oxytocin can yield improvements; and (iii) previous association studies have linked the serotonin transporter (SERT; SLC6A4), serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A), and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) genes with ASD. We examined their association with high functioning autism (HFA) including siblings and their interaction. Methods In this association study with HFA children (IQ > 80), siblings, and controls, participants were genotyped for four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in OXTR (rs2301261, rs53576, rs2254298, rs2268494) and one in HTR2A (rs6311) as well as the triallelic HTTLPR (SERT polymorphism). Results We identified a nominal significant association with HFA for the HTTLPR s allele (consisting of S and LG alleles) (p = .040; odds ratio (OR) = 1.697, 95% CI 1.191–2.204)). Four polymorphisms (HTTLPR, HTR2A rs6311, OXTR rs2254298 and rs53576) in combination conferred nominal significant risk for HFA with a genetic score of ≥4 (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.05–4.18, p = .037). The resulting area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.595 (p = .033). Conclusions Our findings, combined with those of previous reports, indicate that ASD, in particular HFA, is polygenetic rather than monogenetic and involves the serotonergic and oxytocin pathways, probably in combination with other factors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2049-9256-2-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Nyffeler
- University Clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (UCCAP), University of Zurich, Thurgauerstr. 39, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- University Clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (UCCAP), University of Zurich, Thurgauerstr. 39, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland ; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elise Bobrowski
- University Clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (UCCAP), University of Zurich, Thurgauerstr. 39, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland ; Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ronnie Gundelfinger
- University Clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (UCCAP), University of Zurich, Thurgauerstr. 39, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- University Clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (UCCAP), University of Zurich, Thurgauerstr. 39, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland ; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Zhubi A, Cook EH, Guidotti A, Grayson DR. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2014; 115:203-44. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801311-3.00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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28
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Fusté M, Pinacho R, Meléndez-Pérez I, Villalmanzo N, Villalta-Gil V, Haro JM, Ramos B. Reduced expression of SP1 and SP4 transcription factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in first-episode psychosis. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1608-14. [PMID: 23941741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of transcription factor specificity protein 4 (SP4) and 1 (SP1) have been linked to different neuropsychiatric diseases. Reduced SP4 and SP1 protein levels in the prefrontal cortex have been associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively, suggesting that both factors could be involved in the pathogenesis of disorders with psychotic features. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reduction of SP1, SP4 and SP3 protein and mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the early stages of psychosis may act as a potential biomarker of these disorders. A cross-sectional study of first-episode psychosis patients (n = 14) compared to gender- and age-matched healthy controls (n = 14) was designed. Patients were recruited through the adult mental health services of Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu. Protein and gene expression levels of SP1, SP4 and SP3 were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy control subjects. We report that protein levels of SP1 and SP4, but not SP3, are significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. In contrast, we did not observe any differences in expression levels for SP1, SP4 or SP3 genes between patient and control groups. In patients, SP4 protein levels were significantly associated with SP1 protein levels. No association was found, however, between protein and gene expression levels for each factor. Our study shows reduced SP1 and SP4 protein levels in first-episode psychosis in lymphocytes, suggesting that these transcription factors are potential peripheral biomarkers of psychotic spectrum disorders in the early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Fusté
- Unitat de recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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29
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Canal CE, Cordova-Sintjago T, Liu Y, Kim MS, Morgan D, Booth RG. Molecular pharmacology and ligand docking studies reveal a single amino acid difference between mouse and human serotonin 5-HT2A receptors that impacts behavioral translation of novel 4-phenyl-2-dimethylaminotetralin ligands. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 347:705-16. [PMID: 24080681 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.208637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
During translational studies to develop 4-phenyl-2-dimethylaminotetralin (PAT) compounds for neuropsychiatric disorders, the (2R,4S)-trans-(+)- and (2S,4R)-trans-(-)-enantiomers of the analog 6-hydroxy-7-chloro-PAT (6-OH-7-Cl-PAT) demonstrated unusual pharmacology at serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT2 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The enantiomers had similar affinities (Ki) at human (h) 5-HT2A receptors (≈ 70 nM). In an in vivo mouse model of 5-HT2A receptor activation [(±)-(2,5)-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI)-elicited head twitch], however, (-)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT was about 5-fold more potent than the (+)-enantiomer at attenuating the DOI-elicited response. It was discovered that (+)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT (only) had ≈ 40-fold-lower affinity at mouse (m) compared with h5-HT2A receptors. Molecular modeling and computational ligand docking studies indicated that the 6-OH moiety of (+)- but not (-)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT could form a hydrogen bond with serine residue 5.46 of the h5-HT2A receptor. The m5-HT2A as well as m5-HT2B, h5-HT2B, m5-HT2C, and h5-HT2C receptors have alanine at position 5.46, obviating this interaction; (+)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT also showed ≈ 50-fold lower affinity than (-)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT at m5-HT2C and h5-HT2C receptors. Mutagenesis studies confirmed that 5-HT2A S5.46 is critical for (+)- but not (-)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT binding, as well as function. The (+)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT enantiomer showed partial agonist effects at h5-HT2A wild-type (WT) and m5-HT2A A5.46S point-mutated receptors but did not activate m5-HT2A WT and h5-HT2A S5.46A point-mutated receptors, or h5-HT2B, h5-HT2C, and m5-HT2C receptors; (-)-6-OH-7-Cl-PAT did not activate any of the 5-HT2 receptors. Experiments also included the (2R,4S)-trans-(+)- and (2S,4R)-trans-(-)-enantiomers of 6-methoxy-7-chloro-PAT to validate hydrogen bonding interactions proposed for the corresponding 6-OH analogs. Results indicate that PAT ligand three-dimensional structure impacts target receptor binding and translational outcomes, supporting the hypothesis that GPCR ligand structure governs orthosteric binding pocket molecular determinants and resulting pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton E Canal
- Center for Drug Discovery (C.E.C., T.C.-S., Y.L., R.G.B.), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (C.E.C., T.C.-S., Y.L., R.G.B.), and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (R.G.B.), Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (M.S.K., T.C.-S.) and Department of Psychiatry (D.M.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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30
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Pinacho R, Villalmanzo N, Roca M, Iniesta R, Monje A, Haro JM, Meana JJ, Ferrer I, Gill G, Ramos B. Analysis of Sp transcription factors in the postmortem brain of chronic schizophrenia: a pilot study of relationship to negative symptoms. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:926-34. [PMID: 23540600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are the most resilient manifestations in schizophrenia. An imbalance in dopamine and glutamate pathways has been proposed for the emergence of these symptoms. SP1, SP3 and SP4 transcription factors regulate genes in these pathways, suggesting a possible involvement in negative symptoms. In this study, we characterized Sp factors in the brains of subjects with schizophrenia and explored a possible association with negative symptoms. We also included analysis of NR1, NR2A and DRD2 as Sp target genes. Postmortem cerebellum and prefrontal cortex from an antemortem clinically well-characterized and controlled collection of elderly subjects with chronic schizophrenia (n = 16) and control individuals (n = 14) were examined. We used the Positive and Negative Syndrome and the Clinical Global Impression Schizophrenia scales, quantitative PCR and immunoblot. SP1 protein and mRNA were reduced in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia whereas none of Sp factors were altered in the cerebellum. However, we found that SP1, SP3 and SP4 protein levels inversely correlated with negative symptoms in the cerebellum. Furthermore, NR2A and DRD2 mRNA levels correlated with negative symptoms in the cerebellum. In the prefrontal cortex, SP1 mRNA and NR1 and DRD2 inversely correlated with these symptoms while Sp protein levels did not. This pilot study not only reinforces the involvement of SP1 in schizophrenia, but also suggests that reduced levels or function of SP1, SP4 and SP3 may participate in negative symptoms, in part through the regulation of NMDA receptor subunits and/or Dopamine D2 receptor, providing novel information about the complex negative symptoms in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Pinacho
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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31
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Brookes K. The VNTR in complex disorders: The forgotten polymorphisms? A functional way forward? Genomics 2013; 101:273-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Peters SU, Hundley RJ, Wilson AK, Warren Z, Vehorn A, Carvalho CMB, Lupski JR, Ramocki MB. The behavioral phenotype in MECP2 duplication syndrome: a comparison with idiopathic autism. Autism Res 2012; 6:42-50. [PMID: 23169761 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in the X-linked gene MECP2 encoding the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 have been linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Most recently, data suggest that overexpression of MECP2 may be related to ASD. To better characterize the relevance of MECP2 overexpression to ASD-related behaviors, we compared the core symptoms of ASD in MECP2 duplication syndrome to nonverbal mental age-matched boys with idiopathic ASD. Within the MECP2 duplication group, we further delineated aspects of the behavioral phenotype and also examined how duplication size and gene content corresponded to clinical severity. We compared ten males with MECP2 duplication syndrome (ages 3-10) with a chronological and mental age-matched sample of nine nonverbal males with idiopathic ASD. Our results indicate that boys with MECP2 duplication syndrome share the core behavioral features of ASD (e.g. social affect, restricted/repetitive behaviors). Direct comparisons of ASD profiles revealed that a majority of boys with MECP2 duplication syndrome are similar to idiopathic ASD; they have impairments in social affect (albeit to a lesser degree than idiopathic ASD) and similar severity in restricted/repetitive behaviors. Nonverbal mental age did not correlate with severity of social impairment or repetitive behaviors. Within the MECP2 duplication group, breakpoint size does not predict differences in clinical severity. In addition to social withdrawal and stereotyped behaviors, we also found that hyposensitivity to pain/temperature are part of the behavioral phenotype of MECP2 duplication syndrome. Our results illustrate that overexpression/increased dosage of MECP2 is related to core features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarika U Peters
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Coghlan S, Horder J, Inkster B, Mendez MA, Murphy DG, Nutt DJ. GABA system dysfunction in autism and related disorders: from synapse to symptoms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:2044-55. [PMID: 22841562 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental syndromes characterised by repetitive behaviours and restricted interests, impairments in social behaviour and relations, and in language and communication. These symptoms are also observed in a number of developmental disorders of known origin, including Fragile X Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome. While these conditions have diverse etiologies, and poorly understood pathologies, emerging evidence suggests that they may all be linked to dysfunction in particular aspects of GABAergic inhibitory signalling in the brain. We review evidence from genetics, molecular neurobiology and systems neuroscience relating to the role of GABA in these conditions. We conclude by discussing how these deficits may relate to the specific symptoms observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Coghlan
- King's College London, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
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Fogel BL, Wexler E, Wahnich A, Friedrich T, Vijayendran C, Gao F, Parikshak N, Konopka G, Geschwind DH. RBFOX1 regulates both splicing and transcriptional networks in human neuronal development. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:4171-86. [PMID: 22730494 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing plays a critical role in the programming of neuronal differentiation and, consequently, normal human neurodevelopment, and its disruption may underlie neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The RNA-binding protein, fox-1 homolog (RBFOX1; also termed A2BP1 or FOX1), is a neuron-specific splicing factor predicted to regulate neuronal splicing networks clinically implicated in neurodevelopmental disease, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but only a few targets have been experimentally identified. We used RNA sequencing to identify the RBFOX1 splicing network at a genome-wide level in primary human neural stem cells during differentiation. We observe that RBFOX1 regulates a wide range of alternative splicing events implicated in neuronal development and maturation, including transcription factors, other splicing factors and synaptic proteins. Downstream alterations in gene expression define an additional transcriptional network regulated by RBFOX1 involved in neurodevelopmental pathways remarkably parallel to those affected by splicing. Several of these differentially expressed genes are further implicated in ASD and related neurodevelopmental diseases. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis demonstrates a high degree of connectivity among these disease-related genes, highlighting RBFOX1 as a key factor coordinating the regulation of both neurodevelopmentally important alternative splicing events and clinically relevant neuronal transcriptional programs in the development of human neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent L Fogel
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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35
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Dawson G, Bernier R, Ring RH. Social attention: a possible early indicator of efficacy in autism clinical trials. J Neurodev Disord 2012; 4:11. [PMID: 22958480 PMCID: PMC3436672 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-4-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, researchers have sought to clarify the nature of the social communication impairments in autism, highlighting impaired or atypical 'social attention' as a key measurable construct that helps to define the core impairment of social communication. In this paper, we provide an overview of research on social attention impairments in autism and their relation to deficiencies in neural circuitry related to social reward. We offer a framework for considering social attention as a potential moderator or mediator of response to early behavioral intervention, and as an early indicator of efficacy of behavioral and/or pharmacological treatments aimed at addressing the social impairments in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Dawson
- Autism Speaks, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3366, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Raphael Bernier
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Robert H Ring
- Autism Speaks, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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