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Bruno F, Laganà V, Di Lorenzo R, Bruni AC, Maletta R. Calabria as a Genetic Isolate: A Model for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092288. [PMID: 36140389 PMCID: PMC9496333 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although originally multi-ethnic in its structure, nowadays the Calabria region of southern Italy represents an area with low genetic heterogeneity and a high level of consanguinity that allows rare mutations to be maintained due to the founder effect. A complex research methodology—ranging from clinical activity to the genealogical reconstruction of families/populations across the centuries, the creation of databases, and molecular/genetic research—was modelled on the characteristics of the Calabrian population for more than three decades. This methodology allowed the identification of several novel genetic mutations or variants associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, a higher prevalence of several hereditary neurodegenerative diseases has been reported in this population, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Niemann–Pick type C disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, and Gerstmann–Straussler–Scheinker disease. Here, we summarize and discuss the results of research data supporting the view that Calabria could be considered as a genetic isolate and could represent a model, a sort of outdoor laboratory—similar to very few places in the world—useful for the advancement of knowledge on neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bruno
- Regional Neurogenetic Centre (CRN), Department of Primary Care, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Association for Neurogenetic Research (ARN), 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Valentina Laganà
- Association for Neurogenetic Research (ARN), 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | | | - Amalia C. Bruni
- Regional Neurogenetic Centre (CRN), Department of Primary Care, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Association for Neurogenetic Research (ARN), 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Raffaele Maletta
- Regional Neurogenetic Centre (CRN), Department of Primary Care, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Association for Neurogenetic Research (ARN), 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
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Hamilton G, Killick R, Lambert JC, Amouyel P, Carrasquillo MM, Pankratz VS, Graff-Radford NR, Dickson DW, Petersen RC, Younkin SG, Powell JF, Wade-Martins R. Functional and genetic analysis of haplotypic sequence variation at the nicastrin genomic locus. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:1848.e1-13. [PMID: 22405046 PMCID: PMC3683320 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nicastrin (NCSTN) is a component of the γ-secretase complex and therefore potentially a candidate risk gene for Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have developed a novel functional genomics methodology to express common locus haplotypes to assess functional differences. DNA recombination was used to engineer 5 bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) to each express a different haplotype of the NCSTN locus. Each NCSTN-BAC was delivered to knockout nicastrin (Ncstn(-/-)) cells and clonal NCSTN-BAC(+)/Ncstn(-/-) cell lines were created for functional analyses. We showed that all NCSTN-BAC haplotypes expressed nicastrin protein and rescued γ-secretase activity and amyloid beta (Aβ) production in NCSTN-BAC(+)/Ncstn(-/-) lines. We then showed that genetic variation at the NCSTN locus affected alternative splicing in human postmortem brain tissue. However, there was no robust functional difference between clonal cell lines rescued by each of the 5 different haplotypes. Finally, there was no statistically significant association of NCSTN with disease risk in the 4 cohorts. We therefore conclude that it is unlikely that common variation at the NCSTN locus is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Hamilton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Lupton MK, Proitsi P, Danillidou M, Tsolaki M, Hamilton G, Wroe R, Pritchard M, Lord K, Martin BM, Kloszewska I, Soininen H, Mecocci P, Vellas B, Harold D, Hollingworth P, Lovestone S, Powell JF. Deep sequencing of the Nicastrin gene in pooled DNA, the identification of genetic variants that affect risk of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17298. [PMID: 21364883 PMCID: PMC3045431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicastrin is an obligatory component of the γ-secretase; the enzyme complex that leads to the production of Aβ fragments critically central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Analyses of the effects of common variation in this gene on risk for late onset AD have been inconclusive. We investigated the effect of rare variation in the coding regions of the Nicastrin gene in a cohort of AD patients and matched controls using an innovative pooling approach and next generation sequencing. Five SNPs were identified and validated by individual genotyping from 311 cases and 360 controls. Association analysis identified a non-synonymous rare SNP (N417Y) with a statistically higher frequency in cases compared to controls in the Greek population (OR 3.994, CI 1.105–14.439, p = 0.035). This finding warrants further investigation in a larger cohort and adds weight to the hypothesis that rare variation explains some of genetic heritability still to be identified in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K. Lupton
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Petroula Proitsi
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Makrina Danillidou
- 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Gillian Hamilton
- Medical Genetics, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wroe
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Pritchard
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Lord
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Belinda M. Martin
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iwona Kloszewska
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Hilkka Soininen
- Department of Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Patrizia Mecocci
- Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Vellas
- Department of Internal and Geriatrics Medicine, Hôpitaux de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Denise Harold
- Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Hollingworth
- Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Lovestone
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John F. Powell
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Zhong L, Dong-hai Q, Hong-ying L, Qing-feng L. Analysis of the nicastrin promoter rs10752637 polymorphism and its association with Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2009; 30:1831-6. [PMID: 19840113 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06942.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common, degenerative form of dementia characterized by the accumulation of plaques containing amyloid beta-peptides (A beta). Nicastrin (NCSTN) is a type I trans-membrane glycoprotein and an essential component of gamma-secretase, a multiprotein complex required for the production of the mature form of A beta. Overexpression of wild-type NCSTN increases A beta production, indicating that the strict regulation of NCSTN expression may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this study we investigated the effect of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs10752637), located in the promoter region of the NCSTN gene, on NCSTN promoter activity. First, the rs10752637 genotypes were determined in a Chinese population consisting of 462 patients with sporadic AD and 470 normal control subjects. The distributions of the rs10752637 genotypes and allele frequencies were significantly different between the AD and control groups, with the -922T allele significantly associated with the occurrence of AD. Reporter assays indicated that the rs10752637 -922T allele had a significantly increased promoter activity relative to the -922G allele. Furthermore, gel shift assays demonstrated that the -922T allele preferentially bound to components of nuclear extracts. Overall, our results indicate that the rs10752637 SNP can likely influence the expression of NCSTN, and that this may be an influencing factor during the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhong
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Association between promoter polymorphisms of the nicastrin gene and sporadic Alzheimer's disease in North Chinese Han population. Neurosci Lett 2009; 458:136-9. [PMID: 19394408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2009] [Revised: 04/03/2009] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidences have shown that nicastrin (NCSTN) plays a crucial role in gamma-cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Inhibition of NCSTN demonstrated an altered gamma-cleavage activity, suggesting its potential implication in developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). We detected the NCSTN gene promoter region in 359 sporadic AD (SAD) patients and 331 controls and found three promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): -1216C/A (rs2147471), -796T/G (rs10752637) and -436C/T (rs1324738). For -1216C/A, there were significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency between AD and control subjects (allele P=0.031, genotype P=0.017). The allele and genotype frequencies remained significant before and after APOEvarepsilon4 stratification. The -1216CC carriers increased 2-fold risk for the development of SAD compared to the carriers with -1216CA and AA genotypes (OR=2.049, 95%CI=1.410-2.976, P=0.000). For -796T/G, there were significant differences in the genotype frequency between SAD and control subjects (P=0.009). This trend is still obvious in the subjects without APOEvarepsilon4 allele. The -796GG carriers might decrease the risk compared to the carriers with -796TG and TT genotypes (OR=0.602, 95%CI=0.393-0.932, P=0.022). No significant difference was detected either in genotype or in allele frequencies between SAD and control for -436C/T, even after APOEvarepsilon4 stratification. The haplotype -1216A/-796G may be a protective factor for SAD (OR=0.795, 95%CI=0.636-0.995, P=0.045). Our investigation suggests that -1216C/A and -796T/G are probably related to the development of SAD.
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Chang HS, Anway MD, Rekow SS, Skinner MK. Transgenerational epigenetic imprinting of the male germline by endocrine disruptor exposure during gonadal sex determination. Endocrinology 2006; 147:5524-41. [PMID: 16973722 DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-0987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin at the time of gonadal sex determination was previously found to promote transgenerational disease states. The actions of vinclozolin appear to be due to epigenetic alterations in the male germline that are transmitted to subsequent generations. Analysis of the transgenerational epigenetic effects on the male germline (i.e. sperm) identified 25 candidate DNA sequences with altered methylation patterns in the vinclozolin generation sperm. These sequences were identified and mapped to specific genes and noncoding DNA regions. Bisulfite sequencing was used to confirm the altered methylation pattern of 15 of the candidate DNA sequences. Alterations in the epigenetic pattern (i.e. methylation) of these genes/DNA sequences were found in the F2 and F3 generation germline. Therefore, the reprogramming of the male germline involves the induction of new imprinted-like genes/DNA sequences that acquire an apparent permanent DNA methylation pattern that is passed at least through the paternal allele. The expression pattern of several of the genes during embryonic development were found to be altered in the vinclozolin F1 and F2 generation testis. A number of the imprinted-like genes/DNA sequences identified are associated with epigenetic linked diseases. In summary, an endocrine disruptor exposure during embryonic gonadal sex determination was found to promote an alteration in the epigenetic (i.e. induction of imprinted-like genes/DNA sequences) programming of the male germline, and this is associated with the development of transgenerational disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Shu Chang
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4231, USA
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Piscopo P, Manfredi A, Malvezzi-Campeggi L, Crestini A, Spadoni O, Cherchi R, Deiana E, Piras MR, Confaloni A. Genetic study of Sardinian patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Lett 2006; 398:124-8. [PMID: 16423463 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.12.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2005] [Revised: 12/02/2005] [Accepted: 12/23/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We describe the genetic analysis of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) sample derived from a genetically isolated population. Genetic assessment included the analysis of genes involved in AD, such as the genes for amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2). We also assessed genes for some proteins that constitute the gamma-secretase complex: nicastrin (NCSTN), presenilin enhancer-2 (PEN2), in addition to the AD risk factor apolipoprotein E (APOE). Using polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformational polymorphism method, screens for APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes revealed one mutation in PSEN1. Furthermore, we found an intronic +17G>C polymorphism in PEN2 which, in homozygous form, was greater in early onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) compared to controls, and one haplotype in the NCSTN gene which was linked to EOAD and familial AD (FAD). Finally, the genotyping of APOE confirmed that the varepsilon4 allele could be a risk factor for the onset of AD, in particular for FAD subjects. In conclusion, these results show the existence of Sardinian genetic peculiarities, essential in studies regarding genetically inherited and multifactorial disorders, as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Piscopo
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Confaloni A, Crestini A, Albani D, Piscopo P, Campeggi LM, Terreni L, Tartaglia M, Forloni G. Rat nicastrin gene: cDNA isolation, mRNA variants and expression pattern analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 136:12-22. [PMID: 15893582 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2003] [Revised: 12/06/2004] [Accepted: 12/20/2004] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nicastrin is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein that interacts with presenilin, Aph-1, and Pen-2 proteins to form a high molecular complex with gamma secretase activity. Then, nicastrin has a central role in presenilin-mediated processing of beta-amyloid precursor protein and in some aspects of Notch/glp-1 signaling in vivo. Here, we isolated a rat nicastrin cDNA and investigated gene expression in embryonic and adult rat tissues. The predicted amino acid sequence is comprised of 708 residues and showed a high degree of identity with other vertebrate orthologs. Besides full-length nicastrin mRNA, we identified an alternative spliced variant lacking the whole exon 3 and predicted to encode a 62-residue-long truncated protein. Full-length nicastrin mRNA was observed to be ubiquitously expressed, while the spliced variant was preferentially transcribed in the nervous system, whether in embryonic or adult neural tissues. Studies performed on primary cell cultures demonstrated that the short isoform was expressed in neurons, but not in astrocyte and microglial cells. Further experiments performed to verify the presence of the variant in neuroblastoma culture failed to show any truncated protein. Treatments by cyclohexamide showed the involvement of a quality control-based surveillance mechanism, which selectively degrades the exon 3-skipped isoform. In summary, this is the first report describing a novel skipped isoform of nicastrin which may suggest a new possible control mechanism based on the alternative splicing and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay to regulate brain protein expression and provide newer insights into potential implication in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Confaloni
- Department of Cellular Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 Viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
From Alois Alzheimer's description of Auguste D.'s brain in 1907 to George Glenner's biochemical dissection of beta-amyloid in 1984, the "amyloid hypothesis" of Alzheimer's disease has continued to gain support over the past two decades, particularly from genetic studies. Here we assess the amyloid hypothesis based on both known and putative Alzheimer's disease genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachussetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachussetts 02129, USA.
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Sala Frigerio C, Piscopo P, Calabrese E, Crestini A, Malvezzi Campeggi L, Civita di Fava R, Fogliarino S, Albani D, Marcon G, Cherchi R, Piras R, Forloni G, Confaloni A. PEN-2 gene mutation in a familial Alzheimer's disease case. J Neurol 2005; 252:1033-6. [PMID: 16170650 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-005-0799-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2004] [Revised: 12/22/2004] [Accepted: 01/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetic evidence indicates a central role of cerebral accumulation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beside presenilin 1 and 2, three other recently discovered proteins (Aph 1, PEN 2 and nicastrin) are associated with gamma-secretase activity, the enzymatic complex generating Abeta. Alterations in genes encoding these proteins were candidates for a role in AD. The PEN 2 gene was examined for unknown mutations and polymorphisms in sporadic and familial Alzheimer patients. Samples from age-matched controls (n=253), sporadic AD (SAD, n=256) and familial AD (FAD, n=140) were screened with DHPLC methodology followed by sequencing. Scanning the gene identified for the first time a missense mutation (D90N) in a patient with FAD. Three intronic polymorphisms were also identified, one of which had a higher presence of the mutated allele in AD subjects carrying the allele epsilon4 of apolipoprotein E than controls. The pathogenic role of the PEN-2 D90N mutation in AD is not clear, but the findings might lead to new studies on its functional and genetic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sala Frigerio
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via Eritrea 62, 20157, Milano, Italy
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