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Gras M, Heide S, Keren B, Valence S, Garel C, Whalen S, Jansen AC, Keymolen K, Stouffs K, Jennesson M, Poirsier C, Lesca G, Depienne C, Nava C, Rastetter A, Curie A, Cuisset L, Des Portes V, Milh M, Charles P, Mignot C, Héron D. Further characterisation of ARX-related disorders in females due to inherited or de novo variants. J Med Genet 2024; 61:103-108. [PMID: 37879892 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109203] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The Aristaless-related homeobox (ARX) gene is located on the X chromosome and encodes a transcription factor that is essential for brain development. While the clinical spectrum of ARX-related disorders is well described in males, from X linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia syndrome to syndromic and non-syndromic intellectual disability (ID), its phenotypic delineation in females is incomplete. Carrier females in ARX families are usually asymptomatic, but ID has been reported in some of them, as well as in others with de novo variants. In this study, we collected the clinical and molecular data of 10 unpublished female patients with de novo ARX pathogenic variants and reviewed the data of 63 females from the literature with either de novo variants (n=10), inherited variants (n=33) or variants of unknown inheritance (n=20). Altogether, the clinical spectrum of females with heterozygous pathogenic ARX variants is broad: 42.5% are asymptomatic, 16.4% have isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) or mild symptoms (learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, drug-responsive epilepsy) without ID, whereas 41% present with a severe phenotype (ie, ID or developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE)). The ID/DEE phenotype was significantly more prevalent in females carrying de novo variants (75%, n=15/20) versus in those carrying inherited variants (27.3%, n=9/33). ACC was observed in 66.7% (n=24/36) of females who underwent a brain MRI. By refining the clinical spectrum of females carrying ARX pathogenic variants, we show that ID is a frequent sign in females with this X linked condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Gras
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Solveig Heide
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes » Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Doctoral College, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Valence
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology, APHP Sorbonne Université, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
- Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilites of rare causes » Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Garel
- Unit of Pediatric Radiology, APHP Sorbonne Université, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Developmental disorders and syndromes », APHP Sorbonne Université, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Neurogenetics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kathelijn Keymolen
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussels), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katrien Stouffs
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussels), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mélanie Jennesson
- Pediatrics Unit, University Hospital of Reims, American Memorial Hospital, Reims, France
| | - Céline Poirsier
- UF génétique clinique, Pôle Femme-Parents-Enfants, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Department of Genetics, Referral Center for Developmental Anomalies and Malformative Syndromes, Centre-est HCL, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Christel Depienne
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Aurore Curie
- Reference Centre for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes », Civil Hospices of Lyon, Lyon, France
- University Lyon 1 Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Est, Lyon, France
| | - Laurence Cuisset
- APHP Centre Université Paris Cité, Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Des Portes
- Reference Centre for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes », Civil Hospices of Lyon, Lyon, France
- University Lyon 1 Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Est, Lyon, France
| | - Mathieu Milh
- Department of Neurology Pediatrics, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Perrine Charles
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes » Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Cyril Mignot
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes » Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Héron
- Department of Clinical Genetics, APHP Sorbonne Université, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Reference Center for Rare Diseases « Intellectual disabilities of rare causes » Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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Liu C, Ma J, Lu Y, Lu Y, Mai J, Bai L, Wang Y, Zheng Y, Yu M, Zheng Y, Deng J, Meng L, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Xie Z. Clinical, pathological, and genetic characterization in a large Chinese cohort with female dystrophinopathy. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:728-736. [PMID: 37716855 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.08.008] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the clinical, pathological, and genetic characteristics of Chinese female dystrophinopathy and to identify possible correlations among them. One hundred forty genetically and/or pathologically confirmed female DMD variant carriers were enrolled, including 104 asymptomatic carriers and 36 symptomatic carriers. Twenty of 36 symptomatic and 16 of 104 asymptomatic carriers were sporadic with no family history. Muscle pathological analysis was performed in 53 carriers and X chromosome inactivation (XCI) analysis in 19 carriers. In asymptomatic carriers, the median age was 35.0 (range 2.0-58.0) years, and the serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 131 (range 60-15,745) IU/L. The median age, age of onset, and CK level of symptomatic carriers were 15.5 (range 1.8-62.0) years, 6.3 (range 1.0-54.0) years, and 6,659 (range 337-58,340) IU/L, respectively. Four female carriers with X-autosome translocation presented with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) phenotype. Skewed XCI was present in 70.0% of symptomatic carriers. Compared to Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD)-like carriers, DMD-like carriers were more likely to have an early onset age, rapidly progressive muscle weakness, delayed walking, elevated CK levels, severe reduction of dystrophin, and skewed XCI. Our study reports the largest series of symptomatic female DMD carriers and suggests that delayed walking, elevated CK levels, severe reduction of dystrophin, X-autosome translocation, and skewed XCI pattern are associated with a severe phenotype in female dystrophinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jiajian Ma
- School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanyu Lu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yunlong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jiahui Mai
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Bai
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yikang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yilei Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Zhiying Xie
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
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Ramirez JM, Carroll MS, Burgraff N, Rand CM, Weese-Mayer DE. A narrative review of the mechanisms and consequences of intermittent hypoxia and the role of advanced analytic techniques in pediatric autonomic disorders. Clin Auton Res 2023; 33:287-300. [PMID: 37326924 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00958-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Disorders of autonomic functions are typically characterized by disturbances in multiple organ systems. These disturbances are often comorbidities of common and rare diseases, such as epilepsy, sleep apnea, Rett syndrome, congenital heart disease or mitochondrial diseases. Characteristic of many autonomic disorders is the association with intermittent hypoxia and oxidative stress, which can cause or exaggerate a variety of other autonomic dysfunctions, making the treatment and management of these syndromes very complex. In this review we discuss the cellular mechanisms by which intermittent hypoxia can trigger a cascade of molecular, cellular and network events that result in the dysregulation of multiple organ systems. We also describe the importance of computational approaches, artificial intelligence and the analysis of big data to better characterize and recognize the interconnectedness of the various autonomic and non-autonomic symptoms. These techniques can lead to a better understanding of the progression of autonomic disorders, ultimately resulting in better care and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
| | - Michael S Carroll
- Data Analytics and Reporting, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas Burgraff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Casey M Rand
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Debra E Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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4
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Xiao X, Yang J, Li Y, Yang H, Zhu Y, Li L, Zhou Q, Lu D, Chen T, Tian Y. Identification of a Novel Frameshift Variant of ARR3 Related to X-Linked Female-Limited Early-Onset High Myopia and Study on the Effect of X Chromosome Inactivation on the Myopia Severity. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030835. [PMID: 36769483 PMCID: PMC9917903 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked myopia 26 (Myopia 26, MIM #301010), which is caused by the variants of ARR3 (MIM *301770), is characterized by female-limited early-onset high myopia (eo-HM). Clinical characteristics include a tigroid appearance in the fundus and a temporal crescent of the optic nerve head. At present, the limited literature on eo-HM caused by ARR3 mutations shows that its inheritance mode is complex, which brings certain difficulties to pre-pregnancy genetic counseling, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and prenatal diagnosis. Here, we investigated the genetic underpinning of a Chinese family with eo-HM. Whole exome sequencing of the proband revealed a novel frameshift mutation in ARR3 (NM_004312, exon10, c.666delC, p. Asn222LysfsTer22). Although the mode of inheritance of the eo-HM family fits the X-linked pattern of ARR3, the phenotypes of three patients deviate from the typical early-onset high myopia. Through X-chromosome inactivation experiments, the patient's different phenotypes can be precisely explained. In addition, this study not only enhanced the correlation between ARR3 and early-onset high myopia but also provided explanations for different phenotypes, which may inspire follow-up studies. Our results enrich the knowledge of the variant spectrum in ARR3 and provide critical information for preimplantation and prenatal genetic testing, diagnosis, and counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Xiao
- Department of Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Jingmin Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401120, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai WeHealth BioMedical Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Hongxia Yang
- Department of Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yijian Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401120, China
| | - Lianbing Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401120, China
| | - Qinlinglan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Daru Lu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401120, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
- Correspondence: (T.C.); (Y.T.)
| | - Yafei Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401120, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Correspondence: (T.C.); (Y.T.)
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Multiplex Proteomic Evaluation in Inborn Errors with Deregulated IgE Response. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010202. [PMID: 36672710 PMCID: PMC9855860 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Atopic dermatitis constitutes one of the most common inflammatory skin manifestations of the pediatric population. The onset of many inborn errors occurs early in life with an AD-like picture associated with a deregulated IgE response. The availability of proteomic tests for the simultaneous evaluation of hundreds of molecules allows for more precise diagnosis in these cases. (2) Methods: Comparative genomic hybridization microarray (Array-CGH) analysis and specific IgE evaluation by using allergenic microarray (ISAC) and microarray (ALEX2) systems were performed. (3) Results: Proteomic investigations that use multiplex methods have proven to be extremely useful to diagnose the sensitization profile in inborn errors with deregulated IgE synthesis. Four patients with rare diseases, such as recessive X-linked ichthyosis (RXLI, OMIM 308100), Comel-Netherton syndrome (NS, OMIM256500), monosomy 1p36 syndrome (OMIM: 607872), and a microduplication of Xp11.4 associated with extremely high levels of IgE: 7.710 kU/L, 5.300 kU/L, 1.826 kU/L, and 10.430 kU/L, respectively, were evaluated by micro- and macroarray multiplex methods. Polyreactivity to both environmental and food allergens was observed in all cases, including the first described case of association of X-chromosome microduplication and HIE. (4) Conclusions: Extensive use of proteomic diagnostics should be included among the procedures to be implemented in inborn errors with hyper-IgE.
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Cabrera Zapata LE, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA. Genetics and Epigenetics of the X and Y Chromosomes in the Sexual Differentiation of the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012288. [PMID: 36293143 PMCID: PMC9603441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For many decades to date, neuroendocrinologists have delved into the key contribution of gonadal hormones to the generation of sex differences in the developing brain and the expression of sex-specific physiological and behavioral phenotypes in adulthood. However, it was not until recent years that the role of sex chromosomes in the matter started to be seriously explored and unveiled beyond gonadal determination. Now we know that the divergent evolutionary process suffered by X and Y chromosomes has determined that they now encode mostly dissimilar genetic information and are subject to different epigenetic regulations, characteristics that together contribute to generate sex differences between XX and XY cells/individuals from the zygote throughout life. Here we will review and discuss relevant data showing how particular X- and Y-linked genes and epigenetic mechanisms controlling their expression and inheritance are involved, along with or independently of gonadal hormones, in the generation of sex differences in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas E. Cabrera Zapata
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Cátedra de Biología Celular, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
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Sun JJ, Cai Q, Xu M, Liu YN, Li WR, Li J, Ma L, Cai C, Gong XH, Zeng YT, Ren ZR, Zeng F. Loss of Protein Function Causing Severe Phenotypes of Female-Restricted Wieacker Wolff Syndrome due to a Novel Nonsense Mutation in the ZC4H2 Gene. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091558. [PMID: 36140726 PMCID: PMC9498907 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants of zinc finger C4H2-type containing (ZC4H2) on the X chromosome cause a group of genetic diseases termed ZC4H2-associated rare disorders (ZARD), including Wieacker-Wolff Syndrome (WRWF) and Female-restricted Wieacker-Wolff Syndrome (WRWFFR). In the current study, a de novo c.352C>T (p.Gln118*) mutation in ZC4H2 (NM_018684.4) was identified in a female neonate born with severe arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and Pierre-Robin sequence (cleft palate and micrognathia). Plasmids containing the wild-type (WT), mutant-type (MT) ZC4H2, or GFP report gene (N) were transfected in 293T cell lines, respectively. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis showed that ZC4H2 protein could not be detected in the 293T cells transfected with MT ZC4H2. The RNA seq results revealed that the expression profile of the MT group was similar to that of the N group but differed significantly from the WT group, indicating that the c.352C>T mutation resulted in the loss of function of ZC4H2. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enrichment analysis showed that c.352C>T mutation inhibited the expression levels of a series of genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Subsequently, expression levels of ZC4H2 were knocked down in neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by lentiviral-expressed small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against ZC4H2. The results also demonstrated that decreasing the expression of ZC4H2 significantly reduced the growth of NSCs by affecting the expression of genes related to the oxidative phosphorylation signaling pathway. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that ZC4H2 c.352C>T (p.Gln118*) mutation resulted in the loss of protein function and caused WRWFFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Qin Cai
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Histo-Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yan-Na Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wan-Rui Li
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Cheng Cai
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Gong
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yi-Tao Zeng
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Embryogenesis and Developmental Molecular Biology & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo and Reproduction Engineering, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhao-Rui Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Fanyi Zeng
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Histo-Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Embryogenesis and Developmental Molecular Biology & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo and Reproduction Engineering, Shanghai 200040, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-62472308
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8
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Gasparotto M, Lee YS, Palazzi A, Vacca M, Filippini F. Nuclear and Cytoplasmatic Players in Mitochondria-Related CNS Disorders: Chromatin Modifications and Subcellular Trafficking. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050625. [PMID: 35625553 PMCID: PMC9138954 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant mitochondrial phenotypes are common to many central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Mitochondrial function and homeostasis depend on proper control of several biological processes such as chromatin remodeling and transcriptional control, post-transcriptional events, vesicle and organelle subcellular trafficking, fusion, and morphogenesis. Mutation or impaired regulation of major players that orchestrate such processes can disrupt cellular and mitochondrial dynamics, contributing to neurological disorders. The first part of this review provides an overview of a functional relationship between chromatin players and mitochondria. Specifically, we relied on specific monogenic CNS disorders which share features with mitochondrial diseases. On the other hand, subcellular trafficking is coordinated directly or indirectly through evolutionarily conserved domains and proteins that regulate the dynamics of membrane compartments and organelles, including mitochondria. Among these “building blocks”, longin domains and small GTPases are involved in autophagy and mitophagy, cell reshaping, and organelle fusion. Impairments in those processes significantly impact CNS as well and are discussed in the second part of the review. Hopefully, in filling the functional gap between the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles new routes for therapy could be disclosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Gasparotto
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Yi-Shin Lee
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
- Pharmacology Division, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, Building 19 (Biological Tower), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Palazzi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Marcella Vacca
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Francesco Filippini
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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9
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Rodrigues B, Gonçalves A, Sousa V, Maia N, Marques I, Vale-Fernandes E, Santos R, Nogueira AJA, Jorge P. Use of the FMR1 Gene Methylation Status to Assess the X-Chromosome Inactivation Pattern: A Stepwise Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:419. [PMID: 35327973 PMCID: PMC8951761 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a developmental process to compensate the imbalance in the dosage of X-chromosomal genes in females. A skewing of the XCI pattern may suggest a carrier status for an X-linked disease or explain the presence of a severe phenotype. In these cases, it is important to determine the XCI pattern, conventionally using the gold standard Human Androgen-Receptor Assay (HUMARA), based on the analysis of the methylation status at a polymorphic CAG region in the first exon of the human androgen receptor gene (AR). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the methylation status of the fragile mental retardation protein translational regulator gene (FMR1) can provide an XCI pattern similar to that obtained by HUMARA. A set of 48 female carriers of FMR1 gene normal-sized alleles was examined using two assays: HUMARA and a FMR1 methylation PCR (mPCR). Ranges were defined to establish the XCI pattern using the methylation pattern of the FMR1 gene by mPCR. Overall, a 77% concordance of the XCI patterns was obtained between the two assays, which led us to propose a set of key points and a stepwise analysis towards obtaining an accurate result for the XCI pattern and to minimize the underlying pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Rodrigues
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Gonçalves
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Sousa
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Nuno Maia
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Marques
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emídio Vale-Fernandes
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Medically Assisted Procreation/Public Gamete Bank, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Dr. Albino Aroso (CMIN), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4050-651 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosário Santos
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - António J. A. Nogueira
- CESAM—Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Paula Jorge
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-028 Porto, Portugal; (B.R.); (A.G.); (V.S.); (N.M.); (I.M.); (R.S.)
- UMIB—Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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10
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Ramirez JM, Karlen-Amarante M, Wang JDJ, Huff A, Burgraff N. Breathing disturbances in Rett syndrome. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 189:139-151. [PMID: 36031301 PMCID: PMC10029146 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91532-8.00018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Rett Syndrome is an X-linked neurological disorder characterized by behavioral and neurological regression, seizures, motor deficits, and dysautonomia. A particularly prominent presentation includes breathing abnormalities characterized by breathing irregularities, hyperventilation, repetitive breathholding during wakefulness, obstructive and central apneas during sleep, and abnormal responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. The condition and pathology of the respiratory system is further complicated by dysfunctions of breathing-motor coordination, which is reflected in dysphagia. The discovery of the X-linked mutations in the MECP2 gene has transformed our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are at the root of various clinical phenotypes. However, the genotype-phenotype relationship is complicated by various factors which include not only X-inactivation but also consequences of the intermittent hypoxia and oxidative stress associated with the breathing abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Marlusa Karlen-Amarante
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jia-Der Ju Wang
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicholas Burgraff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
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11
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Li Z, Li X, Jian W, Xue Q, Liu Z. Roles of Long Non-coding RNAs in the Development of Chronic Pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:760964. [PMID: 34887726 PMCID: PMC8649923 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.760964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain, a severe public health issue, affects the quality of life of patients and results in a major socioeconomic burden. Only limited drug treatments for chronic pain are available, and they have insufficient efficacy. Recent studies have found that the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is dysregulated in various chronic pain models, including chronic neuropathic pain, chronic inflammatory pain, and chronic cancer-related pain. Studies have also explored the effect of these dysregulated lncRNAs on the activation of microRNAs, inflammatory cytokines, and so on. These mechanisms have been widely demonstrated to play a critical role in the development of chronic pain. The findings of these studies indicate the significant roles of dysregulated lncRNAs in chronic pain in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, following peripheral or central nerve lesions. This review summarizes the mechanism underlying the abnormal expression of lncRNAs in the development of chronic pain induced by peripheral nerve injury, diabetic neuropathy, inflammatory response, trigeminal neuralgia, spinal cord injury, cancer metastasis, and other conditions. Understanding the effect of lncRNAs may provide a novel insight that targeting lncRNAs could be a potential candidate for therapeutic intervention in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Geriatric & Spinal Pain Multi-Department Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiongjuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Geriatric & Spinal Pain Multi-Department Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenling Jian
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Geriatric & Spinal Pain Multi-Department Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingsheng Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Geriatric & Spinal Pain Multi-Department Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Fang H, Deng X, Disteche CM. X-factors in human disease: Impact of gene content and dosage regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:R285-R295. [PMID: 34387327 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene content of the X and Y chromosomes has dramatically diverged during evolution. The ensuing dosage imbalance within the genome of males and females has led to unique chromosome-wide regulatory mechanisms with significant and sex-specific impacts on X-linked gene expression. X inactivation or silencing of most genes on one X chromosome chosen at random in females profoundly affects the manifestation of X-linked diseases, as males inherit a single maternal allele, while females express maternal and paternal alleles in a mosaic manner. An additional complication is the existence of genes that escape X inactivation and thus are ubiquitously expressed from both alleles in females. The mosaic nature of X-linked gene expression and the potential for escape can vary between individuals, tissues, cell types, and stages of life. Our understanding of the specialized nature of X-linked genes and of the multilayer epigenetic regulation that influence their expression throughout the organism has been helped by molecular studies conducted by tissue-specific and single-cell-specific approaches. In turn, the definition of molecular events that control X silencing has helped develop new approaches for the treatment of some X-linked disorders. This review focuses on the peculiarities of the X chromosome genetic content and epigenetic regulation in shaping the manifestation of congenital and acquired X-linked disorders in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
| | | | - Christine M Disteche
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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13
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Villani C, Carli M, Castaldo AM, Sacchetti G, Invernizzi RW. Fluoxetine increases brain MeCP2 immuno-positive cells in a female Mecp2 heterozygous mouse model of Rett syndrome through endogenous serotonin. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14690. [PMID: 34282222 PMCID: PMC8290043 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94156-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor skill deficit is a common and invalidating symptom of Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare disease almost exclusively affecting girls during the first/second year of life. Loss-of-function mutations of the methyl-CpG-binding protein2 (MECP2; Mecp2 in rodents) gene is the cause in most patients. We recently found that fluoxetine, a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor and antidepressant drug, fully rescued motor coordination deficits in Mecp2 heterozygous (Mecp2 HET) mice acting through brain 5-HT. Here, we asked whether fluoxetine could increase MeCP2 expression in the brain of Mecp2 HET mice, under the same schedule of treatment improving motor coordination. Fluoxetine increased the number of MeCP2 immuno-positive (MeCP2+) cells in the prefrontal cortex, M1 and M2 motor cortices, and in dorsal, ventral and lateral striatum. Fluoxetine had no effect in the CA3 region of the hippocampus or in any of the brain regions of WT mice. Inhibition of 5-HT synthesis abolished the fluoxetine-induced rise of MeCP2+ cells. These findings suggest that boosting 5-HT transmission is sufficient to enhance the expression of MeCP2 in several brain regions of Mecp2 HET mice. Fluoxetine-induced rise of MeCP2 could potentially rescue motor coordination and other deficits of RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Villani
- Laboratory Neurochemistry and Behavior, Neuroscience Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirjana Carli
- Laboratory Neurochemistry and Behavior, Neuroscience Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Castaldo
- Laboratory Neurochemistry and Behavior, Neuroscience Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sacchetti
- Laboratory Neurochemistry and Behavior, Neuroscience Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto William Invernizzi
- Laboratory Neurochemistry and Behavior, Neuroscience Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
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14
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Sun Y, Yang Y, Luo Y, Chen M, Wang L, Huang Y, Yang Y, Dong M. Lack of MECP2 gene transcription on the duplicated alleles of two related asymptomatic females with Xq28 duplications and opposite X-chromosome inactivation skewing. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:1429-1442. [PMID: 34273908 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Xq28 duplication syndrome (MIM# 300815) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder in males due to MeCP2 overexpression. Most females with MECP2 duplication are asymptomatic carriers, but there are phenotypic heterogeneities. Skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) can protect females from exhibiting clinical phenotypes. Herein we reported two asymptomatic females (mother and grandmother) with interstitial Xq28 duplication. AR and RP2 assays showed that both had extremely skewed XCI, the Xq28 duplicated chromosome was inactivated in the mother, but was surprisingly activated in the grandmother. Interestingly, by combining RNA sequencing and whole-exome sequencing, we confirmed that XIST only expressed in the Xq28 duplication chromosomes of the two females, indicating that the Xq28 duplication chromosomes were inactive. Meanwhile, MECP2 and most XCI genes in the duplicated X-chromosomes were not transcriptionally expressed or upregulated, precluding major clinical phenotypes in the two females, especially the grandmother. We showed that XCI status detected using RNA sequencing was more relevant for establishing the clinical phenotype of MECP2 duplication in females. It suggested that there were other factors maintaining the XCI status in addition to DNA methylation, a possible additional inhibition mechanism occurred at the transcriptional level in the unmethylated X-chromosome, counter balancing the MECP2 duplication's detrimental phenotype effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Sun
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yali Yang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuqin Luo
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liya Wang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingzhi Huang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanmei Yang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minyue Dong
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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15
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Balaton BP, Brown CJ. Contribution of genetic and epigenetic changes to escape from X-chromosome inactivation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:30. [PMID: 34187555 PMCID: PMC8244145 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-021-00404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the epigenetic inactivation of one of two X chromosomes in XX eutherian mammals. The inactive X chromosome is the result of multiple silencing pathways that act in concert to deposit chromatin changes, including DNA methylation and histone modifications. Yet over 15% of genes escape or variably escape from inactivation and continue to be expressed from the otherwise inactive X chromosome. To the extent that they have been studied, epigenetic marks correlate with this expression. Results Using publicly available data, we compared XCI status calls with DNA methylation, H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27ac, H3K27me3 and H3K36me3. At genes subject to XCI we found heterochromatic marks enriched, and euchromatic marks depleted on the inactive X when compared to the active X. Genes escaping XCI were more similar between the active and inactive X. Using sample-specific XCI status calls, we found some marks differed significantly with variable XCI status, but which marks were significant was not consistent between genes. A model trained to predict XCI status from these epigenetic marks obtained over 75% accuracy for genes escaping and over 90% for genes subject to XCI. This model made novel XCI status calls for genes without allelic differences or CpG islands required for other methods. Examining these calls across a domain of variably escaping genes, we saw XCI status vary across individual genes rather than at the domain level. Lastly, we compared XCI status calls to genetic polymorphisms, finding multiple loci associated with XCI status changes at variably escaping genes, but none individually sufficient to induce an XCI status change. Conclusion The control of expression from the inactive X chromosome is multifaceted, but ultimately regulated at the individual gene level with detectable but limited impact of distant polymorphisms. On the inactive X, at silenced genes euchromatic marks are depleted while heterochromatic marks are enriched. Genes escaping inactivation show a less significant enrichment of heterochromatic marks and depletion of H3K27ac. Combining all examined marks improved XCI status prediction, particularly for genes without CpG islands or polymorphisms, as no single feature is a consistent feature of silenced or expressed genes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13072-021-00404-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley P Balaton
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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16
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Qin S, Predescu D, Carman B, Patel P, Chen J, Kim M, Lahm T, Geraci M, Predescu SA. Up-Regulation of the Long Noncoding RNA X-Inactive-Specific Transcript and the Sex Bias in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1135-1150. [PMID: 33836164 PMCID: PMC8176134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a sex-biased disease. Increased expression and activity of the long-noncoding RNA X-inactive-specific transcript (Xist), essential for X-chromosome inactivation and dosage compensation of X-linked genes, may explain the sex bias of PAH. The present studies used a murine model of plexiform PAH, the intersectin-1s (ITSN) heterozygous knockout (KOITSN+/-) mouse transduced with an ITSN fragment (EHITSN) possessing endothelial cell proliferative activity, in conjunction with molecular, cell biology, biochemical, morphologic, and functional approaches. The data demonstrate significant sex-centered differences with regard to EHITSN-induced alterations in pulmonary artery remodeling, lung hemodynamics, and p38/ETS domain containing protein/c-Fos signaling, altogether leading to a more severe female lung PAH phenotype. Moreover, the long-noncoding RNA-Xist is up-regulated in the lungs of female EHITSN-KOITSN+/- mice compared with that in female wild-type mice, leading to sex-specific modulation of the X-linked gene ETS domain containing protein and its target, two molecular events also characteristic to female human PAH lung. More importantly, cyclin A1 expression in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle of synchronized pulmonary artery endothelial cells of female PAH patients is greater versus controls, suggesting functional hyperproliferation. Thus, Xist up-regulation leading to female pulmonary artery endothelial cell sexual dimorphic behavior may provide a better understanding of the origin of sex bias in PAH. Notably, the EHITSN-KOITSN+/- mouse is a unique experimental animal model of PAH that recapitulates most of the sexually dimorphic characteristics of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Qin
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Quantitative Data Science Core, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dan Predescu
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Quantitative Data Science Core, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brandon Carman
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Quantitative Data Science Core, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Priyam Patel
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jiwang Chen
- Pulmonary Critical Care Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Miran Kim
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tim Lahm
- Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark Geraci
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sanda A Predescu
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
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17
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Brown KE, Fisher AG. Reprogramming lineage identity through cell-cell fusion. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:15-23. [PMID: 34087754 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of differentiated cells to a pluripotent state through somatic cell nuclear transfer provided the first unequivocal evidence that differentiation was reversible. In more recent times, introducing a combination of key transcription factors into terminally differentiated mammalian cells was shown to drive their conversion to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These discoveries were transformative, but the relatively slow speed (2-3 weeks) and low efficiency of reprogramming (0.1-1%) made deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms difficult and complex. Cell fusion provides an alternative reprogramming approach that is both efficient and tractable, particularly when combined with modern multi-omics analysis of individual cells. Here we review the history and the recent advances in cell-cell fusion that are enabling a better understanding cell fate conversion, and we discuss how this knowledge could be used to shape improved strategies for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Brown
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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18
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Körber L, Schneider H, Fleischer N, Maier-Wohlfart S. No evidence for preferential X-chromosome inactivation as the main cause of divergent phenotypes in sisters with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:98. [PMID: 33622384 PMCID: PMC7901220 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01735-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), a rare genetic disorder, affects the normal development of ectodermal derivatives, such as hair, skin, teeth, and sweat glands. It is caused by pathogenic variants of the gene EDA and defined by a triad of hypotrichosis, hypo- or anodontia, and hypo- or anhidrosis which may lead to life-threatening hyperthermia. Although female carriers are less severely affected than male patients, they display symptoms, too, with high phenotypic variability. This study aimed to elucidate whether phenotypic differences in female XLHED patients with identical EDA genotypes might be explained by deviating X-chromosome inactivation (XI) patterns. METHODS Six families, each consisting of two sisters with the same EDA variant and their parents (with either mother or father being carrier of the variant), participated in this study. XLHED-related data like sweating ability, dental status, facial dysmorphism, and skin issues were assessed. We determined the women`s individual XI patterns in peripheral blood leukocytes by the human androgen receptor assay and collated the results with phenotypic features. RESULTS The surprisingly large inter- and intrafamilial variability of symptoms in affected females was not explicable by the pathogenic variants. Our cohort showed no higher rate of nonrandom XI in peripheral blood leukocytes than the general female population. Furthermore, skewed XI patterns in favour of the mutated alleles were not associated with more severe phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence for preferential XI in female XLHED patients and no distinct correlation between XLHED-related phenotypic features and XI patterns. Phenotypic variability seems to be evoked by other genetic or epigenetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Körber
- Center for Ectodermal Dysplasias and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holm Schneider
- Center for Ectodermal Dysplasias and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Sigrun Maier-Wohlfart
- Center for Ectodermal Dysplasias and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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19
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Balaton BP, Fornes O, Wasserman WW, Brown CJ. Cross-species examination of X-chromosome inactivation highlights domains of escape from silencing. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:12. [PMID: 33597016 PMCID: PMC7890635 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-021-00386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in eutherian mammals is the epigenetic inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes in XX females in order to compensate for dosage differences with XY males. Not all genes are inactivated, and the proportion escaping from inactivation varies between human and mouse (the two species that have been extensively studied). Results We used DNA methylation to predict the XCI status of X-linked genes with CpG islands across 12 different species: human, chimp, bonobo, gorilla, orangutan, mouse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, horse and dog. We determined the XCI status of 342 CpG islands on average per species, with most species having 80–90% of genes subject to XCI. Mouse was an outlier, with a higher proportion of genes subject to XCI than found in other species. Sixteen genes were found to have discordant X-chromosome inactivation statuses across multiple species, with five of these showing primate-specific escape from XCI. These discordant genes tended to cluster together within the X chromosome, along with genes with similar patterns of escape from XCI. CTCF-binding, ATAC-seq signal and LTR repeats were enriched at genes escaping XCI when compared to genes subject to XCI; however, enrichment was only observed in three or four of the species tested. LINE and DNA repeats showed enrichment around subject genes, but again not in a consistent subset of species. Conclusions In this study, we determined XCI status across 12 species, showing mouse to be an outlier with few genes that escape inactivation. Inactivation status is largely conserved across species. The clustering of genes that change XCI status across species implicates a domain-level control. In contrast, the relatively consistent, but not universal correlation of inactivation status with enrichment of repetitive elements or CTCF binding at promoters demonstrates gene-based influences on inactivation state. This study broadens enrichment analysis of regulatory elements to species beyond human and mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley P Balaton
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Oriol Fornes
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Wyeth W Wasserman
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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20
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Ramirez JM, Karlen-Amarante M, Wang JDJ, Bush NE, Carroll MS, Weese-Mayer DE, Huff A. The Pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome With a Focus on Breathing Dysfunctions. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:375-390. [PMID: 33052774 PMCID: PMC7864239 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00008.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-chromosome-linked neurological disorder, is characterized by serious pathophysiology, including breathing and feeding dysfunctions, and alteration of cardiorespiratory coupling, a consequence of multiple interrelated disturbances in the genetic and homeostatic regulation of central and peripheral neuronal networks, redox state, and control of inflammation. Characteristic breath-holds, obstructive sleep apnea, and aerophagia result in intermittent hypoxia, which, combined with mitochondrial dysfunction, causes oxidative stress-an important driver of the clinical presentation of RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marlusa Karlen-Amarante
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jia-Der Ju Wang
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicholas E Bush
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael S Carroll
- Data Analytics and Reporting, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Debra E Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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21
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Tang BL. RAB39B's role in membrane traffic, autophagy, and associated neuropathology. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:1579-1592. [PMID: 32761840 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathological disorders are increasingly associated with dysfunctions in neuronal membrane traffic and autophagy, with defects among members of the Rab family of small GTPases implicated. Mutations in the human Xq28 localized gene RAB39B have been associated with X-linked neurodevelopmental defects including macrocephaly, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as rare cases of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the finding that RAB39B regulates GluA2 trafficking and could thus influence synaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit composition, reasons for the wide-ranging neuropathological consequences associated with RAB39B defects have been unclear. Recent studies have now unraveled possible mechanisms underlying the neuropathological roles of this brain-enriched small GTPase. Studies in RAB39B knockout mice showed that RAB39B interacts with components of Class I phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. In its absence, the PI3K-AKT-mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is hyperactivated, which promotes NPC proliferation, leading to macrocephaly and ASD. Pertaining to early-onset PD, a complex of C9orf72, Smith-Magenis syndrome chromosome region candidate 8 and WD repeat domain 41 that functions in autophagy has been identified as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor of RAB39B. Here, recent findings that have shed light on our mechanistic understanding of RAB39B's role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative pathologies are reviewed. Caveats and unanswered questions are also discussed, and future perspectives outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Luen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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22
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Ultra-Deep DNA Methylation Analysis of X-Linked Genes: GLA and AR as Model Genes. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060620. [PMID: 32512878 PMCID: PMC7349208 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recessive X-linked disorders may occasionally evolve in clinical manifestations of variable severity also in female carriers. For some of such diseases, the frequency of the symptoms’ appearance during women’s life may be particularly relevant. This phenomenon has been largely attributed to the potential skewness of the X-inactivation process leading to variable phenotypes. Nonetheless, in many cases, no correlation with X-inactivation unbalance was demonstrated. However, methods for analyzing skewness have been mainly limited to Human Androgen Receptor methylation analysis (HUMARA). Recently, the X-inactivation process has been largely revisited, highlighting the heterogeneity existing among loci in the epigenetic state within inactive and, possibly, active X-chromosomes. We reasoned that gene-specific and ultra-deep DNA methylation analyses could greatly help to unravel details of the X-inactivation process and the roles of specific X genes inactivation in disease manifestations. We recently provided evidence that studying DNA methylation at specific autosomic loci at a single-molecule resolution (epiallele distribution analysis) allows one to analyze cell-to-cell methylation differences in a given cell population. We here apply the epiallele analysis at two X-linked loci to investigate whether females show allele-specific epiallelic patterns. Due to the high potential of this approach, the method allows us to obtain clearly distinct allele-specific epiallele profiles.
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23
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Navarro-Cobos MJ, Balaton BP, Brown CJ. Genes that escape from X-chromosome inactivation: Potential contributors to Klinefelter syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:226-238. [PMID: 32441398 PMCID: PMC7384012 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One of the two X chromosomes in females is epigenetically inactivated, thereby compensating for the dosage difference in X-linked genes between XX females and XY males. Not all X-linked genes are completely inactivated, however, with 12% of genes escaping X chromosome inactivation and another 15% of genes varying in their X chromosome inactivation status across individuals, tissues or cells. Expression of these genes from the second and otherwise inactive X chromosome may underlie sex differences between males and females, and feature in many of the symptoms of XXY Klinefelter males, who have both an inactive X and a Y chromosome. We review the approaches used to identify genes that escape from X-chromosome inactivation and discuss the nature of their sex-biased expression. These genes are enriched on the short arm of the X chromosome, and, in addition to genes in the pseudoautosomal regions, include genes with and without Y-chromosomal counterparts. We highlight candidate escape genes for some of the features of Klinefelter syndrome and discuss our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying silencing and escape on the X chromosome as well as additional differences between the X in males and females that may contribute to Klinefelter syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Navarro-Cobos
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bradley P Balaton
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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24
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Qin S, Predescu DN, Patel M, Drazkowski P, Ganesh B, Predescu SA. Sex differences in the proliferation of pulmonary artery endothelial cells: implications for plexiform arteriopathy. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/9/jcs237776. [PMID: 32409569 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.237776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex-biased disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by the proliferation and overgrowth of dysfunctional pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). During inflammation associated with PAH, granzyme B cleaves intersectin-1 to produce N-terminal (EHITSN) and C-terminal (SH3A-EITSN) protein fragments. In a murine model of PAH, EHITSN triggers plexiform arteriopathy via p38-ELK1-c-Fos signaling. The SH3A-EITSN fragment also influences signaling, having dominant-negative effects on ERK1 and ERK2 (also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1, respectively). Using PAECs engineered to express tagged versions of EHITSN and SH3A-EITSN, we demonstrate that the two ITSN fragments increase both p38-ELK1 activation and the ratio of p38 to ERK1 and ERK2 activity, leading to PAEC proliferation, with female cells being more responsive than male cells. Furthermore, expression of EHITSN substantially upregulates the expression and activity of the long non-coding RNA Xist in female PAECs, which in turn upregulates the X-linked gene ELK1 and represses expression of krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). These events are recapitulated by the PAECs of female idiopathic PAH patients, and may account for their proliferative phenotype. Thus, upregulation of Xist could be an important factor in explaining sexual dimorphism in the proliferative response of PAECs and the imbalanced sex ratio of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Qin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Dan N Predescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Monal Patel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patrick Drazkowski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Balaji Ganesh
- Division of Bioanalytics, Biophysics and Cytomics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sanda A Predescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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25
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Abstract
Female mammals express the long noncoding X inactivation-specific transcript ( Xist) RNA to initiate X chromosome inactivation (XCI) that eventually results in the formation of the Barr body. Xist encompasses half a dozen repeated sequence stretches containing motifs for RNA-binding proteins that recruit effector complexes with functions for silencing genes and establishing a repressive chromatin configuration. Functional characterization of these effector proteins unveils the cooperation of a number of pathways to repress genes on the inactive X chromosome. Mechanistic insights can be extended to other noncoding RNAs with similar structure and open avenues for the design of new therapies to switch off gene expression. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of Xist and on this basis try to synthesize a model for the initiation of XCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asun Monfort
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Hönggerberg, HPL E12, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anton Wutz
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Hönggerberg, HPL E12, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zurich, Switzerland
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26
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Ziats CA, Schwartz CE, Gecz J, Shaw M, Field MJ, Stevenson RE, Neri G. X-linked intellectual disability: Phenotypic expression in carrier females. Clin Genet 2019; 97:418-425. [PMID: 31705537 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To better understand the landscape of female phenotypic expression in X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), we surveyed the literature for female carriers of XLID gene alterations (n = 1098) and combined this with experience evaluating XLID kindreds at the Greenwood Genetic Center (n = 341) and at the University of Adelaide (n = 157). One-hundred forty-four XLID genes were grouped into nine categories based on the level of female phenotypic expression, ranging from no expression to female only expression. For each gene, the clinical presentation, gene expression in blood, X-inactivation (XI) pattern, biological pathway involved, and whether the gene escapes XI were noted. Among the XLID conditions, 88 (61.1%) exhibited female cognitive phenotypic expression only, while 56 (38.9%) had no female phenotypic expression (n = 45), phenotype expression with normal cognition in females (n = 8), or unknown status for female phenotypic expression (n = 3). In twenty-four (16.6%) XLID genes, XI was consistently skewed in female carriers, in 54 (37.5%) XI showed variable skewing, and in 33 (22.9%) XI was consistently random. The XI pattern was unknown in 33 (22.9%) XLID conditions. Therefore, there is evidence of a female carrier phenotype in the majority of XLID conditions although how exactly XI patterns influence the female phenotype in XLID conditions remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Ziats
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina
| | - Charles E Schwartz
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Marie Shaw
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Roger E Stevenson
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina
| | - Giovanni Neri
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina.,Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
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27
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Morcillo P, Qin Y, Peña G, Mosenthal AC, Livingston DH, Spolarics Z. Directional X Chromosome Skewing of White Blood Cells from Subjects with Heterozygous Mosaicism for the Variant IRAK1 Haplotype. Inflammation 2019; 43:370-381. [PMID: 31748848 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-019-01127-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Random X chromosome (ChrX) inactivation and consequent cellular mosaicism for the active ChrXs in white blood cells (WBCs) is unique to females and may contribute to sex-biased modulation of the innate immune response. Polymorphic differences between the two parental ChrXs may result in ChrX skewing of circulating WBCs (ChrX inactivation-ratio (XCI) > 3) driven by differences in stem cell selection and activity in the bone marrow or WBC trafficking at the periphery. Independent of the mechanism, ChrX skewing may result in genotype-phenotype discrepancies. This study aimed to develop an allele-specific assay and test its applicability in clinical samples to determine the "direction" of ChrX skewing in the variant IRAK1 haplotype, a common X-linked polymorphism with major clinical impacts. Because alternative splice variants of IRAK1 are also produced in the region surrounding the critical single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs1059703), we also tested the abundance of alternative splice variant IRAK1 transcripts. The expression of splice variants IRAK1-B and IRAK1-C was about 30 and 50% of the full-length (IRAK1-A) in WBCs from healthy subjects (n = 53). IRAK1-A, B, and C showed about 30% lower expression level in males (n = 25) than females (n = 28). By contrast, the expression levels of IRAK1-A, B, and C were not affected by the variant IRAK1 haplotype in either sex. Allele-specific primers generated WT and variant-IRAK1 amplicons with high selectivity, and on average produced about half the expression levels of each transcript in heterozygous IRAK1-mosaic females. Because injury was shown to induce de novo ChrX skewing of WBCs, we tested the directional XCI ratio changes in WBC in a sample of trauma patients heterozygous for the variant IRAK1 haplotype (n = 18). Using the allele-specific assay in combination with the DNA methylation status at the polymorphic HUMARA locus, we found that at admission, about 60% the patients presented XCI ratios skewed toward WBCs with active ChrXs carrying the variant-IRAK1 similar to healthy controls. De novo, trauma-induced XCI ratio changes showed increased extravasation of the more abundant mosaic WBC subset without reversal in the direction of ChrX skewing during the injury course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Morcillo
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Geber Peña
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Anne C Mosenthal
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - David H Livingston
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Zoltan Spolarics
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., MSB G-578, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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28
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Wang F, Guan H, Liu W, Zhao G, Liu S. Next-generation sequencing identifies a novel frameshift variant in FRMD7 in a Chinese family with idiopathic infantile nystagmus. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 34:e23012. [PMID: 31495972 PMCID: PMC6977136 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) is a high genetically heterogeneous ophthalmic disease and is often associated with pathogenic mutations in FRMD7 and GPR143, respectively. Idiopathic infantile nystagmus manifests as involuntary periodic rhythmic oscillation of the eyes in the very early life, which decreases visual acuity and affects the quality of life. Objective and Methods The aim of our study was to reveal a possible pathogenic variant through the investigation of a Chinese Han family with IIN with an implementation of a next‐generation sequencing method. Isolated DNA analysis was followed by Sanger sequencing validation. We also performed the detailed ophthalmological examination of family members. Results We identified a novel frameshift variant in FRMD7 (NM_194277.2: c.1419_1422dup, p.Tyr475fs), which leads to a frameshift mutation since tyrosine (Tyr) at 475 codon of FRMD7 protein (p.Tyr475fs) and co‐segregates with IIN phenotype in this family. Conclusions We found a novel frameshift FRMD7 variant in a Chinese Han family, which may be causative variant for IIN and can further enrich the mutation spectrum and uncover the etiology of IIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqi Wang
- Medical Genetic Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongzai Guan
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenmiao Liu
- Medical Genetic Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Guiqiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shiguo Liu
- Medical Genetic Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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29
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Xu J, Wang L, Liu X, Dai Q. A novel LAMP2 p.G93R mutation associated with mild Danon disease presenting with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e00941. [PMID: 31464081 PMCID: PMC6785429 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Danon disease (DD) is an X-linked dominant multisystem disorder that is associated with cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, and varying degrees of intellectual disability. It results from mutations in the lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) gene. METHODS Herein, a proband with a mild DD case presenting with a familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) phenotype and additional family members were evaluated. Exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to explore the genetic basis of DD in the proband. Segregation, in silico, and functional analyses were carried out to explore potential pathogenicity in the candidate mutation. RESULTS Exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified one novel missense mutation (p.G93R) in the LAMP2 gene in the proband, and this mutation was also identified in three other family members. In silico analysis of LAMP2 predicted that the mutation causes a conformational change and subsequent protein destabilization. Furthermore, functional examination showed that mutation carriers have a significant reduction in LAMP2 expression, which supports that the mutation is pathogenic. Moreover, skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) was identified in one female mutation carrier, thus suggesting that skewed XCI may be the reason why this individual escaped the pathogenic influence of the mutation. CONCLUSION These findings will aid in diagnosing DD patients carrying this LAMP2 mutation that presents with a HCM phenotype. Furthermore, this study illustrates the importance of utilizing a molecular diagnostic approach in HCM patients and is the first study to report a LAMP2 p.G93R mutation associated with mild DD and identify that XCI serves a protective role in DD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, ZhongDa Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, P. R. China.,Institute of Life Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Institute of Life Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xiangdong Liu
- Institute of Life Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Qiming Dai
- Department of Cardiology, ZhongDa Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, P. R. China
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Xiol C, Vidal S, Pascual-Alonso A, Blasco L, Brandi N, Pacheco P, Gerotina E, O'Callaghan M, Pineda M, Armstrong J. X chromosome inactivation does not necessarily determine the severity of the phenotype in Rett syndrome patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11983. [PMID: 31427717 PMCID: PMC6700087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48385-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurological disorder usually caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Since the MECP2 gene is located on the X chromosome, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) could play a role in the wide range of phenotypic variation of RTT patients; however, classical methylation-based protocols to evaluate XCI could not determine whether the preferentially inactivated X chromosome carried the mutant or the wild-type allele. Therefore, we developed an allele-specific methylation-based assay to evaluate methylation at the loci of several recurrent MECP2 mutations. We analyzed the XCI patterns in the blood of 174 RTT patients, but we did not find a clear correlation between XCI and the clinical presentation. We also compared XCI in blood and brain cortex samples of two patients and found differences between XCI patterns in these tissues. However, RTT mainly being a neurological disease complicates the establishment of a correlation between the XCI in blood and the clinical presentation of the patients. Furthermore, we analyzed MECP2 transcript levels and found differences from the expected levels according to XCI. Many factors other than XCI could affect the RTT phenotype, which in combination could influence the clinical presentation of RTT patients to a greater extent than slight variations in the XCI pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Xiol
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Vidal
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Pascual-Alonso
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Blasco
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Brandi
- Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Pacheco
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edgar Gerotina
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar O'Callaghan
- Neurology Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pineda
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Armstrong
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Treating Rett syndrome: from mouse models to human therapies. Mamm Genome 2019; 30:90-110. [PMID: 30820643 PMCID: PMC6606665 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rare diseases are very difficult to study mechanistically and to develop therapies for because of the scarcity of patients. Here, the rare neuro-metabolic disorder Rett syndrome (RTT) is discussed as a prototype for precision medicine, demonstrating how mouse models have led to an understanding of the development of symptoms. RTT is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Mecp2-mutant mice are being used in preclinical studies that target the MECP2 gene directly, or its downstream pathways. Importantly, this work may improve the health of RTT patients. Clinical presentation may vary widely among individuals based on their mutation, but also because of the degree of X chromosome inactivation and the presence of modifier genes. Because it is a complex disorder involving many organ systems, it is likely that recovery of RTT patients will involve a combination of treatments. Precision medicine is warranted to provide the best efficacy to individually treat RTT patients.
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Santiwatana S, Mahachoklertwattana P, Limwongse C, Khlairit P, Pongratanakul S, Roothumnong E, Prangphan K, Choubtum L, Songdej D, Poomthavorn P. Skewed X chromosome inactivation in girls and female adolescents with autoimmune thyroid disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2018; 89:863-869. [PMID: 30229980 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) was associated with female predominance in adult autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). In normal females, skewed XCI is increased with age. Whether early-onset skewed XCI is associated with childhood ATD remains unknown. This study aimed to determine XCI skewing in paediatric ATD. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Ninety-one female ATD patients, aged 3-20 years and 57 age-matched, female controls were enrolled. XCI was analysed by enzymatic digestion of DNA with methylation-sensitive enzymes followed by PCR of the polymorphic CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene. Skewed XCI was defined as having 80% or greater of the cells preferentially inactivated on the same X chromosome. XCI pattern of the enrolled patients and parental origin of the skewed XCI were determined. RESULTS After exclusion of samples with homozygous CAG repeats, skewed XCI was analysed in 83 patients (57 Graves' disease and 26 Hashimoto thyroiditis) and 52 controls. There was an increased frequency of skewed XCI in ATD patients as compared with the controls (23% vs 8%, P = 0.022). Patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis had greater frequency of skewed XCI than patients with Graves' disease (38% vs 16%, P = 0.023). There were no differences in clinical parameters between patients with skewed and random XCI. Analysis of 7 patients with skewed XCI showed a preferential inactivation of paternal X chromosome in 6 patients (86%). CONCLUSIONS Frequency of skewed XCI was increased in childhood ATD. This observation suggests a possible association of skewed XCI in the development of paediatric ATD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suttikarn Santiwatana
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pat Mahachoklertwattana
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanin Limwongse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Khlairit
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sarunyu Pongratanakul
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ekkapong Roothumnong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanjana Prangphan
- Division of Medical Genetics Research and Laboratory, Siriraj Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lulin Choubtum
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duantida Songdej
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Preamrudee Poomthavorn
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Shenoda BB, Tian Y, Alexander GM, Aradillas-Lopez E, Schwartzman RJ, Ajit SK. miR-34a-mediated regulation of XIST in female cells under inflammation. J Pain Res 2018; 11:935-945. [PMID: 29773953 PMCID: PMC5947841 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s159458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence is overwhelming for sex differences in pain, with women representing the majority of the chronic pain patient population. There is a need to explore novel avenues to elucidate this sex bias in the development of chronic inflammatory pain conditions. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder, and the incidence of CRPS is greater in women than in men by ~4:1. Since neurogenic inflammation is a key feature of CRPS, dysregulation of inflammatory responses can be a factor in predisposing women to chronic pain. Methods Our studies investigating alterations in circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in whole blood from female CRPS patients showed significant differential expression of miRNAs between responders and poor responders to ketamine treatment. Several of these miRNAs are predicted to target the long noncoding RNA, X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST). XIST mediates X-chromosome inactivation and is essential for equalizing the expression of X-linked genes between females and males. Based on the well-established role in inflammatory process, we focused on miR-34a, one of the miRNAs predicted to target XIST, and downregulated in CRPS patients responding poorly to ketamine. Results Our in vitro and in vivo models of acute inflammation and data from patients with CRPS showed that miR-34a can regulate XIST under inflammation directly, and through pro-inflammatory transcription factor Yin-Yang 1 (YY1). XIST was significantly upregulated in a subset of CRPS patients responding poorly to ketamine. Conclusion Since dysregulation of XIST can result in genes escaping inactivation or reactivation in female cells, further investigations on the role of XIST in the predominance of chronic inflammatory and pain disorders in women is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botros B Shenoda
- Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuzhen Tian
- Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Enrique Aradillas-Lopez
- Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Vincera Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Seena K Ajit
- Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Involvement of X-chromosome Reactivation in Augmenting Cancer Testis Antigens Expression: A Hypothesis. Curr Med Sci 2018; 38:19-25. [PMID: 30074147 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-018-1842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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The Role of Noncoding RNAs in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Case of Rett Syndrome. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 978:23-37. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53889-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Cerase A. X chromosome inactivation: The importance of being inactive. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 56:1-2. [PMID: 27431781 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cerase
- EMBL-Monterotondo, Via Ramarini 32, Monterotondo, Italy.
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Della Ragione F, Vacca M, Fioriniello S, Pepe G, D'Esposito M. MECP2, a multi-talented modulator of chromatin architecture. Brief Funct Genomics 2016; 15:420-431. [PMID: 27296483 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elw023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been a long trip from 1992, the year of the discovery of MECP2, to the present day. What is surprising is that some of the pivotal roles of MeCP2 were already postulated at that time, such as repression of inappropriate expression from repetitive elements and the regulation of pericentric heterochromatin condensation. However, MeCP2 performs many more functions. MeCP2 is a reader of epigenetic information contained in methylated (and hydroxymethylated) DNA, moving from the 'classical' CpG doublet to the more complex view addressed by the non-CpG methylation, which is a feature of the postnatal brain. MECP2 is a transcriptional repressor, although when it forms complexes with the appropriate molecules, it can become a transcriptional activator. For all of these aspects, Rett syndrome, which is caused by MECP2 mutations, is considered a paradigmatic example of a 'chromatin disorder'. Even if the hunt for bona-fide MECP2 target genes is far from concluded today, the role of MeCP2 in the maintenance of chromatin architecture appears to be clearly established. Taking a cue from the non-scientific literature, we can firmly attest that MeCP2 is a player with 'a great future behind it'*.*V. Gassmann 'Un grande avvenire dietro le spalle'. TEA Eds.
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