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Mušálková D, Přistoupilová A, Jedličková I, Hartmannová H, Trešlová H, Nosková L, Hodaňová K, Bittmanová P, Stránecký V, Jiřička V, Langmajerová M, Woodbury‐Smith M, Zarrei M, Trost B, Scherer SW, Bleyer AJ, Vevera J, Kmoch S. Increased burden of rare protein-truncating variants in constrained, brain-specific and synaptic genes in extremely impulsively violent males with antisocial personality disorder. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 23:e12882. [PMID: 38359179 PMCID: PMC10869132 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The genetic correlates of extreme impulsive violence are poorly understood, and there have been few studies that have characterized a large group of affected individuals both clinically and genetically. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 290 males with the life-course-persistent, extremely impulsively violent form of antisocial personality disorder (APD) and analyzed the spectrum of rare protein-truncating variants (rPTVs). Comparisons were made with 314 male controls and publicly available genotype data. Functional annotation tools were used for biological interpretation. Participants were significantly more likely to harbor rPTVs in genes that are intolerant to loss-of-function variants (odds ratio [OR] 2.06; p < 0.001), specifically expressed in brain (OR 2.80; p = 0.036) and enriched for those involved in neurotransmitter transport and synaptic processes. In 60 individuals (20%), we identified rPTVs that we classified as clinically relevant based on their clinical associations, biological function and gene expression patterns. Of these, 37 individuals harbored rPTVs in 23 genes that are associated with a monogenic neurological disorder, and 23 individuals harbored rPTVs in 20 genes reportedly intolerant to loss-of-function variants. The analysis presents evidence in support of a model where presence of either one or several private, functionally relevant mutations contribute significantly to individual risk of life-course-persistent APD and reveals multiple individuals who could be affected by clinically unrecognized neuropsychiatric Mendelian disease. Thus, Mendelian diseases and increased rPTV burden may represent important factors for the development of extremely impulsive violent life-course-persistent forms of APD irrespective of their clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dita Mušálková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Anna Přistoupilová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Ivana Jedličková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Hana Hartmannová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Helena Trešlová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Lenka Nosková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Kateřina Hodaňová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Petra Bittmanová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Viktor Stránecký
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Václav Jiřička
- Department of PsychologyPrison Service of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Michaela Langmajerová
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Marc Woodbury‐Smith
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Brett Trost
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Molecular Genetics and McLaughlin CentreUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Anthony J. Bleyer
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
- Section on Nephrology, Wake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jan Vevera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity Hospital PilsenPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Stanislav Kmoch
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
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Serrano-Juárez CA, Prieto-Corona B, Rodríguez-Camacho M, Sandoval-Lira L, Villalva-Sánchez ÁF, Yáñez-Téllez MG, López MFR. Neuropsychological Genotype-Phenotype in Patients with Williams Syndrome with Atypical Deletions: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2023; 33:891-911. [PMID: 36520254 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09571-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion in the q11.23 region of chromosome 7. Recent case series reports and clinical case studies have suggested that the cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social profile in WS could depend on the genes involved in the deletion. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesize the variability of the cognitive and behavioral profile of WS with atypical deletion and its probable relationship with the affected genes. The medical subject headings searched were "Williams syndrome," "genotype," "phenotype," "cognitive profile," and "atypical deletion." The studies included were in English or Spanish, with children and adults, and published between January 2000 and October 2022. Twenty-three studies are reported. The characteristics of the participants, the genes involved, the neuropsychological domains and instruments, and the prevalence of the WS cognitive profile criteria were used for the genotype-phenotype analysis. The genes with a major impact on the cognitive profile of WS were (a) LIMK1 and those belonging to the GTF2I family, the former with a greater influence on visuospatial abilities; (b) GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I, which have an impact on intellectual capacity as well as on visuospatial and social skills; (c) FZD9, BAZ1B, STX1A, and CLIP2, which influence the cognitive profile if other genes are also effected; and (d) GTF2IRD2, which is related to the severity of the effect on visuospatial and social skills, producing a behavioral phenotype like that of the autism spectrum. The review revealed four neuropsychological phenotypes, depending on the genes involved, and established the need for more comprehensive study of the neuropsychological profile of these patients. Based on the results found, we propose a model for the investigation of and clinical approach to the WS neuropsychological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Serrano-Juárez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Belén Prieto-Corona
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México.
| | - Mario Rodríguez-Camacho
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Lucero Sandoval-Lira
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Ángel Fernando Villalva-Sánchez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Ma Guillermina Yáñez-Téllez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
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Ripoli C, Dagliyan O, Renna P, Pastore F, Paciello F, Sollazzo R, Rinaudo M, Battistoni M, Martini S, Tramutola A, Sattin A, Barone E, Saneyoshi T, Fellin T, Hayashi Y, Grassi C. Engineering memory with an extrinsically disordered kinase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh1110. [PMID: 37967196 PMCID: PMC10651130 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in memory formation by regulating the communication between neurons. Although actin polymerization has been linked to synaptic plasticity and dendritic spine stability, the causal link between actin polymerization and memory encoding has not been identified yet. It is not clear whether actin polymerization and structural changes in dendritic spines are a driver or a consequence of learning and memory. Using an extrinsically disordered form of the protein kinase LIMK1, which rapidly and precisely acts on ADF/cofilin, a direct modifier of actin, we induced long-term enlargement of dendritic spines and enhancement of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus on command. The activation of extrinsically disordered LIMK1 in vivo improved memory encoding and slowed cognitive decline in aged mice exhibiting reduced cofilin phosphorylation. The engineered memory by an extrinsically disordered LIMK1 supports a direct causal link between actin-mediated synaptic transmission and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ripoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Onur Dagliyan
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pietro Renna
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pastore
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiola Paciello
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Raimondo Sollazzo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rinaudo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Battistoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Martini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Tramutola
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sattin
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Eugenio Barone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Takeo Saneyoshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tommaso Fellin
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Huryn LA, Flaherty T, Nolen R, Prasov L, Zein WM, Cukras CA, Osgood S, Raja N, Levin MD, Vitale S, Brooks BP, Hufnagel RB, Kozel BA. Novel ophthalmic findings and deep phenotyping in Williams-Beuren syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol 2023; 107:1554-1559. [PMID: 35760456 PMCID: PMC10074447 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2022-321103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To characterise the ocular manifestations of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) and compare these to patients with isolated elastin mediated supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS). METHODS Fifty-seven patients with a diagnosis of WBS and five with SVAS underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation at the National Institutes of Health from 2017 to 2020, including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical biometry, dilated fundus examination, optical coherence tomography and colour fundus imaging. RESULTS Mean age of the 57 WBS patients was 20.3 years (range 3-60 years). Best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/400 with mean spherical equivalent near plano OU. Twenty-four eyes (21.8%) had an axial length (AL) less than 20.5 mm and 38 eyes (34.5%) had an AL measuring 20.5-22.0 mm. Stellate iris and retinal arteriolar tortuosity were noted in 30 (52.6%) and 51 (89.5%) WBS patients, respectively. Novel retinal findings in WBS included small hypopigmented retinal deposits (OD 29/57, OS 27/57) and broad foveal pit contour (OD 44/55, OS 42/51). Of the five patients with SVAS, none had stellate iris or broad foveal pit contour while 2/5 had retinal arteriolar tortuosity. CONCLUSION WBS is a complex multisystem genetic disorder with diverse ophthalmic findings that differ from those seen in isolated elastin mediated SVAS. These results suggest other genes within the WBS critical region, aside from ELN, may be involved in observed ocular phenotypes and perhaps broader ocular development. Furthermore, retinal arteriolar tortuosity may provide future insight into systemic vascular findings in WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laryssa A Huryn
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Taylor Flaherty
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rosalie Nolen
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lev Prasov
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W K Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Wadih M Zein
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine A Cukras
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sharon Osgood
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Neelam Raja
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark D Levin
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan Vitale
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian P Brooks
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert B Hufnagel
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Beth A Kozel
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Zhou F, Ouyang L, Li Q, Yang S, Liu S, Yu H, Jia Q, Rao S, Xie J, Du G, Feng C, Fan G. Hippocampal LIMK1-mediated Structural Synaptic Plasticity in Neurobehavioral Deficits Induced by a Low-dose Heavy Metal Mixture. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6029-6042. [PMID: 37407880 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03458-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Humans are commonly exposed to the representative neurotoxic heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). These three substances can be detected simultaneously in the blood of the general population. We have previously shown that a low-dose mixture of these heavy metals induces rat learning and memory impairment at human exposure levels, but the pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) plays a critical role in orchestrating synaptic plasticity during brain function and dysfunction. Hence, we investigated the role of LIMK1 activity in low-dose heavy metal mixture-induced neurobehavioral deficits and structural synaptic plasticity disorders. Our results showed that heavy metal mixture exposure altered rat fear responses and spatial learning at general population exposure levels and that these alterations were accompanied by downregulation of LIMK1 phosphorylation and structural synaptic plasticity dysfunction in rat hippocampal tissues and cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, upregulation of LIMK1 phosphorylation attenuated heavy metal mixture-induced structural synaptic plasticity, dendritic actin dynamics, and cofilin phosphorylation damage. The potent LIMK1 inhibitor BMS-5 yielded similar results induced by heavy metal mixture exposure and aggravated these impairments. Our findings demonstrate that LIMK1 plays a crucial role in neurobehavioral deficits induced by low-dose heavy metal mixture exposure by suppressing structural synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fankun Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lu Ouyang
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Sisi Liu
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Han Yu
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qiyue Jia
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shaoqi Rao
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jie Xie
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Guihua Du
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chang Feng
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China
| | - Guangqin Fan
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, BaYi Road 461, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China.
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, P.R. China.
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Strong E, Mervis CB, Tam E, Morris CA, Klein-Tasman BP, Velleman SL, Osborne LR. DNA methylation profiles in individuals with rare, atypical 7q11.23 CNVs correlate with GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 copy number. NPJ Genom Med 2023; 8:25. [PMID: 37709781 PMCID: PMC10502022 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-023-00368-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) and 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7) are rare neurodevelopmental disorders caused by deletion and duplication of a 1.5 Mb region that includes at least five genes with a known role in epigenetic regulation. We have shown that CNV of this chromosome segment causes dose-dependent, genome-wide changes in DNA methylation, but the specific genes driving these changes are unknown. We measured genome-wide whole blood DNA methylation in six participants with atypical CNV of 7q11.23 (three with deletions and three with duplications) using the Illumina HumanMethylation450k array and compared their profiles with those from groups of individuals with classic WBS or classic Dup7 and with typically developing (TD) controls. Across the top 1000 most variable positions we found that only the atypical rearrangements that changed the copy number of GTF2IRD1 and/or GTF2I (coding for the TFII-IRD1 and TFII-I proteins) clustered with their respective syndromic cohorts. This finding was supported by results from hierarchical clustering across a selection of differentially methylated CpGs, in addition to pyrosequencing validation. These findings suggest that CNV of the GTF2I genes at the telomeric end of the 7q11.23 interval is a key contributor to the large changes in DNA methylation that are seen in blood DNA from our WBS and Dup7 cohorts, compared to TD controls. Our findings suggest that members of the TFII-I protein family are involved in epigenetic processes that alter DNA methylation on a genome-wide level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Strong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carolyn B Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Elaine Tam
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Colleen A Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | | | - Shelley L Velleman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Lucy R Osborne
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Kippenhan JS, Gregory MD, Nash T, Kohn P, Mervis CB, Eisenberg DP, Garvey MH, Roe K, Morris CA, Kolachana B, Pani AM, Sorcher L, Berman KF. Dorsal visual stream and LIMK1: hemideletion, haplotype, and enduring effects in children with Williams syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:29. [PMID: 37633900 PMCID: PMC10464045 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09493-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams syndrome (WS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by hemizygous deletion of ~ 25 genes from chromosomal band 7q11.23, affords an exceptional opportunity to study associations between a well-delineated genetic abnormality and a well-characterized neurobehavioral profile. Clinically, WS is typified by increased social drive (often termed "hypersociability") and severe visuospatial construction deficits. Previous studies have linked visuospatial problems in WS with alterations in the dorsal visual processing stream. We investigated the impacts of hemideletion and haplotype variation of LIMK1, a gene hemideleted in WS and linked to neuronal maturation and migration, on the structure and function of the dorsal stream, specifically the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), a region known to be altered in adults with WS. METHODS We tested for IPS structural and functional changes using longitudinal MRI in a developing cohort of children with WS (76 visits from 33 participants, compared to 280 visits from 94 typically developing age- and sex-matched participants) over the age range of 5-22. We also performed MRI studies of 12 individuals with rare, shorter hemideletions at 7q11.23, all of which included LIMK1. Finally, we tested for effects of LIMK1 variation on IPS structure and imputed LIMK1 expression in two independent cohorts of healthy individuals from the general population. RESULTS IPS structural (p < 10-4 FDR corrected) and functional (p < .05 FDR corrected) anomalies previously reported in adults were confirmed in children with WS, and, consistent with an enduring genetic mechanism, were stable from early childhood into adulthood. In the short hemideletion cohort, IPS deficits similar to those in WS were found, although effect sizes were smaller than those found in WS for both structural and functional findings. Finally, in each of the two general population cohorts stratified by LIMK1 haplotype, IPS gray matter volume (pdiscovery < 0.05 SVC, preplication = 0.0015) and imputed LIMK1 expression (pdiscovery = 10-15, preplication = 10-23) varied according to LIMK1 haplotype. CONCLUSIONS This work offers insight into neurobiological and genetic mechanisms responsible for the WS phenotype and also more generally provides a striking example of the mechanisms by which genetic variation, acting by means of molecular effects on a neural intermediary, can influence human cognition and, in some cases, lead to neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shane Kippenhan
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Michael D Gregory
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tiffany Nash
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Philip Kohn
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Carolyn B Mervis
- Neurodevelopmental Sciences Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Daniel P Eisenberg
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Madeline H Garvey
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Katherine Roe
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Colleen A Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV, 89102, USA
| | - Bhaskar Kolachana
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ariel M Pani
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Leah Sorcher
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Karen F Berman
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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8
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Carlotto BS, Deconte D, Diniz BL, Silva PRD, Zen PRG, Silva AAD. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as an irreplaceable diagnostic tool for Williams-Beuren syndrome in developing countries: a literature review. REVISTA PAULISTA DE PEDIATRIA : ORGAO OFICIAL DA SOCIEDADE DE PEDIATRIA DE SAO PAULO 2023; 42:e2022125. [PMID: 37436242 DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2023/41/2022125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to sum up and characterize all Williams-Beuren syndrome cases diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) since its implementation, as well as to discuss FISH as a cost-effective methodology in developing countries. DATA SOURCE From January 1986 to January 2022, articles were selected using the databases in PubMed (Medline) and SciELO. The following terms were used: Williams syndrome and In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence. Inclusion criteria included Williams-Beuren syndrome cases diagnosed by FISH with a stratified phenotype of each patient. Only studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were included. Studies with overlapping syndromes or genetic conditions were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS After screening, 64 articles were included. A total of 205 individuals with Williams-Beuren syndrome diagnosed by FISH were included and further analyzed. Cardiovascular malformations were the most frequent finding (85.4%). Supravalvular aortic stenosis (62.4%) and pulmonary stenosis (30.7%) were the main cardiac alterations described. CONCLUSIONS Our literature review reinforces that cardiac features may be the key to early diagnosis in Williams-Beuren syndrome patients. In addition, FISH may be the best diagnostic tool for developing nations that have limited access to new technologic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Desirée Deconte
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Lixinski Diniz
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Ricardo Gazzola Zen
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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9
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Villalonga E, Mosrin C, Normand T, Girardin C, Serrano A, Žunar B, Doudeau M, Godin F, Bénédetti H, Vallée B. LIM Kinases, LIMK1 and LIMK2, Are Crucial Node Actors of the Cell Fate: Molecular to Pathological Features. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050805. [PMID: 36899941 PMCID: PMC10000741 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050805] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) and LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) are serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and the only two members of the LIM kinase family. They play a crucial role in the regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics by controlling actin filaments and microtubule turnover, especially through the phosphorylation of cofilin, an actin depolymerising factor. Thus, they are involved in many biological processes, such as cell cycle, cell migration, and neuronal differentiation. Consequently, they are also part of numerous pathological mechanisms, especially in cancer, where their involvement has been reported for a few years and has led to the development of a wide range of inhibitors. LIMK1 and LIMK2 are known to be part of the Rho family GTPase signal transduction pathways, but many more partners have been discovered over the decades, and both LIMKs are suspected to be part of an extended and various range of regulation pathways. In this review, we propose to consider the different molecular mechanisms involving LIM kinases and their associated signalling pathways, and to offer a better understanding of their variety of actions within the physiology and physiopathology of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Villalonga
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Christine Mosrin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Thierry Normand
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Caroline Girardin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Amandine Serrano
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Bojan Žunar
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Michel Doudeau
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Fabienne Godin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Hélène Bénédetti
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Béatrice Vallée
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)2-38-25-76-11
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10
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Trangle SS, Rosenberg T, Parnas H, Levy G, Bar E, Marco A, Barak B. In individuals with Williams syndrome, dysregulation of methylation in non-coding regions of neuronal and oligodendrocyte DNA is associated with pathology and cortical development. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1112-1127. [PMID: 36577841 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01921-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a heterozygous micro-deletion in the WS critical region (WSCR) and is characterized by hyper-sociability and neurocognitive abnormalities. Nonetheless, whether and to what extent WSCR deletion leads to epigenetic modifications in the brain and induces pathological outcomes remains largely unknown. By examining DNA methylation in frontal cortex, we revealed genome-wide disruption in the methylome of individuals with WS, as compared to typically developed (TD) controls. Surprisingly, differentially methylated sites were predominantly annotated as introns and intergenic loci and were found to be highly enriched around binding sites for transcription factors that regulate neuronal development, plasticity and cognition. Moreover, by utilizing enhancer-promoter interactome data, we confirmed that most of these loci function as active enhancers in the human brain or as target genes of transcriptional networks associated with myelination, oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation, cognition and social behavior. Cell type-specific methylation analysis revealed aberrant patterns in the methylation of active enhancers in neurons and OLs, and important neuron-glia interactions that might be impaired in individuals with WS. Finally, comparison of methylation profiles from blood samples of individuals with WS and healthy controls, along with other data collected in this study, identified putative targets of endophenotypes associated with WS, which can be used to define brain-risk loci for WS outside the WSCR locus, as well as for other associated pathologies. In conclusion, our study illuminates the brain methylome landscape of individuals with WS and sheds light on how these aberrations might be involved in social behavior and physiological abnormalities. By extension, these results may lead to better diagnostics and more refined therapeutic targets for WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Tali Rosenberg
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Hadar Parnas
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Gilad Levy
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.,The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Asaf Marco
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
| | - Boaz Barak
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel. .,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
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11
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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12
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Neurodevelopmental copy-number variants: A roadmap to improving outcomes by uniting patient advocates, researchers, and clinicians for collective impact. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1353-1365. [PMID: 35931048 PMCID: PMC9388383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Copy-number variants and structural variants (CNVs/SVs) drive many neurodevelopmental-related disorders. While many neurodevelopmental-related CNVs/SVs give rise to complex phenotypes, the overlap in phenotypic presentation between independent CNVs can be extensive and provides a motivation for shared approaches. This confluence at the level of clinical phenotype implies convergence in at least some aspects of the underlying genomic mechanisms. With this perspective, our Commission on Novel Technologies for Neurodevelopmental CNVs asserts that the time has arrived to approach neurodevelopmental-related CNVs/SVs as a class of disorders that can be identified, investigated, and treated on the basis of shared mechanisms and/or pathways (e.g., molecular, neurological, or developmental). To identify common etiologic mechanisms among uncommon neurodevelopmental-related disorders and to potentially identify common therapies, it is paramount for teams of scientists, clinicians, and patients to unite their efforts. We bring forward novel, collaborative, and integrative strategies to translational CNV/SV research that engages diverse stakeholders to help expedite therapeutic outcomes. We articulate a clear vision for piloted roadmap strategies to reduce patient/caregiver burden and redundancies, increase efficiency, avoid siloed data, and accelerate translational discovery across CNV/SV-based syndromes.
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13
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Alghobaishi A, Mousa AH, Almonaye HS, Maghrebi TK, Amin A, Al Sharif FA. A case report of interventricular hemorrhage in William-Beuren syndrome. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 80:104305. [PMID: 36045762 PMCID: PMC9422350 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Williams syndrome (WS) (also as known Williams-Beuren Syndrome) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion of chromosomes 7q11.23. WS phenotype is very variable but usually it is associated with a distinctive pattern of cognitive abilities. Case presentation 9-year-old female patient known case of developmental delay and precocious puberty presented to the emergency department with altered level of consciousness, elevated blood pressure of 230/160 with a provisional diagnosis of hypertensive encephalopathy. Conclusions In our patient, the strongest indications for establishing the diagnosis included the classic elfin face and multisystemic involvement. Later on genetic analysis confirmed our diagnosis. Williams syndrome (WS) (also known Williams-Beuren Syndrome) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion of chromosomes 7q11.23 We recommend further studies to investigate the complexity of cardiac and vascular manifestations associated with WS. Particular focus on the managment of the severe hypertension associated is recommended. In our patient, the strongest indications for establishing the diagnosis included the classic elfin face and multisystemic involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alghobaishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics Critical Care Medicine, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, Saudi German Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Hafez Mousa
- College of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, Saudi German Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Children's Health Center, Department of Pediatrics, International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author. College of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Haleema Sami Almonaye
- College of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, Saudi German Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tasneem Khalid Maghrebi
- College of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, Saudi German Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Amin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Pediatrics, Saudi German Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Viard J, Loe-Mie Y, Daudin R, Khelfaoui M, Plancon C, Boland A, Tejedor F, Huganir RL, Kim E, Kinoshita M, Liu G, Haucke V, Moncion T, Yu E, Hindie V, Bléhaut H, Mircher C, Herault Y, Deleuze JF, Rain JC, Simonneau M, Lepagnol-Bestel AM. Chr21 protein-protein interactions: enrichment in proteins involved in intellectual disability, autism, and late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202101205. [PMID: 35914814 PMCID: PMC9348576 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by human chromosome 21 (HSA21) trisomy. It is characterized by a poorly understood intellectual disability (ID). We studied two mouse models of DS, one with an extra copy of the <i>Dyrk1A</i> gene (189N3) and the other with an extra copy of the mouse Chr16 syntenic region (Dp(16)1Yey). RNA-seq analysis of the transcripts deregulated in the embryonic hippocampus revealed an enrichment in genes associated with chromatin for the 189N3 model, and synapses for the Dp(16)1Yey model. A large-scale yeast two-hybrid screen (82 different screens, including 72 HSA21 baits and 10 rebounds) of a human brain library containing at least 10<sup>7</sup> independent fragments identified 1,949 novel protein-protein interactions. The direct interactors of HSA21 baits and rebounds were significantly enriched in ID-related genes (<i>P</i>-value < 2.29 × 10<sup>-8</sup>). Proximity ligation assays showed that some of the proteins encoded by HSA21 were located at the dendritic spine postsynaptic density, in a protein network at the dendritic spine postsynapse. We located HSA21 DYRK1A and DSCAM, mutations of which increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 20-fold, in this postsynaptic network. We found that an intracellular domain of DSCAM bound either DLGs, which are multimeric scaffolds comprising receptors, ion channels and associated signaling proteins, or DYRK1A. The DYRK1A-DSCAM interaction domain is conserved in <i>Drosophila</i> and humans. The postsynaptic network was found to be enriched in proteins associated with ARC-related synaptic plasticity, ASD, and late-onset Alzheimer's disease. These results highlight links between DS and brain diseases with a complex genetic basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Viard
- Centre Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNG, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Evry, France
| | - Yann Loe-Mie
- Centre Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Daudin
- Centre Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France
| | - Malik Khelfaoui
- Centre Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France
| | - Christine Plancon
- Laboratoire de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNG, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Evry, France
| | - Anne Boland
- Laboratoire de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNG, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Evry, France
| | - Francisco Tejedor
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Miguel Hernández (CSIC-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernandez-Campus de San Juan, San Juan, Spain
| | - Richard L Huganir
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Makoto Kinoshita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Science, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Guofa Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Volker Haucke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Eugene Yu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Roswell Park Division of Graduate School, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yann Herault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- INSERM, U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS, GIE CERBM, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Jean-François Deleuze
- Laboratoire de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNG, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Evry, France
| | | | - Michel Simonneau
- Centre Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, INSERM U894, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, LuMIn, Gif sur Yvette, France
- Department of Biology, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France
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15
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Mariasina SS, Chang CF, Navalayeu TL, Chugunova AA, Efimov SV, Zgoda VG, Ivlev VA, Dontsova OA, Sergiev PV, Polshakov VI. Williams-Beuren Syndrome Related Methyltransferase WBSCR27: From Structure to Possible Function. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:865743. [PMID: 35782865 PMCID: PMC9240639 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.865743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a genetic disorder associated with the hemizygous deletion of several genes in chromosome 7, encoding 26 proteins. Malfunction of these proteins induce multisystemic failure in an organism. While biological functions of most proteins are more or less established, the one of methyltransferase WBSCR27 remains elusive. To find the substrate of methylation catalyzed by WBSCR27 we constructed mouse cell lines with a Wbscr27 gene knockout and studied the obtained cells using several molecular biology and mass spectrometry techniques. We attempted to pinpoint the methylation target among the RNAs and proteins, but in all cases neither a direct substrate has been identified nor the protein partners have been detected. To reveal the nature of the putative methylation substrate we determined the solution structure and studied the conformational dynamic properties of WBSCR27 in apo state and in complex with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH). The protein core was found to form a canonical Rossman fold common for Class I methyltransferases. N-terminus of the protein and the β6–β7 loop were disordered in apo-form, but binding of SAH induced the transition of these fragments to a well-formed substrate binding site. Analyzing the structure of this binding site allows us to suggest potential substrates of WBSCR27 methylation to be probed in further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia S. Mariasina
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Functional Genomics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Chi-Fon Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Sergey V. Efimov
- NMR Laboratory, Institute of Physics, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | | | | | - Olga A. Dontsova
- Chemical Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Petr V. Sergiev
- Institute of Functional Genomics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Chemical Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir I. Polshakov
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Vladimir I. Polshakov,
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16
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Alfieri P, Scibelli F, Montanaro FAM, Caciolo C, Bergonzini P, Dentici ML, Vicari S. A Comparison of Adaptive Functioning Between Children With Duplication 7 Syndrome and Williams-Beuren Syndrome: A Pilot Investigation. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:863909. [PMID: 35599769 PMCID: PMC9120542 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.863909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial deletions of 7q11.23 cause the well-known Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS), while duplication of the same region leads to duplication 7 syndrome (Dup7). Children with WBS share a distinct neurobehavioral phenotype including mild to severe intellectual disability, severely impaired visual spatial abilities, relatively preserved verbal expressive skills, anxiety problems, enhanced social motivation (i.e., hypersociable behaviors) and socio-communicative problems. Children with Dup7 syndrome exhibit some "inverted" features when compared to those of individuals with WBS, such as reduced social motivation and impairment of expressive language. Direct comparison of WBS and Dup7 represents a unique opportunity for the neurobehavioral characterization of the 7q11.23 section. However, most of the available data come from qualitative analysis between different studies. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies directly comparing features of two matched samples of individuals with WBS and Dup7 syndromes. In this pilot study, we compare the adaptive functioning - measured with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition - of two relatively small samples of children with molecularly confirmed diagnosis of WBS and Dup7 matched for IQ and chronological age, with a particular attention to socialization domain and expressive subdomain. Contrary to our assumption, we have not found any significant difference on socialization domain and expressive subdomains. This pilot investigation suggests that, when matched for chronological age and cognitive level, children with WBS and Dup7 share more similarities than expected. The inverted features that emerge in clinical settings on expressive language and social motivation seem not to differently interfere with the daily abilities to communicate and socialize with meaningful others during daily lives. Differences highlighted by previous undirected comparisons could be due to general and non-specific factors such as cognitive level, which is more severely impaired in individuals with WBS than Dup7. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Alfieri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Scibelli
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Caciolo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bergonzini
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Lisa Dentici
- Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Riabilitazione Casa San Giuseppe, Opera Don Guanella, Rome, Italy
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17
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Ribba AS, Fraboulet S, Sadoul K, Lafanechère L. The Role of LIM Kinases during Development: A Lens to Get a Glimpse of Their Implication in Pathologies. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030403. [PMID: 35159213 PMCID: PMC8834001 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The organization of cell populations within animal tissues is essential for the morphogenesis of organs during development. Cells recognize three-dimensional positions with respect to the whole organism and regulate their cell shape, motility, migration, polarization, growth, differentiation, gene expression and cell death according to extracellular signals. Remodeling of the actin filaments is essential to achieve these cell morphological changes. Cofilin is an important binding protein for these filaments; it increases their elasticity in terms of flexion and torsion and also severs them. The activity of cofilin is spatiotemporally inhibited via phosphorylation by the LIM domain kinases 1 and 2 (LIMK1 and LIMK2). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the phospho-regulation of cofilin has evolved as a mechanism controlling the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton during complex multicellular processes, such as those that occur during embryogenesis. In this context, the main objective of this review is to provide an update of the respective role of each of the LIM kinases during embryonic development.
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18
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Gorvin CM. Genetic causes of neonatal and infantile hypercalcaemia. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:289-301. [PMID: 33990852 PMCID: PMC8816529 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05082-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The causes of hypercalcaemia in the neonate and infant are varied, and often distinct from those in older children and adults. Hypercalcaemia presents clinically with a range of symptoms including failure to thrive, poor feeding, constipation, polyuria, irritability, lethargy, seizures and hypotonia. When hypercalcaemia is suspected, an accurate diagnosis will require an evaluation of potential causes (e.g. family history) and assessment for physical features (such as dysmorphology, or subcutaneous fat deposits), as well as biochemical measurements, including total and ionised serum calcium, serum phosphate, creatinine and albumin, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D metabolites and urinary calcium, phosphate and creatinine. The causes of neonatal hypercalcaemia can be classified into high or low PTH disorders. Disorders associated with high serum PTH include neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia and Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. Conditions associated with low serum PTH include idiopathic infantile hypercalcaemia, Williams-Beuren syndrome and inborn errors of metabolism, including hypophosphatasia. Maternal hypocalcaemia and dietary factors and several rare endocrine disorders can also influence neonatal serum calcium levels. This review will focus on the common causes of hypercalcaemia in neonates and young infants, considering maternal, dietary, and genetic causes of calcium dysregulation. The clinical presentation and treatment of patients with these disorders will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Gorvin
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research and Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK ,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
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19
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LIM-Kinases in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Brain Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082079. [PMID: 34440848 PMCID: PMC8391678 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory require structural and functional modifications of synaptic connections, and synaptic deficits are believed to underlie many brain disorders. The LIM-domain-containing protein kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton by affecting the actin-binding protein, cofilin. In addition, LIMK1 is implicated in the regulation of gene expression by interacting with the cAMP-response element-binding protein. Accumulating evidence indicates that LIMKs are critically involved in brain function and dysfunction. In this paper, we will review studies on the roles and underlying mechanisms of LIMKs in the regulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), the most extensively studied forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity widely regarded as cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. We will also discuss the involvement of LIMKs in the regulation of the dendritic spine, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. Finally, we will discuss recent progress on investigations of LIMKs in neurological and mental disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Williams–Beuren syndrome, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.
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20
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Moll H, Pueschel E, Ni Q, Little A. Sharing Experiences in Infancy: From Primary Intersubjectivity to Shared Intentionality. Front Psychol 2021; 12:667679. [PMID: 34335379 PMCID: PMC8316826 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We contrast two theses that make different assumptions about the developmental onset of human-unique sociality. The primary intersubjectivity thesis (PIT) argues that humans relate to each other in distinct ways from the beginning of life, as is shown by newborns' participation in face-to-face encounters or "primary intersubjectivity." According to this thesis, humans' innate relational capacity is the seedbed from which all subsequent social-emotional and social-cognitive developments continuously emerge. The shared intentionality thesis (SIT) states that human-unique forms of interaction develop at 9-12 months of age, when infants put their heads together with others in acts of object-focused joint attention and simple collaborative activities. According to this thesis, human-unique cognition emerges rapidly with the advent of mind-reading capacities that evolved specifically for the purpose of coordination. In this paper, we first contrast the two theses and then sketch the outlines of an account that unifies their strengths. This unified account endorses the PIT's recognition of the fundamental importance of primary intersubjectivity. Any act of sharing experiences is founded on the communicative capacity that is already displayed by young infants in primary intersubjectivity. At the same time, we question the PIT's interpretation that dyadic encounters have the triadic structure of joint attention. Lastly, we draw on empirical work on the development of joint attention, imitation, and social referencing that serves as evidence that primary intersubjectivity continuously unfolds into the capacity for triadic joint attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrike Moll
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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21
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Kozel BA, Barak B, Ae Kim C, Mervis CB, Osborne LR, Porter M, Pober BR. Williams syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021; 7:42. [PMID: 34140529 PMCID: PMC9437774 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-021-00276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare microdeletion disorder that occurs in as many as 1:7,500 individuals. WS arises due to the mispairing of low-copy DNA repetitive elements at meiosis. The deletion size is similar across most individuals with WS and leads to the loss of one copy of 25-27 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. The resulting unique disorder affects multiple systems, with cardinal features including but not limited to cardiovascular disease (characteristically stenosis of the great arteries and most notably supravalvar aortic stenosis), a distinctive craniofacial appearance, and a specific cognitive and behavioural profile that includes intellectual disability and hypersociability. Genotype-phenotype evidence is strongest for ELN, the gene encoding elastin, which is responsible for the vascular and connective tissue features of WS, and for the transcription factor genes GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, which are known to affect intellectual ability, social functioning and anxiety. Mounting evidence also ascribes phenotypic consequences to the deletion of BAZ1B, LIMK1, STX1A and MLXIPL, but more work is needed to understand the mechanism by which these deletions contribute to clinical outcomes. The age of diagnosis has fallen in regions of the world where technological advances, such as chromosomal microarray, enable clinicians to make the diagnosis of WS without formally suspecting it, allowing earlier intervention by medical and developmental specialists. Phenotypic variability is considerable for all cardinal features of WS but the specific sources of this variability remain unknown. Further investigation to identify the factors responsible for these differences may lead to mechanism-based rather than symptom-based therapies and should therefore be a high research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A. Kozel
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience and The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chong Ae Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolyn B. Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA
| | - Lucy R. Osborne
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Porter
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barbara R. Pober
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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22
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Adu-Nti F, Gao X, Wu JM, Li J, Iqbal J, Ahmad R, Ma XM. Osthole Ameliorates Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Female Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:641909. [PMID: 34025413 PMCID: PMC8134730 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.641909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of endogenous estrogen and dysregulation of the estrogen receptor signaling pathways are associated with an increase in risk for cognitive deficit and depression in women after menopause. Estrogen therapy for menopause increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and stroke. Therefore, it is critical to find an alternate treatment for menopausal women. Osthole (OST), a coumarin, has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. This study examined whether OST improves ovariectomy (OVX)-induced cognitive impairment, and alleviates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX in mice. Adult female C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized and then treated with OST at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, behavioral tests were used to evaluate spatial learning and memory, recognition memory, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. A cohort of the mice were sacrificed after 14 days of OST treatment and their hippocampi were collected for measurement of the proteins of interest using western blot. OVX-induced alteration in the levels of proteins was accompanied by cognitive deficit, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. OST treatment improved cognitive deficit, alleviated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX, and reversed OVX-induced alterations in the levels of synaptic proteins and ERα, BDNF, TrKB, p-CREB, p-Akt and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Therefore, reversal of OVX-induced decrease in the levels of hippocampal proteins by OST might contribute to the effects of OST on improving cognitive deficit and alleviating anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Adu-Nti
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jia-Min Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Riaz Ahmad
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
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23
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Dai L, Weiss RB, Dunn DM, Ramirez A, Paul S, Korenberg JR. Core transcriptional networks in Williams syndrome: IGF1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR, MAPK and actin signaling at the synapse echo autism. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:411-429. [PMID: 33564861 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene networks for disorders of social behavior provide the mechanisms critical for identifying therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Large behavioral phenotypic effects of small human deletions make the positive sociality of Williams syndrome (WS) ideal for determining transcriptional networks for social dysfunction currently based on DNA variations for disorders such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCHZ). Consensus on WS networks has been elusive due to the need for larger cohort size, sensitive genome-wide detection and analytic tools. We report a core set of WS network perturbations in a cohort of 58 individuals (34 with typical, 6 atypical deletions and 18 controls). Genome-wide exon-level expression arrays robustly detected changes in differentially expressed gene (DEG) transcripts from WS deleted genes that ranked in the top 11 of 12 122 transcripts, validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, RNASeq and western blots. WS DEG's were strictly dosed in the full but not the atypical deletions that revealed a breakpoint position effect on non-deleted CLIP2, a caveat for current phenotypic mapping based on copy number variants. Network analyses tested the top WS DEG's role in the dendritic spine, employing GeneMANIA to harmonize WS DEGs with comparable query gene-sets. The results indicate perturbed actin cytoskeletal signaling analogous to the excitatory dendritic spines. Independent protein-protein interaction analyses of top WS DEGs generated a 100-node graph annotated topologically revealing three interacting pathways, MAPK, IGF1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR/insulin and actin signaling at the synapse. The results indicate striking similarity of WS transcriptional networks to genome-wide association study-based ASD and SCHZ risk suggesting common network dysfunction for these disorders of divergent sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Dai
- Center for Integrated Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Brain Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Robert B Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Diane M Dunn
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Anna Ramirez
- Center for Integrated Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Brain Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sharan Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Julie R Korenberg
- Center for Integrated Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Brain Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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24
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Šimić G, Vukić V, Kopić J, Krsnik Ž, Hof PR. Molecules, Mechanisms, and Disorders of Self-Domestication: Keys for Understanding Emotional and Social Communication from an Evolutionary Perspective. Biomolecules 2020; 11:E2. [PMID: 33375093 PMCID: PMC7822183 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest hypothesis states that the phenotypic features of the domestication syndrome are due to a reduced number or disruption of neural crest cells (NCCs) migration, as these cells differentiate at their final destinations and proliferate into different tissues whose activity is reduced by domestication. Comparing the phenotypic characteristics of modern and prehistoric man, it is clear that during their recent evolutionary past, humans also went through a process of self-domestication with a simultaneous prolongation of the period of socialization. This has led to the development of social abilities and skills, especially language, as well as neoteny. Disorders of neural crest cell development and migration lead to many different conditions such as Waardenburg syndrome, Hirschsprung disease, fetal alcohol syndrome, DiGeorge and Treacher-Collins syndrome, for which the mechanisms are already relatively well-known. However, for others, such as Williams-Beuren syndrome and schizophrenia that have the characteristics of hyperdomestication, and autism spectrum disorders, and 7dupASD syndrome that have the characteristics of hypodomestication, much less is known. Thus, deciphering the biological determinants of disordered self-domestication has great potential for elucidating the normal and disturbed ontogenesis of humans, as well as for the understanding of evolution of mammals in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Vana Vukić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Janja Kopić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Željka Krsnik
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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25
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Alesi V, Loddo S, Orlando V, Genovese S, Di Tommaso S, Liambo MT, Pompili D, Ferretti D, Calacci C, Catino G, Falasca R, Dentici ML, Novelli A, Digilio MC, Dallapiccola B. Atypical 7q11.23 deletions excluding ELN gene result in Williams-Beuren syndrome craniofacial features and neurocognitive profile. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:242-249. [PMID: 33098373 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beurens syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a recurrent 7q11.23 microdeletion. Clinical characteristics include typical facial dysmorphisms, weakness of connective tissue, short stature, mild to moderate intellectual disability and distinct behavioral phenotype. Cardiovascular diseases are common due to haploinsufficiency of ELN gene. A few cases of larger or smaller deletions have been reported spanning towards the centromeric or the telomeric regions, most of which included ELN gene. We report on three patients from two unrelated families, presenting with distinctive WBS features, harboring an atypical distal deletion excluding ELN gene. Our study supports a critical role of CLIP2, GTF2IRD1, and GTF2I gene in the WBS neurobehavioral profile and in craniofacial features, highlights a possible role of HIP1 in the autism spectrum disorder, and delineates a subgroup of WBS individuals with an atypical distal deletion not associated to an increased risk of cardiovascular defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Alesi
- Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Loddo
- Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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26
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Evangelidou P, Kousoulidou L, Salameh N, Alexandrou A, Papaevripidou I, Alexandrou IM, Ketoni A, Ioannidou C, Christophidou-Anastasiadou V, Tanteles GA, Sismani C. An unusual combination of an atypical maternally inherited novel 0.3 Mb deletion in Williams-Beuren region and a de novo 22q11.21 microduplication in an infant with supravalvular aortic stenosis. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:104084. [PMID: 33045407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), intellectual disability, overfriendliness and dysmorphic features. It is typically caused by 1.5-1.8 Mb deletions on 7q11.23. The 22q11.21 microduplication syndrome has a variable phenotype and is frequently associated with congenital heart disease. Here we present a unique patient, carrying aberrations within both of the above syndrome regions, referred for possible diagnosis of WBS because of SVAS. The patient was a boy who died suddenly 47 days after birth, possibly due to cardiac complications. Genetic testing was carried out, including array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), Fluorescence In situ Hybridization (FISH) and Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) showing that the proband was heterozygous for a novel and atypical 0.3 Mb deletion in WBS region (7q11.23) encompassing the ELN gene. In addition, he was found heterozygous for a 22q11.21 microduplication. Parental studies revealed that the 7q11.23 deletion was inherited from the mother who also exhibited a cardiovascular phenotype, however very mild. The same maternally inherited deletion was detected in one of the proband's siblings, born two years later with a less severe SVAS. The 22q11.2 microduplication was de novo in origin. Detection and investigation of atypical deletions within known syndrome regions are crucial for better genotype-phenotype correlations and more accurate characterization of critical regions. The combined effect of two different genetic defects - one in a known syndrome region and one with variable clinical significance, is valuable for revealing gene interactions and enabling more accurate predictions, especially in prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Evangelidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ludmila Kousoulidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nicole Salameh
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Angelos Alexandrou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ioannis Papaevripidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ioanna-Maria Alexandrou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Andria Ketoni
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Charithea Ioannidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - George A Tanteles
- Clinical Genetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Carolina Sismani
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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27
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Miezah D, Porter M, Batchelor J, Boulton K, Campos Veloso G. Cognitive abilities in Williams syndrome. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 104:103701. [PMID: 32554266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The current study utilized a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery to investigate cognitive abilities in a sample of 49 WS individuals (25 male) aged 6-39 years. Age effects were also investigated by splitting the sample into child and adult groups. Cognitive heterogeneity was found on the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities, Australian Adaptation (WJ-III COG) (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001), with cognitive abilities ranging from profoundly impaired to superior and individualized profiles of strength and weakness varying considerably. Overall, findings supported previous research showing strengths in auditory processing and phonemic awareness. The weakest performance, on average, was in processing speed, attention, delayed associative learning and executive functioning capabilities. Visual-spatial functioning was not a weakness overall, neither was nonverbal reasoning. Chronological age did not relate significantly to cognitive abilities. Findings highlight the need for individual assessment and management of WS individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Miezah
- Psychology Department, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Melanie Porter
- Psychology Department, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Kelsie Boulton
- Psychology Department, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Medina C, de la Fuente V, Tom Dieck S, Nassim-Assir B, Dalmay T, Bartnik I, Lunardi P, de Oliveira Alvares L, Schuman EM, Letzkus JJ, Romano A. LIMK, Cofilin 1 and actin dynamics involvement in fear memory processing. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 173:107275. [PMID: 32659348 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long-term memory has been associated with morphological changes in the brain, which in turn tightly correlate with changes in synaptic efficacy. Such plasticity is proposed to rely on dendritic spines as a neuronal canvas on which these changes can occur. Given the key role of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in spine morphology, major regulating factors of this process such as Cofilin 1 (Cfl1) and LIM kinase (LIMK), an inhibitor of Cfl1 activity, are prime molecular targets that may regulate dendritic plasticity. Using a contextual fear conditioning paradigm in mice, we found that pharmacological induction of depolymerization of actin filaments through the inhibition of LIMK causes an impairment in memory reconsolidation, as well as in memory consolidation. On top of that, Cfl1 activity is inhibited and its mRNA is downregulated in CA1 neuropil after re-exposure to the training context. Moreover, by pharmacological disruption of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, the process of memory extinction can either be facilitated or impaired. Our results lead to a better understanding of the role of LIMK, Cfl1 and actin cytoskeleton dynamics in the morphological and functional changes underlying the synaptic plasticity of the memory trace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela Medina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica de la Fuente
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | | | - Tamas Dalmay
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ina Bartnik
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paula Lunardi
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43422, Sala 216A, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Oliveira Alvares
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43422, Sala 216A, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Erin M Schuman
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Arturo Romano
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Gregory MD, Mervis CB, Elliott ML, Kippenhan JS, Nash T, B Czarapata J, Prabhakaran R, Roe K, Eisenberg DP, Kohn PD, Berman KF. Williams syndrome hemideletion and LIMK1 variation both affect dorsal stream functional connectivity. Brain 2020; 142:3963-3974. [PMID: 31687737 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by hemizygous deletion of ∼1.6 Mb affecting 26 genes on chromosome 7 (7q11.23) and is clinically typified by two cognitive/behavioural hallmarks: marked visuospatial deficits relative to verbal and non-verbal reasoning abilities and hypersocial personality. Clear knowledge of the circumscribed set of genes that are affected in Williams syndrome, along with the well-characterized neurobehavioural phenotype, offers the potential to elucidate neurogenetic principles that may apply in genetically and clinically more complex settings. The intraparietal sulcus, in the dorsal visual processing stream, has been shown to be structurally and functionally altered in Williams syndrome, providing a target for investigating resting-state functional connectivity and effects of specific genes hemideleted in Williams syndrome. Here, we tested for effects of the LIMK1 gene, deleted in Williams syndrome and important for neuronal maturation and migration, on intraparietal sulcus functional connectivity. We first defined a target brain phenotype by comparing intraparietal sulcus resting functional connectivity in individuals with Williams syndrome, in whom LIMK1 is hemideleted, with typically developing children. Then in two separate cohorts from the general population, we asked whether intraparietal sulcus functional connectivity patterns similar to those found in Williams syndrome were associated with sequence variation of the LIMK1 gene. Four independent between-group comparisons of resting-state functional MRI data (total n = 510) were performed: (i) 20 children with Williams syndrome compared to 20 age- and sex-matched typically developing children; (ii) a discovery cohort of 99 healthy adults stratified by LIMK1 haplotype; (iii) a replication cohort of 32 healthy adults also stratified by LIMK1 haplotype; and (iv) 339 healthy adolescent children stratified by LIMK1 haplotype. For between-group analyses, differences in intraparietal sulcus resting-state functional connectivity were calculated comparing children with Williams syndrome to matched typically developing children and comparing LIMK1 haplotype groups in each of the three general population cohorts separately. Consistent with the visuospatial construction impairment and hypersocial personality that typify Williams syndrome, the Williams syndrome cohort exhibited opposite patterns of intraparietal sulcus functional connectivity with visual processing regions and social processing regions: decreased circuit function in the former and increased circuit function in the latter. All three general population groups also showed LIMK1 haplotype-related differences in intraparietal sulcus functional connectivity localized to the fusiform gyrus, a visual processing region also identified in the Williams syndrome-typically developing comparison. These results suggest a neurogenetic mechanism, in part involving LIMK1, that may bias neural circuit function in both the general population and individuals with Williams syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Gregory
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn B Mervis
- Neurodevelopmental Sciences Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Maxwell L Elliott
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J Shane Kippenhan
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiffany Nash
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jasmin B Czarapata
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ranjani Prabhakaran
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Roe
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel P Eisenberg
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Philip D Kohn
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karen F Berman
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Psychosis and Cognitive Studies Section, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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30
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Antonipillai J, Mittelstaedt K, Rigby S, Bassler N, Bernard O. LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) may play an essential role in platelet function. Exp Cell Res 2020; 388:111822. [PMID: 31926945 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Actin filaments are highly dynamic structures involved in many cellular processes including cell-to-cell/substrate association and cell motility. The actin cytoskeleton is tightly regulated by actin-binding proteins, which include the members of the ADF (actin-depolymerizing factor)/cofilin family. The members of the LIM kinase family of proteins (LIMK1 and 2) regulate actin dynamics by controlling the binding affinity of ADF/cofilin towards actin. LIMK2 has two major splice variants, LMK2a and LIMK2b. We have generated mice lacking LIMK2a expression (LIMK2a KO), to study its specific role in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. The LIMK2a KO mice showed a significant prolonged bleeding complication upon injuries compared to wild type mice. This prolonged bleeding prompted us to check the expression of the LIMK2 protein in platelets as it was previously suggested that it is not expressed in platelets. We showed that human and mouse express LIMK2 in platelets and using our LIMK2a KO mice we have identified a potential key role for LIMK2 in platelet functions including platelet spreading, aggregation and thrombus formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Antonipillai
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; St. Vincent's Institute, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia; College of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
| | | | - Sheena Rigby
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Nicole Bassler
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ora Bernard
- St. Vincent's Institute, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
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31
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Wang J, Kou XL, Chen C, Wang M, Qi C, Wang J, You WY, Hu G, Chen J, Gao J. Hippocampal Wdr1 Deficit Impairs Learning and Memory by Perturbing F-actin Depolymerization in Mice. Cereb Cortex 2019; 29:4194-4207. [PMID: 30590446 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WD repeat protein 1 (Wdr1), known as a cofactor of actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin, is conserved among eukaryotes, and it plays a critical role in the dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the function of Wdr1 in the central nervous system remains elusive. Using Wdr1 conditional knockout mice, we demonstrated that Wdr1 plays a significant role in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory. The knockout mice exhibited altered reversal spatial learning and fear responses. Moreover, the Wdr1 CKO mice showed significant abnormalities in spine morphology and synaptic function, including enhanced hippocampal long-term potentiation and impaired long-term depression. Furthermore, we observed that Wdr1 deficiency perturbed actin rearrangement through regulation of the ADF/cofilin activity. Taken together, these results indicate that Wdr1 in the hippocampal CA1 area plays a critical role in actin dynamics in associative learning and postsynaptic receptor availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Kou
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cui Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Yan You
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Hu
- Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Tebbenkamp ATN, Varela L, Choi J, Paredes MI, Giani AM, Song JE, Sestan-Pesa M, Franjic D, Sousa AMM, Liu ZW, Li M, Bichsel C, Koch M, Szigeti-Buck K, Liu F, Li Z, Kawasawa YI, Paspalas CD, Mineur YS, Prontera P, Merla G, Picciotto MR, Arnsten AFT, Horvath TL, Sestan N. The 7q11.23 Protein DNAJC30 Interacts with ATP Synthase and Links Mitochondria to Brain Development. Cell 2019; 175:1088-1104.e23. [PMID: 30318146 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite the known causality of copy-number variations (CNVs) to human neurodevelopmental disorders, the mechanisms behind each gene's contribution to the constellation of neural phenotypes remain elusive. Here, we investigated the 7q11.23 CNV, whose hemideletion causes Williams syndrome (WS), and uncovered that mitochondrial dysfunction participates in WS pathogenesis. Dysfunction is facilitated in part by the 7q11.23 protein DNAJC30, which interacts with mitochondrial ATP-synthase machinery. Removal of Dnajc30 in mice resulted in hypofunctional mitochondria, diminished morphological features of neocortical pyramidal neurons, and altered behaviors reminiscent of WS. The mitochondrial features are consistent with our observations of decreased integrity of oxidative phosphorylation supercomplexes and ATP-synthase dimers in WS. Thus, we identify DNAJC30 as an auxiliary component of ATP-synthase machinery and reveal mitochondrial maladies as underlying certain defects in brain development and function associated with WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T N Tebbenkamp
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Luis Varela
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jinmyung Choi
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Miguel I Paredes
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alice M Giani
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jae Eun Song
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Matija Sestan-Pesa
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Daniel Franjic
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - André M M Sousa
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Zhong-Wu Liu
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Candace Bichsel
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Marco Koch
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Klara Szigeti-Buck
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Fuchen Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yuka I Kawasawa
- Institute for Personalized Medicine and Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Constantinos D Paspalas
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yann S Mineur
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Paolo Prontera
- Medical Genetics Unit, Hospital "Santa Maria della Misericordia," 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merla
- Division of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Amy F T Arnsten
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Departments of Genetics and of Comparative Medicine, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, and Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Shou J, Tran A, Snyder N, Bleem E, Kim S. Distinct Roles of GluA2-lacking AMPA Receptor Expression in Dopamine D1 or D2 Receptor Neurons in Animal Behavior. Neuroscience 2019; 398:102-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Cognitive, Behavioral, and Adaptive Profiles in Williams Syndrome With and Without Loss of GTF2IRD2. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2018; 24:896-904. [PMID: 30375319 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617718000711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from a heterozygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23. Most of the time, the affected region contains ~1.5 Mb of sequence encoding approximately 24 genes. Some 5-8% of patients with WS have a deletion exceeding 1.8 Mb, thereby affecting two additional genes, including GTF2IRD2. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the implications of GTF2IRD2 loss for the neuropsychological phenotype of WS patients. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to identify the role of GTF2IRD2 in the cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive profile of WS patients. METHODS Twelve patients diagnosed with WS participated, four with GTF2IRD2 deletion (atypical WS group), and eight without this deletion (typical WS group). The age range of both groups was 7-18 years old. Each patient's 7q11.23 deletion scope was determined by chromosomal microarray analysis. Cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive abilities were assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS Compared with the typical WS group, the atypical WS patients with GTF2IRD2 deletion had more impaired visuospatial abilities and more significant behavioral problems, mainly related to the construct of social cognition. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new evidence regarding the influence of the GTF2IRD2 gene on the severity of behavioral symptoms of WS related to social cognition and certain visuospatial abilities. (JINS, 2018, 24, 896-904).
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vonHoldt BM, Ji SS, Aardema ML, Stahler DR, Udell MAR, Sinsheimer JS. Activity of Genes with Functions in Human Williams-Beuren Syndrome Is Impacted by Mobile Element Insertions in the Gray Wolf Genome. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:1546-1553. [PMID: 29860323 PMCID: PMC6007319 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In canines, transposon dynamics have been associated with a hyper-social behavioral syndrome, although the functional mechanism has yet to be described. We investigate the epigenetic and transcriptional consequences of these behavior-associated mobile element insertions (MEIs) in dogs and Yellowstone gray wolves. We posit that the transposons themselves may not be the causative feature; rather, their transcriptional regulation may exert the functional impact. We survey four outlier transposons associated with hyper-sociability, with the expectation that they are targeted for epigenetic silencing. We predict hyper-methylation of MEIs, suggestive that the epigenetic silencing of and not the MEIs themselves may be driving dysregulation of nearby genes. We found that transposon-derived sequences are significantly hyper-methylated, regardless of their copy number or species. Further, we have assessed transcriptome sequence data and found evidence that MEIs impact the expression levels of six genes (WBSCR17, LIMK1, GTF2I, WBSCR27, BAZ1B, and BCL7B), all of which have known roles in human Williams-Beuren syndrome due to changes in copy number, typically hemizygosity. Although further evidence is needed, our results suggest that a few insertions alter local expression at multiple genes, likely through a cis-regulatory mechanism that excludes proximal methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgett M vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, New Jersey
| | - Sarah S Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
| | - Matthew L Aardema
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University, New Jersey
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - Daniel R Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
| | - Monique A R Udell
- Department of Animal & Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Oregon
| | - Janet S Sinsheimer
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Departments of Human Genetics and Biomathematics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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36
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Zhang L, Zhang X, You G, Yu Y, Fu Q. A novel dNTP-limited PCR and HRM assay to detect Williams-Beuren syndrome. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 481:171-176. [PMID: 29550276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by a microdeletion of chromosome arm 7q11.23. A rapid and inexpensive genotyping method to detect microdeletion on 7q11.23 needs to be developed for the diagnosis of WBS. This study describes the development of a new type of molecular diagnosis method to detect microdeletion on 7q11.23 based upon high-resolution melting (HRM). METHODS Four genes on 7q11.23 were selected as the target genes for the deletion genotyping. dNTP-limited duplex PCR was used to amplify the reference gene, CFTR, and one of the four genes respectively on 7q11.23. An HRM assay was performed on the PCR products, and the height ratio of the negative derivative peaks between the target gene and reference gene was employed to analyze the copy number variation of the target region. RESULTS A new genotyping method for detecting 7q11.23 deletion was developed based upon dNTP-limited PCR and HRM, which cost only 96 min. Samples from 15 WBS patients and 12 healthy individuals were genotyped by this method in a blinded fashion, and the sensitivity and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 0.80-1, and 95% CI, 0.75-1, respectively) which was proved by CytoScan HD array. SIGNIFICANCE The HRM assay we developed is an rapid, inexpensive, and highly accurate method for genotyping 7q11.23 deletion. It is potentially useful in the clinical diagnosis of WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Guoling You
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Yongguo Yu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qihua Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China.
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Sungur AÖ, Stemmler L, Wöhr M, Rust MB. Impaired Object Recognition but Normal Social Behavior and Ultrasonic Communication in Cofilin1 Mutant Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29515378 PMCID: PMC5825895 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia (SCZ) and intellectual disability (ID) show a remarkable overlap in symptoms, including impairments in cognition, social behavior and communication. Human genetic studies revealed an enrichment of mutations in actin-related genes for these disorders, and some of the strongest candidate genes control actin dynamics. These findings led to the hypotheses: (i) that ASD, SCZ and ID share common disease mechanisms; and (ii) that, at least in a subgroup of affected individuals, defects in the actin cytoskeleton cause or contribute to their pathologies. Cofilin1 emerged as a key regulator of actin dynamics and we previously demonstrated its critical role for synaptic plasticity and associative learning. Notably, recent studies revealed an over-activation of cofilin1 in mutant mice displaying ASD- or SCZ-like behavioral phenotypes, suggesting that dysregulated cofilin1-dependent actin dynamics contribute to their behavioral abnormalities, such as deficits in social behavior. These findings let us hypothesize: (i) that, apart from cognitive impairments, cofilin1 mutants display additional behavioral deficits with relevance to ASD or SCZ; and (ii) that our cofilin1 mutants represent a valuable tool to study the underlying disease mechanisms. To test our hypotheses, we compared social behavior and ultrasonic communication of juvenile mutants to control littermates, and we did not obtain evidence for impaired direct reciprocal social interaction, social approach or social memory. Moreover, concomitant emission of ultrasonic vocalizations was not affected and time-locked to social activity, supporting the notion that ultrasonic vocalizations serve a pro-social communicative function as social contact calls maintaining social proximity. Finally, cofilin1 mutants did not display abnormal repetitive behaviors. Instead, they performed weaker in novel object recognition, thereby demonstrating that cofilin1 is relevant not only for associative learning, but also for “non-matching-to-sample” learning. Here we report the absence of an ASD- or a SCZ-like phenotype in cofilin1 mutants, and we conclude that cofilin1 is relevant specifically for non-social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Özge Sungur
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lea Stemmler
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marco B Rust
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,DFG Research Training Group-Membrane Plasticity in Tissue Development and Remodeling, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Chailangkarn T, Noree C, Muotri AR. The contribution of GTF2I haploinsufficiency to Williams syndrome. Mol Cell Probes 2018; 40:45-51. [PMID: 29305905 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving hemideletion of as many as 26-28 genes, resulting in a constellation of unique physical, cognitive and behavior phenotypes. The haploinsufficiency effect of each gene has been studied and correlated with phenotype(s) using several models including WS subjects, animal models, and peripheral cell lines. However, links for most of the genes to WS phenotypes remains unclear. Among those genes, general transcription factor 2I (GTF2I) is of particular interest as its haploinsufficiency is possibly associated with hypersociability in WS. Here, we describe studies of atypical WS cases as well as mouse models focusing on GTF2I that support a role for this protein in the neurocognitive and behavioral profiles of WS individuals. We also review collective studies on diverse molecular functions of GTF2I that may provide mechanistic explanation for phenotypes recently reported in our relevant cellular model, namely WS induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. Finally, in light of the progress in gene-manipulating approaches, we suggest their uses in revealing the neural functions of GTF2I in the context of WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanathom Chailangkarn
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
| | - Chalongrat Noree
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, 25/25 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, UCSD Stem Cell Program, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Kashima R, Hata A. The role of TGF-β superfamily signaling in neurological disorders. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:106-120. [PMID: 29190314 PMCID: PMC5846707 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmx124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily signaling is involved in a variety of biological processes during embryogenesis and in adult tissue homeostasis. Faulty regulation of the signaling pathway that transduces the TGF-β superfamily signals accordingly leads to a number of ailments, such as cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, urinary, intestinal, skeletal, and immune diseases. In recent years, a number of studies have elucidated the essential roles of TGF-βs and BMPs during neuronal development in the maintenance of appropriate innervation and neuronal activity. The new advancement implicates significant roles of the aberrant TGF-β superfamily signaling in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. In this review, we compile a number of reports implicating the deregulation of TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders in animal models and patients. We apologize in advance that the review falls short of providing details of the role of TGF-β/BMP signaling or mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. The goal of this article is to reveal a gap in our knowledge regarding the association between TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways and neuronal tissue homeostasis and development and facilitate the research with a potential to develop new therapies for neurological ailments by modulating the pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Kashima
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Akiko Hata
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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40
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Kamps FS, Julian JB, Battaglia P, Landau B, Kanwisher N, Dilks DD. Dissociating intuitive physics from intuitive psychology: Evidence from Williams syndrome. Cognition 2017; 168:146-153. [PMID: 28683351 PMCID: PMC5572752 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Prior work suggests that our understanding of how things work ("intuitive physics") and how people work ("intuitive psychology") are distinct domains of human cognition. Here we directly test the dissociability of these two domains by investigating knowledge of intuitive physics and intuitive psychology in adults with Williams syndrome (WS) - a genetic developmental disorder characterized by severely impaired spatial cognition, but relatively spared social cognition. WS adults and mental-age matched (MA) controls completed an intuitive physics task and an intuitive psychology task. If intuitive physics is a distinct domain (from intuitive psychology), then we should observe differential impairment on the physics task for individuals with WS compared to MA controls. Indeed, adults with WS performed significantly worse on the intuitive physics than the intuitive psychology task, relative to controls. These results support the hypothesis that knowledge of the physical world can be disrupted independently from knowledge of the social world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik S Kamps
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Joshua B Julian
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Peter Battaglia
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Barbara Landau
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Nancy Kanwisher
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Daniel D Dilks
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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41
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Chailangkarn T, Muotri AR. Modeling Williams syndrome with induced pluripotent stem cells. NEUROGENESIS (AUSTIN, TEX.) 2017; 4:e1283187. [PMID: 28229087 PMCID: PMC5305168 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2017.1283187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) like never before has opened novel opportunity to study diseases in relevant cell types. In our recent study, Williams syndrome (WS), a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, that is caused by hemizygous deletion of 25-28 genes on chromosome 7, is of interest because of its unique cognitive and social profiles. Little is known about haploinsufficiency effect of those deleted genes on molecular and cellular phenotypes at the neural level due to the lack of relevant human cellular model. Using the cellular reprogramming approach, we reported that WS iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) has increased apoptosis and therefore increased doubling time, which could be rescued by complementation of frizzled 9, one of the genes typically deleted in WS. Moreover, WS iPSC-derived CTIP2-positive pyramidal neurons exhibit morphologic alterations including longer total dendrites and increasing dendritic spine number. In addition, WS iPSC-derived neurons show an increase in calcium transient frequency and synchronized activity likely due to increased number of dendritic spines and synapses. Our work integrated cross-level data from genetics to behavior of WS individuals and revealed altered cellular phenotypes in WS human NPCs and neurons that could be validated in other model systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in live subjects and postmortem brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanathom Chailangkarn
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, USA
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, USA
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42
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Muramatsu Y, Tokita Y, Mizuno S, Nakamura M. Disparities in visuo-spatial constructive abilities in Williams syndrome patients with typical deletion on chromosome 7q11.23. Brain Dev 2017; 39:145-153. [PMID: 27692871 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams syndrome (WS) is known for its uneven cognitive abilities, especially the difficulty in visuo-spatial cognition, though there are some inter-individual phenotypic differences. It has been proposed that the difficulty in visuo-spatial cognition of WS patients can be attributed to a haploinsufficiency of some genes located on the deleted region in 7q11.23, based on an examination of atypical deletions identified in WS patients with atypical cognitive deficits. According to this hypothesis, the inter-individual differences in visuo-spatial cognitive ability arise from variations in deletion. METHODS We investigated whether there were inter-individual differences in the visuo-spatial constructive abilities of five unrelated WS patients with the typical deletion on chromosome 7q11.23 that includes the candidate genes contributing visuo-spatial difficulty in WS patients. We used tests with three-dimensional factors such as Benton's three-dimensional block construction test, which are considered to be more sensitive than those with only two-dimensional factors. RESULTS There were diverse inter-individual differences in the visuo-spatial constructive abilities among the present participants who shared the same typical genomic deletion of WS. One of the participants showed almost equivalent performances to typically developing adults in those tests. CONCLUSION In the present study, we found a wide range of cognitive abilities in visuo-spatial construction even among the patients with a common deletion pattern of WS. The findings suggest that attributing differences in the phenotypes entirely to genetic factors such as an atypical deletion may not be always correct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukako Muramatsu
- Department of Functioning Science, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Center, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Tokita
- Department of Perinatology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Center, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Seiji Mizuno
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Center, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Miho Nakamura
- Department of Functioning Science, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Center, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
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43
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Xie J, Li X, Zhang W, Chai X, Huang Y, Li K, Cheng X, Zhao S. Aberrant expression of LIMK1 impairs neuronal migration during neocortex development. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 147:471-479. [PMID: 27844143 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1514-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal migration is essential for the formation of cortical layers, and proper neuronal migration requires the coordination of cytoskeletal regulation. LIMK1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that mediates actin dynamics by regulating actin depolymerization factor/cofilin. However, the role of LIMK1 in neuronal migration and its potential mechanism remains elusive. Here, we found that using the in utero electroporation to overexpress LIMK1 and its mutants, constitutively active LIMK1 (LIMK1-CA) and dominant-negative LIMK1 (LIMK1-DN), impaired neuronal migration in the embryonic mouse brain. In addition, the aberrant expression of LIMK1-WT and LIMK1-CA induced abnormal branching and increased the length of the leading process, while LIMK1-DN-transfected neurons gave rise to two leading processes. Furthermore, the co-transfection of LIMK1-CA and cofilin-S3A partially rescued the migration deficiency and fully rescued the morphological changes in migrating neurons induced by LIMK1-CA. Our results indicated that LIMK1 negatively regulated neuronal migration by affecting the neuronal cytoskeleton and that its effects were partly mediated by cofilin phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongfang Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuzhao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxue Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaikai Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinran Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanting Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, No.22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Borralleras C, Mato S, Amédée T, Matute C, Mulle C, Pérez-Jurado LA, Campuzano V. Synaptic plasticity and spatial working memory are impaired in the CD mouse model of Williams-Beuren syndrome. Mol Brain 2016; 9:76. [PMID: 27485321 PMCID: PMC4971717 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0258-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice heterozygous for a complete deletion (CD) equivalent to the most common deletion found in individuals with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) recapitulate relevant features of the neurocognitive phenotype, such as hypersociability, along with some neuroanatomical alterations in specific brain areas. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these phenotypes still remain largely unknown. We have studied the synaptic function and cognition in CD mice using hippocampal slices and a behavioral test sensitive to hippocampal function. We have found that long-term potentiation (LTP) elicited by theta burst stimulation (TBS) was significantly impaired in hippocampal field CA1 of CD animals. This deficit might be associated with the observed alterations in spatial working memory. However, we did not detect changes in presynaptic function, LTP induction mechanisms or AMPA and NMDA receptor function. Reduced levels of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were present in the CA1-CA3 hippocampal region of CD mice, which could account for LTP deficits in these mice. Taken together, these results suggest a defect of CA1 synapses in CD mice to sustain synaptic strength after stimulation. These data represent the first description of synaptic functional deficits in CD mice and further highlights the utility of the CD model to study the mechanisms underlying the WBS neurocognitive profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Borralleras
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Mato
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurotek-University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Zamudio, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Thierry Amédée
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, CNRS UMR 5297 - University of Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Carlos Matute
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurotek-University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Zamudio, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christophe Mulle
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, CNRS UMR 5297 - University of Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Luis A Pérez-Jurado
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. .,Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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Mohan S, Nampoothiri S, Yesodharan D, Venkatesan V, Koshy T, Paul SFD, Perumal V. Reciprocal Microduplication of the Williams-Beuren Syndrome Chromosome Region in a 9-Year-Old Omani Boy. Lab Med 2016; 47:171-5. [PMID: 27069036 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmw005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdeletions of the 7q11.23 Williams-Beuren syndrome chromosome region (WBSCR) are reported with a frequency of 1 in 10,000, whereas microduplications of the region, although expected to occur at the same frequency, are not widely reported. METHOD We evaluated a 9-year old Omani boy for idiopathic intellectual disability using genetic methods, including multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), for detection of microdeletions (P064-B3). RESULTS MLPA analysis revealed that the boy has a rare microduplication of the WBSCR. Prominent clinical features include global developmental delay with pronounced speech delay, dysmorphic facies, and autistic features. CONCLUSION Microduplications, in general, are reported at a lesser frequency, perhaps owing to their milder phenotype. Complete genetic assessment in children with idiopathic intellectual disability would help in identifying rare conditions such as duplication of the WBSCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Mohan
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India
| | - Sheela Nampoothiri
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center, Kochi, India
| | - Dhanya Yesodharan
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center, Kochi, India
| | | | - Teena Koshy
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India
| | - Solomon F D Paul
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India
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46
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Leung C, Jia Z. Mouse Genetic Models of Human Brain Disorders. Front Genet 2016; 7:40. [PMID: 27047540 PMCID: PMC4803727 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2016.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past three decades, genetic manipulations in mice have been used in neuroscience as a major approach to investigate the in vivo function of genes and their alterations. In particular, gene targeting techniques using embryonic stem cells have revolutionized the field of mammalian genetics and have been at the forefront in the generation of numerous mouse models of human brain disorders. In this review, we will first examine childhood developmental disorders such as autism, intellectual disability, Fragile X syndrome, and Williams-Beuren syndrome. We will then explore psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and lastly, neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We will outline the creation of these mouse models that range from single gene deletions, subtle point mutations to multi-gene manipulations, and discuss the key behavioral phenotypes of these mice. Ultimately, the analysis of the models outlined in this review will enhance our understanding of the in vivo role and underlying mechanisms of disease-related genes in both normal brain function and brain disorders, and provide potential therapeutic targets and strategies to prevent and treat these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Leung
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, TorontoON, Canada; Program in Physiology, University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, TorontoON, Canada; Program in Physiology, University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada
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47
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Khattak S, Brimble E, Zhang W, Zaslavsky K, Strong E, Ross PJ, Hendry J, Mital S, Salter MW, Osborne LR, Ellis J. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons as a model for Williams-Beuren syndrome. Mol Brain 2015; 8:77. [PMID: 26603386 PMCID: PMC4657290 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0168-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is caused by the microdeletion of approximately 25 genes on chromosome 7q11.23, and is characterized by a spectrum of cognitive and behavioural features. Results We generated cortical neurons from a WBS individual and unaffected (WT) control by directed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Single cell mRNA analyses and immunostaining demonstrated very efficient production of differentiated cells expressing markers of mature neurons of mixed subtypes and from multiple cortical layers. We found that there was a profound alteration in action potentials, with significantly prolonged WBS repolarization times and a WBS deficit in voltage-activated K+ currents. Miniature excitatory synaptic currents were normal, indicating that unitary excitatory synaptic transmission was not altered. Gene expression profiling identified 136 negatively enriched gene sets in WBS compared to WT neurons including gene sets involved in neurotransmitter receptor activity, synaptic assembly, and potassium channel complexes. Conclusions Our findings provide insight into gene dysregulation and electrophysiological defects in WBS patient neurons. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0168-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahryar Khattak
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Elise Brimble
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Kirill Zaslavsky
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Emma Strong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - P Joel Ross
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Jason Hendry
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Seema Mital
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Michael W Salter
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Lucy R Osborne
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - James Ellis
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St, 16th Floor - Room 9705, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada.
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48
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Cuberos H, Vallée B, Vourc'h P, Tastet J, Andres CR, Bénédetti H. Roles of LIM kinases in central nervous system function and dysfunction. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:3795-806. [PMID: 26545494 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) and LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) regulate actin dynamics by phosphorylating cofilin. In this review, we outline studies that have shown an involvement of LIMKs in neuronal function and we detail some of the pathways and molecular mechanisms involving LIMKs in neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity. We also review the involvement of LIMKs in neuronal diseases and emphasize the differences in the regulation of LIMKs expression and mode of action. We finally present the existence of a cofilin-independent pathway also involved in neuronal function. A better understanding of the differences between both LIMKs and of the precise molecular mechanisms involved in their mode of action and regulation is now required to improve our understanding of the physiopathology of the neuronal diseases associated with LIMKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Cuberos
- CNRS UPR 4301, CBM, Orléans, France; UMR INSERM U930, Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France
| | - B Vallée
- CNRS UPR 4301, CBM, Orléans, France
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR INSERM U930, Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France; CHRU de Tours, Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Tours, France
| | - J Tastet
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C R Andres
- UMR INSERM U930, Université François-Rabelais, Tours, France; CHRU de Tours, Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Tours, France
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49
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Dutra RL, Piazzon FB, Zanardo ÉA, Costa TVMM, Montenegro MM, Novo-Filho GM, Dias AT, Nascimento AM, Kim CA, Kulikowski LD. Rare genomic rearrangement in a boy with Williams-Beuren syndrome associated to XYY syndrome and intriguing behavior. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167A:3197-203. [PMID: 26420477 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by a hemizygous contiguous gene microdeletion of 1.55-1.84 Mb at 7q11.23 region. Approximately, 28 genes have been shown to contribute to classical phenotype of SWB with presence of dysmorphic facial features, supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), intellectual disability, and overfriendliness. With the use of Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization and other molecular cytogenetic techniques, is possible define with more accuracy partial or atypical deletion and refine the genotype-phenotype correlation. Here, we report on a rare genomic structural rearrangement in a boy with atypical deletion in 7q11.23 and XYY syndrome with characteristic clinical signs, but not sufficient for the diagnosis of WBS. Cytogenetic analysis of G-banding showed a karyotype 47,XYY. Analysis of DNA with the technique of MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification) using kits a combination of kits (P064, P036, P070, and P029) identified an atypical deletion on 7q11.23. In addition, high resolution SNP Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis (SNP-array) confirmed the alterations found by MLPA and revealed others pathogenic CNVs, in the chromosomes 7 and X. The present report demonstrates an association not yet described in literature, between Williams-Beuren syndrome and 47,XYY. The identification of atypical deletion in 7q11.23 concomitant to additional pathogenic CNVs in others genomic regions allows a better comprehension of clinical consequences of atypical genomic rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta L Dutra
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia B Piazzon
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Évelin A Zanardo
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marília M Montenegro
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gil M Novo-Filho
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre T Dias
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amom M Nascimento
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chong Ae Kim
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leslie D Kulikowski
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Collective Health - Human Reproduction and Genetics Center, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
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50
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Plaja A, Castells N, Cueto-González AM, del Campo M, Vendrell T, Lloveras E, Izquierdo L, Borregan M, Rodríguez-Santiago B, Carrió A, Miró R, Tizzano E. A Novel Recurrent Breakpoint Responsible for Rearrangements in the Williams-Beuren Region. Cytogenet Genome Res 2015; 146:181-6. [PMID: 26382598 DOI: 10.1159/000439463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) of the Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) 7q11.23 region are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders with multisystem involvement and variable expressivity. We found 2 patients with a deletion and 1 patient with a duplication in this region sharing a common breakpoint located between the LIMK1 and EIF4H(WBSCR1) genes. One patient had a WBS phenotype, although testing with a commercially available FISH assay was negative for the deletion. A further test using array CGH showed an atypical WBS region deletion. The second patient showed global developmental delay, speech delay and poor motor skills with a deletion outside the WBS region. The third patient had manifestations compatible with an autism spectrum disorder showing a duplication in the WBS region. Our findings point to the existence of a previously unrecognized recurrent breakpoint responsible for rearrangements in the WBS region. Given that most commercial FISH assays include probes flanking this novel breakpoint, further testing with array CGH should be performed in patients with WBS and negative FISH results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Plaja
- x00C0;rea de Genx00E8;tica Clx00ED;nica i Molecular, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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