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Callahan AJ, Gandhesiri S, Travaline TL, Reja RM, Lozano Salazar L, Hanna S, Lee YC, Li K, Tokareva OS, Swiecicki JM, Loas A, Verdine GL, McGee JH, Pentelute BL. Mirror-image ligand discovery enabled by single-shot fast-flow synthesis of D-proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1813. [PMID: 38418820 PMCID: PMC10901774 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45634-z] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Widespread adoption of mirror-image biological systems presents difficulties in accessing the requisite D-protein substrates. In particular, mirror-image phage display has the potential for high-throughput generation of biologically stable macrocyclic D-peptide binders with potentially unique recognition modes but is hindered by the individualized optimization required for D-protein chemical synthesis. We demonstrate a general mirror-image phage display pipeline that utilizes automated flow peptide synthesis to prepare D-proteins in a single run. With this approach, we prepare and characterize 12 D-proteins - almost one third of all reported D-proteins to date. With access to mirror-image protein targets, we describe the successful discovery of six macrocyclic D-peptide binders: three to the oncoprotein MDM2, and three to the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP. Reliable production of mirror-image proteins can unlock the full potential of D-peptide drug discovery and streamline the study of mirror-image biology more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Callahan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Satish Gandhesiri
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tara L Travaline
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | - Rahi M Reja
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Lia Lozano Salazar
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie Hanna
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yen-Chun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan
| | - Kunhua Li
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | - Olena S Tokareva
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | - Jean-Marie Swiecicki
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
- Relay Therapeutics, Inc., 399 Binney Street, 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Gregory L Verdine
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - John H McGee
- FOG Pharmaceuticals Inc., 30 Acorn Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA.
| | - Bradley L Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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2
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DiRusso CJ, DeMaria AM, Wong J, Wang W, Jordanides JJ, Whitty A, Allen KN, Gilmore TD. A conserved core region of the scaffold NEMO is essential for signal-induced conformational change and liquid-liquid phase separation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105396. [PMID: 37890781 PMCID: PMC10694592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105396] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Scaffold proteins help mediate interactions between protein partners, often to optimize intracellular signaling. Herein, we use comparative, biochemical, biophysical, molecular, and cellular approaches to investigate how the scaffold protein NEMO contributes to signaling in the NF-κB pathway. Comparison of NEMO and the related protein optineurin from a variety of evolutionarily distant organisms revealed that a central region of NEMO, called the Intervening Domain (IVD), is conserved between NEMO and optineurin. Previous studies have shown that this central core region of the IVD is required for cytokine-induced activation of IκB kinase (IKK). We show that the analogous region of optineurin can functionally replace the core region of the NEMO IVD. We also show that an intact IVD is required for the formation of disulfide-bonded dimers of NEMO. Moreover, inactivating mutations in this core region abrogate the ability of NEMO to form ubiquitin-induced liquid-liquid phase separation droplets in vitro and signal-induced puncta in vivo. Thermal and chemical denaturation studies of truncated NEMO variants indicate that the IVD, while not intrinsically destabilizing, can reduce the stability of surrounding regions of NEMO due to the conflicting structural demands imparted on this region by flanking upstream and downstream domains. This conformational strain in the IVD mediates allosteric communication between the N- and C-terminal regions of NEMO. Overall, these results support a model in which the IVD of NEMO participates in signal-induced activation of the IKK/NF-κB pathway by acting as a mediator of conformational changes in NEMO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony M DeMaria
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Judy Wong
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jack J Jordanides
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrian Whitty
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen N Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Thomas D Gilmore
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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3
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DiRusso CJ, DeMaria AM, Wong J, Jordanides JJ, Whitty A, Allen KN, Gilmore TD. A Conserved Core Region of the Scaffold NEMO is Essential for Signal-induced Conformational Change and Liquid-liquid Phase Separation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.25.542299. [PMID: 37292615 PMCID: PMC10245932 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Scaffold proteins help mediate interactions between protein partners, often to optimize intracellular signaling. Herein, we use comparative, biochemical, biophysical, molecular, and cellular approaches to investigate how the scaffold protein NEMO contributes to signaling in the NF-κB pathway. Comparison of NEMO and the related protein optineurin from a variety of evolutionarily distant organisms revealed that a central region of NEMO, called the Intervening Domain (IVD), is conserved between NEMO and optineurin. Previous studies have shown that this central core region of the IVD is required for cytokine-induced activation of IκB kinase (IKK). We show that the analogous region of optineurin can functionally replace the core region of the NEMO IVD. We also show that an intact IVD is required for the formation of disulfide-bonded dimers of NEMO. Moreover, inactivating mutations in this core region abrogate the ability of NEMO to form ubiquitin-induced liquid-liquid phase separation droplets in vitro and signal-induced puncta in vivo. Thermal and chemical denaturation studies of truncated NEMO variants indicate that the IVD, while not intrinsically destabilizing, can reduce the stability of surrounding regions of NEMO, due to the conflicting structural demands imparted on this region by flanking upstream and downstream domains. This conformational strain in the IVD mediates allosteric communication between N- and C-terminal regions of NEMO. Overall, these results support a model in which the IVD of NEMO participates in signal-induced activation of the IKK/NF-κB pathway by acting as a mediator of conformational changes in NEMO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Judy Wong
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Adrian Whitty
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Karen N. Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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4
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Barczewski AH, Ragusa MJ, Mierke DF, Pellegrini M. Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of the IKK-binding Domain of NEMO. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31929506 DOI: 10.3791/60339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
NEMO is a scaffolding protein which plays an essential role in the NF-κB pathway by assembling the IKK-complex with the kinases IKKα and IKKβ. Upon activation, the IKK complex phosphorylates the IκB molecules leading to NF-κB nuclear translocation and activation of target genes. Inhibition of the NEMO/IKK interaction is an attractive therapeutic paradigm for the modulation of NF-κB pathway activity, making NEMO a target for inhibitors design and discovery. To facilitate the process of discovery and optimization of NEMO inhibitors, we engineered an improved construct of the IKK-binding domain of NEMO that would allow for structure determination of the protein in the apo form and while bound to small molecular weight inhibitors. Here, we present the strategy utilized for the design, expression and structural characterization of the IKK-binding domain of NEMO. The protein is expressed in E. coli cells, solubilized under denaturing conditions and purified through three chromatographic steps. We discuss the protocols for obtaining crystals for structure determination and describe data acquisition and analysis strategies. The protocols will find wide applicability to the structure determination of complexes of NEMO and small molecule inhibitors.
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Shaffer R, DeMaria AM, Kagermazova L, Liu Y, Babaei M, Penix S, Cervantes A, Jehle S, Makowski L, Gilmore TD, Whitty A, Allen KN. A Central Region of NF-κB Essential Modulator Is Required for IKKβ-Induced Conformational Change and for Signal Propagation. Biochemistry 2019; 58:2906-2920. [PMID: 31145594 PMCID: PMC9295417 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) regulates NF-κB signaling by acting as a scaffold for the kinase IKKβ to direct its activity toward the NF-κB inhibitor, IκBα. Here, we show that a highly conserved central region of NEMO termed the intervening domain (IVD, amino acids 112-195) plays a key role in NEMO function. We determined a structural model of full-length NEMO by small-angle X-ray scattering and show that full-length, wild-type NEMO becomes more compact upon binding of a peptide comprising the NEMO binding domain of IKKβ (amino acids 701-745). Mutation of conserved IVD residues (9SG-NEMO) disrupts this conformational change in NEMO and abolishes the ability of NEMO to propagate NF-κB signaling in cells, although the affinity of 9SG-NEMO for IKKβ compared to that of the wild type is unchanged. On the basis of these results, we propose a model in which the IVD is required for a conformational change in NEMO that is necessary for its ability to direct phosphorylation of IκBα by IKKβ. Our findings suggest a molecular explanation for certain disease-associated mutations within the IVD and provide insight into the role of conformational change in signaling scaffold proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Shaffer
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | | | - Yuekun Liu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Milad Babaei
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Suhaily Penix
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Stefan Jehle
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Adrian Whitty
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Karen N. Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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The IKK-binding domain of NEMO is an irregular coiled coil with a dynamic binding interface. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2950. [PMID: 30814588 PMCID: PMC6393490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
NEMO is an essential component in the activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway and exerts its function by recruiting the IκB kinases (IKK) to the IKK complex. Inhibition of the NEMO/IKKs interaction is an attractive therapeutic paradigm for diseases related to NF-κB mis-regulation, but a difficult endeavor because of the extensive protein-protein interface. Here we report the high-resolution structure of the unbound IKKβ-binding domain of NEMO that will greatly facilitate the design of NEMO/IKK inhibitors. The structures of unbound NEMO show a closed conformation that partially occludes the three binding hot-spots and suggest a facile transition to an open state that can accommodate ligand binding. By fusing coiled-coil adaptors to the IKKβ-binding domain of NEMO, we succeeded in creating a protein with improved solution behavior, IKKβ-binding affinity and crystallization compatibility, which will enable the structural characterization of new NEMO/inhibitor complexes.
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7
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Rhodes CA, Dougherty PG, Cooper JK, Qian Z, Lindert S, Wang QE, Pei D. Cell-Permeable Bicyclic Peptidyl Inhibitors against NEMO-IκB Kinase Interaction Directly from a Combinatorial Library. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:12102-12110. [PMID: 30176143 PMCID: PMC6231237 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b06738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Macrocyclic peptides are capable of binding to flat protein surfaces such as the interfaces of protein-protein interactions with antibody-like affinity and specificity, but generally lack cell permeability in order to access intracellular targets. In this work, we designed and synthesized a large combinatorial library of cell-permeable bicyclic peptides, in which the first ring consisted of randomized peptide sequences for potential binding to a target of interest, while the second ring featured a family of different cell-penetrating motifs, for both cell penetration and target binding. The library was screened against the IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β)-binding domain of NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), resulting in the discovery of several cell-permeable bicyclic peptides, which inhibited the NEMO-IKKβ interaction with low μM IC50 values. Further optimization of one of the hits led to a relatively potent and cell-permeable NEMO inhibitor (IC50 = 1.0 μM), which selectively inhibited canonical NF-κB signaling in mammalian cells and the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. The inhibitor provides a useful tool for investigating the biological functions of NEMO/NF-κB and a potential lead for further development of a novel class of anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curran A. Rhodes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Patrick G. Dougherty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jahan K. Cooper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ziqing Qian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Qi-En Wang
- Department of Radiology, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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Qian Z, Rhodes CA, McCroskey LC, Wen J, Appiah-Kubi G, Wang DJ, Guttridge DC, Pei D. Enhancing the Cell Permeability and Metabolic Stability of Peptidyl Drugs by Reversible Bicyclization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 56:1525-1529. [PMID: 28035784 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201610888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic applications of peptides are currently limited by their proteolytic instability and impermeability to the cell membrane. A general, reversible bicyclization strategy is now reported to increase both the proteolytic stability and cell permeability of peptidyl drugs. A peptide drug is fused with a short cell-penetrating motif and converted into a conformationally constrained bicyclic structure through the formation of a pair of disulfide bonds. The resulting bicyclic peptide has greatly enhanced proteolytic stability as well as cell-permeability. Once inside the cell, the disulfide bonds are reduced to produce a linear, biologically active peptide. This strategy was applied to generate a cell-permeable bicyclic peptidyl inhibitor against the NEMO-IKK interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Qian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Curran A Rhodes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Lucas C McCroskey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jin Wen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - George Appiah-Kubi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - David J Wang
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Denis C Guttridge
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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9
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Qian Z, Rhodes CA, McCroskey LC, Wen J, Appiah-Kubi G, Wang DJ, Guttridge DC, Pei D. Enhancing the Cell Permeability and Metabolic Stability of Peptidyl Drugs by Reversible Bicyclization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201610888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Qian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Curran A. Rhodes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Lucas C. McCroskey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Jin Wen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - George Appiah-Kubi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - David J. Wang
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics; The Ohio State University; Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Denis C. Guttridge
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics; The Ohio State University; Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; The Ohio State University; 484 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
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Vihinen M. Types and effects of protein variations. Hum Genet 2015; 134:405-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-015-1529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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