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Yoshino Y, Mori T, Yoshida T, Yamazaki K, Ozaki Y, Sao T, Funahashi Y, Iga JI, Ueno SI. Elevated mRNA Expression and Low Methylation of SNCA in Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Subjects. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 54:1349-1357. [PMID: 27567856 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the continuing debate about the amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the precise pathogenesis is still unclear. Mixed pathology is common and multiple different protein aggregates are seen in human postmortem brains. Aggregates consisting of the alpha-synuclein protein encoded by the Synuclein Alpha gene (SCNA) are common in both dementia with Lewy bodies and AD. We examined SNCA mRNA expression and methylation rates of the CpG island at intron 1 of SNCA in peripheral leukocytes in 50 AD and age- and sex-matched control subjects to verify whether alpha-synuclein pathology affects the AD pathogenesis. SNCA mRNA expression in AD subjects was significantly higher than that in control subjects (1.62±0.73 versus 0.98±0.50, p < 0.001). We found significant differences between AD and control subjects at seven CpG sites (average rate; 8.8±2.7 versus 9.5±2.5, respectively: p = 0.027). The methylation rates tended to be lower in AD subjects at all CpG sites. We conclude that mRNA expression and methylation of SNCA intron 1 are altered in AD, which may be caused by Lewy body pathology in AD.
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Schönewolf-Greulich B, Tejada MI, Stephens K, Hadzsiev K, Gauthier J, Brøndum-Nielsen K, Pfundt R, Ravn K, Maortua H, Gener B, Martínez-Bouzas C, Piton A, Rouleau G, Clayton-Smith J, Kleefstra T, Bisgaard AM, Tümer Z. TheMECP2variant c.925C>T (p.Arg309Trp) causes intellectual disability in both males and females without classic features of Rett syndrome. Clin Genet 2016; 89:733-8. [DOI: 10.1111/cge.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Schönewolf-Greulich
- Center for Rett Syndrome, Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet; Glostrup Denmark
- Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital; Rigshospitalet Glostrup Denmark
| | - M.-I. Tejada
- Genetics Service; Cruces University Hospital, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Clinical group affiliated with the Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); Barakaldo Bizkaia Spain
| | - K. Stephens
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre; Central Manchester University Hospitals; Manchester UK
| | - K. Hadzsiev
- Department of Medical Genetics; University of Pécs; Pécs Hungary
| | - J. Gauthier
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory and Division of Medical Genetics; CHU Sainte-Justine; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - K. Brøndum-Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital; Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
| | - R. Pfundt
- Department of Human Genetics; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - K. Ravn
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital; Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
| | - H. Maortua
- Genetics Service; Cruces University Hospital, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Clinical group affiliated with the Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); Barakaldo Bizkaia Spain
| | - B. Gener
- Genetics Service; Cruces University Hospital, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Clinical group affiliated with the Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); Barakaldo Bizkaia Spain
| | - C. Martínez-Bouzas
- Genetics Service; Cruces University Hospital, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Clinical group affiliated with the Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); Barakaldo Bizkaia Spain
| | - A. Piton
- Department of Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics; IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Strasbourg University; Strasbourg France
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique; Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg; Strasbourg Cedex France
| | - G. Rouleau
- Department of Human Genetics; McGill University; Montréal Quebec Canada
| | - J. Clayton-Smith
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre; Central Manchester University Hospitals; Manchester UK
| | - T. Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - A.-M. Bisgaard
- Center for Rett Syndrome, Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet; Glostrup Denmark
| | - Z. Tümer
- Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics; Copenhagen University Hospital; Rigshospitalet Glostrup Denmark
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Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are ubiquitous in the body, but they have historically been associated with allergies, and most recently with regulation of immunity and inflammation. However, it remains a puzzle why so many MCs are located in the diencephalon, which regulates emotions and in the genitourinary tract, including the bladder, prostate, penis, vagina and uterus that hardly ever get allergic reactions. A number of papers have reported that MCs have estrogen, gonadotropin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors. Moreover, animal experiments have shown that diencephalic MCs increase in number during courting in doves. We had reported that allergic stimulation of nasal MCs leads to hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) activation. Interestingly, anecdotal information indicates that female patients with mastocytosis or mast cell activation syndrome may have increased libido. Preliminary evidence also suggests that MCs may have olfactory receptors. MCs may, therefore, have been retained phylogenetically not only to “smell danger”, but to promote survival and procreation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- 1 Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia M Stewart
- 1 Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Fabio RA, Colombo B, Russo S, Cogliati F, Masciadri M, Foglia S, Antonietti A, Tavian D. Recent insights into genotype-phenotype relationships in patients with Rett syndrome using a fine grain scale. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2014; 35:2976-2986. [PMID: 25124696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in MECP2 gene cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting around 1 in 10,000 female births. The clinical picture of RTT appears quite heterogeneous for each single feature. Mutations in MECP2 gene have been associated with the onset of RTT. The most known gene function consists of transcriptional repression of specific target genes, mainly by the binding of its methyl binding domain (MBD) to methylated CpG nucleotides and recruiting co-repressors and histone deacetylase binding to DNA by its transcription repressor domain (TRD). This study aimed at evaluating a cohort of 114 Rett syndrome (RTT) patients with a detailed scale measuring the different kinds of impairments produced by the syndrome. The sample included relatively large subsets of the most frequent mutations, so that genotype-phenotype correlations could be tested. Results revealed that frequent missense mutations showed a specific profile in different areas of impairment. The R306C mutation, considered as producing mild impairment, was associated to a moderate phenotype in which behavioural characteristics were mainly affected. A notable difference emerged by comparing mutations truncating the protein before and after the nuclear localization signal; such a difference concerned prevalently the motor-functional and autonomy skills of the patients, affecting the management of everyday activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Angela Fabio
- Department of Cognitive Science, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, via Concezione 8, 98122 Messina, Italy.
| | - Barbara Colombo
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Russo
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Cogliati
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145 Milano, Italy
| | - Maura Masciadri
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Foglia
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Tavian
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy; Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-CRIBENS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Piazza Buonarroti 30, 20145 Milano, Italy
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Chuang HC, Huang TN, Hsueh YP. Neuronal excitation upregulates Tbr1, a high-confidence risk gene of autism, mediating Grin2b expression in the adult brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:280. [PMID: 25309323 PMCID: PMC4159980 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated gene expression of transcription factors is required for neural plasticity and function in response to neuronal stimulation. T-brain-1 (TBR1), a critical neuron-specific transcription factor for forebrain development, has been recognized as a high-confidence risk gene for autism spectrum disorders. Here, we show that in addition to its role in brain development, Tbr1 responds to neuronal activation and further modulates the Grin2b expression in adult brains and mature neurons. The expression levels of Tbr1 were investigated using both immunostaining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. We found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Tbr1 are induced by excitatory synaptic transmission driven by bicuculline or glutamate treatment in cultured mature neurons. The upregulation of Tbr1 expression requires the activation of both α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Furthermore, behavioral training triggers Tbr1 induction in the adult mouse brain. The elevation of Tbr1 expression is associated with Grin2b upregulation in both mature neurons and adult brains. Using Tbr1-deficient neurons, we further demonstrated that TBR1 is required for the induction of Grin2b upon neuronal activation. Taken together with the previous studies showing that TBR1 binds the Grin2b promoter and controls expression of luciferase reporter driven by Grin2b promoter, the evidence suggests that TBR1 directly controls Grin2b expression in mature neurons. We also found that the addition of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) antagonist KN-93, but not the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin antagonist cyclosporin A, to cultured mature neurons noticeably inhibited Tbr1 induction, indicating that neuronal activation upregulates Tbr1 expression in a CaMKII-dependent manner. In conclusion, our study suggests that Tbr1 plays an important role in adult mouse brains in response to neuronal activation to modulate the activity-regulated gene transcription required for neural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chun Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei Taiwan ; Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei Taiwan ; Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei Taiwan
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Advances in Human Biology: Combining Genetics and Molecular Biophysics to Pave the Way for Personalized Diagnostics and Medicine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/471836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Advances in several biology-oriented initiatives such as genome sequencing and structural genomics, along with the progress made through traditional biological and biochemical research, have opened up a unique opportunity to better understand the molecular effects of human diseases. Human DNA can vary significantly from person to person and determines an individual’s physical characteristics and their susceptibility to diseases. Armed with an individual’s DNA sequence, researchers and physicians can check for defects known to be associated with certain diseases by utilizing various databases. However, for unclassified DNA mutations or in order to reveal molecular mechanism behind the effects, the mutations have to be mapped onto the corresponding networks and macromolecular structures and then analyzed to reveal their effect on the wild type properties of biological processes involved. Predicting the effect of DNA mutations on individual’s health is typically referred to as personalized or companion diagnostics. Furthermore, once the molecular mechanism of the mutations is revealed, the patient should be given drugs which are the most appropriate for the individual genome, referred to as pharmacogenomics. Altogether, the shift in focus in medicine towards more genomic-oriented practices is the foundation of personalized medicine. The progress made in these rapidly developing fields is outlined.
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