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El Yacoubi FA, Oukabli M, Ibrahimi A, Kisra H, Bensaid M. Unraveling the Role of Neuroligin3 in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Pathophysiological Insights and Targeted Therapies. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:801-811. [PMID: 37497709 DOI: 10.2174/1871527323666230727102244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social and communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and/or restricted interests with a prevalence of as high as 1% of children. Autism spectrum has strongly associated with genetic factors and exhibits wide clinical and heterogeneous genetic architecture. Most genes associated with Autism are involved in neuronal and synaptic development. The neuroligin3, the sex-linked gene on the X chromosome, was the first gene to be associated with a monogenic form of Autism. Neuroligin3 is a postsynaptic cell adhesion protein involved in synapse transmission, brain formation, and neuronal development. In this review, we provide recent findings on different mutations in the Neuroligin3 gene linked to Autism spectrum disorder and their molecular pathway effect. We also give the behavioral, and synaptic alterations reported in the Neuroligin3 animal model of Autism and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting the biological processes and the main symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. In addition, we discuss the use of novel technologies like induced pluripotent stem cells from Autistic patients that have the potential to differentiate in human neurons and therefore have a variety of applications in therapy and biomedical studies to search specific biomarkers, and develop systems for screening chemical molecules in human cells to discover target therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Azzahrae El Yacoubi
- Laboratory of Immunology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco
- Medical and Pharmacy School, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Oukabli
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, Military Hospital Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Azeddine Ibrahimi
- Biotechnology Lab (MedBiotech), Rabat Medical and Pharmacy School, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
- Centre Mohammed VI for Research & Innovation (CM6), Rabat, Morocco
- Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Hassan Kisra
- Medical and Pharmacy School, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
- Center of Child Psychiatry, Arrazi Hospital, Salé, Morocco
| | - Mounia Bensaid
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, Military Hospital Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco
- Royal School of Military Health Service. Rabat, Morocco
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2
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Rogdaki M. From Gene to Brain and Behavior: Excitatory and Inhibitory Imbalance and Psychosis in Individuals With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:526-527. [PMID: 37673515 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rogdaki
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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3
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Huang C, Voglewede MM, Ozsen EN, Wang H, Zhang H. SHANK3 Mutations Associated with Autism and Schizophrenia Lead to Shared and Distinct Changes in Dendritic Spine Dynamics in the Developing Mouse Brain. Neuroscience 2023; 528:1-11. [PMID: 37532012 PMCID: PMC10528879 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.07.024] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia are distinct neurodevelopmental disorders that share certain symptoms and genetic components. Both disorders show abnormalities in dendritic spines, which are the main sites of excitatory synaptic inputs. Recent studies have identified the synaptic scaffolding protein Shank3 as a leading candidate gene for both disorders. Mutations in the SHANK3 gene have been linked to both ASD and schizophrenia; however, how patient-derived mutations affect the structural plasticity of dendritic spines during brain development is unknown. Here we use live two photon in vivo imaging to examine dendritic spine structural plasticity in mice with SHANK3 mutations associated with ASD and schizophrenia. We identified shared and distinct phenotypes in dendritic spine morphogenesis and plasticity in the ASD-associated InsG3680 mutant mice and the schizophrenia-associated R1117X mutant mice. No significant changes in dendritic arborization were observed in either mutant, raising the possibility that synaptic dysregulation may be a key contributor to the behavioral defects previously reported in these mice. These findings shed light on how patient-linked mutations in SHANK3 affect dendritic spine dynamics in the developing brain, which provides insight into the synaptic basis for the distinct phenotypes observed in ASD and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyu Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mikayla M Voglewede
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Elif Naz Ozsen
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States.
| | - Huaye Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States.
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Constable PA, Lim JKH, Thompson DA. Retinal electrophysiology in central nervous system disorders. A review of human and mouse studies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1215097. [PMID: 37600004 PMCID: PMC10433210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1215097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina and brain share similar neurochemistry and neurodevelopmental origins, with the retina, often viewed as a "window to the brain." With retinal measures of structure and function becoming easier to obtain in clinical populations there is a growing interest in using retinal findings as potential biomarkers for disorders affecting the central nervous system. Functional retinal biomarkers, such as the electroretinogram, show promise in neurological disorders, despite having limitations imposed by the existence of overlapping genetic markers, clinical traits or the effects of medications that may reduce their specificity in some conditions. This narrative review summarizes the principal functional retinal findings in central nervous system disorders and related mouse models and provides a background to the main excitatory and inhibitory retinal neurotransmitters that have been implicated to explain the visual electrophysiological findings. These changes in retinal neurochemistry may contribute to our understanding of these conditions based on the findings of retinal electrophysiological tests such as the flash, pattern, multifocal electroretinograms, and electro-oculogram. It is likely that future applications of signal analysis and machine learning algorithms will offer new insights into the pathophysiology, classification, and progression of these clinical disorders including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. New clinical applications of visual electrophysiology to this field may lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses and better targeted therapeutic interventions benefiting individual patients and clinicians managing these individuals and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jeremiah K. H. Lim
- Discipline of Optometry, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dorothy A. Thompson
- The Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Ni P, Zhou C, Liang S, Jiang Y, Liu D, Shao Z, Noh H, Zhao L, Tian Y, Zhang C, Wei J, Li X, Yu H, Ni R, Yu X, Qi X, Zhang Y, Ma X, Deng W, Guo W, Wang Q, Sham PC, Chung S, Li T. YBX1-Mediated DNA Methylation-Dependent SHANK3 Expression in PBMCs and Developing Cortical Interneurons in Schizophrenia. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300455. [PMID: 37211699 PMCID: PMC10369273 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorder. The pathological process of SCZ starts early during development, way before the first onset of psychotic symptoms. DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating gene expression and dysregulated DNA methylation is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. The methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-chip (MeDIP-chip) is performed to investigate genome-wide DNA methylation dysregulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with first-episode SCZ (FES). Results show that the SHANK3 promoter is hypermethylated, and this hypermethylation (HyperM) is negatively correlated with the cortical surface area in the left inferior temporal cortex and positively correlated with the negative symptom subscores in FES. The transcription factor YBX1 is further found to bind to the HyperM region of SHANK3 promoter in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived cortical interneurons (cINs) but not glutamatergic neurons. Furthermore, a direct and positive regulatory effect of YBX1 on the expression of SHANK3 is confirmed in cINs using shRNAs. In summary, the dysregulated SHANK3 expression in cINs suggests the potential role of DNA methylation in the neuropathological mechanism underlying SCZ. The results also suggest that HyperM of SHANK3 in PBMCs can serve as a potential peripheral biomarker of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyan Ni
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
- Department of PsychiatryMcLean Hospital/Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontMA02478USA
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNY10595USA
| | - Chuqing Zhou
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Sugai Liang
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Youhui Jiang
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Dongxin Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNY10595USA
| | - Zhicheng Shao
- Department of PsychiatryMcLean Hospital/Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontMA02478USA
| | - Haneul Noh
- Department of PsychiatryMcLean Hospital/Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontMA02478USA
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNY10595USA
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Yang Tian
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Jinxue Wei
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Hua Yu
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Rongjun Ni
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Xueli Yu
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical NeurobiologyMOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Machine IntegrationSchool of Brain Science and Brain MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Xueyu Qi
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical NeurobiologyMOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Machine IntegrationSchool of Brain Science and Brain MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Yamin Zhang
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical NeurobiologyMOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Machine IntegrationSchool of Brain Science and Brain MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Wanjun Guo
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical NeurobiologyMOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Machine IntegrationSchool of Brain Science and Brain MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Qiang Wang
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengdu610041P. R. China
| | - Pak C. Sham
- Department of PsychiatryLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong Kong, SAR999077China
- Centre for PanorOmic SciencesThe University of Hong KongHong Kong, SAR999077China
| | - Sangmi Chung
- Department of PsychiatryMcLean Hospital/Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontMA02478USA
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNY10595USA
| | - Tao Li
- Department of NeurobiologyAffiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical NeurobiologyMOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Machine IntegrationSchool of Brain Science and Brain MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
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Stella C, Díaz-Caneja CM, Penzol MJ, García-Alcón A, Solís A, Andreu-Bernabeu Á, Gurriarán X, Arango C, Parellada M, González-Peñas J. Analysis of common genetic variation across targets of microRNAs dysregulated both in ASD and epilepsy reveals negative correlation. Front Genet 2023; 14:1072563. [PMID: 36968597 PMCID: PMC10034058 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1072563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic overlap involving rare disrupting mutations may contribute to high comorbidity rates between autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. Despite their polygenic nature, genome-wide association studies have not reported a significant contribution of common genetic variation to comorbidity between both conditions. Analysis of common genetic variation affecting specific shared pathways such as miRNA dysregulation could help to elucidate the polygenic mechanisms underlying comorbidity between autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. We evaluated here the role of common predisposing variation to autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy across target genes of 14 miRNAs selected through bibliographic research as being dysregulated in both disorders. We considered 4,581 target genes from various in silico sources. We described negative genetic correlation between autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy across variants located within target genes of the 14 miRNAs selected (p = 0.0228). Moreover, polygenic transmission disequilibrium test on an independent cohort of autism spectrum disorders trios (N = 233) revealed an under-transmission of autism spectrum disorders predisposing alleles within miRNAs’ target genes across autism spectrum disorders trios without comorbid epilepsy, thus reinforcing the negative relationship at the common genetic variation between both traits. Our study provides evidence of a negative relationship between autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy at the common genetic variation level that becomes more evident when focusing on the miRNA regulatory networks, which contrasts with observed clinical comorbidity and results from rare variation studies. Our findings may help to conceptualize the genetic heterogeneity and the comorbidity with epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Stella
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Covadonga M. Díaz-Caneja
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Penzol
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia García-Alcón
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Solís
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Andreu-Bernabeu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xaquín Gurriarán
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Celso Arango
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier González-Peñas
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Javier González-Peñas,
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Eagleson KL, Levitt P. Alterations in the Proteome of Developing Neocortical Synaptosomes in the Absence of MET Signaling Revealed by Comparative Proteomics. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:126-138. [PMID: 36882009 PMCID: PMC10239366 DOI: 10.1159/000529981] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in synapse formation, maturation, and function are a hallmark of many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. For example, there is reduced neocortical expression of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) transcript and protein in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Rett syndrome. Preclinical in vivo and in vitro models manipulating MET signaling reveal that the receptor modulates excitatory synapse development and maturation in select forebrain circuits. The molecular adaptations underlying the altered synaptic development remain unknown. We performed a comparative mass spectrometry analysis of synaptosomes generated from the neocortex of wild type and Met null mice during the peak of synaptogenesis (postnatal day 14; data are available from ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD033204). The analyses revealed broad disruption of the developing synaptic proteome in the absence of MET, consistent with the localization of MET protein in pre- and postsynaptic compartments, including proteins associated with the neocortical synaptic MET interactome and those encoded by syndromic and ASD risk genes. In addition to an overrepresentation of altered proteins associated with the SNARE complex, multiple proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and associated with the synaptic vesicle, as well as proteins that regulate actin filament organization and synaptic vesicle exocytosis/endocytosis, were disrupted. Taken together, the proteomic changes are consistent with structural and functional changes observed following alterations in MET signaling. We hypothesize that the molecular adaptations following Met deletion may reflect a general mechanism that produces circuit-specific molecular changes due to loss or reduction of synaptic signaling proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathie L Eagleson
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
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8
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Sabo SL, Lahr JM, Offer M, Weekes ALA, Sceniak MP. GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder: current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1090865. [PMID: 36704660 PMCID: PMC9873235 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1090865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder is a rare disease caused by mutations in the GRIN2B gene, which encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors. Most individuals with GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder present with intellectual disability and developmental delay. Motor impairments, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy are also common. A large number of pathogenic de novo mutations have been identified in GRIN2B. However, it is not yet known how these variants lead to the clinical symptoms of the disease. Recent research has begun to address this issue. Here, we describe key experimental approaches that have been used to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease. We discuss the impact of several distinct pathogenic GRIN2B variants on NMDA receptor properties. We then critically review pivotal studies examining the synaptic and neurodevelopmental phenotypes observed when disease-associated GluN2B variants are expressed in neurons. These data provide compelling evidence that various GluN2B mutants interfere with neuronal differentiation, dendrite morphogenesis, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Finally, we identify important open questions and considerations for future studies aimed at understanding this complex disease. Together, the existing data provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder and emphasize the importance of comparing the effects of individual, disease-associated variants. Understanding the molecular, cellular and circuit phenotypes produced by a wide range of GRIN2B variants should lead to the identification of core neurodevelopmental phenotypes that characterize the disease and lead to its symptoms. This information could help guide the development and application of effective therapeutic strategies for treating individuals with GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasta L. Sabo
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,*Correspondence: Shasta L. Sabo
| | - Jessica M. Lahr
- Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Madelyn Offer
- Program in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Anika LA Weekes
- Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Michael P. Sceniak
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
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9
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Lee K, Mills Z, Cheung P, Cheyne JE, Montgomery JM. The Role of Zinc and NMDA Receptors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010001. [PMID: 36678498 PMCID: PMC9866730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors are critical for synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Their unique properties and age-dependent arrangement of subunit types underpin their role as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activity during brain development and maturation. NMDAR function is highly modulated by zinc, which is co-released with glutamate and concentrates in postsynaptic spines. Both NMDARs and zinc have been strongly linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that NMDARs are an important player in the beneficial effects observed with zinc in both animal models and children with ASDs. Significant evidence is emerging that these beneficial effects occur via zinc-dependent regulation of SHANK proteins, which form the backbone of the postsynaptic density. For example, dietary zinc supplementation enhances SHANK2 or SHANK3 synaptic recruitment and rescues NMDAR deficits and hypofunction in Shank3ex13-16-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mice. Across multiple studies, synaptic changes occur in parallel with a reversal of ASD-associated behaviours, highlighting the zinc-dependent regulation of NMDARs and glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets for severe forms of ASDs, either pre- or postnatally. The data from rodent models set a strong foundation for future translational studies in human cells and people affected by ASDs.
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10
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Ganesh S, Vemula A, Bhattacharjee S, Mathew K, Ithal D, Navin K, Nadella RK, Viswanath B, Sullivan PF, Jain S, Purushottam M. Whole exome sequencing in dense families suggests genetic pleiotropy amongst Mendelian and complex neuropsychiatric syndromes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21128. [PMID: 36476812 PMCID: PMC9729597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25664-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) studies provide important insights into the genetic architecture of serious mental illness (SMI). Genes that are central to the shared biology of SMIs may be identified by WES in families with multiple affected individuals with diverse SMI (F-SMI). We performed WES in 220 individuals from 75 F-SMI families and 60 unrelated controls. Within pedigree prioritization employed criteria of rarity, functional consequence, and sharing by ≥ 3 affected members. Across the sample, gene and gene-set-wide case-control association analysis was performed with Sequence Kernel Association Test (SKAT). In 14/16 families with ≥ 3 sequenced affected individuals, we identified a total of 78 rare predicted deleterious variants in 78 unique genes shared by ≥ 3 members with SMI. Twenty (25%) genes were implicated in monogenic CNS syndromes in OMIM (OMIM-CNS), a fraction that is a significant overrepresentation (Fisher's Exact test OR = 2.47, p = 0.001). In gene-set SKAT, statistically significant association was noted for OMIM-CNS gene-set (SKAT-p = 0.005) but not the synaptic gene-set (SKAT-p = 0.17). In this WES study in F-SMI, we identify private, rare, protein altering variants in genes previously implicated in Mendelian neuropsychiatric syndromes; suggesting pleiotropic influences in neurodevelopment between complex and Mendelian syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhas Ganesh
- Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, India
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Alekhya Vemula
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Kezia Mathew
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Dhruva Ithal
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Karthick Navin
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Nadella
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Psychiatry, Varma Hospital, Bhimavaram, India
| | - Biju Viswanath
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Patrick F Sullivan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanjeev Jain
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Meera Purushottam
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India.
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11
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Kim NS, Ringeling FR, Zhou Y, Nguyen HN, Temme SJ, Lin YT, Eacker S, Dawson VL, Dawson TM, Xiao B, Hsu KS, Canzar S, Li W, Worley P, Christian KM, Yoon KJ, Song H, Ming GL. CYFIP1 Dosages Exhibit Divergent Behavioral Impact via Diametric Regulation of NMDA Receptor Complex Translation in Mouse Models of Psychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:815-826. [PMID: 34247782 PMCID: PMC8568734 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene dosage imbalance caused by copy number variations (CNVs) is a prominent contributor to brain disorders. In particular, 15q11.2 CNV duplications and deletions have been associated with autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. The mechanism underlying these diametric contributions remains unclear. METHODS We established both loss-of-function and gain-of-function mouse models of Cyfip1, one of four genes within 15q11.2 CNVs. To assess the functional consequences of altered CYFIP1 levels, we performed systematic investigations on behavioral, electrophysiological, and biochemical phenotypes in both mouse models. In addition, we utilized RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) analysis to reveal molecular targets of CYFIP1 in vivo. RESULTS Cyfip1 loss-of-function and gain-of function mouse models exhibited distinct and shared behavioral abnormalities related to autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. RIP-seq analysis identified messenger RNA targets of CYFIP1 in vivo, including postsynaptic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) complex components. In addition, these mouse models showed diametric changes in levels of postsynaptic NMDAR complex components at synapses because of dysregulated protein translation, resulting in bidirectional alteration of NMDAR-mediated signaling. Importantly, pharmacological balancing of NMDAR signaling in these mouse models with diametric Cyfip1 dosages rescues behavioral abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS CYFIP1 regulates protein translation of NMDAR and associated complex components at synapses to maintain normal synaptic functions and behaviors. Our integrated analyses provide insight into how gene dosage imbalance caused by CNVs may contribute to divergent neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam-Shik Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Francisca Rojas Ringeling
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ying Zhou
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ha Nam Nguyen
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephanie J Temme
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yu-Ting Lin
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephen Eacker
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bo Xiao
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kuei-Sen Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Stefan Canzar
- Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Weidong Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Paul Worley
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ki-Jun Yoon
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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12
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Anstey NJ, Kapgal V, Tiwari S, Watson TC, Toft AKH, Dando OR, Inkpen FH, Baxter PS, Kozić Z, Jackson AD, He X, Nawaz MS, Kayenaat A, Bhattacharya A, Wyllie DJA, Chattarji S, Wood ER, Hardt O, Kind PC. Imbalance of flight-freeze responses and their cellular correlates in the Nlgn3 -/y rat model of autism. Mol Autism 2022; 13:34. [PMID: 35850732 PMCID: PMC9290228 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00511-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the postsynaptic transmembrane protein neuroligin-3 are highly correlative with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disabilities (IDs). Fear learning is well studied in models of these disorders, however differences in fear response behaviours are often overlooked. We aim to examine fear behaviour and its cellular underpinnings in a rat model of ASD/ID lacking Nlgn3. METHODS This study uses a range of behavioural tests to understand differences in fear response behaviour in Nlgn3-/y rats. Following this, we examined the physiological underpinnings of this in neurons of the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a midbrain area involved in flight-or-freeze responses. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from ex vivo PAG slices, in addition to in vivo local-field potential recordings and electrical stimulation of the PAG in wildtype and Nlgn3-/y rats. We analysed behavioural data with two- and three-way ANOVAS and electrophysiological data with generalised linear mixed modelling (GLMM). RESULTS We observed that, unlike the wildtype, Nlgn3-/y rats are more likely to response with flight rather than freezing in threatening situations. Electrophysiological findings were in agreement with these behavioural outcomes. We found in ex vivo slices from Nlgn3-/y rats that neurons in dorsal PAG (dPAG) showed intrinsic hyperexcitability compared to wildtype. Similarly, stimulating dPAG in vivo revealed that lower magnitudes sufficed to evoke flight behaviour in Nlgn3-/y than wildtype rats, indicating the functional impact of the increased cellular excitability. LIMITATIONS Our findings do not examine what specific cell type in the PAG is likely responsible for these phenotypes. Furthermore, we have focussed on phenotypes in young adult animals, whilst the human condition associated with NLGN3 mutations appears during the first few years of life. CONCLUSIONS We describe altered fear responses in Nlgn3-/y rats and provide evidence that this is the result of a circuit bias that predisposes flight over freeze responses. Additionally, we demonstrate the first link between PAG dysfunction and ASD/ID. This study provides new insight into potential pathophysiologies leading to anxiety disorders and changes to fear responses in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J Anstey
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Vijayakumar Kapgal
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,The University of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Shashank Tiwari
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Thomas C Watson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Anna K H Toft
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Owen R Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Felicity H Inkpen
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Paul S Baxter
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Zrinko Kozić
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Adam D Jackson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Xin He
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Mohammad Sarfaraz Nawaz
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Aiman Kayenaat
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,The University of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Aditi Bhattacharya
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Sumantra Chattarji
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Emma R Wood
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Oliver Hardt
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 5 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.
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13
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A Nuclear Belt Fastens on Neural Cell Fate. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111761. [PMID: 35681456 PMCID: PMC9179901 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful embryonic and adult neurogenesis require proliferating neural stem and progenitor cells that are intrinsically and extrinsically guided into a neuronal fate. In turn, migration of new-born neurons underlies the complex cytoarchitecture of the brain. Proliferation and migration are therefore essential for brain development, homeostasis and function in adulthood. Among several tightly regulated processes involved in brain formation and function, recent evidence points to the nuclear envelope (NE) and NE-associated components as critical new contributors. Classically, the NE was thought to merely represent a barrier mediating selective exchange between the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. However, research over the past two decades has highlighted more sophisticated and diverse roles for NE components in progenitor fate choice and migration of their progeny by tuning gene expression via interactions with chromatin, transcription factors and epigenetic factors. Defects in NE components lead to neurodevelopmental impairments, whereas age-related changes in NE components are proposed to influence neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, understanding the roles of NE components in brain development, maintenance and aging is likely to reveal new pathophysiological mechanisms for intervention. Here, we review recent findings for the previously underrepresented contribution of the NE in neuronal commitment and migration, and envision future avenues for investigation.
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14
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Colizzi M, Bortoletto R, Costa R, Bhattacharyya S, Balestrieri M. The Autism-Psychosis Continuum Conundrum: Exploring the Role of the Endocannabinoid System. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:5616. [PMID: 35565034 PMCID: PMC9105053 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence indicates shared physiopathological mechanisms between autism and psychosis. In this regard, the endocannabinoid system has been suggested to modulate neural circuits during the early stage of neurodevelopment, with implications for both autism and psychosis. Nevertheless, such potential common markers of disease have been investigated in both autism and psychosis spectrum disorders, without considering the conundrum of differentiating the two groups of conditions in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Here, we systematically review all human and animal studies examining the endocannabinoid system and its biobehavioral correlates in the association between autism and psychosis. Studies indicate overlapping biobehavioral aberrancies between autism and schizophrenia, subject to correction by modulation of the endocannabinoid system. In addition, common cannabinoid-based pharmacological strategies have been identified, exerting epigenetic effects across genes controlling neural mechanisms shared between autism and schizophrenia. Interestingly, a developmental and transgenerational trajectory between autism and schizophrenia is supported by evidence that exogenous alteration of the endocannabinoid system promotes progression to inheritable psychosis phenotypes in the context of biobehavioral autism vulnerability. However, evidence for a diametral association between autism and psychosis is scant. Several clinical implications follow from evidence of a developmental continuum between autism and psychosis as a function of the endocannabinoid system dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Colizzi
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK;
| | - Riccardo Bortoletto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Maternal-Child Integrated Care Department, Integrated University Hospital of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Rosalia Costa
- Community Mental Health Team, Friuli Centrale University Health Service (ASUFC), 33057 Palmanova, Italy;
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK;
| | - Matteo Balestrieri
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
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15
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Mangano GD, Riva A, Fontana A, Salpietro V, Mangano GR, Nobile G, Orsini A, Iacomino M, Battini R, Astrea G, Striano P, Nardello R. De novo GRIN2A variants associated with epilepsy and autism and literature review. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 129:108604. [PMID: 35217385 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) are di- or tri-heterotetrameric ligand-gated ion channels composed of two obligate glycine-binding GluN1 subunits and two glutamate-binding GluN2 or GluN3 subunits, encoded by GRIN1, GRIN2A-D, and GRIN3A-B receptor genes respectively. Each NMDA receptor subtype has different temporal and spatial expression patterns in the brain and varies in the cell types and subcellular localization resulting in different functions. They play a crucial role in mediating the excitatory neurotransmission, but are also involved in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity, essential for learning, memory, and high cognitive functions. Among genes coding NMDAR subunits, GRIN2B is predominantly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, developmental delay, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and, further, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease. The GRIN2A seems to be predominantly associated with a more definite phenotype including an epileptic spectrum ranging from Landau-Kleffner syndrome to benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, speech or language impairment, intellectual disability/developmental delay often in comorbidity. On the contrary, the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders, unlike GRIN2B-associated disorders, is questionable. To contribute to elucidate the latter issue and to better define the genotype/phenotype correlation, we report the clinical and neuropsychological profile of two patients featuring autism disorder, intellectual disability, language impairment, and focal epilepsy, associated with previously unreported heterozygous de novo GRIN2A pathogenic variants. We hypothesize that the unusual phenotype may be the result of interactions of tri-heterotetrameric 2GluN1/GluN2A-D/GluN3A-B subunits with mutated GluN2A subunit and/or the dysfunction may be influenced by other unknown modifier genes and/or environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Donato Mangano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa 16147, Italy
| | - Antonina Fontana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa 16147, Italy; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Giuseppa Renata Mangano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Nobile
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa 16147, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa 16147, Italy; Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosaria Nardello
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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16
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Wang X, Guo Z, Mei D, Zhang Y, Zhao S, Hu S, Luo S, Wang Q, Gao C. The GluN2B-Trp373 NMDA Receptor Variant is Associated with Autism-, Epilepsy-Related Phenotypes and Reduces NMDA Receptor Currents in Rats. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:1588-1597. [PMID: 35181828 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core clinical features of abnormal communication, social interactions, atypical intelligence, and a higher risk of epilepsy. Prior work has suggested that de novo heterozygous mutations in the GRIN2B gene that encodes the GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors are likely linked to ASD. However, whether GLuN2B-Trp373 mutation derived from autistic individuals causes ASD-like behavioral aberrations in rats remains to be determined. Here, through in utero electroporation and in vivo studies, we conducted a battery of tests to examine ASD-associated behaviors, cognitive impairments, and susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. Whole-cell patch recording was utilized to determine whether the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation influences GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor currents in rats. Results show that, behaviorally, GLuN2B-Trp373 mutant rats exhibited core behavioral manifestations of ASD, such as social interaction deficits, increases in stereotyped behaviors and anxiety stereotyped/repetitive, impaired spatial memory, and enhanced risk of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures, consistent with many of the hallmarks of low-functioning ASD in humans. Functionally, the GluN2B-Trp373 mutation results in reduced GluN2B surface protein expression together with decreased hippocampal NMDA receptor currents. Collectively, our findings highlight that GluN2B-Trp373 mutations can drive the manifestation of ASD-associated symptoms via the suppression of NMDA receptor currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China.
| | - Zhiyue Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Daoqi Mei
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shunan Hu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Shuying Luo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, 33 Longhu Outer Circle Dong Road, Zhengzhou, 450018, Henan, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Dongqing Road, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China.
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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17
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Lo T, Kushima I, Aleksic B, Kato H, Nawa Y, Hayashi Y, Otgonbayar G, Kimura H, Arioka Y, Mori D, Ozaki N. Sequencing of selected chromatin remodelling genes reveals increased burden of rare missense variants in ASD patients from the Japanese population. Int Rev Psychiatry 2022; 34:154-167. [PMID: 35699097 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2072193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin remodelling is an important process in neural development and is related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) aetiology. To further elucidate the involvement of chromatin remodelling genes in the genetic aetiology of ASD and SCZ in the Japanese population, we performed a case-control study. Targeted sequencing was conducted on coding regions of four BAF chromatin remodelling complex genes: SMARCA2, SMARCA4, SMARCC2, and ARID1B in 185 ASD, 432 SCZ patients, and 517 controls. 27 rare non-synonymous variants were identified in ASD and SCZ patients, including 25 missense, one in-frame deletion in SMRACA4, and one frame-shift variant in SMARCC2. Association analysis was conducted to investigate the burden of rare variants in BAF genes in ASD and SCZ patients. Significant enrichment of rare missense variants in BAF genes, but not synonymous variants, was found in ASD compared to controls. Rare pathogenic variants indicated by in silico tools were significantly enriched in ASD, but not statistically significant in SCZ. Pathogenic-predicted variants were located in disordered binding regions and may confer risk for ASD and SCZ by disrupting protein-protein interactions. Our study supports the involvement of rare missense variants of BAF genes in ASD and SCZ susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzuyao Lo
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Branko Aleksic
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Kato
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yu Hayashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Gantsooj Otgonbayar
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuko Arioka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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18
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Li Y, Ma C, Li S, Wang J, Li W, Yang Y, Li X, Liu J, Yang J, Liu Y, Li K, Li J, Huang D, Chen R, Lv L, Xiao X, Li M, Luo X. Regulatory Variant rs2535629 in ITIH3 Intron Confers Schizophrenia Risk By Regulating CTCF Binding and SFMBT1 Expression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104786. [PMID: 34978167 PMCID: PMC8867204 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified 3p21.1 as a robust risk locus for schizophrenia. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here a functional regulatory variant (rs2535629) is identified that disrupts CTCF binding at 3p21.1. It is confirmed that rs2535629 is also significantly associated with schizophrenia in Chinese population and the regulatory effect of rs2535629 is validated. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis indicates that rs2535629 is associated with the expression of three distal genes (GLT8D1, SFMBT1, and NEK4) in the human brain, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing confirmed the regulatory effect of rs2535629 on GLT8D1, SFMBT1, and NEK4. Interestingly, differential expression analysis of GLT8D1, SFMBT1, and NEK4 suggested that rs2535629 may confer schizophrenia risk by regulating SFMBT1 expression. It is further demonstrated that Sfmbt1 regulates neurodevelopment and dendritic spine density, two key pathological characteristics of schizophrenia. Transcriptome analysis also support the potential role of Sfmbt1 in schizophrenia pathogenesis. The study identifies rs2535629 as a plausibly causal regulatory variant at the 3p21.1 risk locus and demonstrates the regulatory mechanism and biological effect of this functional variant, indicating that this functional variant confers schizophrenia risk by altering CTCF binding and regulating expression of SFMBT1, a distal gene which plays important roles in neurodevelopment and synaptic morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Changguo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases & Yunnan Stem Cell Translational Research CenterKunming UniversityKunmingYunnan650214China
| | - Shiwu Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Junyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- Henan Mental HospitalThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological PsychiatryInternational Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of HenanXinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
| | - Yongfeng Yang
- Henan Mental HospitalThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological PsychiatryInternational Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of HenanXinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Computing and Signal Processing of Ministry of EducationInstitutes of Physical Science and Information TechnologyAnhui UniversityHefeiAnhui230601China
| | - Jiewei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Jinfeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Yixing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Kaiqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Jiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Di Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Rui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Luxian Lv
- Henan Mental HospitalThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
- Henan Key Lab of Biological PsychiatryInternational Joint Research Laboratory for Psychiatry and Neuroscience of HenanXinxiang Medical UniversityXinxiangHenan453002China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
| | - Xiong‐Jian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan ProvinceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and GeneticsChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
- KIZ‐CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common DiseasesKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnan650204China
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19
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Pugsley K, Scherer SW, Bellgrove MA, Hawi Z. Environmental exposures associated with elevated risk for autism spectrum disorder may augment the burden of deleterious de novo mutations among probands. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:710-730. [PMID: 34002022 PMCID: PMC8960415 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01142-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although the full aetiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unknown, familial and twin studies demonstrate high heritability of 60-90%, indicating a predominant role of genetics in the development of the disorder. The genetic architecture of ASD consists of a complex array of rare and common variants of all classes of genetic variation usually acting additively to augment individual risk. The relative contribution of heredity in ASD persists despite selective pressures against the classic autistic phenotype; a phenomenon thought to be explained, in part, by the incidence of spontaneous (or de novo) mutations. Notably, environmental exposures attributed as salient risk factors for ASD may play a causal role in the emergence of deleterious de novo variations, with several ASD-associated agents having significant mutagenic potential. To explore this hypothesis, this review article assesses published epidemiological data with evidence derived from assays of mutagenicity, both in vivo and in vitro, to determine the likely role such agents may play in augmenting the genetic liability in ASD. Broadly, these exposures were observed to elicit genomic alterations through one or a combination of: (1) direct interaction with genetic material; (2) impaired DNA repair; or (3) oxidative DNA damage. However, the direct contribution of these factors to the ASD phenotype cannot be determined without further analysis. The development of comprehensive prospective birth cohorts in combination with genome sequencing is essential to forming a causal, mechanistic account of de novo mutations in ASD that links exposure, genotypic alterations, and phenotypic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealan Pugsley
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics and Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Mark A. Bellgrove
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Ziarih Hawi
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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20
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Mancini GMS, Smits DJ, Dekker J, Schot R, de Wit MCY, Lequin MH, Dremmen M, Brooks AS, van Ham T, Verheijen FW, Fornerod M, Dobyns WB, Wilke M. Multidisciplinary interaction and MCD gene discovery. The perspective of the clinical geneticist. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021; 35:27-34. [PMID: 34592643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The increasing pace of gene discovery in the last decade has brought a major change in the way the genetic causes of brain malformations are being diagnosed. Unbiased genomic screening has gained the first place in the diagnostic protocol of a child with congenital (brain) anomalies and the detected variants are matched with the phenotypic presentation afterwards. This process is defined as "reverse phenotyping". Screening of DNA, through copy number variant analysis of microarrays and analysis of exome data on different platforms, obtained from the index patient and both parents has become a routine approach in many centers worldwide. Clinicians are used to multidisciplinary team interaction in patient care and disease management and this explains why the majority of research that has led to the discovery of new genetic disorders nowadays proceeds from clinical observations to genomic analysis and to data exchange facilitated by open access sharing databases. However, the relevance of multidisciplinary team interaction has not been object of systematic research in the field of brain malformations. This review will illustrate some examples of how diagnostically driven questions through multidisciplinary interaction, among clinical and preclinical disciplines, can be successful in the discovery of new genes related to brain malformations. The first example illustrates the setting of interaction among neurologists, geneticists and neuro-radiologists. The second illustrates the importance of interaction among clinical dysmorphologists for pattern recognition of syndromes with multiple congenital anomalies. The third example shows how fruitful it can be to step out of the "clinical comfort zone", and interact with basic scientists in applying emerging technologies to solve the diagnostic puzzles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia M S Mancini
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam.
| | - Daphne J Smits
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jordy Dekker
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rachel Schot
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam
| | - Marie Claire Y de Wit
- Department of Child Neurology, Sophia Children's Hospital, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, Rotterdam, NL, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam
| | - Maarten H Lequin
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Dremmen
- Department of Radiology, Sophia Children's Hospital, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam
| | - Alice S Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tjakko van Ham
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frans W Verheijen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam
| | - Maarten Fornerod
- Department of Cell Biology, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - William B Dobyns
- Department of Pediatrics (Genetics), University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC75, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Martina Wilke
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ENCORE Expertise Center for Genetic Neurocognitive Developmental Disorders, Erasmus, MC, Rotterdam
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21
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Uchigashima M, Cheung A, Futai K. Neuroligin-3: A Circuit-Specific Synapse Organizer That Shapes Normal Function and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Associated Dysfunction. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:749164. [PMID: 34690695 PMCID: PMC8526735 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.749164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical synapses provide a vital foundation for neuron-neuron communication and overall brain function. By tethering closely apposed molecular machinery for presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic signal transduction, circuit- and context- specific synaptic properties can drive neuronal computations for animal behavior. Trans-synaptic signaling via synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) serves as a promising mechanism to generate the molecular diversity of chemical synapses. Neuroligins (Nlgns) were discovered as postsynaptic CAMs that can bind to presynaptic CAMs like Neurexins (Nrxns) at the synaptic cleft. Among the four (Nlgn1-4) or five (Nlgn1-3, Nlgn4X, and Nlgn4Y) isoforms in rodents or humans, respectively, Nlgn3 has a heterogeneous expression and function at particular subsets of chemical synapses and strong association with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence have suggested that the unique expression and function of Nlgn3 protein underlie circuit-specific dysfunction characteristic of non-syndromic ASD caused by the disruption of Nlgn3 gene. Furthermore, recent studies have uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying input cell-dependent expression of Nlgn3 protein at hippocampal inhibitory synapses, in which trans-synaptic signaling of specific alternatively spliced isoforms of Nlgn3 and Nrxn plays a critical role. In this review article, we overview the molecular, anatomical, and physiological knowledge about Nlgn3, focusing on the circuit-specific function of mammalian Nlgn3 and its underlying molecular mechanism. This will provide not only new insight into specific Nlgn3-mediated trans-synaptic interactions as molecular codes for synapse specification but also a better understanding of the pathophysiological basis for non-syndromic ASD associated with functional impairment in Nlgn3 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Amy Cheung
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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22
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Parcerisas A, Ortega-Gascó A, Pujadas L, Soriano E. The Hidden Side of NCAM Family: NCAM2, a Key Cytoskeleton Organization Molecule Regulating Multiple Neural Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10021. [PMID: 34576185 PMCID: PMC8471948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although it has been over 20 years since Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (NCAM2) was identified as the second member of the NCAM family with a high expression in the nervous system, the knowledge of NCAM2 is still eclipsed by NCAM1. The first studies with NCAM2 focused on the olfactory bulb, where this protein has a key role in axonal projection and axonal/dendritic compartmentalization. In contrast to NCAM1, NCAM2's functions and partners in the brain during development and adulthood have remained largely unknown until not long ago. Recent studies have revealed the importance of NCAM2 in nervous system development. NCAM2 governs neuronal morphogenesis and axodendritic architecture, and controls important neuron-specific processes such as neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis and memory formation. In the adult brain, NCAM2 is highly expressed in dendritic spines, and it regulates synaptic plasticity and learning processes. NCAM2's functions are related to its ability to adapt to the external inputs of the cell and to modify the cytoskeleton accordingly. Different studies show that NCAM2 interacts with proteins involved in cytoskeleton stability and proteins that regulate calcium influx, which could also modify the cytoskeleton. In this review, we examine the evidence that points to NCAM2 as a crucial cytoskeleton regulation protein during brain development and adulthood. This key function of NCAM2 may offer promising new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of neurodevelopmental diseases and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Parcerisas
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.O.-G.); (L.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Basic Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Alba Ortega-Gascó
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.O.-G.); (L.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lluís Pujadas
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.O.-G.); (L.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Soriano
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.O.-G.); (L.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
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23
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Jia X, Goes FS, Locke AE, Palmer D, Wang W, Cohen-Woods S, Genovese G, Jackson AU, Jiang C, Kvale M, Mullins N, Nguyen H, Pirooznia M, Rivera M, Ruderfer DM, Shen L, Thai K, Zawistowski M, Zhuang Y, Abecasis G, Akil H, Bergen S, Burmeister M, Chapman S, DelaBastide M, Juréus A, Kang HM, Kwok PY, Li JZ, Levy SE, Monson ET, Moran J, Sobell J, Watson S, Willour V, Zöllner S, Adolfsson R, Blackwood D, Boehnke M, Breen G, Corvin A, Craddock N, DiFlorio A, Hultman CM, Landen M, Lewis C, McCarroll SA, Richard McCombie W, McGuffin P, McIntosh A, McQuillin A, Morris D, Myers RM, O'Donovan M, Ophoff R, Boks M, Kahn R, Ouwehand W, Owen M, Pato C, Pato M, Posthuma D, Potash JB, Reif A, Sklar P, Smoller J, Sullivan PF, Vincent J, Walters J, Neale B, Purcell S, Risch N, Schaefer C, Stahl EA, Zandi PP, Scott LJ. Investigating rare pathogenic/likely pathogenic exonic variation in bipolar disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:5239-5250. [PMID: 33483695 PMCID: PMC8295400 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-01006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a serious mental illness with substantial common variant heritability. However, the role of rare coding variation in BD is not well established. We examined the protein-coding (exonic) sequences of 3,987 unrelated individuals with BD and 5,322 controls of predominantly European ancestry across four cohorts from the Bipolar Sequencing Consortium (BSC). We assessed the burden of rare, protein-altering, single nucleotide variants classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P-LP) both exome-wide and within several groups of genes with phenotypic or biologic plausibility in BD. While we observed an increased burden of rare coding P-LP variants within 165 genes identified as BD GWAS regions in 3,987 BD cases (meta-analysis OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3-2.8, one-sided p = 6.0 × 10-4), this enrichment did not replicate in an additional 9,929 BD cases and 14,018 controls (OR = 0.9, one-side p = 0.70). Although BD shares common variant heritability with schizophrenia, in the BSC sample we did not observe a significant enrichment of P-LP variants in SCZ GWAS genes, in two classes of neuronal synaptic genes (RBFOX2 and FMRP) associated with SCZ or in loss-of-function intolerant genes. In this study, the largest analysis of exonic variation in BD, individuals with BD do not carry a replicable enrichment of rare P-LP variants across the exome or in any of several groups of genes with biologic plausibility. Moreover, despite a strong shared susceptibility between BD and SCZ through common genetic variation, we do not observe an association between BD risk and rare P-LP coding variants in genes known to modulate risk for SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Jia
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Fernando S Goes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Adam E Locke
- Division of Genomics & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine and McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Duncan Palmer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sarah Cohen-Woods
- Discipline of Psychology and Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Anne U Jackson
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Chen Jiang
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, 94611, USA
| | - Mark Kvale
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Niamh Mullins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hoang Nguyen
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Computational Core, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Margarita Rivera
- Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Institute of Neurosciences, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Douglas M Ruderfer
- Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Ling Shen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, 94611, USA
| | - Khanh Thai
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, 94611, USA
| | - Matthew Zawistowski
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yongwen Zhuang
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Gonçalo Abecasis
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Huda Akil
- Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sarah Bergen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margit Burmeister
- Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sinéad Chapman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Melissa DelaBastide
- Division of Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring, Harbor, NY, 11797, USA
| | - Anders Juréus
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hyun Min Kang
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Pui-Yan Kwok
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Shawn E Levy
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - Eric T Monson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Jennifer Moran
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Janet Sobell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Stanley Watson
- Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Virginia Willour
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Sebastian Zöllner
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Rolf Adolfsson
- Departments of Clinical Sciences and Psychiatry, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | | | - Michael Boehnke
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Gerome Breen
- Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR BRC for Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aiden Corvin
- Department of Psychiatry and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nick Craddock
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Arianna DiFlorio
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Christina M Hultman
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Landen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cathryn Lewis
- Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - W Richard McCombie
- Division of Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring, Harbor, NY, 11797, USA
| | - Peter McGuffin
- Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Derek Morris
- Department of Psychiatry and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Biochemistry, Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG) Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Richard M Myers
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - Michael O'Donovan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roel Ophoff
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rene Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Willem Ouwehand
- Department of Haematology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Owen
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Carlos Pato
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Michele Pato
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Danielle Posthuma
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - James B Potash
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pamela Sklar
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jordan Smoller
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Patrick F Sullivan
- Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - John Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry and Development Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Walters
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Benjamin Neale
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Analytical and Translational Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Shaun Purcell
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Neil Risch
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Catherine Schaefer
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, 94611, USA
| | - Eli A Stahl
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Peter P Zandi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Laura J Scott
- Department of Biostatistics and Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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24
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Bahry JA, Fedder-Semmes KN, Sceniak MP, Sabo SL. An Autism-Associated de novo Mutation in GluN2B Destabilizes Growing Dendrites by Promoting Retraction and Pruning. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:692232. [PMID: 34393725 PMCID: PMC8363002 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.692232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in GRIN2B, which encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors, lead to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, we showed that a GluN2B variant that is associated with severe ASD (GluN2B724t) impairs dendrite morphogenesis. To determine which aspects of dendrite growth are affected by GluN2B724t, we investigated the dynamics of dendrite growth and branching in rat neocortical neurons using time-lapse imaging. GluN2B724t expression shifted branch motility toward retraction and away from extension. GluN2B724t and wild-type neurons formed new branches at similar rates, but mutant neurons exhibited increased pruning of dendritic branches. The observed changes in dynamics resulted in nearly complete elimination of the net expansion of arbor size and complexity that is normally observed during this developmental period. These data demonstrate that ASD-associated mutant GluN2B interferes with dendrite morphogenesis by reducing rates of outgrowth while promoting retraction and subsequent pruning. Because mutant dendrites remain motile and capable of growth, it is possible that reducing pruning or promoting dendrite stabilization could overcome dendrite arbor defects associated with GRIN2B mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Bahry
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Karlie N Fedder-Semmes
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael P Sceniak
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Shasta L Sabo
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
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25
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Frei JA, Niescier RF, Bridi MS, Durens M, Nestor JE, Kilander MBC, Yuan X, Dykxhoorn DM, Nestor MW, Huang S, Blatt GJ, Lin YC. Regulation of Neural Circuit Development by Cadherin-11 Provides Implications for Autism. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0066-21.2021. [PMID: 34135003 PMCID: PMC8266214 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0066-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurologic condition characterized by alterations in social interaction and communication, and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. The classical Type II cadherins cadherin-8 (Cdh8, CDH8) and cadherin-11 (Cdh11, CDH11) have been implicated as autism risk gene candidates. To explore the role of cadherins in the etiology of autism, we investigated their expression patterns during mouse brain development and in autism-specific human tissue. In mice, expression of cadherin-8 and cadherin-11 was developmentally regulated and enriched in the cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus/striatum during the peak of dendrite formation and synaptogenesis. Both cadherins were expressed in synaptic compartments but only cadherin-8 associated with the excitatory synaptic marker neuroligin-1. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical neural precursor cells (NPCs) and cortical organoids generated from individuals with autism showed upregulated CDH8 expression levels, but downregulated CDH11. We used Cdh11 knock-out (KO) mice of both sexes to analyze the function of cadherin-11, which could help explain phenotypes observed in autism. Cdh11-/- hippocampal neurons exhibited increased dendritic complexity along with altered neuronal and synaptic activity. Similar to the expression profiles in human tissue, levels of cadherin-8 were significantly elevated in Cdh11 KO brains. Additionally, excitatory synaptic markers neuroligin-1 and postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 were both increased. Together, these results strongly suggest that cadherin-11 is involved in regulating the development of neuronal circuitry and that alterations in the expression levels of cadherin-11 may contribute to the etiology of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine A Frei
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Robert F Niescier
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Morgan S Bridi
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Madel Durens
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Jonathan E Nestor
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | | | - Xiaobing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education and Shanghai), Institute of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, People's Republic of China
| | - Derek M Dykxhoorn
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Michael W Nestor
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Shiyong Huang
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Gene J Blatt
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Yu-Chih Lin
- Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore, MD 21201
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26
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Inhibitory regulation of calcium transients in prefrontal dendritic spines is compromised by a nonsense Shank3 mutation. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1945-1966. [PMID: 32161363 PMCID: PMC7483244 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The SHANK3 gene encodes a postsynaptic scaffold protein in excitatory synapses, and its disruption is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Phelan-McDermid syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. Most studies of SHANK3 in the neocortex and hippocampus have focused on disturbances in pyramidal neurons. However, GABAergic interneurons likewise receive excitatory inputs and presumably would also be a target of constitutive SHANK3 perturbations. In this study, we characterize the prefrontal cortical microcircuit in awake mice using subcellular-resolution two-photon microscopy. We focused on a nonsense R1117X mutation, which leads to truncated SHANK3 and has been linked previously to cortical dysfunction. We find that R1117X mutants have abnormally elevated calcium transients in apical dendritic spines. The synaptic calcium dysregulation is due to a loss of dendritic inhibition via decreased NMDAR currents and reduced firing of dendrite-targeting somatostatin-expressing (SST) GABAergic interneurons. Notably, upregulation of the NMDAR subunit GluN2B in SST interneurons corrects the excessive synaptic calcium signals and ameliorates learning deficits in R1117X mutants. These findings reveal dendrite-targeting interneurons, and more broadly the inhibitory control of dendritic spines, as a key microcircuit mechanism compromised by the SHANK3 dysfunction.
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27
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Sapuppo A, Portale L, Massimino CR, Presti S, Tardino L, Marino S, Polizzi A, Falsaperla R, Praticò AD. GRIN2A and GRIN2B and Their Related Phenotypes. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractGlutamate is the most relevant excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system; it binds with several receptors, including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor that displays voltage-dependent block by Mg2+ and a high permeability to Ca2+. GRIN2A and GRIN2B genes encode the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of the NMDARs, which play important roles in synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity, as well as contributing to neuronal loss and dysfunction in several neurological disorders. Recently, individuals with a range of childhood-onset drug-resistant epilepsies, such as Landau–Kleffner or Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, intellectual disability (ID), and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities have been found to carry mutations in GRIN2A and GRIN2B, with high variable expressivity in phenotype. The first one is found mainly in epilepsy-aphasia syndromes, while the second one mainly in autism, schizophrenia, and ID, such as autism spectrum disorders. Brain magnetic resonance imaging alterations are found in some patients, even if without a clear clinical correlation. At the same time, increasing data on genotype–phenotype correlation have been found, but this is still not fully demonstrated. There are no specific therapies for the treatment of correlated NMDARs epilepsy, although some evidence with memantine, an antagonist of glutamate receptor, is reported in the literature in selected cases with mutation determining a gain of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Sapuppo
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Laura Portale
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela R. Massimino
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Santiago Presti
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Tardino
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Marino
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Polizzi
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Falsaperla
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea D. Praticò
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous Systemin Childhood, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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28
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Kelly E, Escamilla CO, Tsai PT. Cerebellar Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Deriving Mechanistic Insights from an Internal Model Framework. Neuroscience 2021; 462:274-287. [PMID: 33253824 PMCID: PMC8076058 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders; however, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disordered behavior in ASD remain poorly understood. Notably, individuals with ASD have demonstrated difficulties generating implicitly derived behavioral predictions and adaptations. Although many brain regions are involved in these processes, the cerebellum contributes an outsized role to these behavioral functions. Consistent with this prominent role, cerebellar dysfunction has been increasingly implicated in ASD. In this review, we will utilize the foundational, theoretical contributions of the late neuroscientist Masao Ito to establish an internal model framework for the cerebellar contribution to ASD-relevant behavioral predictions and adaptations. Additionally, we will also explore and then apply his key experimental contributions towards an improved, mechanistic understanding of the contribution of cerebellar dysfunction to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyza Kelly
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Peter T Tsai
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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29
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Fingleton E, Li Y, Roche KW. Advances in Proteomics Allow Insights Into Neuronal Proteomes. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:647451. [PMID: 33935646 PMCID: PMC8084103 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.647451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–protein interaction networks and signaling complexes are essential for normal brain function and are often dysregulated in neurological disorders. Nevertheless, unraveling neuron- and synapse-specific proteins interaction networks has remained a technical challenge. New techniques, however, have allowed for high-resolution and high-throughput analyses, enabling quantification and characterization of various neuronal protein populations. Over the last decade, mass spectrometry (MS) has surfaced as the primary method for analyzing multiple protein samples in tandem, allowing for the precise quantification of proteomic data. Moreover, the development of sophisticated protein-labeling techniques has given MS a high temporal and spatial resolution, facilitating the analysis of various neuronal substructures, cell types, and subcellular compartments. Recent studies have leveraged these novel techniques to reveal the proteomic underpinnings of well-characterized neuronal processes, such as axon guidance, long-term potentiation, and homeostatic plasticity. Translational MS studies have facilitated a better understanding of complex neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Schizophrenia (SCZ), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Proteomic investigation of these diseases has not only given researchers new insight into disease mechanisms but has also been used to validate disease models and identify new targets for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Fingleton
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yan Li
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Katherine W Roche
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, United States
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30
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Constable PA, Lee IO, Marmolejo-Ramos F, Skuse DH, Thompson DA. The photopic negative response in autism spectrum disorder. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 104:841-847. [PMID: 33826873 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1903808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CLINICAL RELEVANCE To ascertain if the photopic negative response of the electroretinogram is different in autism spectrum disorder as a potential clinical marker. BACKGROUND Visual function can be atypical in autism spectrum disorder and structural imaging of the ganglion cell layers has been reported to differ in these individuals. Therefore, we sought to investigate if the photopic negative response of the full field electroretinograms, a measure of ganglion cell function, could help explain the visual perceptual differences in autism spectrum disorder and support the structural changes observed. METHODS Participants (n = 55 autism spectrum disorder, aged 5.4-26.7 years) and control (n = 87, aged 5.4-27.3 years) were recruited for the study. Full-field light-adapted electroretinograms using a Troland protocol with 10 flash strengths from -0.367 to 1.204 log photopic cd.s.m-2 were recorded in each eye. The photopic negative response amplitudes at Tmin and at t = 72 ms were compared between groups along with the a- and b-wave values. RESULTS There were no significant interactions between groups for the Photopic Negative Response measures of amplitude or time (p > 0.30). There was a group interaction between groups and flash strengths for the b-wave amplitude as previously reported (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The photopic negative response results suggest that there are no significant differences in the summed retinal ganglion cell responses produced by a full-field stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Constable
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Irene O Lee
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Population Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos
- Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - David H Skuse
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Population Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dorothy A Thompson
- The Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.,UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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31
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Pol-Fuster J, Cañellas F, Ruiz-Guerra L, Medina-Dols A, Bisbal-Carrió B, Asensio V, Ortega-Vila B, Marzese D, Vidal C, Santos C, Lladó J, Olmos G, Heine-Suñer D, Strauch K, Flaquer A, Vives-Bauzà C. Familial Psychosis Associated With a Missense Mutation at MACF1 Gene Combined With the Rare Duplications DUP3p26.3 and DUP16q23.3, Affecting the CNTN6 and CDH13 Genes. Front Genet 2021; 12:622886. [PMID: 33897758 PMCID: PMC8058362 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.622886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychosis is a highly heritable and heterogeneous psychiatric condition. Its genetic architecture is thought to be the result of the joint effect of common and rare variants. Families with high prevalence are an interesting approach to shed light on the rare variant's contribution without the need of collecting large cohorts. To unravel the genomic architecture of a family enriched for psychosis, with four affected individuals, we applied a system genomic approach based on karyotyping, genotyping by whole-exome sequencing to search for rare single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and SNP array to search for copy-number variants (CNVs). We identified a rare non-synonymous variant, g.39914279 C > G, in the MACF1 gene, segregating with psychosis. Rare variants in the MACF1 gene have been previously detected in SCZ patients. Besides, two rare CNVs, DUP3p26.3 and DUP16q23.3, were also identified in the family affecting relevant genes (CNTN6 and CDH13, respectively). We hypothesize that the co-segregation of these duplications with the rare variant g.39914279 C > G of MACF1 gene precipitated with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Pol-Fuster
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Department of Biology, University of Balearic Islands (UIB) and Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma, Spain
| | - Francesca Cañellas
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Psychiatry Service, University Hospital Son Espases (HUSE), Palma, Spain
| | - Laura Ruiz-Guerra
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Research Unit, HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Aina Medina-Dols
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Research Unit, HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Bàrbara Bisbal-Carrió
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Department of Biology, University of Balearic Islands (UIB) and Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma, Spain
| | - Víctor Asensio
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Genomic Service Balearic Islands (GEN-IB), HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Bernat Ortega-Vila
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Genomic Service Balearic Islands (GEN-IB), HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Diego Marzese
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Research Unit, HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Carme Vidal
- Genomic Service Balearic Islands (GEN-IB), HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Carmen Santos
- Genomic Service Balearic Islands (GEN-IB), HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Jerònia Lladó
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Department of Biology, University of Balearic Islands (UIB) and Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma, Spain
| | - Gabriel Olmos
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Department of Biology, University of Balearic Islands (UIB) and Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma, Spain
| | - Damià Heine-Suñer
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Genomic Service Balearic Islands (GEN-IB), HUSE, Palma, Spain
| | - Konstantin Strauch
- Chair of Genetic Epidemiology, IBE, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Antònia Flaquer
- Chair of Genetic Epidemiology, IBE, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Cristòfol Vives-Bauzà
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Department of Biology, University of Balearic Islands (UIB) and Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma, Spain.,Research Unit, HUSE, Palma, Spain
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Vieira MM, Jeong J, Roche KW. The role of NMDA receptor and neuroligin rare variants in synaptic dysfunction underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:93-104. [PMID: 33823469 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Many genes encoding synaptic proteins are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), intellectual disability (ID), and epilepsy. Here we review recent studies on the synaptic effects of disease-associated rare variants identified in two families of synaptic proteins: NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and the postsynaptic adhesion molecules neuroligins (NLGNs). Many NMDAR subunit genes (GRINs) are highly intolerant to variation, and both gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) variants are implicated in disease. NLGN genes are also associated with ASDs, and in some cases, contribute to the male bias identified in these patients. Understanding the molecular basis of synaptic dysfunction of rare variants in these genes will help the design of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mota Vieira
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jaehoon Jeong
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Katherine W Roche
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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33
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Cusseddu R, Robert A, Côté JF. Strength Through Unity: The Power of the Mega-Scaffold MACF1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:641727. [PMID: 33816492 PMCID: PMC8012552 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.641727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The tight coordination of diverse cytoskeleton elements is required to support several dynamic cellular processes involved in development and tissue homeostasis. The spectraplakin-family of proteins are composed of multiple domains that provide versatility to connect different components of the cytoskeleton, including the actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediates filaments. Spectraplakins act as orchestrators of precise cytoskeletal dynamic events. In this review, we focus on the prototypical spectraplakin MACF1, a protein scaffold of more than 700 kDa that coordinates the crosstalk between actin microfilaments and microtubules to support cell-cell connections, cell polarity, vesicular transport, proliferation, and cell migration. We will review over two decades of research aimed at understanding the molecular, physiological and pathological roles of MACF1, with a focus on its roles in developmental and cancer. A deeper understanding of MACF1 is currently limited by technical challenges associated to the study of such a large protein and we discuss ideas to advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Cusseddu
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Amélie Robert
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Côté
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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34
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Levy G, Barak B. Postnatal therapeutic approaches in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:414-422. [PMID: 32985459 PMCID: PMC7996025 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by abnormal neurophysiological and behavioral phenotypes, affecting individuals worldwide. While the subject has been heavily researched, current treatment options relate mostly to alleviating symptoms, rather than targeting the altered genome itself. In this review, we address the neurogenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, genetic tools that are enabling precision research of these disorders in animal models, and postnatal gene-therapy approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders derived from preclinical studies in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Levy
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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35
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Hippocampal Lnx1-NMDAR multiprotein complex mediates initial social memory. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3956-3969. [PMID: 31772302 PMCID: PMC8550978 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0606-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Social interaction and communication are evolutionary conserved behaviours that are developed in mammals to establish partner cognition. Deficit in sociability has been represented in human patients and animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders, which are connected with genetic variants of synaptic glutamate receptors and associated PDZ-binding proteins. However, it remains elusive how these key proteins are specialized in the cellular level for the initial social behaviour during postnatal developmental stage. Here we identify a hippocampal CA3 specifically expressed PDZ scaffold protein Lnx1 required for initial social behaviour. Through gene targeting we find that Lnx1 deficiency led to a hippocampal subregional disorder in neuronal activity and social memory impairments for partner discrimination observed in juvenile mice which also show cognitive defects in adult stage. We further demonstrate that Lnx1 deletion causes NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and this is attributable to decreased GluN2B expression in PSD compartment and disruption of the Lnx1-NMDAR-EphB2 complex. Specific restoration of Lnx1 or EphB2 protein in the CA3 area of Lnx1-/- mice rescues the defective synaptic function and social memory. These findings thus reveal crucial roles of postsynaptic NMDAR multiprotein complex that regulates the formation of initial social memory during the adolescent period.
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36
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Naujock M, Speidel A, Fischer S, Kizner V, Dorner-Ciossek C, Gillardon F. Neuronal Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Schizophrenia Patients in Two-Dimensional and in Three-Dimensional Cultures Reveals Increased Expression of the Kv4.2 Subunit DPP6 That Contributes to Decreased Neuronal Activity. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1577-1587. [PMID: 33143549 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the molecular underpinnings of schizophrenia (SZ) are still incompletely understood, deficits in synaptic activity and neuronal connectivity have been identified as core pathomechanisms of SZ and other neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from skin fibroblasts from healthy donors and patients diagnosed with idiopathic SZ. We differentiated the human iPSC into cortical neurons both as adherent monolayers and as three-dimensional spheroids. RNA sequencing revealed little overlap in differentially expressed genes between 2D and 3D neuron cultures from SZ iPSC compared with controls. Notably, mRNA transcripts encoding dipeptidyl peptidase-like protein 6 (DPP6), an accessory subunit of Kv4.2 voltage-gated potassium channels, were massively increased in cortical neurons from SZ iPSC in the 2D and 3D model. Consistently, multielectrode array recordings and calcium imaging showed significantly decreased neuronal activity both in 2D and in 3D cultures from SZ neurons. To show a causal relationship, we treated iPSC-derived neurons in 2D cultures with lentiviral DPP6 shRNA vectors and the Kv4.2 channel blocker AmmTx3, respectively. Both treatments successfully reversed neuronal hypoexcitability and hypoactivity in cortical neurons from SZ iPSC. Our data highlight a contribution of DPP6 and Kv4.2 to the deficit in neurotransmission in an iPSC model for SZ, which may be of therapeutic relevance for a subset of SZ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Naujock
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Anna Speidel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sandra Fischer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Valeria Kizner
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Cornelia Dorner-Ciossek
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frank Gillardon
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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37
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Heidari Nia M, Sargazi S, Saravani R, Mirinejad S, Jahantigh D, Shakiba M. Relationship between GABRB2 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia susceptibility: a case-control study and in silico analyses. Int J Neurosci 2020; 132:633-642. [PMID: 32988247 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1830087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Converging evidence has recently established the significance of γ-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter (GABA) system in the development of schizophrenia (SCZ). We aimed to determine the association of two markers of the GABAA receptor β2 subunit gene (GABRB2), rs12187676 G/C and rs1816072 T/C, with the risk of SCZ in Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case-control study, 190 patients with SCZ and 200 healthy controls were recruited from December 2018 to February 2020. Genotyping was done using the Tetra-ARMS-PCR technique. In silico analyses were performed to determine the potential effects of the variants. RESULTS The C allele and genotypes of codominant CC vs.TT and CT vs.TT, dominant TT vs. TC + CC, recessive TT + TC vs. CC of rs1816072 polymorphism, as well as codominant CC vs. GG and recessive GG + GC vs. CC genetic models of rs12187676 polymorphism were significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility. Compared to the TC/GC model, we have found that the TC/CC combination significantly increased the risk of SCZ by 4.32 fold while the TT/GG combination conferred a protective role against SCZ. Haplotypes analysis indicated that GABRB2 polymorphisms are in weak linkage disequilibrium with each other (LD = 0.1). However, bioinformatics analyses predicted that these polymorphisms do not have significant effects on the secondary structure and the splicing of GABRB2-mRNA. CONCLUSIONS We found that intronic GABRB2 polymorphisms were associated with SCZ risk in a sample of the Iranian population. These findings provided proof of concept for the involvement of the GABAergic neurotransmission system in SCZ development. These observations should be validated across other ethnicities and clinical subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Heidari Nia
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ramin Saravani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Shekoufeh Mirinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Danial Jahantigh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mansoor Shakiba
- Department of Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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38
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Nguyen TA, Lehr AW, Roche KW. Neuroligins and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: X-Linked Genetics. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:33. [PMID: 32848696 PMCID: PMC7431521 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in social-communication impairments, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, ASD is more prevalent in males, with a male to female ratio of 4 to 1. Although the underlying etiology of ASD is generally unknown, recent advances in genome sequencing have facilitated the identification of a host of associated genes. Among these, synaptic proteins such as cell adhesion molecules have been strongly linked with ASD. Interestingly, many large genome sequencing studies exclude sex chromosomes, which leads to a shift in focus toward autosomal genes as targets for ASD research. However, there are many genes on the X chromosome that encode synaptic proteins, including strong candidate genes. Here, we review findings regarding two members of the neuroligin (NLGN) family of postsynaptic adhesion molecules, NLGN3 and NLGN4. Neuroligins have multiple isoforms (NLGN1-4), which are both autosomal and sex-linked. The sex-linked genes, NLGN3 and NLGN4, are both on the X chromosome and were among the first few genes to be linked with ASD and intellectual disability (ID). In addition, there is a less studied human neuroligin on the Y chromosome, NLGN4Y, which forms an X-Y pair with NLGN4X. We will discuss recent findings of these neuroligin isoforms regarding function at the synapse in both rodent models and human-derived differentiated neurons, and highlight the exciting challenges moving forward to a better understanding of ASD/ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thien A. Nguyen
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alexander W. Lehr
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Katherine W. Roche
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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39
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Quantitative genome-wide association study of six phenotypic subdomains identifies novel genome-wide significant variants in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:215. [PMID: 32624584 PMCID: PMC7335742 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00906-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable and are characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Twin studies on phenotypic subdomains suggest a differing underlying genetic etiology. Studying genetic variation explaining phenotypic variance will help to identify specific underlying pathomechanisms. We investigated the effect of common variation on ASD subdomains in two cohorts including >2500 individuals. Based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), we identified and confirmed six subdomains with a SNP-based genetic heritability h2SNP = 0.2-0.4. The subdomains nonverbal communication (NVC), social interaction (SI), and peer interaction (PI) shared genetic risk factors, while the subdomains of repetitive sensory-motor behavior (RB) and restricted interests (RI) were genetically independent of each other. The polygenic risk score (PRS) for ASD as categorical diagnosis explained 2.3-3.3% of the variance of SI, joint attention (JA), and PI, 4.5% for RI, 1.2% of RB, but only 0.7% of NVC. We report eight genome-wide significant hits-partially replicating previous findings-and 292 known and novel candidate genes. The underlying biological mechanisms were related to neuronal transmission and development. At the SNP and gene level, all subdomains showed overlap, with the exception of RB. However, no overlap was observed at the functional level. In summary, the ADI-R algorithm-derived subdomains related to social communication show a shared genetic etiology in contrast to restricted and repetitive behaviors. The ASD-specific PRS overlapped only partially, suggesting an additional role of specific common variation in shaping the phenotypic expression of ASD subdomains.
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40
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Effects of GluN2A and GluN2B gain-of-function epilepsy mutations on synaptic currents mediated by diheteromeric and triheteromeric NMDA receptors. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 140:104850. [PMID: 32247039 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are associated with epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. The effects of several such mutations have been investigated in recombinantly-expressed NMDARs under conditions of steady-state activation. Such experiments provide only limited insight into how mutations affect NMDAR-mediated excitatory synaptic currents (EPSCs). The present study aimed to characterize the effects of the GluN2AN615K, GluN2BN615I and GluN2BV618G gain-of-function mutations on EPSCs mediated by diheteromeric GluN1/2A and GluN1/2B receptors and triheteromeric GluN1/2A/2B receptors, as these are the most abundant synaptic NMDARs in vivo. Subunit composition was controlled by studying 'artificial' synapses formed between cultured neurons (which provide presynaptic terminals) and HEK293 cells that express the NMDAR subunits of interest plus the synapse-promoting molecule, neuroligin-1B. When incorporated into diheteromeric receptors, all three mutations ablated voltage-dependent Mg2+ block of EPSCs, as previously shown. In addition, we were surprised to find that increasing external Mg2+ from 0 to 1 mM strongly enhanced the magnitude of EPSCs mediated by mutant diheteromers. In contrast, triheteromeric receptors exhibited normal voltage-dependent Mg2+ block. The GluN2AN615K mutation also slowed the decay of GluN1/2A/2B- but not GluN1/2A-mediated EPSCs. The GluN2BN615I mutation enhanced the magnitude of both GluN1/2B- and GluN1/2A/2B-mediated EPSCs. The GluN2BV618G mutation enhanced the magnitude of both GluN1/2B- and GluN1/2A/2B-mediated EPSCs, although these effects were partly compensated by a faster EPSC decay rate. The mutations also diminished the potency of the anti-epileptic pore-blocker, memantine, thus explaining the lack of memantine efficacy in patients with GluN2BN615I or GluN2BV618G mutations. Given these effects, the three mutations would be expected to enhance the cation influx rate and thereby contribute to epilepsy phenotypes.
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41
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Vieira M, Yong XLH, Roche KW, Anggono V. Regulation of NMDA glutamate receptor functions by the GluN2 subunits. J Neurochem 2020; 154:121-143. [PMID: 31978252 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate the flux of calcium (Ca2+ ) into the post-synaptic compartment. Ca2+ influx subsequently triggers the activation of various intracellular signalling cascades that underpin multiple forms of synaptic plasticity. Functional NMDARs are assembled as heterotetramers composed of two obligatory GluN1 subunits and two GluN2 or GluN3 subunits. Four different GluN2 subunits (GluN2A-D) are present throughout the central nervous system; however, they are differentially expressed, both developmentally and spatially, in a cell- and synapse-specific manner. Each GluN2 subunit confers NMDARs with distinct ion channel properties and intracellular trafficking pathways. Regulated membrane trafficking of NMDARs is a dynamic process that ultimately determines the number of NMDARs at synapses, and is controlled by subunit-specific interactions with various intracellular regulatory proteins. Here we review recent progress made towards understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the trafficking of GluN2-containing NMDARs, focusing on the roles of several key synaptic proteins that interact with NMDARs via their carboxyl termini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vieira
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuan Ling Hilary Yong
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Katherine W Roche
- Receptor Biology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Victor Anggono
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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42
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Light-Adapted Electroretinogram Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:2874-2885. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04396-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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43
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Translating preclinical findings in clinically relevant new antipsychotic targets: focus on the glutamatergic postsynaptic density. Implications for treatment resistant schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:795-827. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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44
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Myers SJ, Yuan H, Kang JQ, Tan FCK, Traynelis SF, Low CM. Distinct roles of GRIN2A and GRIN2B variants in neurological conditions. F1000Res 2019; 8:F1000 Faculty Rev-1940. [PMID: 31807283 PMCID: PMC6871362 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.18949.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in sequencing technology have led to an explosive increase in the number of genetic variants identified in patients with neurological disease and have also enabled the assembly of a robust database of variants in healthy individuals. A surprising number of variants in the GRIN genes that encode N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamatergic receptor subunits have been found in patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. This review compares and contrasts the available information describing the clinical and functional consequences of genetic variations in GRIN2A and GRIN2B. Comparison of clinical phenotypes shows that GRIN2A variants are commonly associated with an epileptic phenotype but that GRIN2B variants are commonly found in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. These observations emphasize the distinct roles that the gene products serve in circuit function and suggest that functional analysis of GRIN2A and GRIN2B variation may provide insight into the molecular mechanisms, which will allow more accurate subclassification of clinical phenotypes. Furthermore, characterization of the pharmacological properties of variant receptors could provide the first opportunity for translational therapeutic strategies for these GRIN-related neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Myers
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jing-Qiong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center of Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Francis Chee Kuan Tan
- Department of Anaesthesia, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chian-Ming Low
- Department of Anaesthesia, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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45
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Sceniak MP, Fedder KN, Wang Q, Droubi S, Babcock K, Patwardhan S, Wright-Zornes J, Pham L, Sabo SL. An autism-associated mutation in GluN2B prevents NMDA receptor trafficking and interferes with dendrite growth. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.232892. [PMID: 31548203 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.232892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders with multiple genetic associations. Analysis of de novo mutations identified GRIN2B, which encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors, as a gene linked to ASDs with high probability. However, the mechanisms by which GRIN2B mutations contribute to ASD pathophysiology are not understood. Here, we investigated the cellular phenotypes induced by a human mutation that is predicted to truncate GluN2B within the extracellular loop. This mutation abolished NMDA-dependent Ca2+ influx. Mutant GluN2B co-assembled with GluN1 but was not trafficked to the cell surface or dendrites. When mutant GluN2B was expressed in developing cortical neurons, dendrites appeared underdeveloped, with shorter and fewer branches, while spine density was unaffected. Mutant dendritic arbors were often dysmorphic, displaying abnormal filopodial-like structures. Interestingly, dendrite maldevelopment appeared when mutant GluN2B was expressed on a wild-type background, reflecting the disease given that individuals are heterozygous for GRIN2B mutations. Restoring the fourth transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail did not rescue the phenotypes. Finally, abnormal development was not accompanied by reduced mTOR signaling. These data suggest that mutations in GluN2B contribute to ASD pathogenesis by disrupting dendrite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Sceniak
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Karlie N Fedder
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Sammy Droubi
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Katie Babcock
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Sagar Patwardhan
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jazmin Wright-Zornes
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Lucynda Pham
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Shasta L Sabo
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA .,Departments of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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46
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Wang J, Zou Q, Suo Y, Tan X, Yuan T, Liu Z, Liu X. Lycopene ameliorates systemic inflammation-induced synaptic dysfunction via improving insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver-brain axis. Food Funct 2019; 10:2125-2137. [PMID: 30924473 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo02460j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Systemic inflammation is an important determinant of synaptic dysfunction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Lycopene (LYC), a major carotenoid present in tomato, is regarded as a nutraceutical that has significant antioxidant and anti-obesity bioactivities. In the current study, we randomly divided 3-month-old C57BL/6J mice into 3 groups: the control, LPS and LPS + LYC groups (LYC, 0.03% w/w, mixed with normal chow) for 5 weeks, and then mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.25 mg kg-1) for 9 days. Our results demonstrated that LYC supplementation effectively attenuated LPS-elicited neuronal damage and synaptic dysfunction through increasing the expressions of neurotrophic factors and the synaptic proteins SNAP-25 and PSD-95. LYC ameliorated LPS-induced insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in the mouse brain and liver. LYC alleviated the neuroinflammation and hepatic inflammation. Furthermore, LYC decreased the circulating levels of insulin and proinflammatory mediators LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In conclusion, these results indicated that the supplementation of LYC might be a nutritional preventive strategy in systemic inflammation-induced synaptic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Laboratory of Functional Chemistry and Nutrition of Food, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.
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47
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Rammos A, Gonzalez LAN, Weinberger DR, Mitchell KJ, Nicodemus KK. The role of polygenic risk score gene-set analysis in the context of the omnigenic model of schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1562-1569. [PMID: 31078131 PMCID: PMC6785707 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A recent development in the genetic architecture of schizophrenia suggested that an omnigenic model may underlie the risk for this disorder. The aim of our study was to use polygenic profile scoring to quantitatively assess whether a number of experimentally derived sets would contribute to the disorder above and beyond the omnigenic effect. Using the PGC2 secondary analysis schizophrenia case-control cohort (N = 29,125 cases and 34,836 controls), a robust polygenic signal was observed from gene sets based on TCF4, FMR1, upregulation from MIR137 and downregulation from CHD8. Additional analyses revealed a constant floor effect in the amount of variance explained, consistent with the omnigenic model. Thus, we report that putative core gene sets showed a significant effect above and beyond the floor effect that might be linked with the underlying omnigenic background. In addition, we demonstrate a method to quantify the contribution of specific gene sets within the omnigenic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Rammos
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lara A Neira Gonzalez
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin J Mitchell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Kristin K Nicodemus
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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48
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Fachim HA, Loureiro CM, Corsi-Zuelli F, Shuhama R, Louzada-Junior P, Menezes PR, Dalton CF, Del-Ben CM, Reynolds GP. GRIN2B promoter methylation deficits in early-onset schizophrenia and its association with cognitive function. Epigenomics 2019; 11:401-410. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2018-0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: We investigated GRIN1 and GRIN2B promoter methylation in first-episode schizophrenia patients compared with siblings and controls, testing for correlations between DNA methylation, cognitive performance and clinical variables. Materials & methods: Blood-derived DNA from all groups underwent bisulfite conversion and pyrosequencing to determine methylation at CpG sites within the GRIN1 and GRIN2B promoters and results were compared with the measure of global methylation LINE-1.Results: We found hypomethylation among all CpGs analyzed within GRIN2B promoter in patients and greater LINE-1 methylation in patients and siblings. CpG4 was correlated to a measure of intellectual function. Conclusion: Changes in GRIN2B promoter methylation may represent an environmental influence contributing to glutamatergic dysfunction in psychosis and relate to lower cognitive performance in subjects with first-episode schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene A Fachim
- Department of Neurosciences & Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
| | - Camila M Loureiro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Population Mental Health Center, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli
- Department of Neurosciences & Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosana Shuhama
- Department of Neurosciences & Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Population Mental Health Center, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Rossi Menezes
- Population Mental Health Center, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline F Dalton
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
| | - Cristina Marta Del-Ben
- Department of Neurosciences & Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Population Mental Health Center, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gavin P Reynolds
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
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49
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Dobyns WB, Aldinger KA, Ishak GE, Mirzaa GM, Timms AE, Grout ME, Dremmen MH, Schot R, Vandervore L, van Slegtenhorst MA, Wilke M, Kasteleijn E, Lee AS, Barry BJ, Chao KR, Szczałuba K, Kobori J, Hanson-Kahn A, Bernstein JA, Carr L, D’Arco F, Miyana K, Okazaki T, Saito Y, Sasaki M, Das S, Wheeler MM, Bamshad MJ, Nickerson DA, Engle EC, Verheijen FW, Doherty D, Mancini GM, Doherty D, Mancini GMS. MACF1 Mutations Encoding Highly Conserved Zinc-Binding Residues of the GAR Domain Cause Defects in Neuronal Migration and Axon Guidance. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:1009-1021. [PMID: 30471716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, mutations in 15 actin- or microtubule-associated genes have been associated with the cortical malformation lissencephaly and variable brainstem hypoplasia. During a multicenter review, we recognized a rare lissencephaly variant with a complex brainstem malformation in three unrelated children. We searched our large brain-malformation databases and found another five children with this malformation (as well as one with a less severe variant), analyzed available whole-exome or -genome sequencing data, and tested ciliogenesis in two affected individuals. The brain malformation comprised posterior predominant lissencephaly and midline crossing defects consisting of absent anterior commissure and a striking W-shaped brainstem malformation caused by small or absent pontine crossing fibers. We discovered heterozygous de novo missense variants or an in-frame deletion involving highly conserved zinc-binding residues within the GAR domain of MACF1 in the first eight subjects. We studied cilium formation and found a higher proportion of mutant cells with short cilia than of control cells with short cilia. A ninth child had similar lissencephaly but only subtle brainstem dysplasia associated with a heterozygous de novo missense variant in the spectrin repeat domain of MACF1. Thus, we report variants of the microtubule-binding GAR domain of MACF1 as the cause of a distinctive and most likely pathognomonic brain malformation. A gain-of-function or dominant-negative mechanism appears likely given that many heterozygous mutations leading to protein truncation are included in the ExAC Browser. However, three de novo variants in MACF1 have been observed in large schizophrenia cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dan Doherty
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Grazia M S Mancini
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 CN, the Netherlands.
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50
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Abbasy S, Shahraki F, Haghighatfard A, Qazvini MG, Rafiei ST, Noshadirad E, Farhadi M, Rezvani Asl H, Shiryazdi AA, Ghamari R, Tabrizi Z, Mehrfard R, Esmaili Kakroudi F, Azarnoosh M, Younesi F, Parsamehr N, Garaei N, Abyari S, Salehi M, Gholami M, Zolfaghari P, Bagheri SM, Pourmehrabi M, Rastegarimogaddam E, Nobakht E, Nobakht E, Partovi R. Neuregulin1 types mRNA level changes in autism spectrum disorder, and is associated with deficit in executive functions. EBioMedicine 2018; 37:483-488. [PMID: 30415889 PMCID: PMC6284419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pediatric heterogeneous psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorder with social and communication deficits, language impairment and ritualistic or repetitive behaviors. ASD has significant genetic bases but candidate genes and molecular mechanisms of disorder are not clarified. Neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene, located in 8p12 is involved in development of central nervous system and was indicated as candidate gene in schizophrenia. METHODS mRNA level of types I, II and III of NRG1 gene were studied in peripheral blood of 1540 ASD patients (IQ > 70) and 1490 control children by quantitative Real Time PCR. Also three domains of executive functions (working memory, response inhibition and vigilance) were examined in all subjects. FINDINGS All three types were significantly down regulated in ASD patients. Significant deficiencies in executive functions (EF) were found in ASD patients. EF deficiencies mostly were associated with down expression of mRNA level of types I and III. Also correlations were found between NRG1 expression with gender and severity of ASD symptoms. INTERPRETATIONS Findings primarily have been suggested involvement of NRG1 in etiology of ASD. Also correlation of NRG1 mRNA level with EF deficiencies could shed lights on EF mechanisms and may suggest targeted treatments to improve particular executive functions. FUND: Young researchers and elites club funded the project due to the annual grant of special talents of Club that gave to Arvin Haghighatfard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samane Abbasy
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran; Sarem Cell Research Center, Sarem Women's Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazlollah Shahraki
- Department of Mind- Brain-Education, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arvin Haghighatfard
- Department of Biology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Sahel Towfigh Rafiei
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Noshadirad
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Farhadi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Rana Ghamari
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Tabrizi
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Rashed Mehrfard
- Department of Microbiology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | | | - Mahsima Azarnoosh
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faeghe Younesi
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Parsamehr
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooriyeh Garaei
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Abyari
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maede Salehi
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Gholami
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Zolfaghari
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyede Mahsa Bagheri
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Melika Pourmehrabi
- Department of Genetic, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Nobakht
- Department of Microbiology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Elmira Nobakht
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Rayan Partovi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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