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Krzeski JC, Judson MC, Philpot BD. Neuronal UBE3A substrates hold therapeutic potential for Angelman syndrome. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 88:102899. [PMID: 39126903 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Emerging therapies for Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, are focused on restoring UBE3A gene expression in the brain. Further therapeutic opportunities may arise from a better understanding of how UBE3A gene products-both long and short isoforms of the ubiquitin ligase E3A (UBE3A)-function in neurons. Great strides have been made recently toward identifying ubiquitin substrates of UBE3A in vitro and in heterologous expression systems. From this work, a particularly close relationship between UBE3A and subunits of the 19S regulatory particle of the proteasome has become evident. We propose that further research cognizant of isoform-specific UBE3A functional roles will be instrumental in elucidating key UBE3A/substrate relationships within distinct neuronal compartments, lending to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and valuable clinical biomarkers for the treatment of Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Krzeski
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew C Judson
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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2
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Vihma H, Li K, Welton-Arndt A, Smith AL, Bettadapur KR, Gilmore RB, Gao E, Cotney JL, Huang HC, Collins JL, Chamberlain SJ, Lee HM, Aubé J, Philpot BD. Ube3a unsilencer for the potential treatment of Angelman syndrome. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5558. [PMID: 38977672 PMCID: PMC11231141 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49788-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Deletion of the maternal UBE3A allele causes Angelman syndrome (AS); because paternal UBE3A is epigenetically silenced by a long non-coding antisense (UBE3A-ATS) in neurons, this nearly eliminates UBE3A protein in the brain. Reactivating paternal UBE3A holds promise for treating AS. We previously showed topoisomerase inhibitors can reactivate paternal UBE3A, but their therapeutic challenges prompted our search for small molecule unsilencers with a different mechanism of action. Here, we found that (S)-PHA533533 acts through a novel mechanism to significantly increase paternal Ube3a mRNA and UBE3A protein levels while downregulating Ube3a-ATS in primary neurons derived from AS model mice. Furthermore, peripheral delivery of (S)-PHA533533 in AS model mice induces widespread neuronal UBE3A expression. Finally, we show that (S)-PHA533533 unsilences paternal UBE3A in AS patient-derived neurons, highlighting its translational potential. Our findings provide a lead for developing a small molecule treatment for AS that could be safe, non-invasively delivered, and capable of brain-wide unsilencing of paternal UBE3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Vihma
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kelin Li
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anna Welton-Arndt
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Audrey L Smith
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kiran R Bettadapur
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachel B Gilmore
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Eric Gao
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Justin L Cotney
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Hsueh-Cheng Huang
- Deerfield Discovery and Development, Deerfield Management, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jon L Collins
- Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stormy J Chamberlain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Hyeong-Min Lee
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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3
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Zenge C, Ordureau A. Ubiquitin system mutations in neurological diseases. Trends Biochem Sci 2024:S0968-0004(24)00154-3. [PMID: 38972780 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal ubiquitin balance impacts the fate of countless cellular proteins, and its disruption is associated with various neurological disorders. The ubiquitin system is critical for proper neuronal cell state transitions and the clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins that threaten cellular integrity. This article reviews the state of and recent advancements in our understanding of the disruptions to components of the ubiquitin system, in particular E3 ligases and deubiquitylases, in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Specific focus is on enzymes with recent progress in their characterization, including identifying enzyme-substrate pairs, the use of stem cell and animal models, and the development of therapeutics for ubiquitin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Zenge
- Cell Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alban Ordureau
- Cell Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Gonzalez Ramirez C, Salvador SG, Patel RKR, Clark S, Miller NW, James LM, Ringelberg NW, Simon JM, Bennett J, Amaral DG, Burette AC, Philpot BD. Regional and cellular organization of the autism-associated protein UBE3A/E6AP and its antisense transcript in the brain of the developing rhesus monkey. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1410791. [PMID: 38873093 PMCID: PMC11169893 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1410791] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations or deletions in the maternally-inherited UBE3A allele, leading to a loss of UBE3A protein expression in neurons. The paternally-inherited UBE3A allele is epigenetically silenced in neurons during development by a noncoding transcript (UBE3A-ATS). The absence of neuronal UBE3A results in severe neurological symptoms, including speech and language impairments, intellectual disability, and seizures. While no cure exists, therapies aiming to restore UBE3A function-either by gene addition or by targeting UBE3A-ATS-are under development. Progress in developing these treatments relies heavily on inferences drawn from mouse studies about the function of UBE3A in the human brain. To aid translational efforts and to gain an understanding of UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS biology with greater relevance to human neurodevelopmental contexts, we investigated UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS expression in the developing brain of the rhesus macaque, a species that exhibits complex social behaviors, resembling aspects of human behavior to a greater degree than mice. Combining immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we mapped UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS regional and cellular expression in normal prenatal, neonatal, and adolescent rhesus macaque brains. We show that key hallmarks of UBE3A biology, well-known in rodents, are also present in macaques, and suggest paternal UBE3A silencing in neurons-but not glial cells-in the macaque brain, with onset between gestational day 48 and 100. These findings support proposals that early-life, perhaps even prenatal, intervention is optimal for overcoming the maternal allele loss of UBE3A linked to AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chavely Gonzalez Ramirez
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah G. Salvador
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ridthi Kartik Rekha Patel
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah Clark
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Noah W. Miller
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lucas M. James
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nicholas W. Ringelberg
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Davis, CA, United States
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David G. Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Davis, CA, United States
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alain C. Burette
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Philpot
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Xia QQ, Singh A, Wang J, Xuan ZX, Singer JD, Powell CM. Autism risk gene Cul3 alters neuronal morphology via caspase-3 activity in mouse hippocampal neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1320784. [PMID: 38803442 PMCID: PMC11129687 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1320784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in which children display differences in social interaction/communication and repetitive stereotyped behaviors along with variable associated features. Cul3, a gene linked to ASD, encodes CUL3 (CULLIN-3), a protein that serves as a key component of a ubiquitin ligase complex with unclear function in neurons. Cul3 homozygous deletion in mice is embryonic lethal; thus, we examine the role of Cul3 deletion in early synapse development and neuronal morphology in hippocampal primary neuronal cultures. Homozygous deletion of Cul3 significantly decreased dendritic complexity and dendritic length, as well as axon formation. Synaptic spine density significantly increased, mainly in thin and stubby spines along with decreased average spine volume in Cul3 knockouts. Both heterozygous and homozygous knockout of Cul3 caused significant reductions in the density and colocalization of gephyrin/vGAT puncta, providing evidence of decreased inhibitory synapse number, while excitatory synaptic puncta vGulT1/PSD95 density remained unchanged. Based on previous studies implicating elevated caspase-3 after Cul3 deletion, we demonstrated increased caspase-3 in our neuronal cultures and decreased neuronal cell viability. We then examined the efficacy of the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK to rescue the decrease in neuronal cell viability, demonstrating reversal of the cell viability phenotype with caspase-3 inhibition. Studies have also implicated caspase-3 in neuronal morphological changes. We found that caspase-3 inhibition largely reversed the dendrite, axon, and spine morphological changes along with the inhibitory synaptic puncta changes. Overall, these data provide additional evidence that Cul3 regulates the formation or maintenance of cell morphology, GABAergic synaptic puncta, and neuronal viability in developing hippocampal neurons in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang-qiang Xia
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anju Singh
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Zhong Xin Xuan
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Singer
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Craig M. Powell
- Department of Neurobiology, Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine & Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Bukowska-Olech E, Majchrzak-Celińska A, Przyborska M, Jamsheer A. Chromatinopathies: insight in clinical aspects and underlying epigenetic changes. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:287-301. [PMID: 38180712 PMCID: PMC11003913 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00824-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Chromatinopathies (CPs), a group of rare inborn defects characterized by chromatin state imbalance, have evolved from initially resembling Cornelia de Lange syndrome to encompass a wide array of genetic diseases with diverse clinical presentations. The CPs classification now includes human developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in epigenes, genes that regulate the epigenome. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have enabled the association of 154 epigenes with CPs, revealing distinctive DNA methylation patterns known as episignatures.It has been shown that episignatures are unique for a particular CP or share similarities among specific CP subgroup. Consequently, these episignatures have emerged as promising biomarkers for diagnosing and treating CPs, differentiating subtypes, evaluating variants of unknown significance, and facilitating targeted therapies tailored to the underlying epigenetic dysregulation.The following review was conducted to collect, summarize, and analyze data regarding CPs in such aspects as clinical evaluation encompassing long-term patient care, underlying epigenetic changes, and innovative molecular and bioinformatic methodologies that have been devised for the assessment of CPs. We have also shed light on promising novel treatment options that have surfaced in recent research and presented a synthesis of ongoing clinical trials, contributing to the current understanding of the dynamic and evolving nature of CPs investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aleksander Jamsheer
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Centers for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Poznan, Poland
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Harris JR, Gao CW, Britton JF, Applegate CD, Bjornsson HT, Fahrner JA. Five years of experience in the Epigenetics and Chromatin Clinic: what have we learned and where do we go from here? Hum Genet 2024; 143:607-624. [PMID: 36952035 PMCID: PMC10034257 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
The multidisciplinary Epigenetics and Chromatin Clinic at Johns Hopkins provides comprehensive medical care for individuals with rare disorders that involve disrupted epigenetics. Initially centered on classical imprinting disorders, the focus shifted to the rapidly emerging group of genetic disorders resulting from pathogenic germline variants in epigenetic machinery genes. These are collectively called the Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery (MDEMs), or more broadly, Chromatinopathies. In five years, 741 clinic visits have been completed for 432 individual patients, with 153 having confirmed epigenetic diagnoses. Of these, 115 individuals have one of 26 MDEMs with every single one exhibiting global developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. This supports prior observations that intellectual disability is the most common phenotypic feature of MDEMs. Additional common phenotypes in our clinic include growth abnormalities and neurodevelopmental issues, particularly hypotonia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety, with seizures and autism being less common. Overall, our patient population is representative of the broader group of MDEMs and includes mostly autosomal dominant disorders impacting writers more so than erasers, readers, and remodelers of chromatin marks. There is an increased representation of dual function components with a reader and an enzymatic domain. As expected, diagnoses were made mostly by sequencing but were aided in some cases by DNA methylation profiling. Our clinic has helped to facilitate the discovery of two new disorders, and our providers are actively developing and implementing novel therapeutic strategies for MDEMs. These data and our high follow-up rate of over 60% suggest that we are achieving our mission to diagnose, learn from, and provide optimal care for our patients with disrupted epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline R Harris
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christine W Gao
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacquelyn F Britton
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn D Applegate
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hans T Bjornsson
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Jill A Fahrner
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Capal JK, Jeste SS. Autism and Epilepsy. Pediatr Clin North Am 2024; 71:241-252. [PMID: 38423718 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common comorbidities in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Risk factors include the presence of developmental delay/intellectual disability, female sex, age, and an underlying genetic condition. Due to higher prevalence of epilepsy in ASD, it is important to have a high index of suspicion for seizures and refer to a neurologist if there are concerns. Genetic testing is recommended for all children with ASD but it becomes more high yield in children with epilepsy and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie K Capal
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Manning Drive, CB 7025, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Shafali S Jeste
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
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Roy B, Amemasor E, Hussain S, Castro K. UBE3A: The Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and a Potential Candidate for Biomarker Studies and Designing Therapeutic Strategies. Diseases 2023; 12:7. [PMID: 38248358 PMCID: PMC10814747 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Published reports from the CDC's Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Networks have shown that an average of 1 in every 44 (2.3%) 8-year-old children were estimated to have ASD in 2018. Many of the ASDs exhibiting varying degrees of autism-like phenotypes have chromosomal anomalies in the Chr15q11-q13 region. Numerous potential candidate genes linked with ASD reside in this chromosomal segment. However, several clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies selected one gene more frequently than others randomly and unbiasedly. This gene codes for UBE3A or Ubiquitin protein ligase E3A [also known as E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase (E6AP)], an enzyme involved in the cellular degradation of proteins. This gene has been listed as one of the several genes with a high potential of causing ASD in the Autism Database. The gain of function mutations, triplication, or duplication in the UBE3A gene is also associated with ASDs like Angelman Syndrome (AS) and Dup15q Syndrome. The genetic imprinting of UBE3A in the brain and a preference for neuronal maternal-specific expression are the key features of various ASDs. Since the UBE3A gene is involved in two main important diseases associated with autism-like symptoms, there has been widespread research going on in understanding the link between this gene and autism. Additionally, since no universal methodology or mechanism exists for identifying UBE3A-mediated ASD, it continues to be challenging for neurobiologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians to design therapies or diagnostic tools. In this review, we focus on the structure and functional aspects of the UBE3A protein, discuss the primary relevance of the 15q11-q13 region in the cause of ASDs, and highlight the link between UBE3A and ASD. We try to broaden the knowledge of our readers by elaborating on the possible mechanisms underlying UBE3A-mediated ASDs, emphasizing the usage of UBE3A as a prospective biomarker in the preclinical diagnosis of ASDs and discuss the positive outcomes, advanced developments, and the hurdles in the field of therapeutic strategies against UBE3A-mediated ASDs. This review is novel as it lays a very detailed and comprehensive platform for one of the most important genes associated with diseases showing autistic-like symptoms. Additionally, this review also attempts to lay optimistic feedback on the possible steps for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of these UBE3A-mediated ASDs in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Roy
- Life Science Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (E.A.); (S.H.); (K.C.)
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Lin CW, Cheng YC, Yang CH, Huang HS. Light activates Ube3a, an Angelman syndrome-associated gene, by mediating the chromatin structures during postnatal development of mouse retina. J Neurochem 2023; 167:766-777. [PMID: 37994169 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16018] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, is primarily caused by mutations or deletions of maternally inherited ubiquitin protein ligase E3A (UBE3A). Activation of the silenced paternal copy of UBE3A can occur with pharmacological perturbation; however, an environmental approach has not been examined. Here, we found Ube3a is highly expressed in embryonic and early neonatal mouse retina and is maternally-, but not paternally-, expressed in ganglion cells, amacrine cells, and horizontal cells. Moreover, we analyzed UBE3A expression in the retina and visual cortex of postnatal day 28 mice (P28) following exposure to light emissions from white compact-fluorescent bulbs or blue light-emitting diodes from postnatal day 0 (P0) to 28 (P28), encompassing a crucial phase of visual system development. We found higher levels of Ube3a RNA and protein in the retina, but not visual cortex compared with tissues from P28 mice exposure to typical lighting (controls). Levels of both paternal- and maternal-UBE3A protein in mouse retina were higher than controls in P28 mice exposed to white or blue light. Moreover, levels of open and repressive chromatin structures, indicated by histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), respectively, were increased in the Ube3a promoter from mouse retina exposed to white or blue light. Our findings strongly suggest that extended exposure to white or blue light constitutes a substantial environmental factor that can effectively promote UBE3A expression within the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Hao Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Sung Huang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Pedini G, Chen CL, Achsel T, Bagni C. Cancer drug repurposing in autism spectrum disorder. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:963-977. [PMID: 37940430 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain origins. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying ASD remains limited, and treatments are lacking. Genetic diversity complicates drug development. Given the complexity and severity of ASD symptoms and the rising number of diagnoses, exploring novel therapeutic strategies is essential. Here, we focus on shared molecular pathways between ASD and cancer and highlight recent progress on the repurposing of cancer drugs for ASD treatment, such as mTOR inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents. We discuss how to improve trial design considering drug dose and patient age. Lastly, the discussion explores the critical aspects of side effects, commercial factors, and the efficiency of drug-screening pipelines; all of which are essential considerations in the pursuit of repurposing cancer drugs for addressing core features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pedini
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Chin-Lin Chen
- University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tilmann Achsel
- University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Bagni
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Camões dos Santos J, Appleton C, Cazaux Mateus F, Covas R, Bekman EP, da Rocha ST. Stem cell models of Angelman syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1274040. [PMID: 37928900 PMCID: PMC10620611 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274040] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is an imprinted neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks a cure, characterized by developmental delay, intellectual impairment, seizures, ataxia, and paroxysmal laughter. The condition arises due to the loss of the maternally inherited copy of the UBE3A gene in neurons. The paternally inherited UBE3A allele is unable to compensate because it is silenced by the expression of an antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS) on the paternal chromosome. UBE3A, encoding enigmatic E3 ubiquitin ligase variants, regulates target proteins by either modifying their properties/functions or leading them to degradation through the proteasome. Over time, animal models, particularly the Ube3a mat-/pat+ Knock-Out (KO) mice, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AS. However, a shift toward human pluripotent stem cell models (PSCs), such as human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has gained momentum. These stem cell models accurately capture human genetic and cellular characteristics, offering an alternative or a complement to animal experimentation. Human stem cells possess the remarkable ability to recapitulate neurogenesis and generate "brain-in-a-dish" models, making them valuable tools for studying neurodevelopmental disorders like AS. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art human stem cell models of AS and explore their potential to become the preclinical models of choice for drug screening and development, thus propelling AS therapeutic advancements and improving the lives of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Camões dos Santos
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Appleton
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisca Cazaux Mateus
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Covas
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Evguenia Pavlovna Bekman
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- The Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Caparica, Portugal
| | - Simão Teixeira da Rocha
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Chaudhary P, Proulx J, Park IW. Ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) mediation of viral infection and human diseases. Virus Res 2023; 335:199191. [PMID: 37541588 PMCID: PMC10430597 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199191] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The Ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A, UBE3A, also known as E6-associated protein (E6-AP), is known to play an essential role in regulating the degradation of various proteins by transferring Ub from E2 Ub conjugating enzymes to the substrate proteins. Several studies indicate that UBE3A regulates the stabilities of key viral proteins in the virus-infected cells and, thereby, the infected virus-mediated diseases, even if it were reported that UBE3A participates in non-viral-related human diseases. Furthermore, mutations such as deletions and duplications in the maternally inherited gene in the brain cause human neurodevelopmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome (AS) and autism. It is also known that UBE3A functions as a transcriptional coactivator for the expression of steroid hormone receptors. These reports establish that UBE3A is distinguished by its multitudinous functions that are paramount to viral pathology and human diseases. This review is focused on molecular mechanisms for such intensive participation of UBE3A in disease formation and virus regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Chaudhary
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States.
| | - Jessica Proulx
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
| | - In-Woo Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States.
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Kioutchoukova IP, Foster DT, Thakkar RN, Foreman MA, Burgess BJ, Toms RM, Molina Valero EE, Lucke-Wold B. Neurologic orphan diseases: Emerging innovations and role for genetic treatments. World J Exp Med 2023; 13:59-74. [PMID: 37767543 PMCID: PMC10520757 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v13.i4.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Orphan diseases are rare diseases that affect less than 200000 individuals within the United States. Most orphan diseases are of neurologic and genetic origin. With the current advances in technology, more funding has been devoted to developing therapeutic agents for patients with these conditions. In our review, we highlight emerging options for patients with neurologic orphan diseases, specifically including diseases resulting in muscular deterioration, epilepsy, seizures, neurodegenerative movement disorders, inhibited cognitive development, neuron deterioration, and tumors. After extensive literature review, gene therapy offers a promising route for the treatment of neurologic orphan diseases. The use of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/Cas9 has demonstrated positive results in experiments investigating its role in several diseases. Additionally, the use of adeno-associated viral vectors has shown improvement in survival, motor function, and developmental milestones, while also demonstrating reversal of sensory ataxia and cardiomyopathy in Friedreich ataxia patients. Antisense oligonucleotides have also been used in some neurologic orphan diseases with positive outcomes. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are currently being investigated and have reduced abnormal cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Emerging innovations and the role of genetic treatments open a new window of opportunity for the treatment of neurologic orphan diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devon T Foster
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Rajvi N Thakkar
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Marco A Foreman
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Brandon J Burgess
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Rebecca M Toms
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | | | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
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15
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Wang SE, Jiang YH. Novel epigenetic molecular therapies for imprinting disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3182-3193. [PMID: 37626134 PMCID: PMC10618104 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02208-7] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting disorders are caused by the disruption of genomic imprinting processes leading to a deficit or increase of an active allele. Their unique molecular mechanisms underlying imprinted genes offer an opportunity to investigate epigenetic-based therapy for reactivation of an inactive allele or reduction of an active allele. Current treatments are based on managing symptoms, not targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying imprinting disorders. Here, we highlight molecular approaches of therapeutic candidates in preclinical and clinical studies for individual imprinting disorders. These include the significant progress of discovery and testing of small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and CRISPR mediated genome editing approaches as new therapeutic strategies. We discuss the significant challenges of translating these promising therapies from the preclinical stage to the clinic, especially for genome editing based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Eun Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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16
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Li J, Shen Z, Liu Y, Yan Z, Liu Y, Lin X, Tang J, Lv R, Geng G, Xiong ZQ, Zhou C, Yang H. A high-fidelity RNA-targeting Cas13 restores paternal Ube3a expression and improves motor functions in Angelman syndrome mice. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2286-2295. [PMID: 36805082 PMCID: PMC10362381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function mutations in maternally expressed UBE3A. No gene-specific treatment is available for patients so far. Although intact and transcriptionally active, paternally inherited UBE3A is silenced by elongation of antisense long noncoding RNA UBE3A-ATS in neurons. Here, we demonstrated that RNA targeting of paternal Ube3a-ATS with a high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas13 (hfCas13x.1) system could restore Ube3a expression to similar levels as that of maternal Ube3a in the cultured mouse neurons. Furthermore, injection into lateral ventricles with neuron-specific hSyn1 promoter-driven hfCas13x.1 packaged in adeno-associated virus (AAV-PHP.eb) could restore paternal Ube3a expression in cortex and hippocampus of neonatal AS mice for up to 4 months after treatment. Behavioral tests showed that expression of paternal Ube3a significantly alleviated AS-related symptoms, including obesity and motor function. Our results suggested that hfCas13x.1-mediated suppression of the Ube3a-ATS lncRNA potentially serves as a promising targeted intervention for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhixin Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yajing Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zixiang Yan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yuanhua Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, #20, Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Junjie Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ruimin Lv
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guannan Geng
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhi-Qi Xiong
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Changyang Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China; HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China.
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17
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Keary CJ, McDougle CJ. Current and emerging treatment options for Angelman syndrome. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:835-844. [PMID: 37599585 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2245568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, limited expressive language, epilepsy, and motor impairment. Angelman syndrome is caused by haploinsufficiency of the UBE3A gene on the maternal copy of chromosome 15. There have been ongoing advances in the understanding of neurological, behavioral, and sleep-based problems and associated treatments for patients with AS. These results along with gene-based therapies entering into clinical development prompted this review. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize the research basis describing phenomenology of epilepsy and behavioral concerns such as hyperactivity behavior, aggression, self-injury, repetitive behavior, and sleep disorder. The evidence for recent treatment advances in these target symptom domains of concern is reviewed, and the potential for emerging gene therapy treatments is considered. EXPERT OPINION The prospect for emerging gene therapies means that increasing efforts should be directed toward the early identification of AS implemented equitably. Recent studies emphasize the important role of behavioral therapy in addressing mental health concerns such as aggression and disordered sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Keary
- Department is department of psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Angelman Syndrome Program, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Department is department of psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Dindot SV, Christian S, Murphy WJ, Berent A, Panagoulias J, Schlafer A, Ballard J, Radeva K, Robinson R, Myers L, Jepp T, Shaheen H, Hillman P, Konganti K, Hillhouse A, Bredemeyer KR, Black L, Douville J. An ASO therapy for Angelman syndrome that targets an evolutionarily conserved region at the start of the UBE3A-AS transcript. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabf4077. [PMID: 36947593 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf4077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a devastating neurogenetic disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment. It is caused by mutations or epimutations affecting the expression or function of the maternally inherited allele of the ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene. The paternal UBE3A allele is imprinted in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) by the UBE3A antisense (UBE3A-AS) transcript, which represents the distal end of the small nucleolar host gene 14 (SNHG14) transcription unit. Reactivating the expression of the paternal UBE3A allele in the CNS has long been pursued as a therapeutic option for Angelman syndrome. Here, we described the development of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for Angelman syndrome that targets an evolutionarily conserved region demarcating the start of the UBE3A-AS transcript. We designed and chemically optimized gapmer ASOs targeting specific sequences at the start of the human UBE3A-AS transcript. We showed that ASOs targeting this region precisely and efficiently repress the transcription of UBE3A-AS, reactivating the expression of the paternal UBE3A allele in neurotypical and Angelman syndrome induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. We further showed that human-targeted ASOs administered to the CNS of cynomolgus macaques by lumbar intrathecal injection repress UBE3A-AS and reactivate the expression of the paternal UBE3A allele throughout the CNS. These findings support the advancement of this investigational molecular therapy for Angelman syndrome into clinical development (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04259281).
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott V Dindot
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- GeneTx Biotherapeutics LLC, Sarasota, FL 34233, USA
- Research Department, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Novato, CA 94949, USA
| | - Sarah Christian
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - William J Murphy
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | | | - Annalise Schlafer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Johnathan Ballard
- Texas A&M Institute for Genomic Medicine (TIGM), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kamelia Radeva
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Ruth Robinson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Luke Myers
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Thomas Jepp
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Hillary Shaheen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Paul Hillman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kranti Konganti
- Texas A&M University Institute for Genome Sciences and Society (TIGSS), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Andrew Hillhouse
- Texas A&M University Institute for Genome Sciences and Society (TIGSS), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kevin R Bredemeyer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Julie Douville
- Charles River Laboratories, Montreal, Senneville, Quebec H9X 1C1, Canada
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Lee D, Chen W, Kaku HN, Zhuo X, Chao ES, Soriano A, Kuncheria A, Flores S, Kim JH, Rivera A, Rigo F, Jafar-Nejad P, Beaudet AL, Caudill MS, Xue M. Antisense oligonucleotide therapy rescues disturbed brain rhythms and sleep in juvenile and adult mouse models of Angelman syndrome. eLife 2023; 12:e81892. [PMID: 36594817 PMCID: PMC9904759 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
UBE3A encodes ubiquitin protein ligase E3A, and in neurons its expression from the paternal allele is repressed by the UBE3A antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS). This leaves neurons susceptible to loss-of-function of maternal UBE3A. Indeed, Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, is caused by maternal UBE3A deficiency. A promising therapeutic approach to treating Angelman syndrome is to reactivate the intact paternal UBE3A by suppressing UBE3A-ATS. Prior studies show that many neurological phenotypes of maternal Ube3a knockout mice can only be rescued by reinstating Ube3a expression in early development, indicating a restricted therapeutic window for Angelman syndrome. Here, we report that reducing Ube3a-ATS by antisense oligonucleotides in juvenile or adult maternal Ube3a knockout mice rescues the abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms and sleep disturbance, two prominent clinical features of Angelman syndrome. Importantly, the degree of phenotypic improvement correlates with the increase of Ube3a protein levels. These results indicate that the therapeutic window of genetic therapies for Angelman syndrome is broader than previously thought, and EEG power spectrum and sleep architecture should be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwon Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Wu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Heet Naresh Kaku
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Xinming Zhuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Eugene S Chao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | | | - Allen Kuncheria
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Stephanie Flores
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Joo Hyun Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Armando Rivera
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, United States
| | | | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Matthew S Caudill
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Mingshan Xue
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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20
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Geng Y, Zhang T, Alonzo IG, Godar SC, Yates C, Pluimer BR, Harrison DL, Nath AK, Yeh JRJ, Drummond IA, Bortolato M, Peterson RT. Top2a promotes the development of social behavior via PRC2 and H3K27me3. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm7069. [PMID: 36417527 PMCID: PMC9683714 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Little is understood about the embryonic development of sociality. We screened 1120 known drugs and found that embryonic inhibition of topoisomerase IIα (Top2a) resulted in lasting social deficits in zebrafish. In mice, prenatal Top2 inhibition caused defects in social interaction and communication, which are behaviors that relate to core symptoms of autism. Mutation of Top2a in zebrafish caused down-regulation of a set of genes highly enriched for genes associated with autism in humans. Both the Top2a-regulated and autism-associated gene sets have binding sites for polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a regulatory complex responsible for H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Moreover, both gene sets are highly enriched for H3K27me3. Inhibition of the PRC2 component Ezh2 rescued social deficits caused by Top2 inhibition. Therefore, Top2a is a key component of an evolutionarily conserved pathway that promotes the development of social behavior through PRC2 and H3K27me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tejia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ivy G. Alonzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sean C. Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christopher Yates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brock R. Pluimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Devin L. Harrison
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anjali K. Nath
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Metabolism Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Iain A. Drummond
- Davis Center for Aging and Regeneration, MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Chao Y, Qin Y, Zou X, Wang X, Hu C, Xia F, Zou C. Promising therapeutic aspects in human genetic imprinting disorders. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:146. [PMID: 36371218 PMCID: PMC9655922 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon of monoallelic gene expression pattern depending on parental origin. In humans, congenital imprinting disruptions resulting from genetic or epigenetic mechanisms can cause a group of diseases known as genetic imprinting disorders (IDs). Genetic IDs involve several distinct syndromes sharing homologies in terms of genetic etiologies and phenotypic features. However, the molecular pathogenesis of genetic IDs is complex and remains largely uncharacterized, resulting in a lack of effective therapeutic approaches for patients. In this review, we begin with an overview of the genomic and epigenomic molecular basis of human genetic IDs. Notably, we address ethical aspects as a priority of employing emerging techniques for therapeutic applications in human IDs. With a particular focus, we delineate the current field of emerging therapeutics for genetic IDs. We briefly summarize novel symptomatic drugs and highlight the key milestones of new techniques and therapeutic programs as they stand today which can offer highly promising disease-modifying interventions for genetic IDs accompanied by various challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqi Chao
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
| | - Yifang Qin
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
| | - Xinyi Zou
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XZhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015 Zhejiang China
| | - Xiangzhi Wang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
| | - Chenxi Hu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
| | - Fangling Xia
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
| | - Chaochun Zou
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310052 Zhejiang China
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22
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Germain ND, Chung WK, Sarmiere PD. RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics for treatment of rare neurologic diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 91:101148. [PMID: 36257857 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Advances in genome sequencing have greatly facilitated the identification of genomic variants underlying rare neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the fundamental causes of rare monogenic disorders has made gene therapy a possible treatment approach for these conditions. RNA interference (RNAi) technologies such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and other oligonucleotide-based modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are being developed as potential therapeutic approaches for manipulating expression of the genes that cause a variety of neurological diseases. Here, we offer a brief review of the mechanism of action of these RNAi approaches; provide deeper discussion of the advantages, challenges, and specific considerations related to the development of RNAi therapeutics for neurological disease; and highlight examples of rare neurological diseases for which RNAi therapeutics hold great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle D Germain
- Ovid Therapeutics, Inc., 1460 Broadway, New York, NY, 10036, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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23
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Tanas JK, Kerr DD, Wang L, Rai A, Wallaard I, Elgersma Y, Sidorov MS. Multidimensional analysis of behavior predicts genotype with high accuracy in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:426. [PMID: 36192373 PMCID: PMC9529912 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02206-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of expression of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Individuals with AS have a multifaceted behavioral phenotype consisting of deficits in motor function, epilepsy, cognitive impairment, sleep abnormalities, as well as other comorbidities. Effectively modeling this behavioral profile and measuring behavioral improvement will be crucial for the success of ongoing and future clinical trials. Foundational studies have defined an array of behavioral phenotypes in the AS mouse model. However, no single behavioral test is able to fully capture the complex nature of AS-in mice, or in children. We performed multidimensional analysis (principal component analysis + k-means clustering) to quantify the performance of AS model mice (n = 148) and wild-type littermates (n = 138) across eight behavioral domains. This approach correctly predicted the genotype of mice based on their behavioral profile with ~95% accuracy, and remained effective with reasonable sample sizes (n = ~12-15). Multidimensional analysis was effective using different combinations of behavioral inputs and was able to detect behavioral improvement as a function of treatment in AS model mice. Overall, multidimensional behavioral analysis provides a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of preclinical treatments for AS. Multidimensional analysis of behavior may also be applied to rodent models of related neurodevelopmental disorders, and may be particularly valuable for disorders where individual behavioral tests are less reliable than in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K. Tanas
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA
| | - Devante D. Kerr
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA ,grid.257127.40000 0001 0547 4545Howard University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Li Wang
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA
| | - Anika Rai
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA
| | - Ilse Wallaard
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Clinical Genetics and the ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ype Elgersma
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Clinical Genetics and the ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michael S. Sidorov
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA ,grid.253615.60000 0004 1936 9510Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC USA
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24
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Samanta D. Pharmacotherapeutic management of seizures in patients with Angleman syndrome. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1511-1522. [PMID: 35862628 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2105141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 80-90% of patients with Angelman syndrome (AS) develop childhood-onset intractable seizures with major negative impact on the quality of life.Thus adequate management of seizures is the most critical priority to improve health-related quality of life in children with AS. AREAS COVERED The primary focus of the review is on pharmacotherapeutic management of seizures. The first part of the review briefly discusses epileptogenesis and polymorphic seizure phenotypes associated with AS to understand pharmacotherapeutic decision-making better. Next, the review explores individual antiseizure medicines (ASMs) and their potential therapeutic utility. Lastly, some future and emerging treatment options are discussed that can transform the management of seizures in patients with AS. EXPERT OPINION Evidence for treating seizures in AS mainly derives from low-quality studies. Levetiracetam and clobazam are the most commonly used ASMs. Although the potential utility of several other ASMs(valproate, topiramate, lamotrigine, ethosuximide, clonazepam) has been well documented for some time, the treatment landscape may rapidly evolve due to the availability of newer and better tolerated ASMs(cannabidiol oil, brivaracetam, perampanel). In addition, a better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis and the development of molecular therapeutics offer hope for precision therapies for seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debopam Samanta
- Child Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
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25
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Campbell A, Morris G, Sanfeliu A, Augusto J, Langa E, Kesavan JC, Nguyen NT, Conroy RM, Worm J, Kielpinski L, Jensen MA, Miller MT, Kremer T, Reschke CR, Henshall DC. AntimiR targeting of microRNA-134 reduces seizures in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:514-529. [PMID: 35592499 PMCID: PMC9092865 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder featuring ataxia, cognitive impairment, and drug-resistant epilepsy. AS is caused by mutations or deletion of the maternal copy of the paternally imprinted UBE3A gene, with current precision therapy approaches focusing on re-expression of UBE3A. Certain phenotypes, however, are difficult to rescue beyond early development. Notably, a cluster of microRNA binding sites was reported in the untranslated Ube3a1 transcript, including for miR-134, suggesting that AS may be associated with microRNA dysregulation. Here, we report levels of miR-134 and key targets are normal in the hippocampus of mice carrying a maternal deletion of Ube3a (Ube3a m-/p+ ). Nevertheless, intracerebroventricular injection of an antimiR oligonucleotide inhibitor of miR-134 (Ant-134) reduced audiogenic seizure severity over multiple trials in 21- and 42-day-old AS mice. Interestingly, Ant-134 also improved distance traveled and center crossings of AS mice in the open-field test. Finally, we show that silencing miR-134 can upregulate targets of miR-134 in neurons differentiated from Angelman patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. These findings indicate that silencing miR-134 and possibly other microRNAs could be useful to treat clinically relevant phenotypes with a later developmental window in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Campbell
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Gareth Morris
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Albert Sanfeliu
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Joana Augusto
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Elena Langa
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Jaideep C Kesavan
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Ngoc T Nguyen
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Ronan M Conroy
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Jesper Worm
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Lukasz Kielpinski
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Mads Aaboe Jensen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Meghan T Miller
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kremer
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cristina R Reschke
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - David C Henshall
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
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26
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From first report to clinical trials: a bibliometric overview and visualization of the development of Angelman syndrome research. Hum Genet 2022; 141:1837-1848. [PMID: 35637341 PMCID: PMC9672030 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations affecting the chromosomal 15q11-13 region, either by contiguous gene deletions, imprinting defects, uniparental disomy, or mutations in the UBE3A gene itself. Phenotypic abnormalities are driven primarily, but not exclusively (especially in 15q11-13 deletion cases) by loss of expression of the maternally inherited UBE3A gene expression. The disorder was first described in 1965 by the English pediatrician Harry Angelman. Since that first description of three children with Angelman syndrome, there has been extensive research into the genetic, molecular and phenotypic aspects of the disorder. In the last decade, this has resulted in over 100 publications per year. Collectively, this research has led the field to a pivotal point in which restoring UBE3A function by genetic therapies is currently explored in several clinical trials. In this study, we employed a bibliometric approach to review and visualize the development of Angelman syndrome research over the last 50 years. We look into different parameters shaping the progress of the Angelman syndrome research field, including source of funding, publishing journals and international collaborations between research groups. Using a network approach, we map the focus of the research field and how that shifted over time. This overview helps understand the shift of research focus in the field and can provide a comprehensive handbook of Angelman syndrome research development.
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27
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Isles AR. The contribution of imprinted genes to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:210. [PMID: 35597773 PMCID: PMC9124202 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01972-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are a subset of mammalian genes that are subject to germline parent-specific epigenetic modifications leading monoallelic expression. Imprinted gene expression is particularly prevalent in the brain and it is unsurprising that mutations affecting their expression can lead to neurodevelopmental and/or neuropsychiatric disorders in humans. Here I review the evidence for this, detailing key neurodevelopmental disorders linked to imprinted gene clusters on human chromosomes 15q11-q13 and 14q32, highlighting genes and possible regulatory links between these different syndromes. Similarly, rare copy number variant mutations at imprinted clusters also provide strong links between abnormal imprinted gene expression and the predisposition to severe psychiatric illness. In addition to direct links between brain-expressed imprinted genes and neurodevelopmental and/or neuropsychiatric disorders, I outline how imprinted genes that are expressed in another tissue hotspot, the placenta, contribute indirectly to abnormal brain and behaviour. Specifically, altered nutrient provisioning or endocrine signalling by the placenta caused by abnormal expression of imprinted genes may lead to increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental and/or neuropsychiatric problems in both the offspring and the mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R. Isles
- grid.5600.30000 0001 0807 5670MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
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28
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Levin Y, Hosamane NS, McNair TE, Kunnam SS, Philpot BD, Fan Z, Sidorov MS. Evaluation of electroencephalography biomarkers for Angelman syndrome during overnight sleep. Autism Res 2022; 15:1031-1042. [PMID: 35304979 PMCID: PMC9227959 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. AS is characterized by intellectual disability, impaired speech and motor skills, epilepsy, and sleep disruptions. Multiple treatment strategies to re‐express functional neuronal UBE3A from the dormant paternal allele were successful in rodent models of AS and have now moved to early phase clinical trials in children. Developing reliable and objective AS biomarkers is essential to guide the design and execution of current and future clinical trials. Our prior work quantified short daytime electroencephalograms (EEGs) to define promising biomarkers for AS. Here, we asked whether overnight sleep is better suited to detect AS EEG biomarkers. We retrospectively analyzed EEGs from 12 overnight sleep studies from individuals with AS with age and sex‐matched Down syndrome and neurotypical controls, focusing on low frequency (2–4 Hz) delta rhythms and sleep spindles. Delta EEG rhythms were increased in individuals with AS during all stages of overnight sleep, but overnight sleep did not provide additional benefit over wake in the ability to detect increased delta. Abnormal sleep spindles were not reliably detected in EEGs from individuals with AS during overnight sleep, suggesting that delta rhythms represent a more reliable biomarker. Overall, we conclude that periods of wakefulness are sufficient, and perhaps ideal, to quantify delta EEG rhythms for use as AS biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Levin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nishitha S Hosamane
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Taylor E McNair
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Shrujana S Kunnam
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, and UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael S Sidorov
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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29
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Duis J. The Road to Personalized Therapies: Lessons Learned From Angelman Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 127:95-98. [PMID: 35180775 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-127.2.95] [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: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by delays including a severe expressive language delay, motor concerns, ataxia, epilepsy, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and characteristic behaviors, including a happy demeanor, hyperactivity, and excitability. The syndrome is one of the first neurodevelopmental disorders with a clear trajectory towards meaningful treatment with approximately 20 companies actively developing targeted therapeutics for AS. Herein, we highlight the historical context of the road to therapeutics and some of the challenges in the field with the potential to impact the success of clinical trials for Angelman syndrome and also have relevance of other neurogenetic developmental disabilities.
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30
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Huang B, Zhou L, Liu R, Wang L, Xue S, Shi Y, Jeong GH, Jeong IH, Li S, Yin J, Cai J. Activation of E6AP/UBE3A-Mediated Protein Ubiquitination and Degradation Pathways by a Cyclic γ-AA Peptide. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2497-2506. [PMID: 35045253 PMCID: PMC8889547 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Manipulating the activities of E3 ubiquitin ligases with chemical ligands holds promise for correcting E3 malfunctions and repurposing the E3s for induced protein degradation in the cell. Herein, we report an alternative strategy to proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues to induce protein degradation by constructing and screening a γ-AA peptide library for cyclic peptidomimetics binding to the HECT domain of E6AP, an E3 ubiquitinating p53 coerced by the human papillomavirus and regulating pathways implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome. We found that a γ-AA peptide P6, discovered from the affinity-based screening with the E6AP HECT domain, can significantly stimulate the ubiquitin ligase activity of E6AP to ubiquitinate its substrate proteins UbxD8, HHR23A, and β-catenin in reconstituted reactions and HEK293T cells. Furthermore, P6 can accelerate the degradation of E6AP substrates in the cell by enhancing the catalytic activities of E6AP. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of using synthetic ligands to stimulate E3 activities in the cell. The E3 stimulators could be developed alongside E3 inhibitors and substrate recruiters such as PROTACs and molecular glues to leverage the full potential of protein ubiquitination pathways for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Ruochuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Songyi Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Geon Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - In Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Sihao Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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31
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Hu W, Liu CW, Jiménez JA, McCoy ES, Hsiao YC, Lin W, Engel SM, Lu K, Zylka MJ. Detection of Azoxystrobin Fungicide and Metabolite Azoxystrobin-Acid in Pregnant Women and Children, Estimation of Daily Intake, and Evaluation of Placental and Lactational Transfer in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:27013. [PMID: 35200037 PMCID: PMC8869102 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azoxystrobin (AZ) is a broad-spectrum strobilurin fungicide that is used in agriculture and was recently added to mold- and mildew-resistant wallboards. AZ was found to have toxic effects in animals at embryonic stages and was listed as a frontline target for biomonitoring in children. OBJECTIVES This study investigated exposure to AZ in pregnant women and young children, whether AZ could be transferred from an exposed mother to offspring, and whether AZ or one of its primary metabolites, AZ-acid, was neurotoxic in vitro. METHODS We quantified AZ-acid, a sensitive indicator of AZ exposure, in urine samples collected from 8 pregnant women (12 urine samples) and 67 children (40-84 months old; 96 urine samples) with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Gestational and lactational transfer was assessed in C57Bl/6 mice. Neurotoxicity of AZ and AZ-acid was investigated in vitro with mouse cortical neuron cultures. RESULTS AZ-acid was present above the limit of quantification (0.01 ng/mL) in 100% of the urine samples from pregnant women and in 70% of the urine samples from children, with median concentration of 0.10 and 0.07 ng/mL, and maximal concentration of 2.70 and 6.32 ng/mL, respectively. Studies in mice revealed that AZ transferred from the mother to offspring during gestation by crossing the placenta and entered the developing brain. AZ was also transferred to offspring via lactation. High levels of cytotoxicity were observed in embryonic mouse cortical neurons at concentrations that modeled environmentally relevant exposures. DISCUSSION Our study suggested that pregnant women and children were exposed to AZ, and at least 10% of the children (2 out of 20 that were evaluated at two ages) showed evidence of chronic exposure. Future studies are warranted to evaluate whether chronic AZ exposure affects human health and development. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9808.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Hu
- Univerity of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chih-Wei Liu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica A. Jiménez
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric S. McCoy
- Univerity of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yun-Chung Hsiao
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Weili Lin
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center and Department of Radiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mark J. Zylka
- Univerity of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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32
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Negrón-Moreno PN, Diep DT, Guoynes CD, Sidorov MS. Dissociating motor impairment from five-choice serial reaction time task performance in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:968159. [PMID: 36212189 PMCID: PMC9539753 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.968159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a single-gene neurodevelopmental disorder associated with cognitive and motor impairment, seizures, lack of speech, and disrupted sleep. AS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the UBE3A gene, and approaches to reinstate functional UBE3A are currently in clinical trials in children. Behavioral testing in a mouse model of AS (Ube3a m-/p+ ) represents an important tool to assess the effectiveness of current and future treatments preclinically. Existing behavioral tests effectively model motor impairments, but not cognitive impairments, in Ube3a m-/p+ mice. Here we tested the hypothesis that the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) can be used to assess cognitive behaviors in Ube3a m-/p+ mice. Ube3a m-/p+ mice had more omissions during 5CSRTT training than wild-type littermate controls, but also showed impaired motor function including open field hypoactivity and delays in eating pellet rewards. Motor impairments thus presented an important confound for interpreting this group difference in omissions. We report that despite hypoactivity during habituation, Ube3a m-/p+ mice had normal response latencies to retrieve rewards during 5CSRTT training. We also accounted for delays in eating pellet rewards by assessing omissions solely on trials where eating delays would not impact results. Thus, the increase in omissions in Ube3a m-/p+ mice is likely not caused by concurrent motor impairments. This work underscores the importance of considering how known motor impairments in Ube3a m-/p+ mice may affect behavioral performance in other domains. Our results also provide guidance on how to design a 5CSRTT protocol that is best suited for future studies in Ube3a mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola N Negrón-Moreno
- University of Puerto Rico-Cayey, Cayey, PR, United States.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - David T Diep
- University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States.,Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Caleigh D Guoynes
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael S Sidorov
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States.,Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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33
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Pandya NJ, Meier S, Tyanova S, Terrigno M, Wang C, Punt AM, Mientjes EJ, Vautheny A, Distel B, Kremer T, Elgersma Y, Jagasia R. A cross-species spatiotemporal proteomic analysis identifies UBE3A-dependent signaling pathways and targets. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2590-2601. [PMID: 35264729 PMCID: PMC9135630 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01484-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the loss of neuronal E3 ligase UBE3A. Restoring UBE3A levels is a potential disease-modifying therapy for AS and has recently entered clinical trials. There is paucity of data regarding the molecular changes downstream of UBE3A hampering elucidation of disease therapeutics and biomarkers. Notably, UBE3A plays an important role in the nucleus but its targets have yet to be elucidated. Using proteomics, we assessed changes during postnatal cortical development in an AS mouse model. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of proteasomal and tRNA synthetase pathways at all postnatal brain developmental stages, while synaptic proteins were altered in adults. We confirmed pathway alterations in an adult AS rat model across multiple brain regions and highlighted region-specific differences. UBE3A reinstatement in AS model mice resulted in near complete and partial rescue of the proteome alterations in adolescence and adults, respectively, supporting the notion that restoration of UBE3A expression provides a promising therapeutic option. We show that the nuclear enriched transketolase (TKT), one of the most abundantly altered proteins, is a novel direct UBE3A substrate and is elevated in the neuronal nucleus of rat brains and human iPSC-derived neurons. Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive map of UBE3A-driven proteome remodeling in AS across development and species, and corroborates an early UBE3A reinstatement as a viable therapeutic option. To support future disease and biomarker research, we present an accessible large-scale multi-species proteomic resource for the AS community ( https://www.angelman-proteome-project.org/ ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil J. Pandya
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Meier
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefka Tyanova
- grid.417570.00000 0004 0374 1269pRED Informatics Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Terrigno
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Congwei Wang
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A. Mattijs Punt
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E. J. Mientjes
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Audrey Vautheny
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ben Distel
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7177.60000000084992262Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Kremer
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ravi Jagasia
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Basel, Switzerland.
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34
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Wang T, Li J, Yang L, Wu M, Ma Q. The Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Imprinting Disorders: Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:730014. [PMID: 34760887 PMCID: PMC8573313 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.730014] [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: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a term used for an intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and involves a subset of genes expressed in a parent-of-origin-dependent way. Imprinted genes are expressed preferentially from either the paternally or maternally inherited allele. Long non-coding RNAs play essential roles in regulating this allele-specific expression. In several well-studied imprinting clusters, long non-coding RNAs have been found to be essential in regulating temporal- and spatial-specific establishment and maintenance of imprinting patterns. Furthermore, recent insights into the epigenetic pathological mechanisms underlying human genomic imprinting disorders suggest that allele-specific expressed imprinted long non-coding RNAs serve as an upstream regulator of the expression of other protein-coding or non-coding imprinted genes in the same cluster. Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNAs result in bi-allelic expression or silencing of neighboring imprinted genes. Here, we review the emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in regulating the expression of imprinted genes, especially in human imprinting disorders, and discuss three strategies targeting the central long non-coding RNA UBE3A-ATS for the purpose of developing therapies for the imprinting disorders Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome. In summary, a better understanding of long non-coding RNA-related mechanisms is key to the development of potential therapeutic targets for human imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxuan Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianjian Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liuyi Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manyin Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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35
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Judson MC, Shyng C, Simon JM, Davis CR, Punt AM, Salmon MT, Miller NW, Ritola KD, Elgersma Y, Amaral DG, Gray SJ, Philpot BD. Dual-isoform hUBE3A gene transfer improves behavioral and seizure outcomes in Angelman syndrome model mice. JCI Insight 2021; 6:144712. [PMID: 34676830 PMCID: PMC8564914 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.144712] [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: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of the maternal UBE3A allele causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder. Here, we devised an AS treatment strategy based on reinstating dual-isoform expression of human UBE3A (hUBE3A) in the developing brain. Kozak sequence engineering of our codon-optimized vector (hUBE3Aopt) enabled translation of both short and long hUBE3A protein isoforms at a near-endogenous 3:1 (short/long) ratio, a feature that could help to support optimal therapeutic outcomes. To model widespread brain delivery and early postnatal onset of hUBE3A expression, we packaged the hUBE3Aopt vector into PHP.B capsids and performed intracerebroventricular injections in neonates. This treatment significantly improved motor learning and innate behaviors in AS mice, and it rendered them resilient to epileptogenesis and associated hippocampal neuropathologies induced by seizure kindling. hUBE3A overexpression occurred frequently in the hippocampus but was uncommon in the neocortex and other major brain structures; furthermore, it did not correlate with behavioral performance. Our results demonstrate the feasibility, tolerability, and therapeutic potential for dual-isoform hUBE3A gene transfer in the treatment of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Judson
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
| | - Charles Shyng
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.,Gene Therapy Center, and
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- Neuroscience Center.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Noah W Miller
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
| | - Kimberly D Ritola
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Pharmacology, UNC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Scientific Operations Manager-Viral Tools, Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia, USA
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David G Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, and.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Gene Therapy Center, and.,Department of Pediatrics and.,Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
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36
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Schmid RS, Deng X, Panikker P, Msackyi M, Breton C, Wilson JM. CRISPR/Cas9 directed to the Ube3a antisense transcript improves Angelman syndrome phenotype in mice. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:142574. [PMID: 33411694 DOI: 10.1172/jci142574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing holds the potential to correct mutations and cure devastating genetic disorders. The technology has not yet proven efficacious for therapeutic use in CNS diseases with ubiquitous neuronal defects. Angelman syndrome (AS), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, is caused by a lack of maternal expression of the UBE3A gene. Because of genomic imprinting, only neurons are affected. One therapeutic approach focuses on the intact paternal UBE3A copy in patients with AS that is silenced by an antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS). We show here that gene editing of Ube3a-ATS in the mouse brain resulted in the formation of base pair insertions/deletions (indels) in neurons and the subsequent unsilencing of the paternal Ube3a allele in neurons, which partially corrected the behavioral phenotype of a murine AS model. This study provides compelling evidence to further investigate editing of the homologous region of the human UBE3A-ATS because this may provide a lasting therapeutic effect for patients with AS.
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37
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Pandya NJ, Wang C, Costa V, Lopatta P, Meier S, Zampeta FI, Punt AM, Mientjes E, Grossen P, Distler T, Tzouros M, Martí Y, Banfai B, Patsch C, Rasmussen S, Hoener M, Berrera M, Kremer T, Dunkley T, Ebeling M, Distel B, Elgersma Y, Jagasia R. Secreted retrovirus-like GAG-domain-containing protein PEG10 is regulated by UBE3A and is involved in Angelman syndrome pathophysiology. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100360. [PMID: 34467244 PMCID: PMC8385294 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the loss of maternal UBE3A, a ubiquitin protein ligase E3A. Here, we study neurons derived from patients with AS and neurotypical individuals, and reciprocally modulate UBE3A using antisense oligonucleotides. Unbiased proteomics reveal proteins that are regulated by UBE3A in a disease-specific manner, including PEG10, a retrotransposon-derived GAG protein. PEG10 protein increase, but not RNA, is dependent on UBE3A and proteasome function. PEG10 binds to both RNA and ataxia-associated proteins (ATXN2 and ATXN10), localizes to stress granules, and is secreted in extracellular vesicles, modulating vesicle content. Rescue of AS patient-derived neurons by UBE3A reinstatement or PEG10 reduction reveals similarity in transcriptome changes. Overexpression of PEG10 during mouse brain development alters neuronal migration, suggesting that it can affect brain development. These findings imply that PEG10 is a secreted human UBE3A target involved in AS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil J. Pandya
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Congwei Wang
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Veronica Costa
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Lopatta
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Meier
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - F. Isabella Zampeta
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Genetics, The ENCORE Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A. Mattijs Punt
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Genetics, The ENCORE Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin Mientjes
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Genetics, The ENCORE Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philip Grossen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tania Distler
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Tzouros
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yasmina Martí
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Balazs Banfai
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Patsch
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Soren Rasmussen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marius Hoener
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Berrera
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kremer
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tom Dunkley
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ben Distel
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Genetics, The ENCORE Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Genetics, The ENCORE Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ravi Jagasia
- Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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Copping NA, McTighe SM, Fink KD, Silverman JL. Emerging Gene and Small Molecule Therapies for the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Angelman Syndrome. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1535-1547. [PMID: 34528170 PMCID: PMC8608975 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01082-x] [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] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare (~1:15,000) neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe developmental delay and intellectual disability, impaired communication skills, and a high prevalence of seizures, sleep disturbances, ataxia, motor deficits, and microcephaly. AS is caused by loss-of-function of the maternally inherited UBE3A gene. UBE3A is located on chromosome 15q11-13 and is biallelically expressed throughout the body but only maternally expressed in the brain due to an RNA antisense transcript that silences the paternal copy. There is currently no cure for AS, but advancements in small molecule drugs and gene therapies offer a promising approach for the treatment of the disorder. Here, we review AS and how loss-of-function of the maternal UBE3A contributes to the disorder. We also discuss the strengths and limitations of current animal models of AS. Furthermore, we examine potential small molecule drug and gene therapies for the treatment of AS and associated challenges faced by the therapeutic design. Finally, gene therapy offers the opportunity for precision medicine in AS and advancements in the treatment of this disorder can serve as a foundation for other single-gene neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nycole A Copping
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Research II Building 96, 4625 2nd Avenue, Suite 1001B, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | - Kyle D Fink
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Research II Building 96, 4625 2nd Avenue, Suite 1001B, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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Elgersma Y, Sonzogni M. UBE3A reinstatement as a disease-modifying therapy for Angelman syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:802-807. [PMID: 33543479 PMCID: PMC8248324 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Half a century ago, Harry Angelman reported three patients with overlapping clinical features, now well known as Angelman syndrome. Angelman syndrome is caused by mutations affecting the maternally inherited UBE3A gene, which encodes an E3-ubiquitin ligase that is critical for typical postnatal brain development. Emerging evidence indicates that UBE3A plays a particularly important role in the nucleus. However, the critical substrates that are controlled by UBE3A remain elusive, which hinders the search for effective treatments. Moreover, given the multitude of signalling mechanisms that are derailed, it is unlikely that targeting a single pathway is going to be very effective. Therefore, expectations are very high for approaches that aim to restore UBE3A protein levels. A particular promising strategy is an antisense oligonucleotide approach, which activates the silenced paternal UBE3A gene. When successful, such treatments potentially offer a disease-modifying therapy for Angelman syndrome and several other neurodevelopmental disorders. What this paper adds Loss of UBE3A affects multiple signalling pathways in the brain. Emerging evidence suggests that UBE3A plays a critical role in the cell nucleus. Trials using antisense oligonucleotides to restore UBE3A levels are continuing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ype Elgersma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Deptartment of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Sonzogni
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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40
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Markati T, Duis J, Servais L. Therapies in preclinical and clinical development for Angelman syndrome. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:709-720. [PMID: 34112038 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1939674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by deficiency or abnormal function of the maternal ubiquitin protein-ligase E3A, known as UBE3A, in the central nervous system. There is no disease-modifying treatment available, but the therapeutic pipeline of Angelman syndrome includes at least 15 different approaches at preclinical or clinical development. In the coming years, several clinical trials will be enrolling patients, which prompted this comprehensive review.Areas covered: We summarize and critically review the different therapeutic approaches. Some approaches attempt to restore the missing or nonfunctional UBE3A protein in the neurons via gene replacement or enzyme replacement therapies. Other therapies aim to induce expression of the normal paternal copy of the UBE3A gene by targeting a long non-coding RNA, the UBE3A-ATS, which interferes with its own expression. Another therapeutic category includes compounds that target molecular pathways and effector proteins known to be involved in Angelman syndrome pathophysiology.Expert opinion: We believe that by 2022-2023, more than five disease-modifying treatments will be simultaneously at clinical testing. However, the are several challenges with regards to safety and efficacy, which need to be addressed. Additionally, there is still a significant unmet need for clinical trial readiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Markati
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jessica Duis
- Section of Genetics & Inherited Metabolic Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laurent Servais
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Division of Child Neurology, Centre De Références Des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège & University of Liège, Belgium
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41
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Ostrowski LM, Spencer ER, Bird LM, Thibert R, Komorowski RW, Kramer MA, Chu CJ. Delta power robustly predicts cognitive function in Angelman syndrome. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021; 8:1433-1445. [PMID: 34047077 PMCID: PMC8283185 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of the maternally inherited UBE3A gene in neurons. Promising disease‐modifying treatments to reinstate UBE3A expression are under development and an early measure of treatment response is critical to their deployment in clinical trials. Increased delta power in EEG recordings, reflecting abnormal neuronal synchrony, occurs in AS across species and correlates with genotype. Whether delta power provides a reliable biomarker for clinical symptoms remains unknown. Methods We analyzed combined EEG recordings and developmental assessments in a large cohort of individuals with AS (N = 82 subjects, 133 combined EEG and cognitive assessments, 1.08–28.16 years; 32F) and evaluated delta power as a biomarker for cognitive function, as measured by the Bayley Cognitive Score. We examined the robustness of this biomarker to varying states of consciousness, recording techniques and analysis procedures. Results Delta power predicted the Bayley Scale cognitive score (P < 10−5, R2 = 0.9374) after controlling for age (P < 10−24), genotype:age (P < 10−11), and repeat assessments (P < 10−8), with the excellent fit on cross validation (R2 = 0.95). There were no differences in model performance across states of consciousness or bipolar versus average montages (ΔAIC < 2). Models using raw data excluding frontal channels outperformed other models (ΔAIC > 4) and predicted performance in expressive (P = 0.0209) and receptive communication (P < 10−3) and fine motor skills (P < 10−4). Interpretation Delta power is a simple, direct measure of neuronal activity that reliably correlates with cognitive function in AS. This electrophysiological biomarker offers an objective, clinically relevant endpoint for treatment response in emerging clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Ostrowski
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Elizabeth R. Spencer
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lynne M. Bird
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ronald Thibert
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Mark A. Kramer
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Catherine J. Chu
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Ozlu C, Bailey RM, Sinnett S, Goodspeed KD. Gene Transfer Therapy for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dev Neurosci 2021; 43:230-240. [PMID: 33882495 DOI: 10.1159/000515434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of disorders that disrupt normal brain development. Though some NDDs are caused by acquired insults (i.e., toxic or infectious encephalopathy) or may be cryptogenic, many NDDs are caused by variants in a single gene or groups of genes that disrupt neuronal development or function. In this review, we will focus on those NDDs with a genetic etiology. The exact mechanism, timing, and progression of the molecular pathology are seldom well known; however, the abnormalities in development typically manifest in similar patterns such as delays or regression in motor function, social skills, and language or cognitive abilities. Severity of impairment can vary widely. At present, only symptomatic treatments are available to manage seizures and behavioral problems commonly seen in NDDs. In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of research into gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Using AAVs as vectors to replace the non- or dysfunctional gene in vivo is a relatively simple model which has created an unprecedented opportunity for the future of NDD treatment. Advances in this field are of paramount importance as NDDs lead to a massive lifelong burden of disease on the affected individuals and families. In this article, we review the unique advantages and challenges of AAV gene therapies. We then look at potential applications of gene therapy for 3 of the more common NDDs (Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Angelman syndrome), as well as 2 less common NDDs (SLC13A5 deficiency disorder and SLC6A1-related disorder). We will review the available natural history of each disease and current state of preclinical studies including a discussion on the application of AAV gene therapies for each disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Ozlu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel M Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Sinnett
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kimberly D Goodspeed
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Adhikari A, Copping NA, Beegle J, Cameron DL, Deng P, O'Geen H, Segal DJ, Fink KD, Silverman JL, Anderson JS. Functional rescue in an Angelman syndrome model following treatment with lentivector transduced hematopoietic stem cells. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1067-1083. [PMID: 33856035 PMCID: PMC8188406 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired communication skills, ataxia, motor and balance deficits, intellectual disabilities, and seizures. The genetic cause of AS is the neuronal loss of UBE3A expression in the brain. A novel approach, described here, is a stem cell gene therapy which uses lentivector-transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to deliver functional UBE3A to affected cells. We have demonstrated both the prevention and reversal of AS phenotypes upon transplantation and engraftment of human CD34+ cells transduced with a Ube3a lentivector in a novel immunodeficient Ube3amat−/pat+ IL2rg−/y mouse model of AS. A significant improvement in motor and cognitive behavioral assays as well as normalized delta power measured by electroencephalogram was observed in neonates and adults transplanted with the gene modified cells. Human hematopoietic profiles observed in the lymphoid organs by detection of human immune cells were normal. Expression of UBE3A was detected in the brains of the adult treatment group following immunohistochemical staining illustrating engraftment of the gene-modified cells expressing UBE3A in the brain. As demonstrated with our data, this stem cell gene therapy approach offers a promising treatment strategy for AS, not requiring a critical treatment window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Adhikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Julie Beegle
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - David L Cameron
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Peter Deng
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Henriette O'Geen
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Microbiology, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - David J Segal
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Microbiology, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kyle D Fink
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Joseph S Anderson
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Kawabe H, Stegmüller J. The role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in synapse function in the healthy and diseased brain. Mol Cell Neurosci 2021; 112:103602. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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Pejhan S, Rastegar M. Role of DNA Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein MeCP2 in Rett Syndrome Pathobiology and Mechanism of Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:75. [PMID: 33429932 PMCID: PMC7827577 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a severe, rare, and progressive developmental disorder with patients displaying neurological regression and autism spectrum features. The affected individuals are primarily young females, and more than 95% of patients carry de novo mutation(s) in the Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MECP2) gene. While the majority of RTT patients have MECP2 mutations (classical RTT), a small fraction of the patients (atypical RTT) may carry genetic mutations in other genes such as the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and FOXG1. Due to the neurological basis of RTT symptoms, MeCP2 function was originally studied in nerve cells (neurons). However, later research highlighted its importance in other cell types of the brain including glia. In this regard, scientists benefitted from modeling the disease using many different cellular systems and transgenic mice with loss- or gain-of-function mutations. Additionally, limited research in human postmortem brain tissues provided invaluable findings in RTT pathobiology and disease mechanism. MeCP2 expression in the brain is tightly regulated, and its altered expression leads to abnormal brain function, implicating MeCP2 in some cases of autism spectrum disorders. In certain disease conditions, MeCP2 homeostasis control is impaired, the regulation of which in rodents involves a regulatory microRNA (miR132) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here, we will provide an overview of recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanism of disease in RTT and the associated genetic mutations in the MECP2 gene along with the pathobiology of the disease, the role of the two most studied protein variants (MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2 isoforms), and the regulatory mechanisms that control MeCP2 homeostasis network in the brain, including BDNF and miR132.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Regenerative Medicine Program, and Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
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Samanta D. Epilepsy in Angelman syndrome: A scoping review. Brain Dev 2021; 43:32-44. [PMID: 32893075 PMCID: PMC7688500 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Angelman Syndrome (AS) is characterized by severe developmental delays including marked speech impairment, movement abnormalities(ataxia, tremor), and unique behaviors such as frequent laughter and is caused by dysfunctional maternal UBE3A gene (maternal 15q11-13 deletions, maternal specific UBE3A mutation, uniparental disomy, and imprinting defect). Intractable epileptic seizures since early childhood with characteristic EEG abnormalities are present in 80-90% patients with AS. Underlying pathophysiology may involve neocortical and thalamocortical hyperexcitability secondary to severe reduction of GABAergic input, as well as dysfunctional synaptic plasticity, deficient synaptogenesis, and neuronal morphological immaturity. The onset of epilepsy is most prevalent between 1 and 3 years of age; however, approximately 25% of patients developed epilepsy before one year of age. Various types of generalized seizures are most prevalent, with most common types are myoclonic and atypical absence.More than 95% of epilepsy patients may have daily seizures at least for a limited time during early childhood, and two-third patients develop disabling seizures. Fever provoked seizures, and frequent occurrence of nonconvulsive status epilepticus are two unique features. Seizures are frequently pharmacoresistant. Considering underlying prominent GABAergic dysfunction, clinicians had used AEDs that target GABAergic signaling such as valproate, phenobarbital, and clonazepam as first-line therapies for AS. However, due to the unfavorable side effect profile of these AEDs, a recent treatment approach involves priority use of levetiracetam, clobazam, topiramate, lamotrigine, ethosuximide, VNS, and carbohydrate-restricted diets. Besides symptomatic management, there has been recent progress to find a curative treatment with the following approaches: 1. Gene/protein replacement therapy (Adeno and lentiviral vector therapy to deliver a gene or secretory protein); 2. Activation of the intact but silent paternal copy of UBE3A (antisense oligonucleotide therapy and artificial transcription factors); and 3. Downstream therapies (OV101/gaboxadol, ketone supplement, novel compounds/peptides, anti-inflammatory/regenerative therapy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Debopam Samanta
- Child Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Debopam Samanta 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
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Cruz E, Descalzi G, Steinmetz A, Scharfman HE, Katzman A, Alberini CM. CIM6P/IGF-2 Receptor Ligands Reverse Deficits in Angelman Syndrome Model Mice. Autism Res 2021; 14:29-45. [PMID: 33108069 PMCID: PMC8579913 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS), a genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system, is characterized by delayed development, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance (ataxia). Most affected children also have recurrent seizures (epilepsy). No existing therapies are capable of comprehensively treating the deficits in AS; hence, there is an urgent need to identify new treatments. Here we show that insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) and mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), ligands of two independent binding sites of the cation-independent M6P/IGF-2 receptor (CIM6P/IGF-2R), reverse most major deficits of AS modeled in mice. Subcutaneous injection of IGF-2 or M6P in mice modeling AS restored cognitive impairments as assessed by measurements of contextual and recognition memories, motor deficits assessed by rotarod and hindlimb clasping, and working memory/flexibility measured by Y-maze. IGF-2 also corrected deficits in marble burying and significantly attenuated acoustically induced seizures. An observational battery of tests confirmed that neither ligand changed basic functions including physical characteristics, general behavioral responses, and sensory reflexes, indicating that they are relatively safe. Our data provide strong preclinical evidence that targeting CIM6P/IGF-2R is a promising approach for developing novel therapeutics for AS. LAY SUMMARY: There is no effective treatment for the neurodevelopmental disorder Angelman syndrome (AS). Using a validated AS mouse model, the Ube3am-/p+ , in this study we show that systemic administration of ligands of the cation independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor, also known as insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (CIM6P/IGF-2R) reverses cognitive impairment, motor deficits, as well as seizures associated with AS. Thus, ligands that activate the CIM6P/IGF-2R may represent novel, potential therapeutic targets for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Cruz
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Giannina Descalzi
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adam Steinmetz
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Katzman
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
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Novel strategies to cure imprinting disorders. MED GENET-BERLIN 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2020-2043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In imprinting disorders, where the active copy of an imprinted gene is mutated or lost, there is a unique opportunity for causal treatment by unsilencing the other, dormant allele. Depending on the mechanism by which the allele is silenced, unsilencing can be achieved by epigenetic drugs, antisense-oligonucleotides (ASOs) or epigenome editing. While most of the research is still preclinical, first-in-humans studies with ASOs have started in 2020.
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Arakawa H. From Multisensory Assessment to Functional Interpretation of Social Behavioral Phenotype in Transgenic Mouse Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:592408. [PMID: 33329141 PMCID: PMC7717939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.592408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common heterogeneous disorder, defined solely by the core behavioral characteristics, including impaired social interaction and restricted and repeated behavior. Although an increasing number of studies have been performed extensively, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the core symptoms of ASD remain largely unknown. Transgenic mouse models provide a useful tool for evaluating genetic and neuronal mechanisms underlying ASD pathology, which are prerequisites for validating behavioral phenotypes that mimic the core symptoms of human ASD. The purpose of this review is to propose a better strategy for analyzing and interpreting social investigatory behaviors in transgenic mouse models of ASD. Mice are nocturnal, and employ multimodal processing mechanisms for social communicative behaviors, including those that involve olfactory and tactile senses. Most behavioral paradigms that have been developed for measuring a particular ASD-like behavior in mouse models, such as social recognition, preference, and discrimination tests, are based on the evaluation of distance-based investigatory behavior in response to social stimuli. This investigatory behavior in mice is regulated by multimodal processing involving with two different motives: first, an olfactory-based novelty assessment, and second, tactile-based social contact, in a temporally sequential manner. Accurate interpretation of investigatory behavior exhibited by test mice can be achieved by functional analysis of these multimodal, sequential behaviors, which will lead to a better understanding of the specific features of social deficits associated with ASD in transgenic mouse models, at high temporal and spatial resolutions.
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Li J, Zhang C, Si H, Gu S, Liu X, Li D, Meng S, Yang X, Li S. Brain-specific monoallelic expression of bovine UBE3A is associated with genomic position. Anim Genet 2020; 52:47-54. [PMID: 33200847 DOI: 10.1111/age.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a rare epigenetic process in mammalian cells that leads to monoallelic expression of a gene with a parent-specific pattern. The UBE3A (ubiquitin protein ligase E3A) gene is imprinted with maternal allelic expression in the brain but biallelically expressed in all other tissues in humans. The silencing of the paternal UBE3A allele is thought to be caused by the paternally expressed antisense RNA transcript of UBE3A-ATS. The aberrant imprinted expression of the UBE3A is associated with several neurodevelopmental syndromes and psychological disorders. Cattle are a valuable model species in determining the genetic etiology of sporadic human disorder, and maternal expression of UEB3A has been revealed by next-generation sequencing study in the bovine conceptus. In this study, we investigated the allelic expression of UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS in adult bovine somatic tissues. To confirm the splicing pattern of bovine UBE3A, five 5' alternative transcripts (MT210534-MT210538) were first obtained from bovine brain tissue by RT-PCR. Based on 10 SNP genotypes, we found that the brain-specific monoallelic expression of bovine UBE3A did not occur along the entire locus, and there was a shift from biallelic expression to monoallelic expression in exon 14 of the UBE3A gene. However, the brain-specific monoallelic expression of bovine UBE3A-ATS occurred in the entire gene. These observations demonstrated that the monoallelic expression did not occur along the bovine UBE3A entire locus and was associated with the genomic position.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Li
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - C Zhang
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - H Si
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - S Gu
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - X Liu
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - D Li
- College of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - S Meng
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - X Yang
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - S Li
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China
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