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Leone R, Zuglian C, Brambilla R, Morella I. Understanding copy number variations through their genes: a molecular view on 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1407865. [PMID: 38948459 PMCID: PMC11211608 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1407865] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that affect >4% of children worldwide, share common features and present a variegated genetic origin. They include clinically defined diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), motor disorders such as Tics and Tourette's syndromes, but also much more heterogeneous conditions like intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Schizophrenia (SCZ) has also recently been proposed to belong to NDDs. Relatively common causes of NDDs are copy number variations (CNVs), characterised by the gain or the loss of a portion of a chromosome. In this review, we focus on deletions and duplications at the 16p11.2 chromosomal region, associated with NDDs, ID, ASD but also epilepsy and SCZ. Some of the core phenotypes presented by human carriers could be recapitulated in animal and cellular models, which also highlighted prominent neurophysiological and signalling alterations underpinning 16p11.2 CNVs-associated phenotypes. In this review, we also provide an overview of the genes within the 16p11.2 locus, including those with partially known or unknown function as well as non-coding RNAs. A particularly interesting interplay was observed between MVP and MAPK3 in modulating some of the pathological phenotypes associated with the 16p11.2 deletion. Elucidating their role in intracellular signalling and their functional links will be a key step to devise novel therapeutic strategies for 16p11.2 CNVs-related syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Leone
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Zuglian
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Morella
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Kim J, Vanrobaeys Y, Kelvington B, Peterson Z, Baldwin E, Gaine ME, Nickl-Jockschat T, Abel T. Dissecting 16p11.2 hemi-deletion to study sex-specific striatal phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1310-1321. [PMID: 38278994 PMCID: PMC11189748 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02411-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are polygenic in nature and copy number variants (CNVs) are ideal candidates to study the nature of this polygenic risk. The disruption of striatal circuits is considered a central mechanism in NDDs. The 16p11.2 hemi-deletion (16p11.2 del/+) is one of the most common CNVs associated with NDD, and 16p11.2 del/+ mice show sex-specific striatum-related behavioral phenotypes. However, the critical genes among the 27 genes in the 16p11.2 region that underlie these phenotypes remain unknown. Previously, we applied a novel strategy to identify candidate genes associated with the sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice and highlighted three genes within the deleted region: thousand and one amino acid protein kinase 2 (Taok2), seizure-related 6 homolog-like 2 (Sez6l2), and major vault protein (Mvp). Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated mice carrying null mutations in Taok2, Sez6l2, and Mvp (3 gene hemi-deletion (3g del/+)). Hemi-deletion of these 3 genes recapitulates sex-specific behavioral alterations in striatum-dependent behavioral tasks observed in 16p11.2 del/+ mice, specifically male-specific hyperactivity and impaired motivation for reward seeking. Moreover, RNAseq analysis revealed that 3g del/+ mice exhibit gene expression changes in the striatum similar to 16p11.2 del/+ mice exclusively in males. Subsequent analysis identified translation dysregulation and/or extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling as plausible molecular mechanisms underlying male-specific, striatum-dependent behavioral alterations. Interestingly, ribosomal profiling supported the notion of translation dysregulation in both 3g del/+ and 16p11.2 del/+ male mice. However, mice carrying a 4-gene deletion (with an additional deletion of Mapk3) exhibited fewer phenotypic similarities with 16p11.2 del/+ mice. Together, the mutation of 3 genes within the 16p11.2 region phenocopies striatal sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice. These results support the importance of a polygenic approach to study NDDs and underscore that the effects of the large genetic deletions result from complex interactions between multiple candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaekyoon Kim
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Yann Vanrobaeys
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Benjamin Kelvington
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Zeru Peterson
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Emily Baldwin
- The Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Marie E Gaine
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA
| | - Thomas Nickl-Jockschat
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA.
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Henis M, Rücker T, Scharrenberg R, Richter M, Baltussen L, Hong S, Meka DP, Schwanke B, Neelagandan N, Daaboul D, Murtaza N, Krisp C, Harder S, Schlüter H, Kneussel M, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, de Wit J, Singh KK, Duncan KE, de Anda FC. The autism susceptibility kinase, TAOK2, phosphorylates eEF2 and modulates translation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadf7001. [PMID: 38608030 PMCID: PMC11014455 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf7001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Genes implicated in translation control have been associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, some important genetic causes of autism, including the 16p11.2 microdeletion, bear no obvious connection to translation. Here, we use proteomics, genetics, and translation assays in cultured cells and mouse brain to reveal altered translation mediated by loss of the kinase TAOK2 in 16p11.2 deletion models. We show that TAOK2 associates with the translational machinery and functions as a translational brake by phosphorylating eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). Previously, all signal-mediated regulation of translation elongation via eEF2 phosphorylation was believed to be mediated by a single kinase, eEF2K. However, we show that TAOK2 can directly phosphorylate eEF2 on the same regulatory site, but functions independently of eEF2K signaling. Collectively, our results reveal an eEF2K-independent signaling pathway for control of translation elongation and suggest altered translation as a molecular component in the etiology of some forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melad Henis
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, 72511 El-Kharga, Egypt
| | - Tabitha Rücker
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robin Scharrenberg
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Richter
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucas Baltussen
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shuai Hong
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Durga Praveen Meka
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Schwanke
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nagammal Neelagandan
- Neuronal Translational Control Group, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Danie Daaboul
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nadeem Murtaza
- Krembil Research Institute, Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4A9, Canada
| | - Christoph Krisp
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sönke Harder
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schlüter
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kneussel
- Institute of Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irm Hermans-Borgmeyer
- Transgenic Service Group, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joris de Wit
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karun K. Singh
- Krembil Research Institute, Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Cir, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1 A8, Canada
| | - Kent E. Duncan
- Neuronal Translational Control Group, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Evotec SE, Manfred Eigen Campus, Essener Bogen 7, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Froylan Calderón de Anda
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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Meka DP, Richter M, Rücker T, Voss H, Rissiek A, Krisp C, Kumar NH, Schwanke B, Fornasiero EF, Schlüter H, Calderon de Anda F. Protocol for differential multi-omic analyses of distinct cell types in the mouse cerebral cortex. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102793. [PMID: 38157295 PMCID: PMC10792265 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102793] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a protocol for differential multi-omic analyses of distinct cell types in the developing mouse cerebral cortex. We describe steps for in utero electroporation, subsequent flow-cytometry-based isolation of developing mouse cortical cells, bulk RNA sequencing or quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatic analyses. This protocol can be applied to compare the proteomes and transcriptomes of developing mouse cortical cell populations after various manipulations (e.g., epigenetic). For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Meka et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durga Praveen Meka
- RG Neuronal Development, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Richter
- RG Neuronal Development, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tabitha Rücker
- RG Neuronal Development, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Hannah Voss
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Rissiek
- Cytometry und Cell Sorting Core Unit, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Krisp
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nisha Hemandhar Kumar
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schwanke
- RG Neuronal Development, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eugenio F Fornasiero
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Hartmut Schlüter
- Diagnostic Center, Section Mass Spectrometric Proteomics Group, Campus Forschung, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Froylan Calderon de Anda
- RG Neuronal Development, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.
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Byeon S, Yadav S. Pleiotropic functions of TAO kinases and their dysregulation in neurological disorders. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadg0876. [PMID: 38166033 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adg0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Thousand and one amino acid kinases (TAOKs) are relatively understudied and functionally pleiotropic protein kinases that have emerged as important regulators of neurodevelopment. Through their conserved amino-terminal catalytic domain, TAOKs mediate phosphorylation at serine/threonine residues in their substrates, but it is their divergent regulatory carboxyl-terminal domains that confer both exquisite functional specification and cellular localization. In this Review, we discuss the physiological roles of TAOKs and the intricate signaling pathways, molecular interactions, and cellular behaviors they modulate-from cell stress responses, division, and motility to tissue homeostasis, immunity, and neurodevelopment. These insights are then integrated into an analysis of the known and potential impacts of disease-associated variants of TAOKs, with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, pain and addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases. Translating this foundation into clinical benefits for patients will require greater structural and functional differentiation of the TAOKs afforded by their individually specialized domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Byeon
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Smita Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Liu L, Wang J, Liu X, Wang J, Chen L, Zhu H, Mai J, Hu T, Liu S. Prenatal prevalence and postnatal manifestations of 16p11.2 deletions: A new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders based on clinical investigations combined with multi-omics analysis. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 552:117671. [PMID: 37984529 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117671] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 16p11.2 deletion is one of the most common genetic aetiologies of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The prenatal phenotype of 16p11.2 deletion and the potential mechanism associated with postnatal clinical manifestations were largely unknow. We revealed the developmental trajectories of 16p11.2 deletion from the prenatal to postnatal periods and to identify key signaling pathways and candidate genes contributing to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. METHODS In this 5-y retrospective cohort study, women with singleton pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis for chromosomal abnormalities were included. Test of copy-number variations (CNVs) involved single nucleotide polymorphism-array and CNV-seq was performed to detected 16p11.2 deletion. For infants born carrying the 16p11.2 deletion, neurological and intellectual evaluations using the Chinese version of the Gesell Development Scale. For patients observed to have vertebral malformations, Sanger sequencing for T-C-A haplotype of TBX6 was performed. For those infants with clinical manifestations, whole-exome sequencing was consecutively performed in trios to rule out single-gene diseases, and transcriptomics combined with untargeted metabolomics were performed. RESULTS The prevalence of 16p11.2 deletion was 0.063% (55/86,035) in the prenatal period. Up to 80% (20/25) of the 16p11.2 deletions were proven de novo by parental confirmation. Approximately half of 16p11.2 deletions (28/55) were detected with prenatal abnormal ultrasound findings. Vertebral malformations were identified as the most distinctive structural malformations and were enriched in fetuses with 16p11.2 deletions compared with controls (90.9‰ [5/55] vs. 8.4‰ [72/85,980]; P < 0.001). All 5 fetuses with vertebral malformations were confirmed to have the TBX6 haplotype of T-C-A. Overall, 47.6% (10/21) infants birthed were diagnosed with NDDs of different degrees. Language impairment was the predominant manifestation (7/10; 70.0%), followed by motor delay (5/10; 50%). Multi-omics analysis indicated that MAPK3 was the central hub of the differentially expressed gene (DEG) network. We firstly reported that histidine-associated metabolism may be the core metabolic pathway related to the 16p11.2 deletion. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the prenatal presentation, incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity of the 16p11.2 deletion. We identified vertebral malformations were the most distinctive prenatal phenotypes, and language impairment was the predominant postnatal manifestation. Most of the 16p11.2 deletion was de novo. Meanwhile, we suggested that MAPK3 and histidine-associated metabolism may contribute to neurodevelopmental abnormalities of 16p11.2 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Medical College, Tibet University, Lhasa, Tibet 850000, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiamin Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xijing Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongmei Zhu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jingqun Mai
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ting Hu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
| | - Shanling Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
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Forrest MP, Penzes P. Mechanisms of copy number variants in neuropsychiatric disorders: From genes to therapeutics. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 82:102750. [PMID: 37515924 PMCID: PMC10529795 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) are genomic imbalances strongly linked to the aetiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. By virtue of their large size, CNVs often contain many genes, providing a multi-genic view of disease processes that can be dissected in model systems. Thus, CNV research provides an important stepping stone towards understanding polygenic disease mechanisms, positioned between monogenic and polygenic risk models. In this review, we will outline hypothetical models for gene interactions occurring within CNVs and discuss different approaches used to study rodent and stem cell disease models. We highlight recent work showing that genetic and pharmacological strategies can be used to rescue important aspects of CNV-mediated pathophysiology, which often converges onto synaptic pathways. We propose that using a rescue approach in complete CNV models provides a new path forward for precise mechanistic understanding of complex disorders and a tangible route towards therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P Forrest
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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8
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Kilpatrick S, Irwin C, Singh KK. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) and organoid models of autism: opportunities and limitations. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 37344450 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic or environmental perturbations during early development. Diagnoses are dependent on the identification of behavioral abnormalities that likely emerge well after the disorder is established, leaving critical developmental windows uncharacterized. This is further complicated by the incredible clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the disorder that is not captured in most mammalian models. In recent years, advancements in stem cell technology have created the opportunity to model ASD in a human context through the use of pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which can be used to generate 2D cellular models as well as 3D unguided- and region-specific neural organoids. These models produce profoundly intricate systems, capable of modeling the developing brain spatiotemporally to reproduce key developmental milestones throughout early development. When complemented with multi-omics, genome editing, and electrophysiology analysis, they can be used as a powerful tool to profile the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex disorder. In this review, we will explore the recent advancements in hPSC-based modeling, discuss present and future applications of the model to ASD research, and finally consider the limitations and future directions within the field to make this system more robust and broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Kilpatrick
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Courtney Irwin
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karun K Singh
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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9
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Abel T, Kim J, Vanrobaeys Y, Peterson Z, Kelvington B, Gaine M, Nickl-Jockschat T. Dissecting 16p11.2 hemi-deletion to study sex-specific striatal phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2565823. [PMID: 36824977 PMCID: PMC9949238 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2565823/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are polygenic in nature and copy number variants (CNVs) are ideal candidates to study the nature of this polygenic risk. The disruption of striatal circuits is considered a central mechanism in NDDs. The 16p11.2 hemi-deletion (16p11.2 del) is one of the most common CNVs associated with NDD, and 16p11.2 del/+ mice show sex-specific striatum-related behavioral phenotypes. However, the critical genes among the 27 genes in the 16p11.2 region that underlie these phenotypes remain unknown. Previously, we applied a novel strategy to identify candidate genes associated with the sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice and identified 3 genes of particular importance within the deleted region: thousand and one amino acid protein kinase 2 (Taok2), seizure-related 6 homolog-like 2 (Sez6l2), and major vault protein (Mvp). Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we generated 3 gene hemi-deletion (3g del/+) mice carrying null mutations in Taok2, Sez6l2, and Mvp. We assessed striatum-dependent phenotypes of these 3g del/+ mice in behavioral, molecular, and imaging studies. Hemi-deletion of Taok2, Sez6l2, and Mvp induces sex-specific behavioral alterations in striatum-dependent behavioral tasks, specifically male-specific hyperactivity and impaired motivation for reward seeking, resembling behavioral phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice. Moreover, RNAseq analysis revealed that 3g del/+ mice exhibit gene expression changes in the striatum similar to 16p11.2 del/+ mice, but only in males. Pathway analysis identified ribosomal dysfunction and translation dysregulation as molecular mechanisms underlying male-specific, striatum-dependent behavioral alterations. Together, the mutation of 3 genes within the 16p11.2 region phenocopies striatal sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice, unlike single gene mutation studies. These results support the importance of a polygenic approach to study NDDs and our novel strategy to identify genes of interest using gene expression patterns in brain regions, such as the striatum, which are impacted in these disorders.
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Kim J, Vanrobaeys Y, Peterson Z, Kelvington B, Gaine ME, Nickl-Jockschat T, Abel T. Dissecting 16p11.2 hemi-deletion to study sex-specific striatal phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527866. [PMID: 36798381 PMCID: PMC9934710 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are polygenic in nature and copy number variants (CNVs) are ideal candidates to study the nature of this polygenic risk. The disruption of striatal circuits is considered a central mechanism in NDDs. The 16p11.2 hemi-deletion (16p11.2 del) is one of the most common CNVs associated with NDD, and 16p11.2 del/+ mice show sex-specific striatum-related behavioral phenotypes. However, the critical genes among the 27 genes in the 16p11.2 region that underlie these phenotypes remain unknown. Previously, we applied a novel strategy to identify candidate genes associated with the sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice and identified 3 genes of particular importance within the deleted region: thousand and one amino acid protein kinase 2 ( Taok2 ), seizure-related 6 homolog-like 2 ( Sez6l2 ), and major vault protein ( Mvp ). Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we generated 3 gene hemi-deletion (3g del/+) mice carrying null mutations in Taok2, Sez6l2 , and Mvp . We assessed striatum-dependent phenotypes of these 3g del/+ mice in behavioral, molecular, and imaging studies. Hemi-deletion of Taok2, Sez6l2 , and Mvp induces sex-specific behavioral alterations in striatum-dependent behavioral tasks, specifically male-specific hyperactivity and impaired motivation for reward seeking, resembling behavioral phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice. Moreover, RNAseq analysis revealed that 3g del/+ mice exhibit gene expression changes in the striatum similar to 16p11.2 del/+ mice, but only in males. Pathway analysis identified ribosomal dysfunction and translation dysregulation as molecular mechanisms underlying male-specific, striatum-dependent behavioral alterations. Together, the mutation of 3 genes within the 16p11.2 region phenocopies striatal sex-specific phenotypes of 16p11.2 del/+ mice, unlike single gene mutation studies. These results support the importance of a polygenic approach to study NDDs and our novel strategy to identify genes of interest using gene expression patterns in brain regions, such as the striatum, which are impacted in these disorders.
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