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Watts LM, Bertoli M, Attie-Bitach T, Roux N, Rausell A, Paschal CR, Zambonin JL, Curry CJ, Martin B, Tooze RS, Hawkes L, Kini U, Twigg SRF, Wilkie AOM. The phenotype of MEGF8-related Carpenter syndrome (CRPT2) is refined through the identification of eight new patients. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:864-870. [PMID: 38760421 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01624-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Carpenter syndrome (CRPTS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by biallelic variants in genes that encode negative regulators of hedgehog signalling (RAB23 [CRPT1] or, more rarely, MEGF8 [CRPT2]), and is characterised by craniosynostosis, polysyndactyly, and other congenital abnormalities. We describe a further six families comprising eight individuals with MEGF8-associated CRPT2, increasing the total number of reported cases to fifteen, and refine the phenotype of CRPT2 compared to CRPT1. The core features of craniosynostosis, polysyndactyly and (in males) cryptorchidism are almost universal in both CRPT1 and CRPT2. However, laterality defects are present in nearly half of those with MEGF8-associated CRPT2, but are rare in RAB23-associated CRPT1. Craniosynostosis in CRPT2 commonly involves a single midline suture in comparison to the multi-suture craniosynostosis characteristic of CRPT1. No patient to date has carried two MEGF8 gene alterations that are both predicted to lead to complete loss-of-function, suggesting that a variable degree of residual MEGF8 activity may be essential for viability and potentially contributing to variable phenotypic severity. These data refine the phenotypic spectrum of CRPT2 in comparison to CRPT1 and more than double the number of likely pathogenic MEGF8 variants in this rare disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Watts
- Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Marta Bertoli
- Northern Genetics Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tania Attie-Bitach
- Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies Rares, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de biologie médicale multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | - Natalie Roux
- Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies Rares, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Antonio Rausell
- Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies Rares, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de biologie médicale multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | | | - Jessica L Zambonin
- Provincial Medical Genetics Program, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cynthia J Curry
- University of California San Francisco/Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA
- Genetic Medicine, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA, USA
| | - Blanche Martin
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Rebecca S Tooze
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Lara Hawkes
- Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Usha Kini
- Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen R F Twigg
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew O M Wilkie
- Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Yuan X, Chen R, Luo G, Sun P, Song X, Ma J, Sun R, Yu T, Jiang Z. Role and mechanism of miR-871-3p/Megf8 in regulating formaldehyde-induced cardiomyocyte inflammation and congenital heart disease. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111297. [PMID: 38039718 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111297] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying formaldehyde (FA)-induced congenital heart disease (CHD) using in vitro and in vivo models. MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS Neonatal rat heart tissues and H9C2 cells were used for in vitro studies, while FA-exposed new-born rats were used for in vivo studies. TREATMENT H9C2 cells were exposed to FA concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 150 μM/mL for 24 h. METHODS Whole transcriptome gene sequencing identified differentially expressed miRNAs in neonatal rat heart tissues, while Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assessed miR-871-3p and Megf8 expression. RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays determined miR-871-3p and Megf8 relationships. Inflammatory cytokine expression was assessed by western blotting. A FA-induced CHD model was used to validate miR-871-3p regulatory effects in vivo. RESULTS We identified 89 differentially expressed miRNAs, with 28 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated (fold change ≥ 2.0, P < 0.05). Inflammation (interleukin) and signalling pathways were found to control FA-induced cardiac dysplasia. miR-871-3p was upregulated in FA-exposed heart tissues, modulated inflammation, and directly targeted Megf8. In vivo experiments showed miR-871-3p knockdown inhibited FA-induced inflammation and CHD. CONCLUSION We demonstrated miR-871-3p's role in FA-induced CHD by targeting Megf8, providing potential targets for CHD intervention and improved diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yuan
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Chen
- Heart Center, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266034, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Luo
- Heart Center, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266034, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Pin Sun
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Song
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Ma
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruicong Sun
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhirong Jiang
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Road No. 59 Haier, Qingdao 266100, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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The MicroRNA Ame-Bantam-3p Controls Larval Pupal Development by Targeting the Multiple Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domains 8 Gene (megf8) in the Honeybee, Apis mellifera. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065726. [PMID: 36982800 PMCID: PMC10054489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) plays an essential role in coordinating developmental transitions in insects through responsive protein-coding genes and microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the interplay between 20E and miRNAs during insect metamorphosis is unknown. In this study, using small RNA sequencing, a comparative miRNA transcriptomic analysis in different development stages, and 20E treatment, we identified ame-bantam-3p as a key candidate miRNA involved in honeybee metamorphosis. Target prediction and in vitro dual-luciferase assays confirmed that ame-bantam-3p interacts with the coding region of the megf8 gene and promotes its expression. Meanwhile, temporal expression analysis revealed that the expression of ame-bantam-3p is higher in the larval stage than in prepupal and pupal stages, and that this expression pattern is similar to that of megf8. In vivo, we found that the mRNA level of megf8 was significantly increased after the injection of ame-bantam-3p agomir. A 20E feeding assay showed that 20E downregulated the expression of both ame-bantam-3p and its target gene megf8 on larval days five, six, and seven. Meanwhile, the injection of ame-bantam-3p agomir also reduced the 20E titer, as well as the transcript levels of essential ecdysteroid synthesis genes, including Dib, Phm, Sad, and Nvd. The transcript levels of 20E cascade genes, including EcRA, ECRB1, USP, E75, E93, and Br-c, were also significantly decreased after ame-bantam-3p agomir injection. However, ame-bantam-3p antagomir injection and dsmegf8 injection showed the opposite effect to ame-bantam-3p agomir injection. Ame-bantam-3p agomir treatment ultimately led to mortality and the failure of larval pupation by inhibiting ecdysteroid synthesis and the 20E signaling pathway. However, the expression of 20E signaling-related genes was significantly increased after megf8 knockdown, and larvae injected with dsmegf8 showed early pupation. Combined, our results indicate that ame-bantam-3p is involved in the 20E signaling pathway through positively regulating its target gene megf8 and is indispensable for larval–pupal development in the honeybee. These findings may enhance our understanding of the relationship between 20E signaling and small RNAs during honeybee development.
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Chen S, Venkatesan A, Lin YQ, Xie J, Neely G, Banerjee S, Bhat MA. Drosophila Homolog of the Human Carpenter Syndrome Linked Gene, MEGF8, Is Required for Synapse Development and Function. J Neurosci 2022; 42:7016-7030. [PMID: 35944997 PMCID: PMC9480877 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0442-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila multiple epidermal growth factor-like domains 8 (dMegf8) is a homolog of human MEGF8 MEGF8 encodes a multidomain transmembrane protein which is highly conserved across species. In humans, MEGF8 mutations cause a rare genetic disorder called Carpenter syndrome, which is frequently associated with abnormal left-right patterning, cardiac defects, and learning disabilities. MEGF8 is also associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite its clinical relevance, MEGF8 remains poorly characterized; and although it is highly conserved, studies on animal models of Megf8 are also very limited. The presence of intellectual disabilities in Carpenter syndrome patients and association of MEGF8 with psychiatric disorders indicate that mutations in MEGF8 cause underlying defects in synaptic structure and functions. In this study, we investigated the role of Drosophila dMegf8 in glutamatergic synapses of the larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) in both males and females. We show that dMegf8 localizes to NMJ synapses and is required for proper synaptic growth. dMegf8 mutant larvae and adults show severe motor coordination deficits. At the NMJ, dMegf8 mutants show altered localization of presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins, defects in synaptic ultrastructure, and neurotransmission. Interestingly, dMegf8 mutants have reduced levels of the Type II BMP receptor Wishful thinking (Wit). dMegf8 displays genetic interactions with neurexin-1 (dnrx) and wit, and in association with Dnrx and Wit plays an essential role in synapse organization. Our studies provide insights into human MEGF8 functions and potentially into mechanisms that may underlie intellectual disabilities observed in Carpenter syndrome as well as MEGF8-related synaptic structural and/or functional deficits in psychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Carpenter syndrome, known for over a century now, is a genetic disorder linked to mutations in Multiple Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domains 8 (MEGF8) gene and associated with intellectual disabilities among other symptoms. MEGF8 is also associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite the high genetic conservation and clinical relevance, the functions of MEGF8 remain largely uncharacterized. Patients with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric diseases often have an underlying defect in synaptic structure and function. This work defines the role of the fly homolog of human MEGF8, dMegf8, in glutamatergic synapse growth, organization, and function and provide insights into potential functions of MEGF8 in human central synapses and synaptic mechanisms that may underlie psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities seen in Carpenter syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Chen
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Anand Venkatesan
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Yong Qi Lin
- Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales Australia 2006
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Gregory Neely
- Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales Australia 2006
| | - Swati Banerjee
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Manzoor A Bhat
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229
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Lebensohn AM, Bazan JF, Rohatgi R. Receptor control by membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases in development and tissue homeostasis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 150:25-89. [PMID: 35817504 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Paracrine cell-cell communication is central to all developmental processes, ranging from cell diversification to patterning and morphogenesis. Precise calibration of signaling strength is essential for the fidelity of tissue formation during embryogenesis and tissue maintenance in adults. Membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases can control the sensitivity of target cells to secreted ligands by regulating the abundance of signaling receptors at the cell surface. We discuss two examples of this emerging concept in signaling: (1) the transmembrane ubiquitin ligases ZNRF3 and RNF43 that regulate WNT and bone morphogenetic protein receptor abundance in response to R-spondin ligands and (2) the membrane-recruited ubiquitin ligase MGRN1 that controls Hedgehog and melanocortin receptor abundance. We focus on the mechanistic logic of these systems, illustrated by structural and protein interaction models enabled by AlphaFold. We suggest that membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases play a widespread role in remodeling the cell surface proteome to control responses to extracellular ligands in diverse biological processes.
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Nawaratne V, Kudumala S, Kakad PP, Godenschwege TA. The conserved MASRPF motif in the Attractin homolog, Distracted, is required for association with Drosophila E3-ligase Mgrn1. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2021; 2021. [PMID: 34235405 PMCID: PMC8254101 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In rodents, all three paralogs of the Attractin (Atrn) transmembrane protein family exhibit strong phenotypic overlap and are implicated in the regulation of the same G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) as E3-ligase Mahogunin ring finger 1 (Mgrn1). Recently it was shown that the highly conserved intracellular MASRPF motif in mammal Multiple epidermal growth factor-like domain 8 protein is required for binding of Mgrn1 to mediate ubiquitination of GPCR Smoothened in vitro. Here, we show that the MASRPF motif of Drosophila Distracted, the ortholog of ATRN and Attractin-like 1, is required for association with Drosophila Mgrn1 (dMgrn1) in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vindhya Nawaratne
- Biological Science Department, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458
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Wang W, Zheng X, Song H, Yang J, Liu X, Wang Y, Zhang M, Zhang Z. Spatial and temporal deletion reveals a latent effect of Megf8 on the left-right patterning and heart development. Differentiation 2020; 113:19-25. [PMID: 32203821 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Laterality disease is frequently associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear what is behind this association, a pleiotropic effect of common genetic causes of laterality diseases or the impact of abnormal left-right patterning on the downstream cardiovascular development. MEGF8 is a disease gene of Carpenter syndrome characterized by defective lateralization and CHD. Here we performed spatial and temporal deletion to dissect the tissue and time requirements of Megf8 on cardiovascular development. None of conditional deletions in cardiomyocytes, endothelium/endocardium, epicardium, cardiac mesoderm or neural crest cells led to cardiovascular defects. More surprisingly, temporal deletion with a ubiquitous Cre driver at embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), a time point before symmetry break and cardiogenesis, causes preaxial polydactyly (PPD) and exencephaly, but not laterality and cardiovascular defects. These data suggested that Megf8 was dispensable for cardiac organogenesis. Only with E6.5 deletion, we observed aortic arch artery defects including right aortic arch, an indicator of reversed left-right patterning. The concurrence of laterality and cardiovascular defects in pre-streak stage deletion rather than cardiac organogenesis stage deletion indicates that the laterality defect may directly impact heart development. Interestingly, the latent effect of Megf8 on the left-right patterning suggests that the regulation of laterality may be much earlier than we previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Wang
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xiaoling Zheng
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Hejie Song
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Junjie Yang
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Shanghai Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Institute and Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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