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Hernan-Godoy M, Rouaux C. From Environment to Gene Expression: Epigenetic Methylations and One-Carbon Metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:967. [PMID: 38891099 PMCID: PMC11171807 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The etiology of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is complex and considered multifactorial. The majority of ALS cases are sporadic, but familial cases also exist. Estimates of heritability range from 8% to 61%, indicating that additional factors beyond genetics likely contribute to ALS. Numerous environmental factors are considered, which may add up and synergize throughout an individual's lifetime building its unique exposome. One level of integration between genetic and environmental factors is epigenetics, which results in alterations in gene expression without modification of the genome sequence. Methylation reactions, targeting DNA or histones, represent a large proportion of epigenetic regulations and strongly depend on the availability of methyl donors provided by the ubiquitous one-carbon (1C) metabolism. Thus, understanding the interplay between exposome, 1C metabolism, and epigenetic modifications will likely contribute to elucidating the mechanisms underlying altered gene expression related to ALS and to developing targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, we review evidence for 1C metabolism alterations and epigenetic methylation dysregulations in ALS, with a focus on the impairments reported in neural tissues, and discuss these environmentally driven mechanisms as the consequences of cumulative exposome or late environmental hits, but also as the possible result of early developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Rouaux
- Inserm UMR_S 1329, Strasbourg Translational Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Université de Strasbourg, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000 Strasbourg, France;
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2
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Zhang Y, Shen S. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation analysis of late-stage mild cognitive impairment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1276288. [PMID: 38298218 PMCID: PMC10824854 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1276288] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with late-stage mild cognitive impairment (LMCI) have a higher risk of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) than those with early-stage mild cognitive impairment (EMCI). However, previous studies have often pooled EMCI and LMCI patients into a single MCI group, with limited independent investigation into the pathogenesis of LMCI. Methods: In this study, we employed whole-genome methylation association analysis to determine the differences in peripheral blood methylation profiles between 663 cognitive aging (CN) and 554 LMCI patients. Results: Our results revealed 2,333 differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and 85 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) specific to LMCI. The top hit methylation sites or regions were associated with genes such as SNED1, histone deacetylases coding gene HDACs, and HOX and ZNF gene family. The DNA methylations upregulated the expression of HDAC4, HDAC8, and HOX family genes HOXC5 and HOXC9, but they downregulated the expression of SNED1, ADCYAP1, and ZNF family genes ZNF415 and ZNF502. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis showed that the genes associated with these methylation sites were predominantly related to the processes of addiction disorders, neurotransmission, and neurogenesis. Out of the 554 LMCI patients included in this study, 358 subjects (65%) had progressed to AD. Further association analysis between the LMCI subjects with a stable course (sLMCI) and those who progressed to AD (pLMCI) indicated that the methylation signal intensities of HDAC6, ZNF502, HOXC5, HOXC6, and HOXD8 were associated with increased susceptibility to AD. Protective effects against progression to AD were noticed when the methylation of SNED1 and ZNF727 appeared in LMCI patients. Conclusion: Our findings highlight a substantial number of LMCI-specific methylated biomarkers that differ from those identified in previous MCI case-control studies. These biomarkers have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of LMCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Panzhihua University, Panzhihua, China
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3
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Yang T, Xiao Y, Cheng Y, Huang J, Wei Q, Li C, Shang H. Epigenetic clocks in neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:1064-1070. [PMID: 36963821 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological ageing is one of the principal risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. It is becoming increasingly clear that acceleration of DNA methylation age, as measured by the epigenetic clock, is closely associated with many age-related diseases. METHODS We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases to identify eligible studies reporting epigenetic clocks in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease (HD). RESULTS Twenty-three studies (12 for AD, 4 for PD, 5 for ALS, and 2 for HD) were included. We systematically summarised the clinical utility of 11 epigenetic clocks (based on blood and brain tissues) in assessing the risk factors, age of onset, diagnosis, progression, prognosis and pathology of AD, PD, ALS and HD. We also critically described our current understandings to these evidences, and further discussed key challenges, potential mechanisms and future perspectives of epigenetic ageing in neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic clocks hold great potential in neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is encouraged to evaluate the clinical utility and promote the application. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022365233.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingxuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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4
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Yazar V, Ruf WP, Knehr A, Günther K, Ammerpohl O, Danzer KM, Ludolph AC. DNA Methylation Analysis in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for ALS in Blood Cells. Epigenet Insights 2023; 16:25168657231172159. [PMID: 37152709 PMCID: PMC10161312 DOI: 10.1177/25168657231172159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
ALS is a fatal motor neuron disease that displays a broad variety of phenotypes ranging from early fatal courses to slowly progressing and rather benign courses. Such divergence can also be seen in genetic ALS cases with varying phenotypes bearing specific mutations, suggesting epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation act as disease modifiers. However, the epigenotype dictated by, in addition to other mechanisms, DNA methylation is also strongly influenced by the individual's genotype. Hence, we performed a DNA methylation study using EPIC arrays on 7 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs discordant for ALS in whole blood, which serves as an ideal model for eliminating the effects of the genetic-epigenetic interplay to a large extent. We found one CpG site showing intra-pair hypermethylation in the affected co-twins, which maps to the Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor Kainate Type Subunit 1 gene (GRIK1). Additionally, we found 4 DMPs which were subsequently confirmed using 2 different statistical approaches. Differentially methylated regions or blocks could not be detected within the scope of this work. In conclusion, we revealed that despite a low sample size, monozygotic twin studies discordant for the disease can bring new insights into epigenetic processes in ALS, pointing to new target loci for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Yazar
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang P Ruf
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Antje Knehr
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Günther
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Ole Ammerpohl
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Karin M Danzer
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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5
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Spencer PS, Palmer VS, Kisby GE, Lagrange E, Horowitz BZ, Valdes Angues R, Reis J, Vernoux JP, Raoul C, Camu W. Early-onset, conjugal, twin-discordant, and clusters of sporadic ALS: Pathway to discovery of etiology via lifetime exposome research. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1005096. [PMID: 36860617 PMCID: PMC9969898 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1005096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The identity and role of environmental factors in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is poorly understood outside of three former high-incidence foci of Western Pacific ALS and a hotspot of sALS in the French Alps. In both instances, there is a strong association with exposure to DNA-damaging (genotoxic) chemicals years or decades prior to clinical onset of motor neuron disease. In light of this recent understanding, we discuss published geographic clusters of ALS, conjugal cases, single-affected twins, and young-onset cases in relation to their demographic, geographic and environmental associations but also whether, in theory, there was the possibility of exposure to genotoxic chemicals of natural or synthetic origin. Special opportunities to test for such exposures in sALS exist in southeast France, northwest Italy, Finland, the U.S. East North Central States, and in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Given the degree and timing of exposure to an environmental trigger of ALS may be related to the age at which the disease is expressed, research should focus on the lifetime exposome (from conception to clinical onset) of young sALS cases. Multidisciplinary research of this type may lead to the identification of ALS causation, mechanism, and primary prevention, as well as to early detection of impending ALS and pre-clinical treatment to slow development of this fatal neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States,Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States,*Correspondence: Peter S. Spencer,
| | - Valerie S. Palmer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Glen E. Kisby
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, United States
| | - Emmeline Lagrange
- Department of Neurology, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Consultations, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - B. Zane Horowitz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon-Alaska Poison Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Raquel Valdes Angues
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jacques Reis
- University of Strasbourg, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Paul Vernoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Unité de Recherche Aliments Bioprocédés Toxicologie Environnements, Caen, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - William Camu
- ALS Reference Center, Montpellier University Hospital and University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Tazelaar GHP, Hop PJ, Seelen M, van Vugt JJFA, van Rheenen W, Kool L, van Eijk KR, Gijzen M, Dooijes D, Moisse M, Calvo A, Moglia C, Brunetti M, Canosa A, Nordin A, Pardina JSM, Ravits J, Al-Chalabi A, Chio A, McLaughlin RL, Hardiman O, Van Damme P, de Carvalho M, Neuwirth C, Weber M, Andersen PM, van den Berg LH, Veldink JH, van Es MA. Whole genome sequencing analysis reveals post-zygotic mutation variability in monozygotic twins discordant for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 122:76-87. [PMID: 36521271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.11.010] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a heterogeneous, fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterized by motor neuron loss and in 50% of cases also by cognitive and/or behavioral changes. Mendelian forms of ALS comprise approximately 10-15% of cases. The majority is however considered sporadic, but also with a high contribution of genetic risk factors. To explore the contribution of somatic mutations and/or epigenetic changes to disease risk, we performed whole genome sequencing and methylation analyses using samples from multiple tissues on a cohort of 26 monozygotic twins discordant for ALS, followed by in-depth validation and replication experiments. The results of these analyses implicate several mechanisms in ALS pathophysiology, which include a role for de novo mutations, defects in DNA damage repair and accelerated aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs H P Tazelaar
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paul J Hop
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Meinie Seelen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joke J F A van Vugt
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lindy Kool
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kristel R van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marleen Gijzen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Dooijes
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- Neurology Department University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI) KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Angelica Nordin
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Adriano Chio
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Russell L McLaughlin
- Population Genetics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Republic of Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Neurology Department University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI) KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Department of Neurosciences, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal; Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Christoph Neuwirth
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit / ALS Clinic, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit / ALS Clinic, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Ortiz-Rodríguez MA, Martínez-Salazar MF, Antunez-Bautista PK, Jiménez-Osorio AS. Strategies for the study of neuroepigenetics and aging with a translational approach. AGING AND HEALTH RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ahr.2023.100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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8
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Sallam M, Mysara M, Benotmane MA, Crijns APG, Spoor D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Baatout S, Guns PJ, Aerts A, Ramadan R. DNA Methylation Alterations in Fractionally Irradiated Rats and Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:16214. [PMID: 36555856 PMCID: PMC9783664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation-Induced CardioVascular Disease (RICVD) is an important concern in thoracic radiotherapy with complex underlying pathophysiology. Recently, we proposed DNA methylation as a possible mechanism contributing to RICVD. The current study investigates DNA methylation in heart-irradiated rats and radiotherapy-treated breast cancer (BC) patients. Rats received fractionated whole heart X-irradiation (0, 0.92, 6.9 and 27.6 Gy total doses) and blood was collected after 1.5, 3, 7 and 12 months. Global and gene-specific methylation of the samples were evaluated; and gene expression of selected differentially methylated regions (DMRs) was validated in rat and BC patient blood. In rats receiving an absorbed dose of 27.6 Gy, DNA methylation alterations were detected up to 7 months with differential expression of cardiac-relevant DMRs. Of those, SLMAP showed increased expression at 1.5 months, which correlated with hypomethylation. Furthermore, E2F6 inversely correlated with a decreased global longitudinal strain. In BC patients, E2F6 and SLMAP exhibited differential expression directly and 6 months after radiotherapy, respectively. This study describes a systemic radiation fingerprint at the DNA methylation level, elucidating a possible association of DNA methylation to RICVD pathophysiology, to be validated in future mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magy Sallam
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Mysara
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Anne P. G. Crijns
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Spoor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Guns
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - An Aerts
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Raghda Ramadan
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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9
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The Role of Epigenetics in Neuroinflammatory-Driven Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315218. [PMID: 36499544 PMCID: PMC9740629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the progressive loss of central and/or peripheral nervous system neurons. Within this context, neuroinflammation comes up as one of the main factors linked to neurodegeneration progression. In fact, neuroinflammation has been recognized as an outstanding factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Interestingly, neuroinflammatory diseases are characterized by dramatic changes in the epigenetic profile, which might provide novel prognostic and therapeutic factors towards neuroinflammatory treatment. Deep changes in DNA and histone methylation, along with histone acetylation and altered non-coding RNA expression, have been reported at the onset of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this work is to review the current knowledge on this field.
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10
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Migliore L, Coppedè F. Gene-environment interactions in Alzheimer disease: the emerging role of epigenetics. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:643-660. [PMID: 36180553 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00714-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
With the exception of a few monogenic forms, Alzheimer disease (AD) has a complex aetiology that is likely to involve multiple susceptibility genes and environmental factors. The role of environmental factors is difficult to determine and, until a few years ago, the molecular mechanisms underlying gene-environment (G × E) interactions in AD were largely unknown. Here, we review evidence that has emerged over the past two decades to explain how environmental factors, such as diet, lifestyle, alcohol, smoking and pollutants, might interact with the human genome. In particular, we discuss how various environmental AD risk factors can induce epigenetic modifications of key AD-related genes and pathways and consider how epigenetic mechanisms could contribute to the effects of oxidative stress on AD onset. Studies on early-life exposures are helping to uncover critical time windows of sensitivity to epigenetic influences from environmental factors, thereby laying the foundations for future primary preventative approaches. We conclude that epigenetic modifications need to be considered when assessing G × E interactions in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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11
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Ruffini N, Klingenberg S, Heese R, Schweiger S, Gerber S. The Big Picture of Neurodegeneration: A Meta Study to Extract the Essential Evidence on Neurodegenerative Diseases in a Network-Based Approach. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:866886. [PMID: 35832065 PMCID: PMC9271745 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.866886] [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: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The common features of all neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease, are the accumulation of aggregated and misfolded proteins and the progressive loss of neurons, leading to cognitive decline and locomotive dysfunction. Still, they differ in their ultimate manifestation, the affected brain region, and the kind of proteinopathy. In the last decades, a vast number of processes have been described as associated with neurodegenerative diseases, making it increasingly harder to keep an overview of the big picture forming from all those data. In this meta-study, we analyzed genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic data of the aforementioned diseases using the data of 234 studies in a network-based approach to study significant general coherences but also specific processes in individual diseases or omics levels. In the analysis part, we focus on only some of the emerging findings, but trust that the meta-study provided here will be a valuable resource for various other researchers focusing on specific processes or genes contributing to the development of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Ruffini
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Leibniz Association, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Klingenberg
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Raoul Heese
- Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM), Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Susann Schweiger
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Gerber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Silva TC, Young JI, Martin ER, Chen XS, Wang L. MethReg: estimating the regulatory potential of DNA methylation in gene transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e51. [PMID: 35100398 PMCID: PMC9122535 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies often detect many differentially methylated sites, and many are located in distal regulatory regions. To further prioritize these significant sites, there is a critical need to better understand the functional impact of CpG methylation. Recent studies demonstrated that CpG methylation-dependent transcriptional regulation is a widespread phenomenon. Here, we present MethReg, an R/Bioconductor package that analyzes matched DNA methylation and gene expression data, along with external transcription factor (TF) binding information, to evaluate, prioritize and annotate CpG sites with high regulatory potential. At these CpG sites, TF-target gene associations are often only present in a subset of samples with high (or low) methylation levels, so they can be missed by analyses that use all samples. Using colorectal cancer and Alzheimer's disease datasets, we show MethReg significantly enhances our understanding of the regulatory roles of DNA methylation in complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago C Silva
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Juan I Young
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Eden R Martin
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - X Steven Chen
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Lily Wang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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13
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Johnson MA, Klickstein JA, Khanna R, Gou Y, Raman M. The Cure VCP Scientific Conference 2021: Molecular and clinical insights into neurodegeneration and myopathy linked to multisystem proteinopathy-1 (MSP-1). Neurobiol Dis 2022; 169:105722. [PMID: 35405261 PMCID: PMC9169230 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2021 VCP Scientific Conference took place virtually from September 9–10, 2021. This conference, planned and organized by the nonprofit patient advocacy group Cure VCP Disease, Inc. (https://www.curevcp.org), was the first VCP focused meeting since the 215th ENMC International Workshop VCP-related multi-system proteinopathy in 2016 (Evangelista et al., 2016). Mutations in VCP cause a complex and heterogenous disease termed inclusion body myopathy (IBM) with Paget’s disease of the bone (PDB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (IBMPFD), or multisystem proteinopathy 1 (MSP-1) Kimonis (n.d.), Kovach et al. (2001), Kimonis et al. (2000). In addition, VCP mutations also cause other age-related neurodegenerative disorders including amyptrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinsonism, Charcot-Marie type II-B, vacuolar tauopathy among others (Korb et al., 2022). The objectives of this conference were as follows: (1) to provide a forum that facilitates sharing of published and unpublished information on physiological roles of p97/VCP, and on how mutations of VCP lead to diseases; (2) to bolster understanding of mechanisms involved in p97/VCP-relevant diseases and to enable identification of therapeutics to treat these conditions; (3) to identify gaps and barriers of further discoveries and translational research in the p97/VCP field; (4) to set a concrete basic and translational research agenda for future studies including crucial discussions on biomarker discoveries and patient longitudinal studies to facilitate near-term clinical trials; (5) to accelerate cross-disciplinary research collaborations among p97/VCP researchers; (6) to enable attendees to learn about new tools and reagents with the potential to facilitate p97/VCP research; (7) to assist trainees in propelling their research and to foster mentorship from leaders in the field; and (8) to promote diversity and inclusion of under-represented minorities in p97/VCP research as diversity is critically important for strong scientific research. Given the range of topics, the VCP Scientific Conference brought together over one hundred and forty individuals representing a diverse group of research scientists, trainees, medical practitioners, industry representatives, and patient advocates. Twenty-five institutions with individuals from thirteen countries attended this virtual meeting. In this report, we summarize the major topics presented at this conference by a range of experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Johnson
- Department of Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jacob A Klickstein
- Department of Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Richa Khanna
- Department of Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Yunzi Gou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Malavika Raman
- Department of Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America.
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14
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Sundaramoorthy TH, Castanho I. The Neuroepigenetic Landscape of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Epigenet Insights 2022; 15:25168657221135848. [PMID: 36353727 PMCID: PMC9638687 DOI: 10.1177/25168657221135848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate and invertebrate models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have been paramount to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions; however, the brain epigenetic landscape is less well established in these disease models. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are among commonly studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. Genome-wide studies and candidate studies of specific methylation marks, histone marks, and microRNAs have demonstrated the dysregulation of these mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the studies to date are scarce and inconclusive and the implications of many of these changes are still not fully understood. In this review, we summarize epigenetic changes reported to date in the brain of vertebrate and invertebrate models used to study neurodegenerative diseases, specifically diseases affecting the aging population. We also discuss caveats of epigenetic research so far and the use of disease models to understand neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of improving the use of model organisms in this context in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabel Castanho
- University of Exeter Medical School,
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,
USA
- Isabel Castanho, University of Exeter
Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK. Emails:
;
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15
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Spencer PS. Parkinsonism and motor neuron disorders: Lessons from Western Pacific ALS/PDC. J Neurol Sci 2021; 433:120021. [PMID: 34635325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Recognized worldwide as an unusual "overlap" syndrome, Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease, with or without dementia, is best exemplified by the former high-incidence clusters of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) in Guam, USA, in the Kii Peninsula of Honshu Island, Japan, and in Papua, Indonesia, on the western side of New Guinea. Western Pacific ALS/PDC is a disappearing neurodegenerative disorder with multiple and sometime overlapping phenotypes (ALS, atypical parkinsonism, dementia) that appear to constitute a single disease of environmental origin, in particular from exposure to genotoxins/neurotoxins in seed of cycad plants (Cycas spp.) formerly used as a traditional source of food (Guam) and/or medicine (Guam, Kii-Japan, Papua-Indonesia). Seed compounds include the principal cycad toxin cycasin, its active metabolite methylazoxymethanol (MAM) and a non-protein amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (L-BMAA); each reproduces components of ALS/PDC neuropathology when individually administered to laboratory species in single doses perinatally (MAM, L-BMAA) or repeatedly for prolonged periods to young adult animals (L-BMAA). Human exposure to MAM, a potent DNA-alkylating mutagen, also has potential relevance to the high incidence of diverse mutations found among Guamanians with/without ALS/PDC. In sum, seven decades of intensive study of ALS/PDC has revealed field and laboratory approaches leading to discovery of disease etiology that are now being applied to sporadic neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS beyond the Western Pacific region. This article is part of the Special Issue "Parkinsonism across the spectrum of movement disorders and beyond" edited by Joseph Jankovic, Daniel D. Truong and Matteo Bologna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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16
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Ivanova MV, Voronkova AS, Sukhorukov VS, Zakharova MN. Variability of the Expression Patterns of Neuroinflammatory Genes in Mononuclear Cells of Peripheral Blood in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. NEUROCHEM J+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712421020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract—Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with steadily progressing death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is incurable and results in the patient’s death within 3–5 years on average. The mechanisms of initiation, progression, and spread of the pathological process remain unclear. It seems that inflammatory reactions may be important for disease progression but this is not certain. We performed multiplex analysis of the expression of neuroinflammatory genes in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood from patients with different rates of ALS progression (n = 22) and compared these data with those observed in healthy volunteers. We found that the expression of 14 genes, specifically BAX, CLN3, PLEKHM1, AKT1, LAMP1, RAC2, VAV1, MPG, TFG, BRD2, CSK, MSN, GBA, and VIM, differed between the groups of patients and healthy volunteers (p < 0.05; q < 0.05). Genes associated with autophagia, apoptosis, adaptive immunity, and growth factor cascades prevail among these genes. We did not find any substantial differences in gene expression between patients with rapid and slow ALS progression. We revealed a subgroup of patients who exhibited significantly different expression of 208 or 262 genes compared to other ALS patients or healthy volunteers, respectively (p < 0.05; q < 0.05). Our data show the importance of not only central but also peripheral inflammatory reactions in the development of the pathological process associated with ALS.
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17
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Coppedè F. One-carbon epigenetics and redox biology of neurodegeneration. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 170:19-33. [PMID: 33307166 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism provides the methyl groups for both DNA and histone tail methylation reactions, two of the main epigenetic processes that tightly regulate the chromatin structure and gene expression levels. Several enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism, as well as several epigenetic enzymes, are regulated by intracellular metabolites and redox cofactors, but their expression levels are in turn regulated by epigenetic modifications, in such a way that metabolism and gene expression reciprocally regulate each other to maintain homeostasis and regulate cell growth, survival, differentiation and response to environmental stimuli. Increasing evidence highlights the contribution of impaired one-carbon metabolism and epigenetic modifications in neurodegeneration. This article provides an overview of DNA and histone tail methylation changes in major neurodegenerative disorders, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, discussing the contribution of oxidative stress and impaired one-carbon and redox metabolism to their onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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18
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Differential Epigenetic Signature of Corticospinal Motor Neurons in ALS. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060754. [PMID: 34200232 PMCID: PMC8230084 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060754] [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: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN) are an indispensable neuron population for the motor neuron circuitry. They are excitatory projection neurons, which collect information from different regions of the brain and transmit it to spinal cord targets, initiating and controlling motor function. CSMN degeneration is pronounced cellular event in motor neurons diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Genetic mutations contribute to only about ten percent of ALS. Thus understanding the involvement of other factors, such as epigenetic controls, is immensely valuable. Here, we investigated epigenomic signature of CSMN that become diseased due to misfolded SOD1 toxicity and TDP-43 pathology, by performing quantitative analysis of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethycytosine (5hmC) expression profiles during end-stage of the disease in hSOD1G93A, and prpTDP-43A315T mice. Our analysis revealed that expression of 5mC was specifically reduced in CSMN of both hSOD1G93A and prpTDP-43A315T mice. However, 5hmC expression was increased in the CSMN that becomes diseased due to misfolded SOD1 and decreased in CSMN that degenerates due to TDP-43 pathology. These results suggest the presence of a distinct difference between different underlying causes. These differential epigenetic events might modulate the expression profiles of select genes, and ultimately contribute to the different paths that lead to CSMN vulnerability in ALS.
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19
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Nature meets nurture in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2021; 20:332-333. [PMID: 33894186 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00097-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Cheng F, De Luca A, Hogan AL, Rayner SL, Davidson JM, Watchon M, Stevens CH, Muñoz SS, Ooi L, Yerbury JJ, Don EK, Fifita JA, Villalva MD, Suddull H, Chapman TR, Hedl TJ, Walker AK, Yang S, Morsch M, Shi B, Blair IP, Laird AS, Chung RS, Lee A. Unbiased Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics of Cells Expressing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Mutations in CCNF Reveals Activation of the Apoptosis Pathway: A Workflow to Screen Pathogenic Gene Mutations. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:627740. [PMID: 33986643 PMCID: PMC8111008 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.627740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade has seen a rapid acceleration in the discovery of new genetic causes of ALS, with more than 20 putative ALS-causing genes now cited. These genes encode proteins that cover a diverse range of molecular functions, including free radical scavenging (e.g., SOD1), regulation of RNA homeostasis (e.g., TDP-43 and FUS), and protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system (e.g., ubiquilin-2 and cyclin F) and autophagy (TBK1 and sequestosome-1/p62). It is likely that the various initial triggers of disease (either genetic, environmental and/or gene-environment interaction) must converge upon a common set of molecular pathways that underlie ALS pathogenesis. Given the complexity, it is not surprising that a catalog of molecular pathways and proteostasis dysfunctions have been linked to ALS. One of the challenges in ALS research is determining, at the early stage of discovery, whether a new gene mutation is indeed disease-specific, and if it is linked to signaling pathways that trigger neuronal cell death. We have established a proof-of-concept proteogenomic workflow to assess new gene mutations, using CCNF (cyclin F) as an example, in cell culture models to screen whether potential gene candidates fit the criteria of activating apoptosis. This can provide an informative and time-efficient output that can be extended further for validation in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models and/or for mechanistic studies. As a proof-of-concept, we expressed cyclin F mutations (K97R, S195R, S509P, R574Q, S621G) in HEK293 cells for label-free quantitative proteomics that bioinformatically predicted activation of the neuronal cell death pathways, which was validated by immunoblot analysis. Proteomic analysis of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patient fibroblasts bearing the S621G mutation showed the same activation of these pathways providing compelling evidence for these candidate gene mutations to be strong candidates for further validation and mechanistic studies (such as E3 enzymatic activity assays, protein-protein and protein-substrate studies, and neuronal apoptosis and aberrant branching measurements in zebrafish). Our proteogenomics approach has great utility and provides a relatively high-throughput screening platform to explore candidate gene mutations for their propensity to cause neuronal cell death, which will guide a researcher for further experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Cheng
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Alana De Luca
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison L Hogan
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Rayner
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennilee M Davidson
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Maxinne Watchon
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire H Stevens
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Sonia Sanz Muñoz
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily K Don
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Fifita
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria D Villalva
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannah Suddull
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Tyler R Chapman
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas J Hedl
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Shu Yang
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Marco Morsch
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Angela S Laird
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger S Chung
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Albert Lee
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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21
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Hondius DC, Koopmans F, Leistner C, Pita-Illobre D, Peferoen-Baert RM, Marbus F, Paliukhovich I, Li KW, Rozemuller AJM, Hoozemans JJM, Smit AB. The proteome of granulovacuolar degeneration and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:341-358. [PMID: 33492460 PMCID: PMC7882576 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) is a common feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The occurrence of GVD is closely associated with that of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and GVD is even considered to be a pre-NFT stage in the disease process of AD. Currently, the composition of GVD bodies, the mechanisms associated with GVD and how GVD exactly relates to NFTs is not well understood. By combining immunohistochemistry (IHC) and laser microdissection (LMD) we isolated neurons with GVD and those bearing tangles separately from human post-mortem AD hippocampus (n = 12) using their typical markers casein kinase (CK)1δ and phosphorylated tau (AT8). Control neurons were isolated from cognitively healthy cases (n = 12). 3000 neurons per sample were used for proteome analysis by label free LC-MS/MS. In total 2596 proteins were quantified across samples and a significant change in abundance of 115 proteins in GVD and 197 in tangle bearing neurons was observed compared to control neurons. With IHC the presence of PPIA, TOMM34, HSP70, CHMP1A, TPPP and VXN was confirmed in GVD containing neurons. We found multiple proteins localizing specifically to the GVD bodies, with VXN and TOMM34 being the most prominent new protein markers for GVD bodies. In general, protein groups related to protein folding, proteasomal function, the endolysosomal pathway, microtubule and cytoskeletal related function, RNA processing and glycolysis were found to be changed in GVD neurons. In addition to these protein groups, tangle bearing neurons show a decrease in ribosomal proteins, as well as in various proteins related to protein folding. This study, for the first time, provides a comprehensive human based quantitative assessment of protein abundances in GVD and tangle bearing neurons. In line with previous functional data showing that tau pathology induces GVD, our data support the model that GVD is part of a pre-NFT stage representing a phase in which proteostasis and cellular homeostasis is disrupted. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes affected in GVD and its relation to the presence of tau pathology is highly relevant for the identification of new drug targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Hondius
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, The Netherlands.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frank Koopmans
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conny Leistner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Débora Pita-Illobre
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Regina M Peferoen-Baert
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Fenna Marbus
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Iryna Paliukhovich
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ka Wan Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke J M Rozemuller
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J M Hoozemans
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, The Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the neuromuscular system. The aim of this article is to review the major epigenetic findings in motor neuron diseases and major hereditary muscular dystrophies. DNA methylation changes are observed in both hereditary and sporadic forms, and combining DNA methylation analysis with mutational screening holds the potential for better diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. Novel, less toxic and more selective epigenetic drugs are designed and tested in animal and cell culture models of neuromuscular disorders, and non-coding RNAs are being investigated as either disease biomarkers or targets of therapeutic approaches to restore gene expression levels. Overall, neuromuscular disorder epigenetic biomarkers have a strong potential for clinical applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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23
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Stoccoro A, Smith AR, Mosca L, Marocchi A, Gerardi F, Lunetta C, Cereda C, Gagliardi S, Lunnon K, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Reduced mitochondrial D-loop methylation levels in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:137. [PMID: 32917270 PMCID: PMC7488473 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00933-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondrial dysregulation and aberrant epigenetic mechanisms have been frequently reported in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and several researchers suggested that epigenetic dysregulation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) could contribute to the neurodegenerative process. We recently screened families with mutations in the major ALS causative genes, namely C9orf72, SOD1, FUS, and TARDBP, observing reduced methylation levels of the mtDNA regulatory region (D-loop) only in peripheral lymphocytes of SOD1 carriers. However, until now no studies investigated the potential role of mtDNA methylation impairment in the sporadic form of ALS, which accounts for the majority of disease cases. The aim of the current study was to investigate the D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number in sporadic ALS patients and compare them to those observed in healthy controls and in familial ALS patients. Pyrosequencing analysis of D-loop methylation levels and quantitative analysis of mtDNA copy number were performed in peripheral white blood cells from 36 sporadic ALS patients, 51 age- and sex-matched controls, and 27 familial ALS patients with germinal mutations in SOD1 or C9orf72 that represent the major familial ALS forms. Results In the total sample, D-loop methylation levels were significantly lower in ALS patients compared to controls, and a significant inverse correlation between D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number was observed. Stratification of ALS patients into different subtypes revealed that both SOD1-mutant and sporadic ALS patients showed lower D-loop methylation levels compared to controls, while C9orf72-ALS patients showed similar D-loop methylation levels than controls. In healthy controls, but not in ALS patients, D-loop methylation levels decreased with increasing age at sampling and were higher in males compared to females. Conclusions Present data reveal altered D-loop methylation levels in sporadic ALS and confirm previous evidence of an inverse correlation between D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number, as well as differences among the major familial ALS subtypes. Overall, present results suggest that D-loop methylation and mitochondrial replication are strictly related to each other and could represent compensatory mechanisms to counteract mitochondrial impairment in sporadic and SOD1-related ALS forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Adam R Smith
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Lorena Mosca
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marocchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Katie Lunnon
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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24
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Bergsma T, Rogaeva E. DNA Methylation Clocks and Their Predictive Capacity for Aging Phenotypes and Healthspan. Neurosci Insights 2020; 15:2633105520942221. [PMID: 32743556 PMCID: PMC7376380 DOI: 10.1177/2633105520942221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of age predictors based on DNA methylation (DNAm) profile is rising
due to their potential in predicting healthspan and application in age-related
illnesses, such as neurodegenerative diseases. The cumulative assessment of DNAm
levels at age-related CpGs (DNAm clock) may reflect biological aging. Such DNAm
clocks have been developed using various training models and could mirror
different aspects of disease/aging mechanisms. Hence, evaluating several DNAm
clocks together may be the most effective strategy in capturing the complexity
of the aging process. However, various confounders may influence the outcome of
these age predictors, including genetic and environmental factors, as well as
technical differences in the selected DNAm arrays. These factors should be taken
into consideration when interpreting DNAm clock predictions. In the current
review, we discuss 15 reported DNAm clocks with consideration for their utility
in investigating neurodegenerative diseases and suggest research directions
towards developing a more optimal measure for biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Bergsma
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina Rogaeva
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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25
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Semmler S, Gagné M, Garg P, Pickles SR, Baudouin C, Hamon-Keromen E, Destroismaisons L, Khalfallah Y, Chaineau M, Caron E, Bayne AN, Trempe JF, Cashman NR, Star AT, Haqqani AS, Durcan TM, Meiering EM, Robertson J, Grandvaux N, Plotkin SS, McBride HM, Vande Velde C. TNF receptor-associated factor 6 interacts with ALS-linked misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 and promotes aggregation. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:3808-3825. [PMID: 32029478 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease, characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons leading to paralysis. Mutations in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are the second most common cause of familial ALS, and considerable evidence suggests that these mutations result in an increase in toxicity due to protein misfolding. We previously demonstrated in the SOD1G93A rat model that misfolded SOD1 exists as distinct conformers and forms deposits on mitochondrial subpopulations. Here, using SOD1G93A rats and conformation-restricted antibodies specific for misfolded SOD1 (B8H10 and AMF7-63), we identified the interactomes of the mitochondrial pools of misfolded SOD1. This strategy identified binding proteins that uniquely interacted with either AMF7-63 or B8H10-reactive SOD1 conformers as well as a high proportion of interactors common to both conformers. Of this latter set, we identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) as a SOD1 interactor, and we determined that exposure of the SOD1 functional loops facilitates this interaction. Of note, this conformational change was not universally fulfilled by all SOD1 variants and differentiated TRAF6 interacting from TRAF6 noninteracting SOD1 variants. Functionally, TRAF6 stimulated polyubiquitination and aggregation of the interacting SOD1 variants. TRAF6 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity was required for the former but was dispensable for the latter, indicating that TRAF6-mediated polyubiquitination and aggregation of the SOD1 variants are independent events. We propose that the interaction between misfolded SOD1 and TRAF6 may be relevant to the etiology of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Semmler
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Myriam Gagné
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pranav Garg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Sarah R Pickles
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Charlotte Baudouin
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Emeline Hamon-Keromen
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Laurie Destroismaisons
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Yousra Khalfallah
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Elise Caron
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Andrew N Bayne
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jean-François Trempe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Brain Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Alexandra T Star
- Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Arsalan S Haqqani
- Human Health Therapeutics Portfolio, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Meiering
- Department of Chemistry, Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Nathalie Grandvaux
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Heidi M McBride
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Christine Vande Velde
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
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26
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Kim BW, Jeong YE, Wong M, Martin LJ. DNA damage accumulates and responses are engaged in human ALS brain and spinal motor neurons and DNA repair is activatable in iPSC-derived motor neurons with SOD1 mutations. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:7. [PMID: 32005289 PMCID: PMC6995159 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0874-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, relationships between DNA damage accumulation, DNA damage response (DDR), and upper and lower motor neuron vulnerability in human ALS are unclear; furthermore, it is unknown whether epigenetic silencing of DNA repair pathways contributes to ALS pathogenesis. We tested the hypotheses that DNA damage accumulates in ALS motor neurons along with diminished DDR, and that DNA repair genes undergo hypermethylation. Human postmortem CNS tissue was obtained from ALS cases (N = 34) and age-matched controls without neurologic disease (N = 15). Compared to age-matched controls, abasic sites accumulated in genomic DNA of ALS motor cortex and laser capture microdissection-acquired spinal motor neurons but not in motor neuron mitochondrial DNA. By immunohistochemistry, DNA damage accumulated significantly in upper and lower motor neurons in ALS cases as single-stranded DNA and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (OHdG) compared to age-matched controls. Significant DDR was engaged in ALS motor neurons as evidenced by accumulation of c-Abl, nuclear BRCA1, and ATM activation. DNA damage and DDR were present in motor neurons at pre-attritional stages and throughout the somatodendritic attritional stages of neurodegeneration. Motor neurons with DNA damage were also positive for activated p53 and cleaved caspase-3. Gene-specific promoter DNA methylation pyrosequencing identified the DNA repair genes Ogg1, Apex1, Pnkp and Aptx as hypomethylated in ALS. In human induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons with familial ALS SOD1 mutations, DNA repair capacity was similar to isogenic control motor neurons. Our results show that vulnerable neurons in human ALS accumulate DNA damage, and contrary to our hypothesis, strongly activate and mobilize response effectors and DNA repair genes. This DDR in ALS motor neurons involves recruitment of c-Abl and BRCA1 to the nucleus in vivo, and repair of DNA double-strand breaks in human ALS motor neurons with SOD1 mutations in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Woo Kim
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 558 Ross Building, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2196, USA
- Division of Neuropathology, the Pathobiology Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ye Eun Jeong
- Division of Neuropathology, the Pathobiology Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Margaret Wong
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 558 Ross Building, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2196, USA
| | - Lee J Martin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 558 Ross Building, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2196, USA.
- Division of Neuropathology, the Pathobiology Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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27
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Figueroa-Romero C, Guo K, Murdock BJ, Paez-Colasante X, Bassis CM, Mikhail KA, Pawlowski KD, Evans MC, Taubman GF, McDermott AJ, O'Brien PD, Savelieff MG, Hur J, Feldman EL. Temporal evolution of the microbiome, immune system and epigenome with disease progression in ALS mice. Dis Model Mech 2019; 13:dmm041947. [PMID: 31597644 PMCID: PMC6906635 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.041947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neurodegenerative disease. Genetic predisposition, epigenetic changes, aging and accumulated life-long environmental exposures are known ALS risk factors. The complex and dynamic interplay between these pathological influences plays a role in disease onset and progression. Recently, the gut microbiome has also been implicated in ALS development. In addition, immune cell populations are differentially expanded and activated in ALS compared to healthy individuals. However, the temporal evolution of both the intestinal flora and the immune system relative to symptom onset in ALS is presently not fully understood. To better elucidate the timeline of the various potential pathological factors, we performed a longitudinal study to simultaneously assess the gut microbiome, immunophenotype and changes in ileum and brain epigenetic marks relative to motor behavior and muscle atrophy in the mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) familial ALS mouse model. We identified alterations in the gut microbial environment early in the life of SOD1G93A animals followed by motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy, and immune cell expansion and activation, particularly in the spinal cord. Global brain cytosine hydroxymethylation was also altered in SOD1G93A animals at disease end-stage compared to control mice. Correlation analysis confirmed interrelationships with the microbiome and immune system. This study serves as a starting point to more deeply comprehend the influence of gut microorganisms and the immune system on ALS onset and progression. Greater insight may help pinpoint novel biomarkers and therapeutic interventions to improve diagnosis and treatment for ALS patients.This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kai Guo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Benjamin J Murdock
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Christine M Bassis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kristen A Mikhail
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Matthew C Evans
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | | | - Andrew J McDermott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Phillipe D O'Brien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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28
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ALSUntangled 51: RCH4. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 21:150-153. [PMID: 31599169 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1675282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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29
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Abstract
Twin registries have developed as a valuable resource for the study of many aspects of disease and society over the years in many different countries. A number of these registries include large numbers of twins with data collected at varying information levels for twin cohorts over the past several decades. More recent expansion of twin datasets has allowed for the collection of genetic data, together with many other levels of 'omic' information along with multiple demographic, physiological, health outcomes and other measures typically used in epidemiologic research. Other twin data sources outside these registries reflect research interests in particular aspects of disease or specific phenotypic assessment. Twin registries have the potential to play a key role in many aspects of the artificial intelligence/machine learning-driven projects of the future and will continue to keep adapting to the changing research landscape.
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