1
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Bhalla K, Rosier K, Monnens Y, Meulemans S, Vervoort E, Thorrez L, Agostinis P, Meier DT, Rochtus A, Resnick JL, Creemers JWM. Similar metabolic pathways are affected in both Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome-22 and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167175. [PMID: 38626828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167175] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Loss of prolyl endopeptidase-like (PREPL) encoding a serine hydrolase with (thio)esterase activity leads to the recessive metabolic disorder Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome-22 (CMS22). It is characterized by severe neonatal hypotonia, feeding problems, growth retardation, and hyperphagia leading to rapid weight gain later in childhood. The phenotypic similarities with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are striking, suggesting that similar pathways are affected. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in mouse models for both disorders and to examine mitochondrial function in skin fibroblasts of patients and knockout cell lines. We have demonstrated that Prepl is downregulated in the brains of neonatal PWS-IC-p/+m mice. In addition, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is similarly affected in both Prepl-/- and PWS-IC-p/+m mice resulting in defective orexigenic signaling and growth retardation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that mitochondrial function is altered in PREPL knockout HEK293T cells and can be rescued with the supplementation of coenzyme Q10. Finally, PREPL-deficient and PWS patient skin fibroblasts display defective mitochondrial bioenergetics. The mitochondrial dysfunction in PWS fibroblasts can be rescued by overexpression of PREPL. In conclusion, we provide the first molecular parallels between CMS22 and PWS, raising the possibility that PREPL substrates might become therapeutic targets for treating both disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Bhalla
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen Rosier
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yenthe Monnens
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Vervoort
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research & Therapy, VIB, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research & Therapy, VIB, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel T Meier
- Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Rochtus
- Department of Development and Regeneration, UZ Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - James L Resnick
- Department of Molecular genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Madeo SF, Zagaroli L, Vandelli S, Calcaterra V, Crinò A, De Sanctis L, Faienza MF, Fintini D, Guazzarotti L, Licenziati MR, Mozzillo E, Pajno R, Scarano E, Street ME, Wasniewska M, Bocchini S, Bucolo C, Buganza R, Chiarito M, Corica D, Di Candia F, Francavilla R, Fratangeli N, Improda N, Morabito LA, Mozzato C, Rossi V, Schiavariello C, Farello G, Iughetti L, Salpietro V, Salvatoni A, Giordano M, Grugni G, Delvecchio M. Endocrine features of Prader-Willi syndrome: a narrative review focusing on genotype-phenotype correlation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1382583. [PMID: 38737552 PMCID: PMC11082343 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1382583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder caused by three different types of molecular genetic abnormalities. The most common defect is a deletion on the paternal 15q11-q13 chromosome, which is seen in about 60% of individuals. The next most common abnormality is maternal disomy 15, found in around 35% of cases, and a defect in the imprinting center that controls the activity of certain genes on chromosome 15, seen in 1-3% of cases. Individuals with PWS typically experience issues with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to excessive hunger (hyperphagia), severe obesity, various endocrine disorders, and intellectual disability. Differences in physical and behavioral characteristics between patients with PWS due to deletion versus those with maternal disomy are discussed in literature. Patients with maternal disomy tend to have more frequent neurodevelopmental problems, such as autistic traits and behavioral issues, and generally have higher IQ levels compared to those with deletion of the critical PWS region. This has led us to review the pertinent literature to investigate the possibility of establishing connections between the genetic abnormalities and the endocrine disorders experienced by PWS patients, in order to develop more targeted diagnostic and treatment protocols. In this review, we will review the current state of clinical studies focusing on endocrine disorders in individuals with PWS patients, with a specific focus on the various genetic causes. We will look at topics such as neonatal anthropometry, thyroid issues, adrenal problems, hypogonadism, bone metabolism abnormalities, metabolic syndrome resulting from severe obesity caused by hyperphagia, deficiencies in the GH/IGF-1 axis, and the corresponding responses to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona F. Madeo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Zagaroli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Sara Vandelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, Post-Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Calcaterra
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonino Crinò
- Center for Rare Diseases and Congenital Defects, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital – Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Danilo Fintini
- Prader Willi Reference Center, Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Pediatric University Department, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Guazzarotti
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Licenziati
- Neuro-endocrine Diseases and Obesity Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Mozzillo
- Department of Translational and Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pajno
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Scarano
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria E. Street
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, Gaetano Martino University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sarah Bocchini
- Prader Willi Reference Center, Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Pediatric University Department, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmen Bucolo
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Buganza
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital – Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Mariangela Chiarito
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Corica
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, Gaetano Martino University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Candia
- Department of Translational and Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Nadia Fratangeli
- Division of Auxology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Verbania, Italy
| | - Nicola Improda
- Neuro-endocrine Diseases and Obesity Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Mozzato
- Child and Women Health Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Virginia Rossi
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Mara Giordano
- Laboratory of Genetics, Struttura Complessa a Direzione Universitaria (SCDU) Biochimica Clinica, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Graziano Grugni
- Division of Auxology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Verbania, Italy
| | - Maurizio Delvecchio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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Lin R, Mitsuhashi H, Fiori LM, Denniston R, Ibrahim EC, Belzung C, Mechawar N, Turecki G. SNORA69 is up-regulated in the lateral habenula of individuals with major depressive disorder. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8258. [PMID: 38589409 PMCID: PMC11001866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58278-2] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and potentially debilitating illness whose etiology and pathology remains unclear. Non-coding RNAs have been implicated in MDD, where they display differential expression in the brain and the periphery. In this study, we quantified small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) expression by small RNA sequencing in the lateral habenula (LHb) of individuals with MDD (n = 15) and psychiatrically-healthy controls (n = 15). We uncovered five snoRNAs that exhibited differential expression between MDD and controls (FDR < 0.01). Specifically, SNORA69 showed increased expression in MDD and was technically validated via RT-qPCR. We further investigated the expression of Snora69 in the LHb and peripheral blood of an unpredicted chronic mild stress (UCMS) mouse model of depression. Snora69 was specifically up-regulated in mice that underwent the UCMS paradigm. SNORA69 is known to guide pseudouridylation onto 5.8S and 18S rRNAs. We quantified the relative abundance of pseudouridines on 5.8S and 18S rRNA in human post-mortem LHb samples and found increased abundance of pseudouridines in the MDD group. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of brain snoRNAs in the pathology of MDD. Future studies characterizing SNORA69's role in MDD pathology is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rixing Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Haruka Mitsuhashi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Laura M Fiori
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ryan Denniston
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - El Cherif Ibrahim
- CNRS, INT, Institute Neuroscience Timone, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Catherine Belzung
- Imaging Brain and Neuropsychiatry iBraiN U1253, INSERM, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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4
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Pilcher L, Solomon L, Dragon JA, Gupta D, Spees JL. The Neural Progenitor Cell-Associated Transcription Factor FoxG1 Regulates Cardiac Epicardial Cell Proliferation. Stem Cells Int 2024; 2024:8601360. [PMID: 38239823 PMCID: PMC10796189 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8601360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The epicardium is a layer of mesothelial cells that covers the surface of the heart. During development, epicardial cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to form multipotent precursors that migrate into the heart and contribute to the coronary vasculature by differentiating into adventitial fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Epicardial cells also provide paracrine signals to cardiac myocytes that are required for appropriate heart growth. In adult hearts, a similar process of epicardial cell EMT, migration, and differentiation occurs after myocardial infarction (MI, heart attack). Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with fibrosis, negative remodeling, and reduced cardiac function. In contrast, aerobic exercises such as swimming and running promote physiological (i.e., beneficial) hypertrophy, which is associated with angiogenesis and improved cardiac function. As epicardial cell function(s) during physiological hypertrophy are poorly understood, we analyzed and compared the native epicardial cells isolated directly from the hearts of running-exercised mice and age-matched, nonrunning littermates. To obtain epicardial cells, we enzymatically digested the surfaces of whole hearts and performed magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with antibodies against CD104 (integrin β4). By cDNA microarray assays, we identified genes with increased transcription in epicardial cells after running exercise; these included FoxG1, a transcription factor that controls neural progenitor cell proliferation during brain development and Snord116, a small noncoding RNA that coordinates expression of genes with epigenetic, circadian, and metabolic functions. In cultured epicardial cells, shRNA-mediated FoxG1 knockdown significantly decreased cell proliferation, as well as Snord116 expression. Our results demonstrate that FoxG1 regulates epicardial proliferation, and suggest it may affect cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Pilcher
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Vermont, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Lara Solomon
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Vermont, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Julie A. Dragon
- Vermont Integrative Genomics Resource, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Dhananjay Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Spees
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Vermont, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
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5
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Concepción-Zavaleta MJ, Quiroz-Aldave JE, Durand-Vásquez MDC, Gamarra-Osorio ER, Valencia de la Cruz JDC, Barrueto-Callirgos CM, Puelles-León SL, Alvarado-León EDJ, Leiva-Cabrera F, Zavaleta-Gutiérrez FE, Concepción-Urteaga LA, Paz-Ibarra J. A comprehensive review of genetic causes of obesity. World J Pediatr 2024; 20:26-39. [PMID: 37725322 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-023-00757-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease with a high, increasing worldwide prevalence. Genetic causes account for 7% of the cases in children with extreme obesity. DATA SOURCES This narrative review was conducted by searching for papers published in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and SciELO databases and included 161 articles. The search used the following search terms: "obesity", "obesity and genetics", "leptin", "Prader-Willi syndrome", and "melanocortins". The types of studies included were systematic reviews, clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, cross-sectional and prospective studies, narrative reviews, and case reports. RESULTS The leptin-melanocortin pathway is primarily responsible for the regulation of appetite and body weight. However, several important aspects of the pathophysiology of obesity remain unknown. Genetic causes of obesity can be grouped into syndromic, monogenic, and polygenic causes and should be assessed in children with extreme obesity before the age of 5 years, hyperphagia, or a family history of extreme obesity. A microarray study, an analysis of the melanocortin type 4 receptor gene mutations and leptin levels should be performed for this purpose. There are three therapeutic levels: lifestyle modifications, pharmacological treatment, and bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS Genetic study technologies are in constant development; however, we are still far from having a personalized approach to genetic causes of obesity. A significant proportion of the affected individuals are associated with genetic causes; however, there are still barriers to its approach, as it continues to be underdiagnosed. Video Abstract (MP4 1041807 KB).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - José Paz-Ibarra
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
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6
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Hoyos Sanchez MC, Bayat T, Gee RRF, Fon Tacer K. Hormonal Imbalances in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang Syndromes Imply the Evolution of Specific Regulation of Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Function in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13109. [PMID: 37685915 PMCID: PMC10487939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus regulates fundamental aspects of physiological homeostasis and behavior, including stress response, reproduction, growth, sleep, and feeding, several of which are affected in patients with Prader-Willi (PWS) and Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS). PWS is caused by paternal deletion, maternal uniparental disomy, or imprinting defects that lead to loss of expression of a maternally imprinted region of chromosome 15 encompassing non-coding RNAs and five protein-coding genes; SYS patients have a mutation in one of them, MAGEL2. Throughout life, PWS and SYS patients suffer from musculoskeletal deficiencies, intellectual disabilities, and hormonal abnormalities, which lead to compulsive behaviors like hyperphagia and temper outbursts. Management of PWS and SYS is mostly symptomatic and cures for these debilitating disorders do not exist, highlighting a clear, unmet medical need. Research over several decades into the molecular and cellular roles of PWS genes has uncovered that several impinge on the neuroendocrine system. In this review, we will discuss the expression and molecular functions of PWS genes, connecting them with hormonal imbalances in patients and animal models. Besides the observed hormonal imbalances, we will describe the recent findings about how the loss of individual genes, particularly MAGEL2, affects the molecular mechanisms of hormone secretion. These results suggest that MAGEL2 evolved as a mammalian-specific regulator of hypothalamic neuroendocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Hoyos Sanchez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Tara Bayat
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Rebecca R. Florke Gee
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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7
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O'Geen H, Beitnere U, Garcia MS, Adhikari A, Cameron DL, Fenton TA, Copping NA, Deng P, Lock S, Halmai JANM, Villegas IJ, Liu J, Wang D, Fink KD, Silverman JL, Segal DJ. Transcriptional reprogramming restores UBE3A brain-wide and rescues behavioral phenotypes in an Angelman syndrome mouse model. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1088-1105. [PMID: 36641623 PMCID: PMC10124086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by the loss of ubiquitin ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene expression in the brain. The UBE3A gene is paternally imprinted in brain neurons. Clinical features of AS are primarily due to the loss of maternally expressed UBE3A in the brain. A healthy copy of paternal UBE3A is present in the brain but is silenced by a long non-coding antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS). Here, we demonstrate that an artificial transcription factor (ATF-S1K) can silence Ube3a-ATS in an adult mouse model of Angelman syndrome (AS) and restore endogenous physiological expression of paternal Ube3a. A single injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing ATF-S1K (AAV-S1K) into the tail vein enabled whole-brain transduction and restored UBE3A protein in neurons to ∼25% of wild-type protein. The ATF-S1K treatment was highly specific to the target site with no detectable inflammatory response 5 weeks after AAV-S1K administration. AAV-S1K treatment of AS mice showed behavioral rescue in exploratory locomotion, a task involving gross and fine motor abilities, similar to low ambulation and velocity in AS patients. The specificity and tolerability of a single injection of AAV-S1K therapy for AS demonstrate the use of ATFs as a promising translational approach for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna Adhikari
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - David L Cameron
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Timothy A Fenton
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Peter Deng
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Lock
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julian A N M Halmai
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Isaac J Villegas
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jiajian Liu
- Genome Editing and Novel Modalities (GENM), MilliporeSigma, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Danhui Wang
- Genome Editing and Novel Modalities (GENM), MilliporeSigma, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kyle D Fink
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - David J Segal
- Genome Center, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA; MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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8
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Salminen I, Read S, Crespi B. Do the diverse phenotypes of Prader-Willi syndrome reflect extremes of covariation in typical populations? Front Genet 2022; 13:1041943. [PMID: 36506301 PMCID: PMC9731222 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1041943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypes of human imprinted neurogenetic disorders can be hypothesized as extreme alterations of typical human phenotypes. The imprinted neurogenetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) features covarying phenotypes that centrally involve altered social behaviors, attachment, mood, circadian rhythms, and eating habits, that can be traced to altered functioning of the hypothalamus. Here, we conducted analyses to investigate the extent to which the behavioral variation shown in typical human populations for a set of PWAS-associated traits including autism spectrum cognition, schizotypal cognition, mood, eating, and sleeping phenotypes shows covariability that recapitulates the covariation observed in individuals with PWS. To this end, we collected data from 296 typical individuals for this set of phenotypes, and showed, using principal components analysis, evidence of a major axis reflecting key covarying PWS traits. We also reviewed the literature regarding neurogenetic syndromes that overlap in their affected traits with PWS, to determine their prevalence and properties. These findings demonstrate that a notable suite of syndromes shows phenotypic overlap with PWS, implicating a large set of imprinted and non-imprinted genes, some of which interact, in the phenotypes of this disorder. Considered together, these findings link variation in and among neurogenetic disorders with variation in typical populations, especially with regard to pleiotropic effects mediated by the hypothalamus. This work also implicates effects of imprinted gene variation on cognition and behavior in typical human populations.
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9
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Choi Y, Min HY, Hwang J, Jo YH. Magel2 knockdown in hypothalamic POMC neurons innervating the medial amygdala reduces susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202201502. [PMID: 36007929 PMCID: PMC9418835 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperphagia and obesity profoundly affect the health of children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The Magel2 gene among the genes in the Prader-Willi syndrome deletion region is expressed in proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). Knockout of the Magel2 gene disrupts POMC neuronal circuits and functions. Here, we report that loss of the Magel2 gene exclusively in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the medial amygdala (MeA) causes a reduction in body weight in both male and female mice fed with a high-fat diet. This anti-obesity effect is associated with an increased locomotor activity. There are no significant differences in glucose and insulin tolerance in mice without the Magel2 gene in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the MeA. Plasma estrogen levels are higher in female mutant mice than in controls. Blockade of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), but not estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), reduces locomotor activity in female mutant mice. Hence, our study provides evidence that knockdown of the Magel2 gene in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the MeA reduces susceptibility to diet-induced obesity with increased locomotor activity through activation of central GPER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Choi
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Hyeon-Young Min
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jiyeon Hwang
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Young-Hwan Jo
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA .,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
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10
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Atypical 15q11.2-q13 Deletions and the Prader-Willi Phenotype. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154636. [PMID: 35956251 PMCID: PMC9369699 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154636] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder resulting from the lack of expression of the PWS region (locus q11-q13) on the paternally derived chromosome 15, as a result of a type I or II paternal deletion (50%), maternal uniparental disomy (43%), imprinting defect (4%) or translocation (<1%). In very rare cases, atypical deletions, smaller or larger than the typical deletion, are identified. These patients may have distinct phenotypical features and provide further information regarding the genotype−phenotype correlation in PWS. Methods: A prospective study in eight patients (six males and two females) with an atypical deletion in the PWS region accompanies an overview of reported cases. Results: All patients had hypotonia (100%) and many had typical PWS facial characteristics (75%), social and emotional developmental delays (75%), intellectual disabilities (50%), neonatal feeding problems and tube feeding (63%), history of obesity (50%), hyperphagia (50%) and scoliosis (50%). All males had cryptorchidism. Two patients had two separate deletions in the PWS critical region. Conclusions: Our findings provide further insight into PWS genotype−phenotype correlations; our results imply that inclusion of both SNURF-SNPRN and SNORD-116 genes in the deletion leads to a more complete PWS phenotype. A larger deletion, extending further upstream and downstream from these genes, does not cause a more severe phenotype. Conventional PWS methylation testing may miss small deletions, which can be identified using targeted next generation sequencing. PWS’s phenotypic diversity might be caused by differentially methylated regions outside the 15q11.2 locus.
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11
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Duis J, Pullen LC, Picone M, Friedman N, Hawkins S, Sannar E, Pfalzer AC, Shelton AR, Singh D, Zee PC, Glaze DG, Revana A. Diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in Prader-Willi syndrome. J Clin Sleep Med 2022; 18:1687-1696. [PMID: 35172921 PMCID: PMC9163612 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.9938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Clinical experience and a growing body of evidence suggest that sleep disturbances are common in people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is a rare neuroendocrine disorder characterized by early hypotonia and feeding difficulties; developmental delays; endocrinopathies; and behavioral concerns, especially rigidity, anxiety, and behavioral outbursts. PWS is also characterized by decreased resting energy expenditure and transition to hyperphagia and obesity. We propose that, for many people with PWS, clinical diagnosis and management of sleep disorders is an unmet need. We present current information to suggest disordered sleep is a significant burden for individuals with PWS and often overlooked. While central and obstructive sleep apnea are more widely recognized in PWS, other sleep disorders have increasingly gained recognition, including hypersomnia, narcolepsy-like phenotypes, and insomnia. Sleep disorders can impact behavior, cognition, and quality of life and health for individuals with PWS. Our goal is to bring sleep disorders to the forefront of therapeutic intervention for patients with PWS. This paper presents a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical practice based on published research and our clinical experience as sleep specialists, geneticists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, otolaryngologists, and pulmonologists with extensive experience with this patient population. We recommend that management of sleep be considered an integral part of successful medical management of PWS. Further research concerning sleep problems in PWS is urgently needed to develop best practices and work toward a consensus statement for medical management to meet the needs of people with PWS. CITATION Duis J, Pullen LC, Picone M, et al. Diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in Prader-Willi syndrome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(6):1687-1696.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Duis
- Section of Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Section of Pediatrics Special Care Clinic, Prader-Willi Syndrome Multidisciplinary Clinic, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado,Address correspondence to: Jessica Duis, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Genetics, Section of Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Section of Pediatrics Special Care Clinic, Director, Prader-Willi Syndrome Multidisciplinary Clinic, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045; Tel: (303) 724-2370;
| | | | | | - Norman Friedman
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stephen Hawkins
- Breathing Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Elise Sannar
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | | | - Deepan Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Phyllis C. Zee
- Department of Neurology, Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- The Children’s Sleep Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Amee Revana
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
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12
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Mitchell CS, Goodman EK, Tedesco CR, Nguyen K, Zhang L, Herzog H, Begg DP. The Effect of Dietary Fat and Sucrose on Cognitive Functioning in Mice Lacking Insulin Signaling in Neuropeptide Y Neurons. Front Physiol 2022; 13:841935. [PMID: 35557971 PMCID: PMC9086626 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.841935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesogenic diets can produce hippocampal insulin resistance and impairments to hippocampal-dependent cognition. This study investigated the effect of disrupted insulin signaling in Neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons on diet-induced deficits in hippocampal-dependent memory. Wild-type mice and mice that had a targeted knockout of insulin receptors on NPY cells (IRlox/lox;NPYCre/+) were given ad libitum access to a high-fat diet (high fat; HF), 10% sucrose solution (high sugar; HS), both high-fat diet and sucrose solution (high fat, high sugar; HFHS), or a normal fat control chow for 12 weeks. Mice were tested in the Morris Water Maze (MWM), a hippocampal-dependent spatial memory task. Glucose homeostasis was assessed via a glucose tolerance test. Independent of genotype, consumption of HF, but not HS, diet increased energy intake, body weight, and plasma leptin, and impaired glucose tolerance. Disrupted insulin signaling in NPY cells and dietary interventions did not significantly affect the ability of mice to learn the location of the platform in the MWM. However, for IRlox/lox control mice, consumption of HF, but not HS, diet resulted in reduced time spent in the target quadrant during the probe trial, suggesting a hippocampal-dependent memory deficit. IRlox/lox;NPYCre/+ mice had poor performance in the probe trial regardless of diet, suggesting a floor effect. This study did not find adverse effects of chronic sucrose intake on metabolic outcomes or hippocampal-dependent memory. These data also suggest that the effects of HF diet on hippocampal-dependent memory may be dependent on insulin signaling in hippocampal NPY cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kathy Nguyen
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Denovan P Begg
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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13
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Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Weight and Fat in Snord116m+/p- and Snord116m-/p- Mouse Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14040860. [PMID: 35215509 PMCID: PMC8880678 DOI: 10.3390/nu14040860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a human genetic condition that affects up to 1 in 10,000 live births. Affected infants present with hypotonia and developmental delay. Hyperphagia and increasing body weight follow unless drastic calorie restriction is initiated. Recently, our laboratory showed that one of the genes in the deleted locus causative for PWS, Snord116, maintains increased expression of hypothalamic Nhlh2, a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor. We have previously also shown that obese mice with a deletion of Nhlh2 respond to a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) diet with weight and fat loss. In this study, we investigated whether mice with a paternal deletion of Snord116 (Snord116m+/p−) would respond similarly. We found that while Snord116m+/p− mice and mice with a deletion of both Snord116 alleles were not significantly obese on a high-fat diet, they did lose body weight and fat on a high-fat/CLA diet, suggesting that the genotype did not interfere with CLA actions. There were no changes in food intake or metabolic rate, and only moderate differences in exercise performance. RNA-seq and microbiome analyses identified hypothalamic mRNAs, and differentially populated gut bacteria, that support future mechanistic analyses. CLA may be useful as a food additive to reduce obesity in humans with PWS.
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14
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Wang T, Li J, Yang L, Wu M, Ma Q. The Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Imprinting Disorders: Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:730014. [PMID: 34760887 PMCID: PMC8573313 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.730014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a term used for an intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and involves a subset of genes expressed in a parent-of-origin-dependent way. Imprinted genes are expressed preferentially from either the paternally or maternally inherited allele. Long non-coding RNAs play essential roles in regulating this allele-specific expression. In several well-studied imprinting clusters, long non-coding RNAs have been found to be essential in regulating temporal- and spatial-specific establishment and maintenance of imprinting patterns. Furthermore, recent insights into the epigenetic pathological mechanisms underlying human genomic imprinting disorders suggest that allele-specific expressed imprinted long non-coding RNAs serve as an upstream regulator of the expression of other protein-coding or non-coding imprinted genes in the same cluster. Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNAs result in bi-allelic expression or silencing of neighboring imprinted genes. Here, we review the emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in regulating the expression of imprinted genes, especially in human imprinting disorders, and discuss three strategies targeting the central long non-coding RNA UBE3A-ATS for the purpose of developing therapies for the imprinting disorders Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome. In summary, a better understanding of long non-coding RNA-related mechanisms is key to the development of potential therapeutic targets for human imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxuan Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianjian Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liuyi Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manyin Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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15
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Langouët M, Gorka D, Orniacki C, Dupont-Thibert CM, Chung MS, Glatt-Deeley HR, Germain N, Crandall LJ, Cotney JL, Stoddard CE, Lalande M, Chamberlain SJ. Specific ZNF274 binding interference at SNORD116 activates the maternal transcripts in Prader-Willi syndrome neurons. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3285-3295. [PMID: 32977341 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay and hyperphagia/obesity. This disorder is caused by the absence of paternally expressed gene products from chromosome 15q11-q13. We previously demonstrated that knocking out ZNF274, a Kruppel-associated box-A-domain zinc finger protein capable of recruiting epigenetic machinery to deposit the H3K9me3 repressive histone modification, can activate expression from the normally silent maternal allele of SNORD116 in neurons derived from PWS induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, ZNF274 has many other targets in the genome in addition to SNORD116. Depleting ZNF274 will surely affect the expression of other important genes and disrupt other pathways. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to delete ZNF274 binding sites at the SNORD116 locus to determine whether activation of the maternal copy of SNORD116 could be achieved without altering ZNF274 protein levels. We obtained similar activation of gene expression from the normally silenced maternal allele in neurons derived from PWS iPSCs, compared with ZNF274 knockout, demonstrating that ZNF274 is directly involved in the repression of SNORD116. These results suggest that interfering with ZNF274 binding at the maternal SNORD116 locus is a potential therapeutic strategy for PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maéva Langouët
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Dea Gorka
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Clarisse Orniacki
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Clémence M Dupont-Thibert
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Michael S Chung
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Heather R Glatt-Deeley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Noelle Germain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Leann J Crandall
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Justin L Cotney
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Christopher E Stoddard
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Marc Lalande
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Stormy J Chamberlain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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16
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SnoRNA in Cancer Progression, Metastasis and Immunotherapy Response. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080809. [PMID: 34440039 PMCID: PMC8389557 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary A much larger number of small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) have been found encoded within our genomes than we ever expected to see. The activities of the snoRNAs were thought restricted to the nucleolus, where they were first discovered. Now, however, their significant number suggests that their functions are more diverse. Studies in cancers have shown snoRNA levels to associate with different stages of disease progression, including with metastasis. In addition, relationships between snoRNA levels and response to immunotherapies, have been reported. Emerging technologies now allow snoRNA to be targeted directly in cancers, and the therapeutic value of this is being explored. Abstract Small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) were one of our earliest recognised classes of non-coding RNA, but were largely ignored by cancer investigators due to an assumption that their activities were confined to the nucleolus. However, as full genome sequences have become available, many new snoRNA genes have been identified, and multiple studies have shown their functions to be diverse. The consensus now is that many snoRNA are dysregulated in cancers, are differentially expressed between cancer types, stages and metastases, and they can actively modify disease progression. In addition, the regulation of the snoRNA class is dominated by the cancer-supporting mTOR signalling pathway, and they may have particular significance to immune cell function and anti-tumour immune responses. Given the recent advent of therapeutics that can target RNA molecules, snoRNA have robust potential as drug targets, either solely or in the context of immunotherapies.
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17
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Zahova SK, Humby T, Davies JR, Morgan JE, Isles AR. Comparison of mouse models reveals a molecular distinction between psychotic illness in PWS and schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:433. [PMID: 34417445 PMCID: PMC8379171 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01561-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations affecting paternal chromosome 15q11-q13, and characterized by hypotonia, hyperphagia, impaired cognition, and behavioural problems. Psychotic illness is a challenging problem for individuals with PWS and has different rates of prevalence in distinct PWS genotypes. Previously, we demonstrated behavioural and cognitive endophenotypes of relevance to psychiatric illness in a mouse model for one of the associated PWS genotypes, namely PWS-IC, in which deletion of the imprinting centre leads to loss of paternally imprinted gene expression and over-expression of Ube3a. Here we examine the broader gene expression changes that are specific to the psychiatric endophenotypes seen in this model. To do this we compared the brain transcriptomic profile of the PWS-IC mouse to the PWS-cr model that carries a deletion of the PWS minimal critical interval spanning the snoRNA Snord116 and Ipw. Firstly, we examined the same behavioural and cognitive endophenotypes of relevance to psychiatric illness in the PWS-cr mice. Unlike the PWS-IC mice, PWS-cr exhibit no differences in locomotor activity, sensory-motor gating, and attention. RNA-seq analysis of neonatal whole brain tissue revealed a greater number of transcriptional changes between PWS-IC and wild-type littermates than between PWS-cr and wild-type littermates. Moreover, the differentially expressed genes in the PWS-IC brain were enriched for GWAS variants of episodes of psychotic illness but, interestingly, not schizophrenia. These data illustrate the molecular pathways that may underpin psychotic illness in PWS and have implications for potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona K Zahova
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Trevor Humby
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jennifer R Davies
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Joanne E Morgan
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anthony R Isles
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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18
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Kummerfeld DM, Raabe CA, Brosius J, Mo D, Skryabin BV, Rozhdestvensky TS. A Comprehensive Review of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models for Prader-Willi Syndrome Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3613. [PMID: 33807162 PMCID: PMC8037846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic multifactorial disorder caused by the deletion or inactivation of paternally imprinted genes on human chromosome 15q11-q13. The affected homologous locus is on mouse chromosome 7C. The positional conservation and organization of genes including the imprinting pattern between mice and men implies similar physiological functions of this locus. Therefore, considerable efforts to recreate the pathogenesis of PWS have been accomplished in mouse models. We provide a summary of different mouse models that were generated for the analysis of PWS and discuss their impact on our current understanding of corresponding genes, their putative functions and the pathogenesis of PWS. Murine models of PWS unveiled the contribution of each affected gene to this multi-facetted disease, and also enabled the establishment of the minimal critical genomic region (PWScr) responsible for core symptoms, highlighting the importance of non-protein coding genes in the PWS locus. Although the underlying disease-causing mechanisms of PWS remain widely unresolved and existing mouse models do not fully capture the entire spectrum of the human PWS disorder, continuous improvements of genetically engineered mouse models have proven to be very powerful and valuable tools in PWS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delf-Magnus Kummerfeld
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Carsten A. Raabe
- Research Group Regulatory Mechanisms of Inflammation, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Juergen Brosius
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dingding Mo
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Boris V. Skryabin
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Timofey S. Rozhdestvensky
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
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19
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Mendiola AJP, LaSalle JM. Epigenetics in Prader-Willi Syndrome. Front Genet 2021; 12:624581. [PMID: 33659026 PMCID: PMC7917289 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.624581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 1 in 20,000 individuals worldwide. Symptom progression in PWS is classically characterized by two nutritional stages. Stage 1 is hypotonia characterized by poor muscle tone that leads to poor feeding behavior causing failure to thrive in early neonatal life. Stage 2 is followed by the development of extreme hyperphagia, also known as insatiable eating and fixation on food that often leads to obesity in early childhood. Other major features of PWS include obsessive-compulsive and hoarding behaviors, intellectual disability, and sleep abnormalities. PWS is genetic disorder mapping to imprinted 15q11.2-q13.3 locus, specifically at the paternally expressed SNORD116 locus of small nucleolar RNAs and noncoding host gene transcripts. SNORD116 is processed into several noncoding components and is hypothesized to orchestrate diurnal changes in metabolism through epigenetics, according to functional studies. Here, we review the current status of epigenetic mechanisms in PWS, with an emphasis on an emerging role for SNORD116 in circadian and sleep phenotypes. We also summarize current ongoing therapeutic strategies, as well as potential implications for more common human metabolic and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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20
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Freitas PHF, Wang Y, Yan P, Oliveira HR, Schenkel FS, Zhang Y, Xu Q, Brito LF. Genetic Diversity and Signatures of Selection for Thermal Stress in Cattle and Other Two Bos Species Adapted to Divergent Climatic Conditions. Front Genet 2021; 12:604823. [PMID: 33613634 PMCID: PMC7887320 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.604823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biological mechanisms of climatic adaptation is of paramount importance for the optimization of breeding programs and conservation of genetic resources. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic diversity and unravel genomic regions potentially under selection for heat and/or cold tolerance in thirty-two worldwide cattle breeds, with a focus on Chinese local cattle breeds adapted to divergent climatic conditions, Datong yak (Bos grunniens; YAK), and Bali (Bos javanicus) based on dense SNP data. In general, moderate genetic diversity levels were observed in most cattle populations. The proportion of polymorphic SNP ranged from 0.197 (YAK) to 0.992 (Mongolian cattle). Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.023 (YAK) to 0.366 (Sanhe cattle; SH), and from 0.021 (YAK) to 0.358 (SH), respectively. The overall average inbreeding (±SD) was: 0.118 ± 0.028, 0.228 ± 0.059, 0.194 ± 0.041, and 0.021 ± 0.004 based on the observed versus expected number of homozygous genotypes, excess of homozygosity, correlation between uniting gametes, and runs of homozygosity (ROH), respectively. Signatures of selection based on multiple scenarios and methods (F ST, HapFLK, and ROH) revealed important genomic regions and candidate genes. The candidate genes identified are related to various biological processes and pathways such as heat-shock proteins, oxygen transport, anatomical traits, mitochondrial DNA maintenance, metabolic activity, feed intake, carcass conformation, fertility, and reproduction. This highlights the large number of biological processes involved in thermal tolerance and thus, the polygenic nature of climatic resilience. A comprehensive description of genetic diversity measures in Chinese cattle and YAK was carried out and compared to 24 worldwide cattle breeds to avoid potential biases. Numerous genomic regions under positive selection were detected using three signature of selection methods and candidate genes potentially under positive selection were identified. Enriched function analyses pinpointed important biological pathways, molecular function and cellular components, which contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying thermal tolerance in cattle. Based on the large number of genomic regions identified, thermal tolerance has a complex polygenic inheritance nature, which was expected considering the various mechanisms involved in thermal stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H. F. Freitas
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Yachun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA – National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding – College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Yan
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hinayah R. Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Flavio S. Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA – National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding – College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Xu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Science, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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21
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Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperphagia, hypotonia, learning disability, as well as a range of psychiatric conditions. The conservation of the PWS genetic interval on chromosome 15q11-q13 in human, and a cluster of genes on mouse chromosome 7, has facilitated the use of mice as animal models for PWS. Some models faithfully mimic the loss of all gene expression from the paternally inherited PWS genetic interval, whereas others target smaller regions or individual genes. Collectively, these models have provided insight into the mechanisms, many of which lead to alterations in hypothalamic function, underlying the core symptoms of PWS, including growth retardation, hyperphagia and metabolism, reproductive maturation and endophenotypes of relevance to behavioral and psychiatric problems. Here we review and summarize these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Zahova
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony R Isles
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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22
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Salles J, Lacassagne E, Eddiry S, Franchitto N, Salles JP, Tauber M. What can we learn from PWS and SNORD116 genes about the pathophysiology of addictive disorders? Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:51-59. [PMID: 33082508 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00917-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Addictive disorders have been much investigated and many studies have underlined the role of environmental factors such as social interaction in the vulnerability to and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Research on addiction pathophysiology now suggests that certain behavioral disorders are addictive, one example being food addiction. Yet, despite the growing body of knowledge on addiction, it is still unknown why only some of the individuals exposed to a drug become addicted to it. This observation has prompted the consideration of genetic heritage, neurodevelopmental trajectories, and gene-environment interactions in addiction vulnerability. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder in which children become addicted to food and show early social impairment. PWS is caused by the deficiency of imprinted genes located on the 15q11-q13 chromosome. Among them, the SNORD116 gene was identified as the minimal gene responsible for the PWS phenotype. Several studies have also indicated the role of the Snord116 gene in animal and cellular models to explain PWS pathophysiology and phenotype (including social impairment and food addiction). We thus present here the evidence suggesting the potential involvement of the SNORD116 gene in addictive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Salles
- Université de Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France.,CHU de Toulouse, Service de psychiatrie et psychologie, psychiatrie Toulouse, F-31000, Toulouse, France.,Inserm Unité 1043, CNRS 5828, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France.,CHU de Toulouse, Institut des Handicaps Neurologiques, Psychiatriques et Sensoriels, F-31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Emmanuelle Lacassagne
- Inserm Unité 1043, CNRS 5828, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Sanaa Eddiry
- Inserm Unité 1043, CNRS 5828, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Franchitto
- Université de Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France.,CHU de Toulouse, Service d'addictologie clinique, urgences réanimation médecine, F-31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Salles
- Inserm Unité 1043, CNRS 5828, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Maithé Tauber
- Université de Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France. .,Inserm Unité 1043, CNRS 5828, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, F-31000, Toulouse, France. .,CHU de Toulouse, Institut des Handicaps Neurologiques, Psychiatriques et Sensoriels, F-31000, Toulouse, France. .,CHU de Toulouse, Centre de référence du Syndrome de Prader-Willi et autres syndromes avec troubles du comportement alimentaire, Unité d'endocrinologie, obésités, maladies osseuses, génétique et gynécologie médicale, F-31000, Toulouse, France.
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23
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Hebras J, Marty V, Personnaz J, Mercier P, Krogh N, Nielsen H, Aguirrebengoa M, Seitz H, Pradere JP, Guiard BP, Cavaille J. Reassessment of the involvement of Snord115 in the serotonin 2c receptor pathway in a genetically relevant mouse model. eLife 2020; 9:60862. [PMID: 33016258 PMCID: PMC7673782 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
SNORD115 has been proposed to promote the activity of serotonin (HTR2C) receptor via its ability to base pair with its pre-mRNA and regulate alternative RNA splicing and/or A-to-I RNA editing. Because SNORD115 genes are deleted in most patients with the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), diminished HTR2C receptor activity could contribute to the impaired emotional response and/or compulsive overeating characteristic of this disease. In order to test this appealing but never demonstrated hypothesis in vivo, we created a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Snord115 knockout mouse. Surprisingly, we uncovered only modest region-specific alterations in Htr2c RNA editing profiles, while Htr2c alternative RNA splicing was unchanged. These subtle changes, whose functional relevance remains uncertain, were not accompanied by any discernible defects in anxio-depressive-like phenotypes. Energy balance and eating behavior were also normal, even after exposure to high-fat diet. Our study raises questions concerning the physiological role of SNORD115, notably its involvement in behavioural disturbance associated with PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Hebras
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Marty
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Personnaz
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1048, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), France Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), Université de Toulouse Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascale Mercier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR5089, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolai Krogh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Nielsen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marion Aguirrebengoa
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Hervé Seitz
- IGH (CNRS and University of Montpellier), Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Phillipe Pradere
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1048, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), France Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), Université de Toulouse Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno P Guiard
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Cavaille
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
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24
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The RDoC approach for translational psychiatry: Could a genetic disorder with psychiatric symptoms help fill the matrix? the example of Prader-Willi syndrome. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:274. [PMID: 32772048 PMCID: PMC7415132 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00964-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Research Domain Criteria project (RDoc) proposes a new classification system based on information from several fields in order to encourage translational perspectives. Nevertheless, integrating genetic markers into this classification has remained difficult because of the lack of powerful associations between targeted genes and RDoC domains. We hypothesized that genetic diseases with psychiatric manifestations would be good models for RDoC gene investigations and would thereby extend the translational approach to involve targeted gene pathways. To explore this possibility, we reviewed the current knowledge on Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by the absence of expression of some of the genes of the chromosome 15q11-13 region inherited from the father. Indeed, we found that the associations between genes of the PW locus and the modification identified in the relevant behavioral, physiological, and brain imaging studies followed the structure of the RDoC matrix and its six domains (positive valence, negative valence, social processing, cognitive systems, arousal/regulatory systems, and sensorimotor systems).
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25
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Pace M, Falappa M, Freschi A, Balzani E, Berteotti C, Lo Martire V, Kaveh F, Hovig E, Zoccoli G, Amici R, Cerri M, Urbanucci A, Tucci V. Loss of Snord116 impacts lateral hypothalamus, sleep, and food-related behaviors. JCI Insight 2020; 5:137495. [PMID: 32365348 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.137495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are highly expressed in the hypothalamus; however, whether specific imprinted genes affect hypothalamic neuromodulators and their functions is unknown. It has been suggested that Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by lack of paternal expression at chromosome 15q11-q13, is characterized by hypothalamic insufficiency. Here, we investigate the role of the paternally expressed Snord116 gene within the context of sleep and metabolic abnormalities of PWS, and we report a significant role of this imprinted gene in the function and organization of the 2 main neuromodulatory systems of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) - namely, the orexin (OX) and melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) - systems. We observed that the dynamics between neuronal discharge in the LH and the sleep-wake states of mice with paternal deletion of Snord116 (PWScrm+/p-) are compromised. This abnormal state-dependent neuronal activity is paralleled by a significant reduction in OX neurons in the LH of mutant mice. Therefore, we propose that an imbalance between OX- and MCH-expressing neurons in the LH of mutant mice reflects a series of deficits manifested in the PWS, such as dysregulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, food intake, and temperature control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pace
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Italy
| | - Matteo Falappa
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Riabilitazione, Oftalmologia, Genetica e Scienze Materno-Infantili (DINOGMI), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Freschi
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Italy
| | - Edoardo Balzani
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Italy
| | - Chiara Berteotti
- PRISM Lab, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Viviana Lo Martire
- PRISM Lab, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fatemeh Kaveh
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Giovanna Zoccoli
- PRISM Lab, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Amici
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cerri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alfonso Urbanucci
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Valter Tucci
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Italy
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26
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Bratkovič T, Božič J, Rogelj B. Functional diversity of small nucleolar RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:1627-1651. [PMID: 31828325 PMCID: PMC7038934 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are short non-protein-coding RNAs with a long-recognized role in tuning ribosomal and spliceosomal function by guiding ribose methylation and pseudouridylation at targeted nucleotide residues of ribosomal and small nuclear RNAs, respectively. SnoRNAs are increasingly being implicated in regulation of new types of post-transcriptional processes, for example rRNA acetylation, modulation of splicing patterns, control of mRNA abundance and translational efficiency, or they themselves are processed to shorter stable RNA species that seem to be the principal or alternative bioactive isoform. Intriguingly, some display unusual cellular localization under exogenous stimuli, or tissue-specific distribution. Here, we discuss the new and unforeseen roles attributed to snoRNAs, focusing on the presumed mechanisms of action. Furthermore, we review the experimental approaches to study snoRNA function, including high resolution RNA:protein and RNA:RNA interaction mapping, techniques for analyzing modifications on targeted RNAs, and cellular and animal models used in snoRNA biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaž Bratkovič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Božič
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova cesta 39, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Puhova ulica 10, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova cesta 39, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Puhova ulica 10, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Večna pot 113, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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27
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Carter KM, Lu M, Jiang H, An L. An Information-Based Approach for Mediation Analysis on High-Dimensional Metagenomic Data. Front Genet 2020; 11:148. [PMID: 32231681 PMCID: PMC7083016 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome plays a critical role in the development of gut-related illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and clinical pouchitis. A mediation model can be used to describe the interaction between host gene expression, the gut microbiome, and clinical/health situation (e.g., diseased or not, inflammation level) and may provide insights into underlying disease mechanisms. Current mediation regression methodology cannot adequately model high-dimensional exposures and mediators or mixed data types. Additionally, regression based mediation models require some assumptions for the model parameters, and the relationships are usually assumed to be linear and additive. With the microbiome being the mediators, these assumptions are violated. We propose two novel nonparametric procedures utilizing information theory to detect significant mediation effects with high-dimensional exposures and mediators and varying data types while avoiding standard regression assumptions. Compared with available methods through comprehensive simulation studies, the proposed method shows higher power and lower error. The innovative method is applied to clinical pouchitis data as well and interesting results are obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Carter
- Interdiciplanary Program in Statistics and Data Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Meng Lu
- Interdiciplanary Program in Statistics and Data Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- Department of Statistics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Lingling An
- Interdiciplanary Program in Statistics and Data Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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28
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Lee NJ, Qi Y, Enriquez RF, Clarke I, Ip CK, Wee N, Baldock PA, Herzog H. Energy partitioning between fat and bone mass is controlled via a hypothalamic leptin/NPY relay. Int J Obes (Lond) 2020; 44:2149-2164. [PMID: 32152498 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-020-0550-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Maintaining energy balance is important to ensure a healthy organism. However, energy partitioning, coordinating the distribution of sufficient energy to different organs and tissues is equally important, but the control of this process is largely unknown. In obesity, an increase in fat mass necessitates the production of additional bone mass to cope with the increase in bodyweight and processes need to be in place to communicate this new weight bearing demand. Here, we investigate the interaction between leptin and NPY, two factors critically involved in the regulation of both energy metabolism and bone mass, in this process. METHODS We assessed the co-localization of leptin receptors on NPY neurons using RNAScope followed by a systematic examination of body composition and energy metabolism profiling in male and female mice lacking leptin receptors specifically in NPY neurons (Leprlox/lox;NPYCre/+). The effect of short-term switching between chow and high-fat diet was also examined in these mice. RESULTS We uncovered that leptin receptor expression is greater on a subpopulation of NPY neurons in the arcuate that do not express AgRP. We further show that Leprlox/lox;NPYCre/+ mice exhibit significantly increased adiposity while bone mass is diminished. These body composition changes occur in the absence of alterations in food intake or energy expenditure, demonstrating a prominent role for leptin signaling in NPY neurons in the control of energy partitioning. Importantly however, when fed a high-fat diet, these mice display a switch in energy partitioning whereby they exhibit a significantly enhanced ability to increase their bone mass to match the increased bodyweight caused by higher caloric intake concurrent with attenuated adiposity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results demonstrate that leptin signaling in NPY neurons is critical for coordinating energy partitioning between fat and bone mass especially during situations of changes in energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Lee
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yue Qi
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Ronaldo F Enriquez
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Ireni Clarke
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Chi Kin Ip
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Wee
- Bone Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Paul A Baldock
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Bone Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia. .,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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29
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30
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Thamban T, Agarwaal V, Khosla S. Role of genomic imprinting in mammalian development. J Biosci 2020; 45:20. [PMID: 31965998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Non-mendelian inheritance refers to the group of phenomena and observations related to the inheritance of genetic information that cannot be merely explained by Mendel's laws of inheritance. Phenomenon including Genomic imprinting, X-chromosome Inactivation, Paramutations are some of the best studied examples of non-mendelian inheritance. Genomic imprinting is a process that reversibly marks one of the two homologous loci, chromosome or chromosomal sets during development, resulting in functional non-equivalence of gene expression. Genomic imprinting is known to occur in a few insect species, plants, and placental mammals. Over the years, studies on imprinted genes have contributed immensely to highlighting the role of epigenetic modifications and the epigenetic circuitry during gene expression and development. In this review, we discuss the phenomenon of genomic imprinting in mammals and the role it plays especially during fetoplacental growth and early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thushara Thamban
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
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31
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Jacobsen MJ, Havgaard JH, Anthon C, Mentzel CMJ, Cirera S, Krogh PM, Pundhir S, Karlskov-Mortensen P, Bruun CS, Lesnik P, Guerin M, Gorodkin J, Jørgensen CB, Fredholm M, Barrès R. Epigenetic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Pure Adipocyte Fractions From Obese Pigs Identifies Candidate Pathways Controlling Metabolism. Front Genet 2019; 10:1268. [PMID: 31921306 PMCID: PMC6927937 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of adipocyte function in obesity is implicated in metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. Here, we used the pig, an animal model sharing many physiological and pathophysiological similarities with humans, to perform in-depth epigenomic and transcriptomic characterization of pure adipocyte fractions. Using a combined DNA methylation capture sequencing and Reduced Representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) strategy in 11 lean and 12 obese pigs, we identified in 3529 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) located at close proximity to-, or within genes in the adipocytes. By sequencing of the transcriptome from the same fraction of isolated adipocytes, we identified 276 differentially expressed transcripts with at least one or more DMR. These transcripts were over-represented in gene pathways related to MAPK, metabolic and insulin signaling. Using a candidate gene approach, we further characterized 13 genes potentially regulated by DNA methylation and identified putative transcription factor binding sites that could be affected by the differential methylation in obesity. Our data constitute a valuable resource for further investigations aiming to delineate the epigenetic etiology of metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Juul Jacobsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob H Havgaard
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Anthon
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline M Junker Mentzel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Poula Maltha Krogh
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sachin Pundhir
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Karlskov-Mortensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla S Bruun
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Lesnik
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pierre and Marie Curie University, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Maryse Guerin
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pierre and Marie Curie University, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus B Jørgensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Romain Barrès
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hu S, Wang L, Togo J, Yang D, Xu Y, Wu Y, Douglas A, Speakman JR. The carbohydrate-insulin model does not explain the impact of varying dietary macronutrients on the body weight and adiposity of mice. Mol Metab 2019; 32:27-43. [PMID: 32029228 PMCID: PMC6938849 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The carbohydrate-insulin model (CIM) predicts that increases in fasting and post-prandial insulin in response to dietary carbohydrates stimulate energy intake and lower energy expenditures, leading to positive energy balance and weight gain. The objective of the present study was to directly test the CIM's predictions using C57BL/6 mice. Methods Diets were designed by altering dietary carbohydrates with either fixed protein or fat content and were fed to C57BL/6 mice acutely or chronically for 12 weeks. The body weight, body composition, food intake, and energy expenditures of the mice were measured. Their fasting and post-prandial glucose and insulin levels were also measured. RNA-seq was performed on RNA from the hypothalamus and subcutaneous white adipose tissue. Pathway analysis was conducted using IPA. Results Only the post-prandial insulin and fasting glucose levels followed the CIM's predictions. The lipolysis and leptin signaling pathways in the sWAT were inhibited in relation to the elevated fasting insulin, supporting the CIM's predicted impact of high insulin. However, because higher fasting insulin was unrelated to carbohydrate intake, the overall pattern did not support the model. Moreover, the hypothalamic hunger pathways were inhibited in relation to the increased fasting insulin, and the energy intake was not increased. The browning pathway in the sWAT was inhibited at higher insulin levels, but the daily energy expenditure was not altered. Conclusions Two of the predictions were partially supported (and hence also partially not supported) and the other three predictions were not supported. We conclude that the CIM does not explain the impact of dietary macronutrients on adiposity in mice. Higher fasting insulin related to inhibited lipolysis and leptin pathways in sWAT, supporting CIM. Higher fasting insulin related to inhibited hypothalamic hunger pathway, contrasting CIM. Fasting insulin decreased with higher dietary carbohydrate, overall contrasting CIM. Higher dietary carbohydrate did not lead to greater EI/adiposity, or lowered EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Jacques Togo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Dengbao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Yanchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Yingga Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Alex Douglas
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - John R Speakman
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China; Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK; CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics (CCEAEG), Kunming, PR China.
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Crutcher E, Pal R, Naini F, Zhang P, Laugsch M, Kim J, Bajic A, Schaaf CP. mTOR and autophagy pathways are dysregulated in murine and human models of Schaaf-Yang syndrome. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15935. [PMID: 31685878 PMCID: PMC6828689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52287-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
MAGEL2 is a maternally imprinted, paternally expressed gene, located in the Prader-Willi region of human chromosome 15. Pathogenic variants in the paternal copy of MAGEL2 cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SHFYNG), a neurodevelopmental disorder related to Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Patients with SHFYNG, like PWS, manifest neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hypogonadism, intellectual disability and sleep apnea. However, individuals with SHFYNG have joint contractures, greater cognitive impairment, and higher prevalence of autism than seen in PWS. Additionally, SHFYNG is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperphagia and obesity than PWS. Previous studies have shown that truncating variants in MAGEL2 lead to SHFYNG. However, the molecular pathways involved in manifestation of the SHFYNG disease phenotype are still unknown. Here we show that a Magel2 null mouse model and fibroblast cell lines from individuals with SHFYNG exhibit increased expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and decreased autophagy. Additionally, we show that SHFYNG induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons exhibit impaired dendrite formation. Alterations in SHFYNG patient fibroblast lines and iPSC-derived neurons are rescued by treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Collectively, our findings identify mTOR as a potential target for the development of pharmacological treatments for SHFYNG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Crutcher
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rituraj Pal
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fatemeh Naini
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Neural Differentiation Core, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Stem Cell Core, Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Magdalena Laugsch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Stem Cell Core, Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Aleksandar Bajic
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Neural Differentiation Core, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christian P Schaaf
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Neuronal differentiation defects in induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a Prader-Willi syndrome patient. Neurosci Lett 2019; 703:162-167. [PMID: 30902571 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a lack of expression of paternally inherited genes located in the15q11.2-q13 chromosome region. An obstacle in the study of human neurological diseases is the inaccessibility of brain material. Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC cells) from patients can partially overcome this problem. We characterized the cellular differentiation potential of iPS cells derived from a PWS patient with a paternal 15q11-q13 deletion. A gene tip transcriptome array revealed very low expression of genes in the 15q11.2-q13 chromosome region, including SNRPN, SNORD64, SNORD108, SNORD109, and SNORD116, in iPS cells of this patient compared to that in control iPS cells. Methylation-specific PCR analysis of the SNRPN gene locus indicated that the PWS region of the paternal chromosome was deleted or methylated in iPS cells from the patient. Both the control and patient-derived iPS cells were positive for Oct3/4, a key marker of pluripotent cells. After 11 days of differentiation into neural stem cells (NSCs), Oct3/4 expression in both types of iPS cells was decreased. The NSC markers Pax6, Sox1, and Nestin were induced in NSCs derived from control iPS cells, whereas induction of these NSC markers was not apparent in NSCs derived from iPS cells from the patient. After 7 days of differentiation into neurons, neuronal cells derived from control iPS cells were positive for βIII-tubulin and MAP2. However, neuronal cells derived from patient iPS cells only included a few immunopositive neurons. The mRNA expression levels of the neuronal marker βIII-tubulin were increased in neuronal cells derived from control iPS cells, while the expression levels of βIII-tubulin in neuronal cells derived from patient iPS cells were similar to those of NSCs. These results indicate that iPS cells derived from a PWS patient exhibited neuronal differentiation defects.
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Carias KV, Wevrick R. Preclinical Testing in Translational Animal Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome: Overview and Gap Analysis. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 13:344-358. [PMID: 30989085 PMCID: PMC6447752 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder causing endocrine, musculoskeletal, and neurological dysfunction. PWS is caused by the inactivation of contiguous genes, complicating the development of targeted therapeutics. Clinical trials are now underway in PWS, with more trials to be implemented in the next few years. PWS-like endophenotypes are recapitulated in gene-targeted mice in which the function of one or more PWS genes is disrupted. These animal models can guide priorities for clinical trials or provide information about efficacy of a compound within the context of the specific disease. We now review the current status of preclinical studies that measure the effect of therapeutics on PWS-like endophenotypes. Seven categories of therapeutics (oxytocin and related compounds, K+-ATP channel agonists, melanocortin 4 receptor agonists, incretin mimetics and/or GLP-1 receptor agonists, cannabinoids, ghrelin agents, and Caralluma fimbriata [cactus] extract) have been tested for their effect on endophenotypes in both PWS animal models and clinical trials. Many other therapeutics have been tested in clinical trials, but not preclinical models of PWS or vice versa. Fostering dialogs among investigators performing preclinical validation of animal models and those implementing clinical studies will accelerate the discovery and translation of therapies into clinical practice in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Vanessa Carias
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel Wevrick
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Oncul M, Dilsiz P, Ates Oz E, Ates T, Aklan I, Celik E, Sayar Atasoy N, Atasoy D. Impaired melanocortin pathway function in Prader-Willi syndrome gene-Magel2 deficient mice. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3129-3136. [PMID: 29878108 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder causing social and learning deficits, impaired satiety and severe childhood obesity. Genetic underpinning of PWS involves deletion of a chromosomal region with several genes, including MAGEL2, which is abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus. Of appetite regulating hypothalamic cell types, both AGRP and POMC-expressing neurons contain Magel2 transcripts but the functional impact of its deletion on these cells has not been fully characterized. Here, we investigated these key neurons in Magel2-null mice in terms of the activity levels at different energy states as well as their behavioral function. Using cell type specific ex vivo electrophysiological recordings and in vivo chemogenetic activation approaches we evaluated impact of Magel2 deletion on AGRP and POMC-neuron induced changes in appetite. Our results suggest that POMC neuron activity profile as well as its communication with downstream targets is significantly compromised, while AGRP neuron function with respect to short term feeding is relatively unaffected in Magel2 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Oncul
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pelin Dilsiz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Edanur Ates Oz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tayfun Ates
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Iltan Aklan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esref Celik
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nilufer Sayar Atasoy
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Deniz Atasoy
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medical Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Salminen II, Crespi BJ, Mokkonen M. Baby food and bedtime: Evidence for opposite phenotypes from different genetic and epigenetic alterations in Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes. SAGE Open Med 2019; 7:2050312118823585. [PMID: 30728968 PMCID: PMC6350130 DOI: 10.1177/2050312118823585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi and Angelman syndromes are often referred to as a sister pair of
neurodevelopmental disorders, resulting from different genetic and epigenetic
alterations to the same chromosomal region, 15q11-q13. Some of the primary
phenotypes of the two syndromes have been suggested to be opposite to one
another, but this hypothesis has yet to be tested comprehensively, and it
remains unclear how opposite effects could be produced by changes to different
genes in one syndrome compared to the other. We evaluated the evidence for
opposite effects on sleep and eating phenotypes in Prader–Willi syndrome and
Angelman syndrome, and developed physiological–genetic models that represent
hypothesized causes of these differences. Sleep latency shows opposite
deviations from controls in Prader–Willi and Angelman syndromes, with shorter
latency in Prader–Willi syndrome by meta-analysis and longer latency in Angelman
syndrome from previous studies. These differences can be accounted for by the
effects of variable gene dosages of UBE3A and MAGEL2, interacting with clock
genes, and leading to acceleration (in Prader–Willi syndrome) or deceleration
(in Angelman syndrome) of circadian rhythms. Prader–Willi and Angelman syndromes
also show evidence of opposite alterations in hyperphagic food selectivity, with
more paternally biased subtypes of Angelman syndrome apparently involving
increased preference for complementary foods (“baby foods”); hedonic reward from
eating may also be increased in Angelman syndrome and decreased in Prader–Willi
syndrome. These differences can be explained in part under a model whereby
hyperphagia and food selectivity are mediated by the effects of the genes
SNORD-116, UBE3A and MAGEL2, with outcomes depending upon the genotypic cause of
Angelman syndrome. The diametric variation observed in sleep and eating
phenotypes in Prader–Willi and Angelman syndromes is consistent with predictions
from the kinship theory of imprinting, reflecting extremes of higher resource
demand in Angelman syndrome and lower demand in Prader–Willi syndrome, with a
special emphasis on social–attentional demands and attachment associated with
bedtime, and feeding demands associated with mother-provided complementary foods
compared to offspring-foraged family-type foods.
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Azor AM, Cole JH, Holland AJ, Dumba M, Patel MC, Sadlon A, Goldstone AP, Manning KE. Increased brain age in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. Neuroimage Clin 2019; 21:101664. [PMID: 30658944 PMCID: PMC6412082 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the most common genetic obesity syndrome, with associated learning difficulties, neuroendocrine deficits, and behavioural and psychiatric problems. As the life expectancy of individuals with PWS increases, there is concern that alterations in brain structure associated with the syndrome, as a direct result of absent expression of PWS genes, and its metabolic complications and hormonal deficits, might cause early onset of physiological and brain aging. In this study, a machine learning approach was used to predict brain age based on grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) maps derived from structural neuroimaging data using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD) scores, calculated as the difference between chronological age and brain-predicted age, are designed to reflect deviations from healthy brain aging, with higher brain-PAD scores indicating premature aging. Two separate adult cohorts underwent brain-predicted age calculation. The main cohort consisted of adults with PWS (n = 20; age mean 23.1 years, range 19.8-27.7; 70.0% male; body mass index (BMI) mean 30.1 kg/m2, 21.5-47.7; n = 19 paternal chromosome 15q11-13 deletion) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 40; age 22.9 years, 19.6-29.0; 65.0% male; BMI 24.1 kg/m2, 19.2-34.2) adults (BMI PWS vs. control P = .002). Brain-PAD was significantly greater in PWS than controls (effect size mean ± SEM +7.24 ± 2.20 years [95% CI 2.83, 11.63], P = .002). Brain-PAD remained significantly greater in PWS than controls when restricting analysis to a sub-cohort matched for BMI consisting of n = 15 with PWS with BMI range 21.5-33.7 kg/m2, and n = 29 controls with BMI 21.7-34.2 kg/m2 (effect size +5.51 ± 2.56 years [95% CI 3.44, 10.38], P = .037). In the PWS group, brain-PAD scores were not associated with intelligence quotient (IQ), use of hormonal and psychotropic medications, nor severity of repetitive or disruptive behaviours. A 24.5 year old man (BMI 36.9 kg/m2) with PWS from a SNORD116 microdeletion also had increased brain PAD of 12.87 years, compared to 0.84 ± 6.52 years in a second control adult cohort (n = 95; age mean 34.0 years, range 19.9-55.5; 38.9% male; BMI 28.7 kg/m2, 19.1-43.1). This increase in brain-PAD in adults with PWS indicates abnormal brain structure that may reflect premature brain aging or abnormal brain development. The similar finding in a rare patient with a SNORD116 microdeletion implicates a potential causative role for this PWS region gene cluster in the structural brain abnormalities associated primarily with the syndrome and/or its complications. Further longitudinal neuroimaging studies are needed to clarify the natural history of this increase in brain age in PWS, its relationship with obesity, and whether similar findings are seen in those with PWS from maternal uniparental disomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Azor
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - James H Cole
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Anthony J Holland
- Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Academic Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Care Research and Care (CLAHRC), East of England, UK.
| | - Maureen Dumba
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Maneesh C Patel
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Angelique Sadlon
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Anthony P Goldstone
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Centre for Psychiatry, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Katherine E Manning
- Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Academic Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Costa RA, Ferreira IR, Cintra HA, Gomes LHF, Guida LDC. Genotype-Phenotype Relationships and Endocrine Findings in Prader-Willi Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:864. [PMID: 31920975 PMCID: PMC6923197 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex imprinting disorder related to genomic errors that inactivate paternally-inherited genes on chromosome 15q11-q13 with severe implications on endocrine, cognitive and neurologic systems, metabolism, and behavior. The absence of expression of one or more genes at the PWS critical region contributes to different phenotypes. There are three molecular mechanisms of occurrence: paternal deletion of the 15q11-q13 region; maternal uniparental disomy 15; or imprinting defects. Although there is a clinical diagnostic consensus criteria, DNA methylation status must be confirmed through genetic testing. The endocrine system can be the most affected in PWS, and growth hormone replacement therapy provides improvement in growth, body composition, and behavioral and physical attributes. A key feature of the syndrome is the hypothalamic dysfunction that may be the basis of several endocrine symptoms. Clinical and molecular complexity in PWS enhances the importance of genetic diagnosis in therapeutic definition and genetic counseling. So far, no single gene mutation has been described to contribute to this genetic disorder or related to any exclusive symptoms. Here we proposed to review individually disrupted genes within the PWS critical region and their reported clinical phenotypes related to the syndrome. While genes such as MKRN3, MAGEL2, NDN, or SNORD115 do not address the full spectrum of PWS symptoms and are less likely to have causal implications in PWS major clinical signs, SNORD116 has emerged as a critical, and possibly, a determinant candidate in PWS, in the recent years. Besides that, the understanding of the biology of the PWS SNORD genes is fairly low at the present. These non-coding RNAs exhibit all the hallmarks of RNA methylation guides and can be incorporated into ribonucleoprotein complexes with possible hypothalamic and endocrine functions. Also, DNA conservation between SNORD sequences across placental mammals strongly suggests that they have a functional role as RNA entities on an evolutionary basis. The broad clinical spectrum observed in PWS and the absence of a clear genotype-phenotype specific correlation imply that the numerous genes involved in the syndrome have an additive deleterious effect on different phenotypes when deficiently expressed.
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Rodriguez JA, Bruggeman EC, Mani BK, Osborne-Lawrence S, Lord CC, Roseman HF, Viroslav HL, Vijayaraghavan P, Metzger NP, Gupta D, Shankar K, Pietra C, Liu C, Zigman JM. Ghrelin Receptor Agonist Rescues Excess Neonatal Mortality in a Prader-Willi Syndrome Mouse Model. Endocrinology 2018; 159:4006-4022. [PMID: 30380028 PMCID: PMC6260060 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, we sought to determine the significance of the ghrelin system in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is characterized by hypotonia and difficulty feeding in neonates and hyperphagia and obesity beginning later in childhood. Other features include low GH, neonatal hypoglycemia, hypogonadism, and accelerated mortality. Although the hyperphagia and obesity in PWS have been attributed to elevated levels of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin, this link has never been firmly established, nor have ghrelin's potentially protective actions to increase GH secretion, blood glucose, and survival been investigated in a PWS context. In the current study, we show that placing Snord116del mice modeling PWS on ghrelin-deficient or ghrelin receptor [GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR)]-deficient backgrounds does not impact their characteristically reduced body weight, lower plasma IGF-1, delayed sexual maturation, or increased mortality in the period prior to weaning. However, blood glucose was further reduced in male Snord116del pups on a ghrelin-deficient background, and percentage body weight gain and percentage fat mass were further reduced in male Snord116del pups on a GHSR-deficient background. Strikingly, 2 weeks of daily administration of the GHSR agonist HM01 to Snord116del neonates markedly improved survival, resulting in a nearly complete rescue of the excess mortality owing to loss of the paternal Snord116 gene. These data support further exploration of the therapeutic potential of GHSR agonist administration in limiting PWS mortality, especially during the period characterized by failure to thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Rodriguez
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Emily C Bruggeman
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Bharath K Mani
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sherri Osborne-Lawrence
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Caleb C Lord
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Henry F Roseman
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Hannah L Viroslav
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Prasanna Vijayaraghavan
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nathan P Metzger
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Deepali Gupta
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kripa Shankar
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Chen Liu
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Griggs JL, Mathai ML, Sinnayah P. Caralluma fimbriata extract activity involves the 5-HT2c receptor in PWS Snord116 deletion mouse model. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e01102. [PMID: 30353709 PMCID: PMC6305914 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), nonprotein coding small nucleolar (sno) RNAs are involved in the paternally deleted region of chromosome 15q11.2-q13, which is believed to cause the hyperphagic phenotype of PWS. Central to this is SnoRNA116. The supplement Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) has been shown to decrease appetite behavior in some individuals with PWS. We therefore investigated the mechanism underpinning the effect of CFE on food intake in the Snord116del mouse. Experiments utilized appetite stimulants which included a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2c receptor antagonist (SB242084), as the 5-HT2cR is implicated in central signaling of satiety. METHODS After 9-week chronic CFE treatment (33 mg or 100 mg kg-1 day-1 ) or placebo, the 14-week-old Snord116del (SNO) and wild-type mice (n = 72) were rotated through intraperitoneal injections of (a) isotonic saline; (b) 400 mg/kg of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) (glucose deprivation); (c) 100 mglkg beta-mercaptoacetate (MA), fatty acid signaling; and (d) SB242084 (a selective 5HT2cR antagonist), with 5 days between reagents. Assessments of food intake were from baseline to 4 hr, followed by immunohistochemistry of neural activity utilizing c-Fos, neuropeptide Y, and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone within hypothalamic appetite pathways. RESULTS Caralluma fimbriata extract administration decreased food intake more strongly in the SNO100CFE group with significantly stimulated food intake demonstrated during coadministration with SB242084. Though stimulatory deprivation was expected to stimulate food intake, 2DG and MA resulted in lower intake in the snord116del mice compared to the WT animals (p = <0.001). Immunohistochemical mapping of hypothalamic neural activity was consistent with the behavioral studies. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies a role for the 5-HT2cR in CFE-induced appetite suppression and significant stimulatory feeding disruptions in the snord116del mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Griggs
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael L Mathai
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Puspha Sinnayah
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Diet-induced adaptive thermogenesis requires neuropeptide FF receptor-2 signalling. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4722. [PMID: 30413707 PMCID: PMC6226433 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06462-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Excess caloric intake results in increased fat accumulation and an increase in energy expenditure via diet-induced adaptive thermogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms controlling these processes are unclear. Here we identify the neuropeptide FF receptor-2 (NPFFR2) as a critical regulator of diet-induced thermogenesis and bone homoeostasis. Npffr2−/− mice exhibit a stronger bone phenotype and when fed a HFD display exacerbated obesity associated with a failure in activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic response to energy excess, whereas the activation of cold-induced BAT thermogenesis is unaffected. NPFFR2 signalling is required to maintain basal arcuate nucleus NPY mRNA expression. Lack of NPFFR2 signalling leads to a decrease in BAT thermogenesis under HFD conditions with significantly lower UCP-1 and PGC-1α levels in the BAT. Together, these data demonstrate that NPFFR2 signalling promotes diet-induced thermogenesis via a novel hypothalamic NPY-dependent circuitry thereby coupling energy homoeostasis with energy partitioning to adipose and bone tissue. Excess caloric intake leads to increased thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, to limit weight gain. Here, the authors show that neuropeptide FF receptor-2 signalling promotes thermogenesis via control of NPY expression in the arcuate nucleus, and that it absence in mice leads to a failure of activation of diet-induced thermogenesis and the development of exacerbated obesity.
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Quesnel-Vallières M, Weatheritt RJ, Cordes SP, Blencowe BJ. Autism spectrum disorder: insights into convergent mechanisms from transcriptomics. Nat Rev Genet 2018; 20:51-63. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-018-0066-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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The Role of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Critical Interval for Epigenetic Regulation, Transcription and Phenotype. EPIGENOMES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes2040018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of expression of the paternally inherited genes on chromosome 15q11.2-q13. However, the core features of PWS have been attributed to a critical interval (PWS-cr) within the 15q11.2-q13 imprinted gene cluster, containing the small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) SNORD116 and non-coding RNA IPW (Imprinted in Prader-Willi) exons. SNORD116 affects the transcription profile of hundreds of genes, possibly via DNA methylation or post-transcriptional modification, although the exact mechanism is not completely clear. IPW on the other hand has been shown to specifically modulate histone methylation of a separate imprinted locus, the DLK1-DIO3 cluster, which itself is associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders with similarities to PWS. Here we review what is currently known of the molecular targets of SNORD116 and IPW and begin to disentangle their roles in contributing to the Prader-Willi Syndrome phenotype.
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Geets E, Meuwissen MEC, Van Hul W. Clinical, molecular genetics and therapeutic aspects of syndromic obesity. Clin Genet 2018; 95:23-40. [PMID: 29700824 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has become a major health problem worldwide. To date, more than 25 different syndromic forms of obesity are known in which one (monogenic) or multiple (polygenic) genes are involved. This review gives an overview of these forms and focuses more in detail on 6 syndromes: Prader Willi Syndrome and Prader Willi like phenotype, Bardet Biedl Syndrome, Alström Syndrome, Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary malformations and mental Retardation syndrome and 16p11.2 (micro)deletions. Years of research provided plenty of information on the molecular genetics of these disorders and the obesity phenotype leading to a more individualized treatment of the symptoms, however, many questions still remain unanswered. As these obesity syndromes have different signs and symptoms in common, it makes it difficult to accurately diagnose patients which may result in inappropriate treatment of the disease. Therefore, the big challenge for clinicians and scientists is to more clearly differentiate all syndromic forms of obesity to provide conclusive genetic explanations and eventually deliver accurate genetic counseling and treatment. In addition, further delineation of the (functions of the) underlying genes with the use of array- or next-generation sequencing-based technology will be helpful to unravel the mechanisms of energy metabolism in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Geets
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M E C Meuwissen
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - W Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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Bratkovič T, Modic M, Camargo Ortega G, Drukker M, Rogelj B. Neuronal differentiation induces SNORD115 expression and is accompanied by post-transcriptional changes of serotonin receptor 2c mRNA. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5101. [PMID: 29572515 PMCID: PMC5865145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23293-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin neurotransmitter system is widespread in the brain and implicated in modulation of neuronal responses to other neurotransmitters. Among 14 serotonin receptor subtypes, 5-HT2cR plays a pivotal role in controlling neuronal network excitability. Serotonergic activity conveyed through receptor 5-HT2cR is regulated post-transcriptionally via two mechanisms, alternative splicing and A-to-I RNA editing. Brain-specific small nucleolar RNA SNORD115 harbours a phylogenetically conserved 18-nucleotide antisense element with perfect complementarity to the region of 5ht2c primary transcript that undergoes post-transcriptional changes. Previous 5ht2c minigene studies have implicated SNORD115 in fine-tuning of both post-transcriptional events. We monitored post-transcriptional changes of endogenous 5ht2c transcripts during neuronal differentiation. Both SNORD115 and 5ht2c were upregulated upon neuronal commitment. We detected increased 5ht2c alternative exon Vb inclusion already at the stage of neuronal progenitors, and more extensive A-to-I editing of non-targeted sites A and B compared to adjacent adenosines at sites E, C and D throughout differentiation. As the extent of editing is known to positively correlate with exon Vb usage while it reduces receptor functionality, our data support the model where SNORD115 directly promotes alternative exon inclusion without the requirement for conversion of key adenosines to inosines, thereby favouring production of full-length receptor isoforms with higher potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaž Bratkovič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Modic
- Institute of Stem Cell Research and the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Germán Camargo Ortega
- Institute of Stem Cell Research and the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Micha Drukker
- Institute of Stem Cell Research and the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Puhova 10, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Večna pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
In the 1980s, mouse nuclear transplantation experiments revealed that both male and female parental genomes are required for successful development to term (McGrath and Solter, 1983; Surani and Barton, 1983). This non-equivalence of parental genomes is because imprinted genes are predominantly expressed from only one parental chromosome. Uniparental inheritance of these genomic regions causes paediatric growth disorders such as Beckwith–Wiedemann and Silver–Russell syndromes (reviewed in Peters, 2014). More than 100 imprinted genes have now been discovered and the functions of many of these genes have been assessed in murine models. The first such genes described were the fetal growth factor insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) and its inhibitor Igf2 receptor (Igf2r) (DeChiara et al., 1991; Lau et al., 1994; Wang et al., 1994). Since then, it has emerged that most imprinted genes modulate fetal growth and resource acquisition in a variety of ways. First, imprinted genes are required for the development of a functional placenta, the organ that mediates the exchange of nutrients between mother and fetus. Second, these genes act in an embryo-autonomous manner to affect the growth rate and organogenesis. Finally, imprinted genes can signal the nutritional status between mother and fetus, and can modulate levels of maternal care. Importantly, many imprinted genes have been shown to affect postnatal growth and energy homeostasis. Given that abnormal birthweight correlates with adverse adult metabolic health, including obesity and cardiovascular disease, it is crucial to understand how the modulation of this dosage-sensitive, epigenetically regulated class of genes can contribute to fetal and postnatal growth, with implications for lifelong health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Féaron C. Cassidy
- Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, LondonEC1M 6BQ, UK
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Polex-Wolf J, Lam BY, Larder R, Tadross J, Rimmington D, Bosch F, Cenzano VJ, Ayuso E, Ma MK, Rainbow K, Coll AP, O’Rahilly S, Yeo GS. Hypothalamic loss of Snord116 recapitulates the hyperphagia of Prader-Willi syndrome. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:960-969. [PMID: 29376887 PMCID: PMC5824864 DOI: 10.1172/jci97007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Profound hyperphagia is a major disabling feature of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Characterization of the mechanisms that underlie PWS-associated hyperphagia has been slowed by the paucity of animal models with increased food intake or obesity. Mice with a microdeletion encompassing the Snord116 cluster of noncoding RNAs encoded within the Prader-Willi minimal deletion critical region have previously been reported to show growth retardation and hyperphagia. Here, consistent with previous reports, we observed growth retardation in Snord116+/-P mice with a congenital paternal Snord116 deletion. However, these mice neither displayed increased food intake nor had reduced hypothalamic expression of the proprotein convertase 1 gene PCSK1 or its upstream regulator NHLH2, which have recently been suggested to be key mediators of PWS pathogenesis. Specifically, we disrupted Snord116 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus in Snord116fl mice via bilateral stereotaxic injections of a Cre-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV). While the Cre-injected mice had no change in measured energy expenditure, they became hyperphagic between 9 and 10 weeks after injection, with a subset of animals developing marked obesity. In conclusion, we show that selective disruption of Snord116 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus models the hyperphagia of PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Polex-Wolf
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Y.H. Lam
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Larder
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Tadross
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Debra Rimmington
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fàtima Bosch
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Jiménez Cenzano
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Ayuso
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcella K.L. Ma
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kara Rainbow
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony P. Coll
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen O’Rahilly
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Giles S.H. Yeo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Rodriguez JA, Zigman JM. Hypothalamic loss of Snord116 and Prader-Willi syndrome hyperphagia: the buck stops here? J Clin Invest 2018; 128:900-902. [PMID: 29376891 DOI: 10.1172/jci99725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperphagia and obesity are the best-known manifestations of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and are responsible for most of the overall morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Yet these PWS symptoms remain poorly understood and without effective pharmacologic therapies. Mouse models attempting to recapitulate both the genetic alterations and marked hyperphagia plus obesity of PWS have been enigmatic, leading to skepticism about the use of mouse models to investigate PWS. In this issue of the JCI, Polex-Wolf and colleagues challenge the skeptics by successfully inducing hyperphagia following bilateral mediobasal hypothalamic deletion of the Snord116 gene from adult mice. Obesity also resulted, although only in a subset of mice. While this approach represents an exciting advance, highlighting a pathologic effect of loss of mediobasal hypothalamic Snord116 expression on the development of PWS's hallmark symptoms, the variability in the body-weight and body composition responses to this site-selective gene deletion raises several questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Rodriguez
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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