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Maussion G, Rocha C, Abdian N, Yang D, Turk J, Carrillo Valenzuela D, Pimentel L, You Z, Morquette B, Nicouleau M, Deneault E, Higgins S, Chen CXQ, Reintsch WE, Ho S, Soubannier V, Lépine S, Modrusan Z, Lund J, Stephenson W, Schubert R, Durcan TM. Transcriptional Dysregulation and Impaired Neuronal Activity in FMR1 Knock-Out and Fragile X Patients' iPSC-Derived Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14926. [PMID: 37834379 PMCID: PMC10573568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a repression of the FMR1 gene that codes the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA binding protein involved in processes that are crucial for proper brain development. To better understand the consequences of the absence of FMRP, we analyzed gene expression profiles and activities of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons obtained from FXS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and IPSC-derived cells from FMR1 knock-out engineered using CRISPR-CAS9 technology. Multielectrode array recordings revealed in FMR1 KO and FXS patient cells, decreased mean firing rates; activities blocked by tetrodotoxin application. Increased expression of presynaptic mRNA and transcription factors involved in the forebrain specification and decreased levels of mRNA coding AMPA and NMDA subunits were observed using RNA sequencing on FMR1 KO neurons and validated using quantitative PCR in both models. Intriguingly, 40% of the differentially expressed genes were commonly deregulated between NPCs and differentiating neurons with significant enrichments in FMRP targets and autism-related genes found amongst downregulated genes. Our findings suggest that the absence of FMRP affects transcriptional profiles since the NPC stage, and leads to impaired activity and neuronal differentiation over time, which illustrates the critical role of FMRP protein in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Narges Abdian
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dimitri Yang
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Julien Turk
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dulce Carrillo Valenzuela
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Luisa Pimentel
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Zhipeng You
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Barbara Morquette
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Eric Deneault
- Regulatory Research Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Samuel Higgins
- Roche Sequencing, Computational Science and Informatics, Roche Molecular Systems, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
| | - Carol X.-Q. Chen
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Wolfgang E. Reintsch
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Stanley Ho
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Sarah Lépine
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Rajib Schubert
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
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2
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Kawano S, Baba M, Fukushima H, Miura D, Hashimoto H, Nakazawa T. Autism-associated ANK2 regulates embryonic neurodevelopment. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 605:45-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Transcriptome analysis of MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) neural progenitor cells reveals dysregulation of autism-associated genes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11295. [PMID: 34050248 PMCID: PMC8163803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90798-z] [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: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characterized by intellectual disability, motor delay, speech impairment and behavioral problems; however, the biological role of methyl-CpG-binding domain 5, MBD5, in neurodevelopment and ASD remains largely undefined. Hence, we created neural progenitor cells (NPC) derived from individuals with chromosome 2q23.1 deletion and conducted RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the biological processes and pathways altered in MAND. Primary skin fibroblasts from three unrelated individuals with MAND and four unrelated controls were converted into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, followed by directed differentiation of iPSC to NPC. Transcriptome analysis of MAND NPC revealed 468 DEGs (q < 0.05), including 20 ASD-associated genes. Comparison of DEGs in MAND with SFARI syndromic autism genes revealed a striking significant overlap in biological processes commonly altered in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, with TGFβ, Hippo signaling, DNA replication, and cell cycle among the top enriched pathways. Overall, these transcriptome deviations provide potential connections to the overlapping neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric phenotypes associated with key high-risk ASD genes, including chromatin modifiers and epigenetic modulators, that play significant roles in these disease states.
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4
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Weiss CV, Harshman L, Inoue F, Fraser HB, Petrov DA, Ahituv N, Gokhman D. The cis-regulatory effects of modern human-specific variants. eLife 2021; 10:e63713. [PMID: 33885362 PMCID: PMC8062137 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes enabled the discovery of sequences that differ between modern and archaic humans, the majority of which are noncoding. However, our understanding of the regulatory consequences of these differences remains limited, in part due to the decay of regulatory marks in ancient samples. Here, we used a massively parallel reporter assay in embryonic stem cells, neural progenitor cells, and bone osteoblasts to investigate the regulatory effects of the 14,042 single-nucleotide modern human-specific variants. Overall, 1791 (13%) of sequences containing these variants showed active regulatory activity, and 407 (23%) of these drove differential expression between human groups. Differentially active sequences were associated with divergent transcription factor binding motifs, and with genes enriched for vocal tract and brain anatomy and function. This work provides insight into the regulatory function of variants that emerged along the modern human lineage and the recent evolution of human gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly V Weiss
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, StanfordStanfordUnited States
| | - Lana Harshman
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Fumitaka Inoue
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Hunter B Fraser
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, StanfordStanfordUnited States
| | - Dmitri A Petrov
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, StanfordStanfordUnited States
| | - Nadav Ahituv
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - David Gokhman
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, StanfordStanfordUnited States
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5
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Parodi C, Di Fede E, Peron A, Viganò I, Grazioli P, Castiglioni S, Finnell RH, Gervasini C, Vignoli A, Massa V. Chromatin Imbalance as the Vertex Between Fetal Valproate Syndrome and Chromatinopathies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:654467. [PMID: 33959609 PMCID: PMC8093873 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.654467] [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: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to valproate (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, has been associated with fetal valproate spectrum disorders (FVSD), a clinical condition including congenital malformations, developmental delay, intellectual disability as well as autism spectrum disorder, together with a distinctive facial appearance. VPA is a known inhibitor of histone deacetylase which regulates the chromatin state. Interestingly, perturbations of this epigenetic balance are associated with chromatinopathies, a heterogeneous group of Mendelian disorders arising from mutations in components of the epigenetic machinery. Patients affected from these disorders display a plethora of clinical signs, mainly neurological deficits and intellectual disability, together with distinctive craniofacial dysmorphisms. Remarkably, critically examining the phenotype of FVSD and chromatinopathies, they shared several overlapping features that can be observed despite the different etiologies of these disorders, suggesting the possible existence of a common perturbed mechanism(s) during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Parodi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Fede
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Peron
- Human Pathology and Medical Genetics, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Child Neuropsychiatry Unit-Epilepsy Center, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Ilaria Viganò
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Grazioli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Castiglioni
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cristina Gervasini
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,"Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Aglaia Vignoli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Massa
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,"Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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6
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Nguyen U, Tinsley B, Sen Y, Stein J, Palacios Y, Ceballos A, Welch C, Nzenkue K, Penn A, Murphy L, Leodones K, Casiquin J, Ivory I, Ghenta K, Danziger K, Widman E, Newman J, Triplehorn M, Hindi Z, Mulligan K. Exposure to bisphenol A differentially impacts neurodevelopment and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster from distinct genetic backgrounds. Neurotoxicology 2020; 82:146-157. [PMID: 33309840 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental chemical that has been linked to behavioral differences in children and shown to impact critical neurodevelopmental processes in animal models. Though data is emerging, we still have an incomplete picture of how BPA disrupts neurodevelopment; in particular, how its impacts may vary across different genetic backgrounds. Given the genetic tractability of Drosophila melanogaster, they present a valuable model to address this question. Fruit flies are increasingly being used for assessment of neurotoxicants because of their relatively simple brain structure and variety of measurable behaviors. Here we investigated the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPA across two genetic strains of Drosophila-w1118 (control) and the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) model-by examining both behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. We show that BPA induces hyperactivity in larvae, increases repetitive grooming behavior in adults, reduces courtship behavior, impairs axon guidance in the mushroom body, and disrupts neural stem cell development in the w1118 genetic strain. Remarkably, for every behavioral and neuronal phenotype examined, the impact of BPA in FXS flies was either insignificant or contrasted with the phenotypes observed in the w1118 strain. This data indicates that the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPA can vary widely depending on genetic background and suggests BPA may elicit a gene-environment interaction with Drosophila fragile X mental retardation 1 (dFmr1)-the ortholog of human FMR1, which causes Fragile X Syndrome and is associated with autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - B Tinsley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Y Sen
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Y Palacios
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - A Ceballos
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - C Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Nzenkue
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - A Penn
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - L Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Leodones
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Casiquin
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - I Ivory
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Ghenta
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Danziger
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - E Widman
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Newman
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - M Triplehorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Z Hindi
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States.
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7
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Identification of Molecular Signatures in Neural Differentiation and Neurological Diseases Using Digital Color-Coded Molecular Barcoding. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8852313. [PMID: 33005195 PMCID: PMC7503121 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8852313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, represent powerful tools for disease modeling and for therapeutic applications. PSCs are particularly useful for the study of development and diseases of the nervous system. However, generating in vitro models that recapitulate the architecture and the full variety of subtypes of cells that make the complexity of our brain remains a challenge. In order to fully exploit the potential of PSCs, advanced methods that facilitate the identification of molecular signatures in neural differentiation and neurological diseases are highly demanded. Here, we review the literature on the development and application of digital color-coded molecular barcoding as a potential tool for standardizing PSC research and applications in neuroscience. We will also describe relevant examples of the use of this technique for the characterization of the heterogeneous composition of the brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme.
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8
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Breen MS, Browne A, Hoffman GE, Stathopoulos S, Brennand K, Buxbaum JD, Drapeau E. Transcriptional signatures of participant-derived neural progenitor cells and neurons implicate altered Wnt signaling in Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:53. [PMID: 32560742 PMCID: PMC7304190 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a rare genetic disorder with high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and language delay, and is caused by 22q13.3 deletions or mutations in the SHANK3 gene. To date, the molecular and pathway changes resulting from SHANK3 haploinsufficiency in PMS remain poorly understood. Uncovering these mechanisms is critical for understanding pathobiology of PMS and, ultimately, for the development of new therapeutic interventions. METHODS We developed human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models of PMS by reprogramming peripheral blood samples from individuals with PMS (n = 7) and their unaffected siblings (n = 6). For each participant, up to three hiPSC clones were generated and differentiated into induced neural progenitor cells (hiPSC-NPCs; n = 39) and induced forebrain neurons (hiPSC-neurons; n = 41). Genome-wide RNA-sequencing was applied to explore transcriptional differences between PMS probands and unaffected siblings. RESULTS Transcriptome analyses identified 391 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hiPSC-NPCs and 82 DEGs in hiPSC-neurons, when comparing cells from PMS probands and unaffected siblings (FDR < 5%). Genes under-expressed in PMS were implicated in Wnt signaling, embryonic development, and protein translation, while over-expressed genes were enriched for pre- and postsynaptic density genes, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and G-protein-gated potassium channel activity. Gene co-expression network analysis identified two modules in hiPSC-neurons that were over-expressed in PMS, implicating postsynaptic signaling and GDP binding, and both modules harbored a significant enrichment of genetic risk loci for developmental delay and intellectual disability. Finally, PMS-associated genes were integrated with other ASD hiPSC transcriptome findings and several points of convergence were identified, indicating altered Wnt signaling and extracellular matrix. LIMITATIONS Given the rarity of the condition, we could not carry out experimental validation in independent biological samples. In addition, functional and morphological phenotypes caused by loss of SHANK3 were not characterized here. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest human neural sample analyzed in PMS. Genome-wide RNA-sequencing in hiPSC-derived neural cells from individuals with PMS revealed both shared and distinct transcriptional signatures across hiPSC-NPCs and hiPSC-neurons, including many genes implicated in risk for ASD, as well as specific neurobiological pathways, including the Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Breen
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Andrew Browne
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Gabriel E Hoffman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sofia Stathopoulos
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Kristen Brennand
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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9
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Seabra CM, Aneichyk T, Erdin S, Tai DJC, De Esch CEF, Razaz P, An Y, Manavalan P, Ragavendran A, Stortchevoi A, Abad C, Young JI, Maciel P, Talkowski ME, Gusella JF. Transcriptional consequences of MBD5 disruption in mouse brain and CRISPR-derived neurons. Mol Autism 2020; 11:45. [PMID: 32503625 PMCID: PMC7275313 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00354-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MBD5, encoding the methyl-CpG-binding domain 5 protein, has been proposed as a necessary and sufficient driver of the 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome. De novo missense and protein-truncating variants from exome sequencing studies have directly implicated MBD5 in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, little is known concerning the specific function(s) of MBD5. METHODS To gain insight into the complex interactions associated with alteration of MBD5 in individuals with ASD and related NDDs, we explored the transcriptional landscape of MBD5 haploinsufficiency across multiple mouse brain regions of a heterozygous hypomorphic Mbd5+/GT mouse model, and compared these results to CRISPR-mediated mutations of MBD5 in human iPSC-derived neuronal models. RESULTS Gene expression analyses across three brain regions from Mbd5+/GT mice showed subtle transcriptional changes, with cortex displaying the most widespread changes following Mbd5 reduction, indicating context-dependent effects. Comparison with MBD5 reduction in human neuronal cells reinforced the context-dependence of gene expression changes due to MBD5 deficiency. Gene co-expression network analyses revealed gene clusters that were associated with reduced MBD5 expression and enriched for terms related to ciliary function. LIMITATIONS These analyses included a limited number of mouse brain regions and neuronal models, and the effects of the gene knockdown are subtle. As such, these results will not reflect the full extent of MBD5 disruption across human brain regions during early neurodevelopment in ASD, or capture the diverse spectrum of cell-type-specific changes associated with MBD5 alterations. CONCLUSIONS Our study points to modest and context-dependent transcriptional consequences of Mbd5 disruption in the brain. It also suggests a possible link between MBD5 and perturbations in ciliary function, which is an established pathogenic mechanism in developmental disorders and syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M Seabra
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,GABBA Program - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tatsiana Aneichyk
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Independent Data Lab UG, Munich, Germany
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derek J C Tai
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Celine E F De Esch
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Parisa Razaz
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu An
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Poornima Manavalan
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashok Ragavendran
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Computational Biology of Human Disease & Center for Computation and Visualization, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Alexei Stortchevoi
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Clemer Abad
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Juan I Young
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Patricia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James F Gusella
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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10
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Maussion G, Demirova I, Gorwood P, Ramoz N. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; New Tools for Investigating Molecular Mechanisms in Anorexia Nervosa. Front Nutr 2019; 6:118. [PMID: 31457016 PMCID: PMC6700384 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dramatic psychiatric disorder characterized by dysregulations in food intake and reward processing, involving molecular and cellular changes in several peripheral cell types and central neuronal networks. Genomic and epigenomic analyses have allowed the identification of multiple genetic and epigenetic modifications highlighting the complex pathophysiology of AN. Behavioral and genetic rodent models have been used to recapitulate and investigate, with some limitations, the cellular and molecular changes that potentially underlie eating disorders. In the last 5 years, the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), combined with CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has led to the generation of specific neuronal cell subtypes engineered from human somatic samples, representing a powerful tool to complement observations made in human samples and data collected from animal models. Systems biology using IPSCs has indeed proved to be a valuable approach for the study of metabolic disorders, in addition to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The manuscript, while reviewing the main findings related to the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular bases of AN, will present how new studies published, or to be performed, in the field of IPSC-derived cells should improve our current understanding of the pathophysiology of AN and provide potential therapeutic strategies addressing specific endophenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Iveta Demirova
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Philip Gorwood
- INSERM U1266, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, Paris, France.,Hôpital Sainte-Anne (CMME), University Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Ramoz
- INSERM U1266, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, Paris, France
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11
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Brain-enriched microRNAs circulating in plasma as novel biomarkers for Rett syndrome. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218623. [PMID: 31291284 PMCID: PMC6619658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2). Minimally invasive and accurate biomarkers of disease progression and treatment response could facilitate screening of therapeutic compounds in animal models, enrollment of better-defined participants into clinical trials, and treatment monitoring. In this study, we used a targeted approach based on analysis of brain-enriched microRNAs (miRNAs) circulating in plasma to identify miRNA biomarkers of RTT using Mecp2-mutant mice as a model system and human plasma samples. An “miRNA pair” approach, i.e. the ratio between two miRNAs, was used for data normalization. Specific miRNA pairs and their combinations (classifiers) analyzed in plasma differentiated wild-type from Mecp2 male and female mice with >90% accuracy. Individual miRNA pairs were more effective in distinguishing male (homozygous) animals than female (heterozygous) animals, suggesting that disease severity correlated with the levels of the miRNA biomarkers. In the human study, 30 RTT patients were compared with age-matched controls. The results of this study showed that miRNA classifiers were able to differentiate RTT patients from controls with 85–100% sensitivity. In addition, a comparison of various age groups demonstrated that the dynamics in levels of miRNAs appear to be associated with disease development (involvement of liver, muscle and lipid metabolism in the pathology). Importantly, certain miRNA biomarker pairs were common to both the animal models and human subjects, indicating the similarity between the underlying pathological processes. The data generated in this feasibility study suggest that circulating miRNAs have the potential to be developed as markers of RTT progression and treatment response. Larger clinical studies are needed to further evaluate the findings presented here.
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12
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Verhoeven W, Egger J, Kipp J, Verheul-Aan de Wiel J, Ockeloen C, Kleefstra T, Pfundt R. A novel MBD5 mutation in an intellectually disabled adult female patient with epilepsy: Suggestive of early onset dementia? Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e849. [PMID: 31290275 PMCID: PMC6687664 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The minimal critical region in 2q23.1 deletion syndrome comprises one gene only, that is, the methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 5 (MBD5) gene. Since the phenotypes of patients with deletions, duplications or pathogenic variants of MBD5 show considerable overlap, the term MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) was proposed. These syndromes are characterized by intellectual disability, seizures of any kind and symptoms from the autism spectrum. In a very limited number of patients, MAND may be associated with regression starting either at early infancy or at midlife. METHODS The present paper describes a severely intellectually disabled autistic female with therapy resistant complex partial epilepsy starting at her 16the with gradual cognitive and behavioral regression towards her sixth decade. RESULTS Cognitive and behavioral regression occurred towards the patient's sixth decade. Exome sequencing disclosed a novel heterozygous pathogenic frameshift mutation of MBD5 that was considered to be causative for the combination of intellectual disability, treatment-resistant epilepsy and autism. CONCLUSION The presented patient is the second with a pathogenic MBD5 mutation in whom the course of disease is suggestive of early onset dementia starting in her fifth decade. These findings stress the importance of exome sequencing, also in elderly intellectually disabled patients, particularly in those with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Verhoeven
- Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jos Egger
- Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Stevig Specialized and Forensic Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Dichterbij, Oostrum, the Netherlands
| | - Janneke Kipp
- ASVZ Institutes for Intellectual Disabilities, Leerdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Charlotte Ockeloen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rolph Pfundt
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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13
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Maussion G, Rocha C, Bernard G, Beitel LK, Durcan TM. Patient-Derived Stem Cells, Another in vitro Model, or the Missing Link Toward Novel Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorders? Front Pediatr 2019; 7:225. [PMID: 31245336 PMCID: PMC6562499 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a multigenic and multifactorial neurodevelopmental group of disorders diagnosed in early childhood, leading to deficits in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and characterized by restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. To date, genetic, descriptive and mechanistic aspects of the ASDs have been investigated using mouse models and post-mortem brain tissue. More recently, the technology to generate stem cells from patients' samples has brought a new avenue for modeling ASD through 2D and 3D neuronal models that are derived from a patient's own cells, with the goal of building new therapeutic strategies for treating ASDs. This review analyses how studies performed on mouse models and human samples can complement each other, advancing our current knowledge into the pathophysiology of the ASDs. Regardless of the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneities of ASDs, convergent information regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in these disorders can be extracted from these models. Thus, considering the complexities of these disorders, patient-derived models have immense potential to elucidate molecular deregulations that contributed to the different autistic phenotypes. Through these direct investigations with the human in vitro models, they offer the potential for opening new therapeutic avenues that can be translated into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- MyeliNeuroGene Laboratory, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lenore K. Beitel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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14
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Increased expression of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex of autistic patients. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:903-909. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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McLachlan F, Sires AM, Abbott CM. The role of translation elongation factor eEF1 subunits in neurodevelopmental disorders. Hum Mutat 2018; 40:131-141. [PMID: 30370994 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The multi-subunit eEF1 complex plays a crucial role in de novo protein synthesis. The central functional component of the complex is eEF1A, which occurs as two independently encoded variants with reciprocal expression patterns: whilst eEF1A1 is widely expressed, eEF1A2 is found only in neurons and muscle. Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding eEF1A2, EEF1A2, have recently been shown to cause epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability. The remaining subunits of the eEF1 complex, eEF1Bα, eEF1Bδ, eEF1Bγ, and valyl-tRNA synthetase (VARS), together form the GTP exchange factor for eEF1A and are ubiquitously expressed, in keeping with their housekeeping role. However, mutations in the genes encoding these subunits EEF1B2 (eEF1Bα), EEF1D (eEF1Bδ), and VARS (valyl-tRNA synthetase) have also now been identified as causes of neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we describe the mutations identified so far in comparison with the degree of normal variation in each gene, and the predicted consequences of the mutations on the functions of the proteins and their isoforms. We discuss the likely effects of the mutations in the context of the role of protein synthesis in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona McLachlan
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna Martinez Sires
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catherine M Abbott
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK
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16
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Adult Neural Stem Cell Multipotency and Differentiation Are Directed by the Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein MBD1. J Neurosci 2018; 37:4228-4230. [PMID: 28424299 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0411-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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17
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Neural stem cells in neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 48:131-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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18
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Wang P, Zhao D, Lachman HM, Zheng D. Enriched expression of genes associated with autism spectrum disorders in human inhibitory neurons. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:13. [PMID: 29317598 PMCID: PMC5802446 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly heritable but genetically heterogeneous. The affected neural circuits and cell types remain unclear and may vary at different developmental stages. By analyzing multiple sets of human single cell transcriptome profiles, we found that ASD candidates showed relatively enriched gene expression in neurons, especially in inhibitory neurons. ASD candidates were also more likely to be the hubs of the co-expression gene module that is highly expressed in inhibitory neurons, a feature not detected for excitatory neurons. In addition, we found that upregulated genes in multiple ASD cortex samples were enriched with genes highly expressed in inhibitory neurons, suggesting a potential increase of inhibitory neurons and an imbalance in the ratio between excitatory and inhibitory neurons in ASD brains. Furthermore, the downstream targets of several ASD candidates, such as CHD8, EHMT1 and SATB2, also displayed enriched expression in inhibitory neurons. Taken together, our analyses of single cell transcriptomic data suggest that inhibitory neurons may be a major neuron subtype affected by the disruption of ASD gene networks, providing single cell functional evidence to support the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dejian Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Herbert M Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, USA.
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19
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Parween S, Varghese DS, Ardah MT, Prabakaran AD, Mensah-Brown E, Emerald BS, Ansari SA. Higher O-GlcNAc Levels Are Associated with Defects in Progenitor Proliferation and Premature Neuronal Differentiation during in-Vitro Human Embryonic Cortical Neurogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:415. [PMID: 29311838 PMCID: PMC5742625 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutrient responsive O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic post-translational protein modification found on several nucleocytoplasmic proteins. Previous studies have suggested that hyperglycemia induces the levels of total O-GlcNAcylation inside the cells. Hyperglycemia mediated increase in protein O-GlcNAcylation has been shown to be responsible for various pathologies including insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. Since maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring, it is intriguing to identify the effect of increased protein O-GlcNAcylation on embryonic neurogenesis. Herein using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as model, we show that increased levels of total O-GlcNAc is associated with decreased neural progenitor proliferation and premature differentiation of cortical neurons, reduced AKT phosphorylation, increased apoptosis and defects in the expression of various regulators of embryonic corticogenesis. As defects in proliferation and differentiation during neurodevelopment are common features of various neurodevelopmental disorders, increased O-GlcNAcylation could be one mechanism responsible for defective neurodevelopmental outcomes in metabolically compromised pregnancies such as diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shama Parween
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Divya S Varghese
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa T Ardah
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ashok D Prabakaran
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eric Mensah-Brown
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bright Starling Emerald
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suraiya A Ansari
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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20
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Wang P, Mokhtari R, Pedrosa E, Kirschenbaum M, Bayrak C, Zheng D, Lachman HM. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated heterozygous knockout of the autism gene CHD8 and characterization of its transcriptional networks in cerebral organoids derived from iPS cells. Mol Autism 2017; 8:11. [PMID: 28321286 PMCID: PMC5357816 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0124-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CHD8 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8), which codes for a member of the CHD family of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling factors, is one of the most commonly mutated genes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) identified in exome-sequencing studies. Loss of function mutations in the gene have also been found in schizophrenia (SZ) and intellectual disabilities and influence cancer cell proliferation. We previously reported an RNA-seq analysis carried out on neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and monolayer neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that were heterozygous for CHD8 knockout (KO) alleles generated using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. A significant number of ASD and SZ candidate genes were among those that were differentially expressed in a comparison of heterozygous KO lines (CHD8+/-) vs isogenic controls (CHD8+/-), including the SZ and bipolar disorder (BD) candidate gene TCF4, which was markedly upregulated in CHD8+/- neuronal cells. METHODS In the current study, RNA-seq was carried out on CHD8+/- and isogenic control (CHD8+/+) cerebral organoids, which are 3-dimensional structures derived from iPS cells that model the developing human telencephalon. RESULTS TCF4 expression was, again, significantly upregulated. Pathway analysis carried out on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed an enrichment of genes involved in neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, forebrain development, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and axonal guidance, similar to our previous study on NPCs and monolayer neurons. There was also significant overlap in our CHD8+/- DEGs with those found in a transcriptome analysis carried out by another group using cerebral organoids derived from a family with idiopathic ASD. Remarkably, the top DEG in our respective studies was the non-coding RNA DLX6-AS1, which was markedly upregulated in both studies; DLX6-AS1 regulates the expression of members of the DLX (distal-less homeobox) gene family. DLX1 was also upregulated in both studies. DLX genes code for transcription factors that play a key role in GABAergic interneuron differentiation. Significant overlap was also found in a transcriptome study carried out by another group using iPS cell-derived neurons from patients with BD, a condition characterized by dysregulated WNT/β-catenin signaling in a subgroup of affected individuals. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings show that distinct ASD, SZ, and BD candidate genes converge on common molecular targets-an important consideration for developing novel therapeutics in genetically heterogeneous complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Ryan Mokhtari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Erika Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Michael Kirschenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Can Bayrak
- Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Herbert M. Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY USA
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21
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Gigek CO, Chen ES, Smith MAC. Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein (MBD) Family: Epigenomic Read-Outs Functions and Roles in Tumorigenesis and Psychiatric Diseases. J Cell Biochem 2016. [PMID: 26205787 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is the study of the heritable changes on gene expression that are responsible for the regulation of development and that have an impact on several diseases. However, it is of equal importance to understand how epigenetic machinery works. DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mark and is generally associated with the regulation of gene expression through the repression of promoter activity and by affecting genome stability. Therefore, the ability of the cell to interpret correct methylation marks and/or the correct interpretation of methylation plays a role in many diseases. The major family of proteins that bind methylated DNA is the methyl-CpG binding domain proteins, or the MBDs. Here, we discuss the structure that makes these proteins a family, the main functions and interactions of all protein family members and their role in human disease such as psychiatric disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Oliveira Gigek
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitão da Cunha, 1, ° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Disciplina de Gastroenterologia Cirúrgica, Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), R. Napoleão de Barros, 715, 2º andar, CEP:04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Suchi Chen
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitão da Cunha, 1, ° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marilia Arruda Cardoso Smith
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitão da Cunha, 1, ° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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22
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Zhang X, Zhu C, Luo Q, Dong J, Liu L, Li M, Zhu H, Ma X, Wang J. Impact of siRNA targeting of β-catenin on differentiation of rat neural stem cells and gene expression of Ngn1 and BMP4 following in vitro hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:3595-601. [PMID: 27573468 PMCID: PMC5042732 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible damage-repair mechanisms of neural stem cells (NSCs) following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). NSCs obtained from Sprague Dawley rats were treated with tissue homogenate from normal or HIBD tissue, and β-catenin expression was silenced using siRNA. The differentiation of NSCs was observed by immunofluorescence, and semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ngn1 and BMP4 in the NSCs. Compared with control NSCs, culture with brain tissue homogenate significantly increased the differentiation of NSCs into neurons and oligodendrocytes (P<0.05), whereas differentiation into astrocytes was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with negative control-transfected cells, knockdown of β-catenin expression significantly decreased the differentiation of NSCs into neurons and oligodendrocytes (P<0.01), whereas the percentage of NSCs differentiated into astrocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with control NSCs, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ngn1 were significantly increased (P<0.01) and BMP4 levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01) by exposure of the cells to brain tissue homogenate. Compared with the negative control plasmid-transfected NSCs, the levels of Ngn1 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced by β-catenin siRNA (P<0.01), whereas BMP4 levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). In summary, the damaged brain tissues in HIBD may promote NSCs to differentiate into neurons for self-repair processes. β-Catenin, BMP4 and Ngn1 may be important for the coordination of NSC proliferation and differentiation following HIBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Cuicui Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Qiong Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Jv Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Lv Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Hongtao Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Xiangping Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
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Ernst C. Proliferation and Differentiation Deficits are a Major Convergence Point for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Trends Neurosci 2016; 39:290-299. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Merner N, Forgeot d'Arc B, Bell SC, Maussion G, Peng H, Gauthier J, Crapper L, Hamdan FF, Michaud JL, Mottron L, Rouleau GA, Ernst C. A de novo frameshift mutation in chromodomain helicase DNA-binding domain 8 (CHD8): A case report and literature review. Am J Med Genet A 2016; 170A:1225-35. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Merner
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Department of Human Genetics; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | | | - Scott C. Bell
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- Douglas Hospital Research Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Julie Gauthier
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center; University of Montreal; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Liam Crapper
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Fadi F. Hamdan
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center; University of Montreal; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Jacques L. Michaud
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center; University of Montreal; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Laurent Mottron
- Riviere-des-Prairies Hospital; University of Montreal; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Guy A. Rouleau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Department of Human Genetics; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Department of Human Genetics; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Institute; Montreal Quebec Canada
- Department of Psychiatry; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
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25
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Wang P, Lin M, Pedrosa E, Hrabovsky A, Zhang Z, Guo W, Lachman HM, Zheng D. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated heterozygous knockout of the autism gene CHD8 and characterization of its transcriptional networks in neurodevelopment. Mol Autism 2015; 6:55. [PMID: 26491539 PMCID: PMC4612430 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0048-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Disruptive mutation in the CHD8 gene is one of the top genetic risk factors in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previous analyses of genome-wide CHD8 occupancy and reduced expression of CHD8 by shRNA knockdown in committed neural cells showed that CHD8 regulates multiple cell processes critical for neural functions, and its targets are enriched with ASD-associated genes. Methods To further understand the molecular links between CHD8 functions and ASD, we have applied the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knockout one copy of CHD8 in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to better mimic the loss-of-function status that would exist in the developing human embryo prior to neuronal differentiation. We then carried out transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses of neural progenitors and neurons derived from the CHD8 mutant iPSCs. Results Transcriptome profiling revealed that CHD8 hemizygosity (CHD8+/−) affected the expression of several thousands of genes in neural progenitors and early differentiating neurons. The differentially expressed genes were enriched for functions of neural development, β-catenin/Wnt signaling, extracellular matrix, and skeletal system development. They also exhibited significant overlap with genes previously associated with autism and schizophrenia, as well as the downstream transcriptional targets of multiple genes implicated in autism. Providing important insight into how CHD8 mutations might give rise to macrocephaly, we found that seven of the twelve genes associated with human brain volume or head size by genome-wide association studies (e.g., HGMA2) were dysregulated in CHD8+/− neural progenitors or neurons. Conclusions We have established a renewable source of CHD8+/− iPSC lines that would be valuable for investigating the molecular and cellular functions of CHD8. Transcriptomic profiling showed that CHD8 regulates multiple genes implicated in ASD pathogenesis and genes associated with brain volume. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-015-0048-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Mingyan Lin
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Erika Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Anastasia Hrabovsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Wenjun Guo
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
| | - Herbert M Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, New York USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 USA
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