1
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Kargar M, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Neurodegeneration of White and Gray Matter in the Hippocampus with FXTAS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17266. [PMID: 38139097 PMCID: PMC10743470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417266] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects older premutation carriers (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X gene. Despite the high prevalence of the FXTAS disorder, neuropathology studies of individuals affected by FXTAS are limited. We performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in the hippocampus of 26 FXTAS cases and analyzed the tissue microscopically. The major neuropathological characteristics were white matter disease, intranuclear inclusions in neurons and astrocytes, and neuron loss. Astrocytes contained more and larger inclusions than neurons. There was a negative correlation between age of death and CGG repeat length in cases over the age of 60. The number of astroglial inclusions (CA3 and dentate gyrus) and the number of CA3 neuronal inclusions increased with elevated CGG repeat length. In the two cases with a CGG repeat size less than 65, FXTAS intranuclear inclusions were not present in the hippocampus, while in the two cases with less than 70 (65-70) CGG repeat expansion, neurons and astrocytes with inclusions were occasionally identified in the CA1 sub-region. These findings add hippocampus neuropathology to the previously reported changes in other areas of the brain in FXTAS patients, with implications for understanding FXTAS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kargar
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
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2
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Deosthale P, Balanta-Melo J, Creecy A, Liu C, Marcial A, Morales L, Cridlin J, Robertson S, Okpara C, Sanchez DJ, Ayoubi M, Lugo JN, Hernandez CJ, Wallace JM, Plotkin LI. Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1), a novel inhibitor of osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation, regulates bone formation, mass, and strength in young and aged male and female mice. Bone Res 2023; 11:25. [PMID: 37193680 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-023-00256-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene mutations lead to fragile X syndrome, cognitive disorders, and, in some individuals, scoliosis and craniofacial abnormalities. Four-month-old (mo) male mice with deletion of the FMR1 gene exhibit a mild increase in cortical and cancellous femoral bone mass. However, consequences of absence of FMR1 in bone of young/aged male/female mice and the cellular basis of the skeletal phenotype remain unknown. We found that absence of FMR1 results in improved bone properties with higher bone mineral density in both sexes and in 2- and 9-mo mice. The cancellous bone mass is higher only in females, whereas, cortical bone mass is higher in 2- and 9-mo males, but higher in 2- and lower in 9-mo female FMR1-knockout mice. Furthermore, male bones show higher biomechanical properties at 2mo, and females at both ages. Absence of FMR1 increases osteoblast/mineralization/bone formation and osteocyte dendricity/gene expression in vivo/ex vivo/in vitro, without affecting osteoclasts in vivo/ex vivo. Thus, FMR1 is a novel osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation inhibitor, and its absence leads to age-, site- and sex-dependent higher bone mass/strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmini Deosthale
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Julián Balanta-Melo
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Universidad del Valle School of Dentistry, Cali, 760043, Colombia
| | - Amy Creecy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Chongshan Liu
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Alejandro Marcial
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Laura Morales
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Julita Cridlin
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sylvia Robertson
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Chiebuka Okpara
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - David J Sanchez
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mahdi Ayoubi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Joaquín N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Christopher J Hernandez
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Joseph M Wallace
- Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Lilian I Plotkin
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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3
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Morrill NK, Joly-Amado A, Li Q, Prabhudeva S, Weeber EJ, Nash KR. Reelin central fragment supplementation improves cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. Exp Neurol 2022; 357:114170. [PMID: 35863501 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114170] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and is characterized by autistic behaviors, childhood seizures, and deficits in learning and memory. FXS has a loss of function of the FMR1 gene that leads to a lack of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) expression. FMRP is critical for synaptic plasticity, spatial learning, and memory. Reelin is a large extracellular glycoprotein essential for synaptic plasticity and numerous neurodevelopmental processes. Reduction in Reelin signaling is implicated as a contributing factor in disease etiology in several neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, and autism. However, the role of Reelin in FXS is poorly understood. We demonstrate a reduction in Reelin in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice, suggesting that a loss of Reelin activity may contribute to FXS. We demonstrate here that Reelin signaling enhancement via a single intracerebroventricular injection of the Reelin central fragment into Fmr1 KO mice can profoundly rescue cognitive deficits in hidden platform water maze and fear conditioning, as well as hyperactivity during the open field. Improvements in behavior were associated with rescued levels of post synaptic marker in Fmr1 KO mice when compared to controls. These data suggest that increasing Reelin signaling in FXS could offer a novel therapeutic for improving cognition in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K Morrill
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA
| | - Aurelie Joly-Amado
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA
| | - Qingyou Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA
| | - Sahana Prabhudeva
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA
| | - Edwin J Weeber
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA
| | - Kevin R Nash
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa FL-33612, USA.
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4
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Joz Abbasalian Z, Khanahmad H, Tabatabaiefar MA. Bisulfite Treatment of CG-Rich Track of Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion Disorder: Make the Sequence Less CG Rich. Adv Biomed Res 2022; 10:46. [PMID: 35127573 PMCID: PMC8781891 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_144_19] [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: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion is a kind of mutation with instability in the number of microsatellite repeats. This nature of mutation leads to the different kinds of neurological and neuromuscular disorders; among them, fragile-X syndrome is the main cause of intellectual disability in which the increasing number of CGG TNR in 5' untranslated region is the main reason for epigenetic silencing of Fragile X mental retardation 1 gene. The aim of this study is to decrease the CG content of the candidate region to facilitate amplification by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bisulfite treatment of the genomic DNA results in conversion of unmethylated cytosine to uridine and may overcome the diagnostic pitfalls. Materials and Methods: The whole blood DNA was extracted and bisulfite treated. Then any simplification in PCR process of desire sequence were assayed through following conventional PCR using specifically designed primers for converted sequence. Bisulfite-treated PCR product of a nearby sequence confirmed our results as a conversion control. Results: Both the control and the candidate sequences undergoing bisulfite treatment were successfully amplified by PCR. Conclusions: Decreasing the GC content of the sequence by bisulfite treating could be a new approach to overcome difficulties in amplifying GC-rich sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Joz Abbasalian
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Tabatabaiefar
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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5
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Ji H, Yu Y, Miao M, Qian X, Yuan W, Lin Y, Liang H, Li J. Risk of intellectual disability and maternal history of spontaneous abortion: a nationwide cohort study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:831-838. [PMID: 33580539 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the association between a maternal history of spontaneous abortion and intellectual disability in children. METHOD This cohort study included 1 778 786 children (913 340 males, 865 085 females, 361 missing data; mean age 15y 2mo, SD 8y 11mo, range birth to 40y) born in Denmark between 1977 and 2016. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of intellectual disability. RESULTS The overall HR of intellectual disability for children with a maternal history of spontaneous abortion was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.22) and the risk for multiple spontaneous abortions (HR=1.30, 95% CI 1.20-1.40) was higher than for a single spontaneous abortion (HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.18). When only cases of inpatient intellectual disability were included, the estimates increased slightly: the overall HR was 1.22 (95% CI 1.12-1.32), the HR for multiple spontaneous abortions was 1.37 (95% CI 1.20-1.58), and the HR for a single spontaneous abortion was 1.17 (95% CI 1.07-1.28). The risks were similar regardless of whether spontaneous abortion occurred before or after the index delivery. Estimates were nearly unchanged after adjusting for preterm birth, low birthweight, or Apgar score. INTERPRETATION Children born to mothers with spontaneous abortion, especially multiple spontaneous abortions, may be at a higher risk of intellectual disability in later life, regardless of whether spontaneous abortion occurred before or after the index delivery. The findings have clinical implications for targeted early intervention of children with intellectual disability. What this paper adds A maternal history of spontaneous abortion was associated with a risk of intellectual disability in offspring. The risk was higher in children whose mothers previously had multiple spontaneous abortions. Similar risks were observed regardless of whether spontaneous abortion occurred before or after childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health and Global Health Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfu Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine - Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine - Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Xu Qian
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health and Global Health Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine - Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine - Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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6
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Long JY, Jiang W, Xia HB, Fu JY, Lu P, Hu F, Feng WC, Sun WW, Gao MM, Yi YH, Long YS. FMRP-absence-induced up-regulation of hypothalamic MAP1B expression decreases AgRP level linking with reduces in food intake and body weight. Neurochem Int 2020; 140:104847. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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7
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Robinson AC, Bajaj N, Hadjivassiliou M, Minshull J, Mahmood A, Roncaroli F. Neuropathology of a case of fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome without tremor. Neuropathology 2020; 40:611-619. [PMID: 32830366 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CGG trinucleotide expansion from 55 to 200 repeats in the non-coding region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene (FMR1). Clinical features include cognitive decline, progressive tremor, and gait ataxia. Neuropathologically, FXTAS shows white matter changes, hippocampal and cerebellar involvement, and p62-positive eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions in astrocytes and neurons. Here, we document the neuropathological findings from a subject who developed cognitive impairment but not tremor and was proved to have genetically confirmed FMR1 premutation. Microscopically, typical p62-postive intranuclear inclusions were present in all the regions examined. Neocortical regions demonstrated gliosis of layer I and mild degree of neuronal loss and atrophy across the other layers. The molecular, Purkinje's cell, and granule cell layers of the cerebellar folia demonstrated mild gliosis, and cerebellar white matter was mildly affected. Aside from p62-positive inclusions, the hippocampus was spared. Arteries in the deep white matter often showed changes consistent with moderate small vessel disease (SVD). Reactive gliosis and severe SVD were features of basal ganglia. Florid reactive astrocytosis was found in the white matter of all regions. Axonal loss and features of axonal damage were found in the white matter of the centrum semiovale. Microglial activation was widespread and evenly seen in both the white matter and grey matter, although the grey matter appeared more severely affected. Pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease was limited. Similarly, no abnormal accumulations of α-synuclein were present. We postulate that age at death and disease duration may play a role in the extent of the pathological features associated with FXTAS. The present results suggest that immunohistochemical staining for p62 can help with the diagnosis of cases with atypical phenotype. In addition, it is likely that the cognitive impairment observed was a result of white matter changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Robinson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Nin Bajaj
- Department of Neurology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - James Minshull
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Aiza Mahmood
- Neuropathology Unit, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Federico Roncaroli
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK.,Neuropathology Unit, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, UK
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8
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Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS): Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124391. [PMID: 32575683 PMCID: PMC7352421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder seen in older premutation (55-200 CGG repeats) carriers of FMR1. The premutation has excessive levels of FMR1 mRNA that lead to toxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical features usually begin in the 60 s with an action or intention tremor followed by cerebellar ataxia, although 20% have only ataxia. MRI features include brain atrophy and white matter disease, especially in the middle cerebellar peduncles, periventricular areas, and splenium of the corpus callosum. Neurocognitive problems include memory and executive function deficits, although 50% of males can develop dementia. Females can be less affected by FXTAS because of a second X chromosome that does not carry the premutation. Approximately 40% of males and 16% of female carriers develop FXTAS. Since the premutation can occur in less than 1 in 200 women and 1 in 400 men, the FXTAS diagnosis should be considered in patients that present with tremor, ataxia, parkinsonian symptoms, neuropathy, and psychiatric problems. If a family history of a fragile X mutation is known, then FMR1 DNA testing is essential in patients with these symptoms.
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9
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Loss of fragile X mental retardation protein precedes Lewy pathology in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:319-345. [PMID: 31768670 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02099-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the gradual appearance of α-synuclein (α-syn)-containing neuronal protein aggregates. Although the exact mechanism of α-syn-mediated cell death remains elusive, recent research suggests that α-syn-induced alterations in neuronal excitability contribute to cell death in PD. Because the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) controls the expression and function of numerous neuronal genes related to neuronal excitability and synaptic function, we here investigated the role of FMRP in α-syn-associated pathological changes in cell culture and mouse models of PD as well as in post-mortem human brain tissue from PD patients. We found FMRP to be decreased in cultured DA neurons and in the mouse brain in response to α-syn overexpression. FMRP was, furthermore, lost in the SNc of PD patients and in patients with early stages of incidental Lewy body disease (iLBD). Unlike fragile X syndrome (FXS), FMR1 expression in response to α-syn was regulated by a mechanism involving Protein Kinase C (PKC) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Reminiscent of FXS neurons, α-syn-overexpressing cells exhibited an increase in membrane N-type calcium channels, increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, eIF4E and S6, increased overall protein synthesis, and increased expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). FMRP affected neuronal function in a PD animal model, because FMRP-KO mice were resistant to the effect of α-syn on striatal dopamine release. In summary, our results thus reveal a new role of FMRP in PD and support the examination of FMRP-regulated genes in PD disease progression.
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10
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Nayar K, McKinney W, Hogan AL, Martin GE, La Valle C, Sharp K, Berry-Kravis E, Norton ES, Gordon PC, Losh M. Language processing skills linked to FMR1 variation: A study of gaze-language coordination during rapid automatized naming among women with the FMR1 premutation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219924. [PMID: 31348790 PMCID: PMC6660192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The FMR1 premutation (PM) is relatively common in the general population. Evidence suggests that PM carriers may exhibit subtle differences in specific cognitive and language abilities. This study examined potential mechanisms underlying such differences through the study of gaze and language coordination during a language processing task (rapid automatized naming; RAN) among female carriers of the FMR1 PM. RAN taps a complex set of underlying neuropsychological mechanisms, with breakdowns implicating processing disruptions in fundamental skills that support higher order language and executive functions, making RAN (and analysis of gaze/language coordination during RAN) a potentially powerful paradigm for revealing the phenotypic expression of the FMR1 PM. Forty-eight PM carriers and 56 controls completed RAN on an eye tracker, where they serially named arrays of numbers, letters, colors, and objects. Findings revealed a pattern of inefficient language processing in the PM group, including a greater number of eye fixations (namely, visual regressions) and reduced eye-voice span (i.e., the eyes' lead over the voice) relative to controls. Differences were driven by performance in the latter half of the RAN arrays, when working memory and processing load are the greatest, implicating executive skills. RAN deficits were associated with broader social-communicative difficulties among PM carriers, and with FMR1-related molecular genetic variation (higher CGG repeat length, lower activation ratio, and increased levels of the fragile X mental retardation protein; FMRP). Findings contribute to an understanding of the neurocognitive profile of PM carriers and indicate specific gene-behavior associations that implicate the role of the FMR1 gene in language-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Nayar
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Walker McKinney
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Abigail L. Hogan
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gary E. Martin
- St. John’s University, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Chelsea La Valle
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Psychology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin Sharp
- Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | - Elizabeth S. Norton
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Peter C. Gordon
- Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
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11
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Ma Y, Wei X, Pan H, Wang S, Wang X, Liu X, Zou L, Wang X, Wang X, Yang H, Wang F, Wang K, Sun L, Qiao X, Yang Y, Ma X, Liu D, Ding G, Ma J, Yang X, Zhu S, Qi Y, Yin C. The prevalence of CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 gene in the northern Chinese women of reproductive age. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2019; 20:81. [PMID: 31096929 PMCID: PMC6521407 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-019-0805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 gene varies among different populations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of this mutation in women of reproductive age from northern China. METHODS A total of 11,891 pre-conceptional or pregnant women, including 5037 pregnant women and 7357 women with the history of spontaneous abortion or induced abortion due to delayed growth of the embryos, were recruited. The number of CGG repeats in FMR1 was measured by the TRP-PCR method. We also offered genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to the women carrying pre-mutation or full mutation alleles. RESULTS The prevalence of pre-mutation in reproductive women in northern China was 1/410, higher than that in southern China and Korea but lower than that in western countries. We also found that the prevalence of pre-mutation was relatively high (1/320) in women with abortion history. CONCLUSION Screening for CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 should be recommended to the women with the history of spontaneous abortion or induced abortion due to delayed growth of the embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Ma
- Department of Central Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Beijing Huanuo Aomei Gene Biotech Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Songtao Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Liying Zou
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Xiaorong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Fengying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Kefang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Lifang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Xiaolin Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Chaoyang District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, 100025, China
| | - Xiuhua Ma
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People's Hospital of Beijing Daxing District, Beijing, 102600, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Changping Hospital, Beijing, 102200, China
| | - Guifeng Ding
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Xinjiang Urumqi City Maternal and Child Care Health Hospital, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Junqi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China
| | - Xiuli Yang
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Sainan Zhu
- Department of Statistics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
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12
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A Species-Correlated Transitional Residue D132 on Human FMRP Plays a Role in Nuclear Localization via an RNA-Dependent Interaction With PABP1. Neuroscience 2019; 404:282-296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Lee AW, Ventola P, Budimirovic D, Berry-Kravis E, Visootsak J. Clinical Development of Targeted Fragile X Syndrome Treatments: An Industry Perspective. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E214. [PMID: 30563047 PMCID: PMC6315847 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8120214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading known cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. It is caused by a mutation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, resulting in a deficit of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The clinical presentation of FXS is variable, and is typically associated with developmental delays, intellectual disability, a wide range of behavioral issues, and certain identifying physical features. Over the past 25 years, researchers have worked to understand the complex relationship between FMRP deficiency and the symptoms of FXS and, in the process, have identified several potential targeted therapeutics, some of which have been tested in clinical trials. Whereas most of the basic research to date has been led by experts at academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry is becoming increasingly involved with not only the scientific community, but also with patient advocacy organizations, as more promising pharmacological agents are moving into the clinical stages of development. The objective of this review is to provide an industry perspective on the ongoing development of mechanism-based treatments for FXS, including identification of challenges and recommendations for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna W Lee
- Ovid Therapeutics Inc., New York, NY 10036, USA.
| | - Pamela Ventola
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Dejan Budimirovic
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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14
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Chen YW, Satange R, Wu PC, Jhan CR, Chang CK, Chung KR, Waring MJ, Lin SW, Hsieh LC, Hou MH. Co II(Chromomycin)₂ Complex Induces a Conformational Change of CCG Repeats from i-Motif to Base-Extruded DNA Duplex. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092796. [PMID: 30227633 PMCID: PMC6164834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We have reported the propensity of a DNA sequence containing CCG repeats to form a stable i-motif tetraplex structure in the absence of ligands. Here we show that an i-motif DNA sequence may transition to a base-extruded duplex structure with a GGCC tetranucleotide tract when bound to the (CoII)-mediated dimer of chromomycin A3, CoII(Chro)₂. Biophysical experiments reveal that CCG trinucleotide repeats provide favorable binding sites for CoII(Chro)₂. In addition, water hydration and divalent metal ion (CoII) interactions also play a crucial role in the stabilization of CCG trinucleotide repeats (TNRs). Our data furnish useful structural information for the design of novel therapeutic strategies to treat neurological diseases caused by repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wen Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Roshan Satange
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Pei-Ching Wu
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Cyong-Ru Jhan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Ke Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
| | - Kuang-Ren Chung
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Michael J Waring
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
| | - Sheng-Wei Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Ching Hsieh
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
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15
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Zerbi V, Ielacqua GD, Markicevic M, Haberl MG, Ellisman MH, A-Bhaskaran A, Frick A, Rudin M, Wenderoth N. Dysfunctional Autism Risk Genes Cause Circuit-Specific Connectivity Deficits With Distinct Developmental Trajectories. Cereb Cortex 2018; 28:2495-2506. [PMID: 29901787 PMCID: PMC5998961 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of complex neurodevelopmental disorders for which there is currently no targeted therapeutic approach. It is thought that alterations of genes regulating migration and synapse formation during development affect neural circuit formation and result in aberrant connectivity within distinct circuits that underlie abnormal behaviors. However, it is unknown whether deviant developmental trajectories are circuit-specific for a given autism risk-gene. We used MRI to probe changes in functional and structural connectivity from childhood to adulthood in Fragile-X (Fmr1-/y) and contactin-associated (CNTNAP2-/-) knockout mice. Young Fmr1-/y mice (30 days postnatal) presented with a robust hypoconnectivity phenotype in corticocortico and corticostriatal circuits in areas associated with sensory information processing, which was maintained until adulthood. Conversely, only small differences in hippocampal and striatal areas were present during early postnatal development in CNTNAP2-/- mice, while major connectivity deficits in prefrontal and limbic pathways developed between adolescence and adulthood. These findings are supported by viral tracing and electron micrograph approaches and define 2 clearly distinct connectivity endophenotypes within the autism spectrum. We conclude that the genetic background of ASD strongly influences which circuits are most affected, the nature of the phenotype, and the developmental time course of the associated changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna D Ielacqua
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Georg Haberl
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark H Ellisman
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arjun A-Bhaskaran
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, U1215, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andreas Frick
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, U1215, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
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