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de Carvalho AFL, Alves ES, Pitanga PML, Ribeiro EM, Doriqui MJR, Toralles MBP, Topázio BA, dos Santos JF, de Lima RLLF, Kulikowski LD, Acosta AX. Identifying Genetic Etiology in Patients with Intellectual Disability: An Experience in Public Health Services in Northeastern Brazil. J Pediatr Genet 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIntellectual disability (ID) is considered a common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects up to 3% of the population. The etiologic origin of ID may be genetic, environmental, and multifactorial. Chromosomopathies are relatively common among the genetic causes of ID, especially in the most severe cases and those associated with dysmorphic features. Currently, the application of new molecular cytogenetics technologies has increasingly allowed the identification of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalanced translocations as causes of ID. The objective of this study was to investigate the etiology of ID in patients admitted to a public hospital in Northeastern Brazil. In total, 119 patients with ID who had normal karyotypes and fragile X exams participated in this study. The patients were initially physically examined for microdeletion syndromes and then tested using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), according to clinical suspicion. Patients with no diagnoses after FISH, MLPA, and/or MS-PCR evaluations were subsequently tested by CMA. The rate of etiologic diagnoses of ID in the current study was 28%. FISH diagnosed 25 out of 79 tested (31%), MLPA diagnosed 26 out of 79 tested (32%), MS-PCR diagnosed 7 out of 20 tested (35%), and the single nucleotide polymorphism array diagnosed 6 out of 27 tested (22%). Although the CMA is the most complete and recommended tool for the diagnosis of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalance translocations in patients with ID, FISH, MLPA, and MS-PCR testing can be used as the first tests for specific syndromes, as long as the patients are first physically screened clinically, especially in the public health networks system in Brazil, where resources are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esmeralda Santos Alves
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Mutagenesis, Institute of Biology, Federal University Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Paula Monique Leite Pitanga
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Mutagenesis, Institute of Biology, Federal University Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Erlane Marques Ribeiro
- Faculty of Medicine Estacio of Juazeiro Norte, Estacio-FMJ, Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Betânia Pereira Toralles
- Medical School of Medicine, Medical Genetic Service – Edgard Santos Teaching Hospital/Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Bianca Arcaro Topázio
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Mutagenesis, Institute of Biology, Federal University Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Fernandes dos Santos
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Mutagenesis, Institute of Biology, Federal University Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Angelina Xavier Acosta
- Medical School of Medicine, Medical Genetic Service – Edgard Santos Teaching Hospital/Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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2
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Luperchio TR, Kozel BA. Extending the spectrum in aortopathy: stenosis to aneurysm. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 76:101962. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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3
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Meisner OC, Nair A, Chang SWC. Amygdala connectivity and implications for social cognition and disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 187:381-403. [PMID: 35964984 PMCID: PMC9436700 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823493-8.00017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala is a hub of subcortical region that is crucial in a wide array of affective and motivation-related behaviors. While early research contributed significantly to our understanding of this region's extensive connections to other subcortical and cortical regions, recent methodological advances have enabled researchers to better understand the details of these circuits and their behavioral contributions. Much of this work has focused specifically on investigating the role of amygdala circuits in social cognition. In this chapter, we review both long-standing knowledge and novel research on the amygdala's structure, function, and involvement in social cognition. We focus specifically on the amygdala's circuits with the medial prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the hippocampus, as these regions share extensive anatomic and functional connections with the amygdala. Furthermore, we discuss how dysfunction in the amygdala may contribute to social deficits in clinical disorders including autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder, and Williams syndrome. We conclude that social functions mediated by the amygdala are orchestrated through multiple intricate interactions between the amygdala and its interconnected brain regions, endorsing the importance of understanding the amygdala from network perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C Meisner
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Amrita Nair
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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4
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Çalışkan E, Şahin MN, Güldağ MA. Oxytocin and Oxytocin Receptor Gene Regulation in Williams Syndrome: A Systematic Review. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 94:623-635. [PMID: 34970101 PMCID: PMC8686774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic multisystem disorder that occurs because of a deletion of approximately 25 genes in the 7q11.23 chromosome region. This causes dysmorphic facial appearances, multiple congenital cardiovascular defects, delayed motor skills, and abnormalities in connective tissues and the endocrine system. The patients are mostly diagnosed with mild to moderate mental retardation, however, they have a hyper sociable, socially dis-inhibited, and outgoing personality, empathetic behavior, and are highly talkative. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide synthesized at the hypothalamus, plays an important role in cognition and behavior, and is thought to be affecting WS patients' attitudes at its different amounts. Oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), on chromosome 3p25.3, is considered regulating oxytocin receptors, via which OT exerts its effect. WS is a crucial disorder to understand gene, hormone, brain, and behavior associations in terms of sociality and neuropsychiatric conditions. Alterations to the WS gene region offer an opportunity to deepen our understandings of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or depression. We aim to systematically present the data available of OT/OXTR regulation and expression, and the evidence for whether these mechanisms are dysregulated in WS. These results are important, as they predict strong epigenetic control over social behavior by methylation, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and other alterations. The comparison and collaboration of these studies may help to establish a better treatment or management approach for patients with WS if backed up with future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Çalışkan
- Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne,
Turkey,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
Elif Çalışkan, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey;
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5
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Popescu R, Grămescu M, Caba L, Pânzaru MC, Butnariu L, Braha E, Popa S, Rusu C, Cardos G, Zeleniuc M, Martiniuc V, Gug C, Păduraru L, Stamatin M, Diaconu CC, Gorduza EV. A Case of Inherited t(4;10)(q26;q26.2) Chromosomal Translocation Elucidated by Multiple Chromosomal and Molecular Analyses. Case Report and Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121957. [PMID: 34946906 PMCID: PMC8701147 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a complex chromosomal anomaly identified using cytogenetic and molecular methods. The child was diagnosed during the neonatal period with a multiple congenital anomalies syndrome characterized by: flattened occipital region; slight turricephaly; tall and broad forehead; hypertelorism; deep-set eyes; down slanting and short palpebral fissures; epicanthic folds; prominent nose with wide root and bulbous tip; microstomia; micro-retrognathia, large, short philtrum with prominent reliefs; low set, prominent ears; and congenital heart disease. The GTG banding karyotype showed a 46,XY,der(10)(10pter→10q26.2::4q26→4qter) chromosomal formula and his mother presented an apparently balanced reciprocal translocation: 46,XX,t(4;10)(q26;q26.2). The chromosomal anomalies of the child were confirmed by MLPA, and supplementary investigation discovered a quadruplication of the 4q35.2 region. The mother has a triplication of the same chromosomal fragment (4q35.2). Using array-CGH, we described the anomalies completely. Thus, the boy has a 71,057 kb triplication of the 4q26-q35.2 region, a 562 kb microdeletion in the 10q26.3 region, and a 795 kb quadruplication of the 4q35.2 region, while the mother presents a 795 kb triplication of the 4q35.2 region. Analyzing these data, we consider that the boy's phenotype is influenced only by the 4q partial trisomy. We compare our case with similar cases, and we review the literature data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Popescu
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Mihaela Grămescu
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Lavinia Caba
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Monica-Cristina Pânzaru
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Lăcrămioara Butnariu
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Elena Braha
- “C. I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, 34-35 Aviatorilor Avenue, 011853 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Setalia Popa
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Cristina Rusu
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
| | - Georgeta Cardos
- Personal Genetics Laboratory Bucharest, 4 Strada Frumoasa Street, 010987 Bucharest, Romania; (G.C.); (M.Z.)
| | - Monica Zeleniuc
- Personal Genetics Laboratory Bucharest, 4 Strada Frumoasa Street, 010987 Bucharest, Romania; (G.C.); (M.Z.)
- Medical Genetics Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Avenue, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Violeta Martiniuc
- Medical Genetics Department, “Cuza-Vodă” Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, 34 Cuza Voda Street, 700038 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Cristina Gug
- Microscopic Morphology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Piata Eftimie Murgu, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Luminiţa Păduraru
- Neonatology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Stamatin
- Neonatology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Carmen C. Diaconu
- Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 285 Mihai Bravu, 030304 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Eusebiu Vlad Gorduza
- Medical Genetics Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.P.); (M.G.); (M.-C.P.); (L.B.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (E.V.G.)
- Medical Genetics Department, “Cuza-Vodă” Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, 34 Cuza Voda Street, 700038 Iasi, Romania;
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6
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Ha E, Bae SC, Kim K. Recent advances in understanding the genetic basis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 44:29-46. [PMID: 34731289 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00900-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a polygenic chronic autoimmune disease leading to multiple organ damage. A large heritability of up to 66% is estimated in SLE, with roughly 180 reported susceptibility loci that have been identified mostly by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and account for approximately 30% of genetic heritability. A vast majority of risk variants reside in non-coding regions, which makes it quite challenging to interpret their functional implications in the SLE-affected immune system, suggesting the importance of understanding cell type-specific epigenetic regulation around SLE GWAS variants. The latest genetic studies have been highly fruitful as several dozens of SLE loci were newly discovered in the last few years and many loci have come to be understood in systemic approaches integrating GWAS signals with other biological resources. In this review, we summarize SLE-associated genetic variants in both the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and non-MHC loci, examining polygenetic risk scores for SLE and their associations with clinical features. Finally, variant-driven pathogenetic functions underlying genetic associations are described, coupled with discussion about challenges and future directions in genetic studies on SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Ha
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Cheol Bae
- Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Hanyang University Institute for Rheumatology Research, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kwangwoo Kim
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Mostovoy Y, Yilmaz F, Chow SK, Chu C, Lin C, Geiger EA, Meeks NJL, Chatfield KC, Coughlin CR, Surti U, Kwok PY, Shaikh TH. Genomic regions associated with microdeletion/microduplication syndromes exhibit extreme diversity of structural variation. Genetics 2021; 217:6066166. [PMID: 33724415 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Segmental duplications (SDs) are a class of long, repetitive DNA elements whose paralogs share a high level of sequence similarity with each other. SDs mediate chromosomal rearrangements that lead to structural variation in the general population as well as genomic disorders associated with multiple congenital anomalies, including the 7q11.23 (Williams-Beuren Syndrome, WBS), 15q13.3, and 16p12.2 microdeletion syndromes. Population-level characterization of SDs has generally been lacking because most techniques used for analyzing these complex regions are both labor and cost intensive. In this study, we have used a high-throughput technique to genotype complex structural variation with a single molecule, long-range optical mapping approach. We characterized SDs and identified novel structural variants (SVs) at 7q11.23, 15q13.3, and 16p12.2 using optical mapping data from 154 phenotypically normal individuals from 26 populations comprising five super-populations. We detected several novel SVs for each locus, some of which had significantly different prevalence between populations. Additionally, we localized the microdeletion breakpoints to specific paralogous duplicons located within complex SDs in two patients with WBS, one patient with 15q13.3, and one patient with 16p12.2 microdeletion syndromes. The population-level data presented here highlights the extreme diversity of large and complex SVs within SD-containing regions. The approach we outline will greatly facilitate the investigation of the role of inter-SD structural variation as a driver of chromosomal rearrangements and genomic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Mostovoy
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Feyza Yilmaz
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80204, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Stephen K Chow
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Catherine Chu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Chin Lin
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Geiger
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Naomi J L Meeks
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kathryn C Chatfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Curtis R Coughlin
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Urvashi Surti
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Pui-Yan Kwok
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Dermatology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tamim H Shaikh
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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8
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Toth M. The other side of the coin: Hypersociability. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12512. [PMID: 30101538 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Affiliative social motivation and behavior, that is, sociability that includes attachment, prosocial behavior (sharing, caring and helping) and empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others), has high variability in the human population, with a portion of people outside of the normal range. While psychiatric disorders and autism spectrum disorders are typically associated with a deficit in social behavior, the opposite trait of hypersociability and indiscriminate friendliness are exhibited by individual with specific neurodevelopmental disorders and following early adverse care. Here we discuss both genetic and environmental factors that cause or increase the risk for developing pathological hypersociability from human to rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklos Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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9
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Zhang L, Zhang X, You G, Yu Y, Fu Q. A novel dNTP-limited PCR and HRM assay to detect Williams-Beuren syndrome. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 481:171-176. [PMID: 29550276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by a microdeletion of chromosome arm 7q11.23. A rapid and inexpensive genotyping method to detect microdeletion on 7q11.23 needs to be developed for the diagnosis of WBS. This study describes the development of a new type of molecular diagnosis method to detect microdeletion on 7q11.23 based upon high-resolution melting (HRM). METHODS Four genes on 7q11.23 were selected as the target genes for the deletion genotyping. dNTP-limited duplex PCR was used to amplify the reference gene, CFTR, and one of the four genes respectively on 7q11.23. An HRM assay was performed on the PCR products, and the height ratio of the negative derivative peaks between the target gene and reference gene was employed to analyze the copy number variation of the target region. RESULTS A new genotyping method for detecting 7q11.23 deletion was developed based upon dNTP-limited PCR and HRM, which cost only 96 min. Samples from 15 WBS patients and 12 healthy individuals were genotyped by this method in a blinded fashion, and the sensitivity and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 0.80-1, and 95% CI, 0.75-1, respectively) which was proved by CytoScan HD array. SIGNIFICANCE The HRM assay we developed is an rapid, inexpensive, and highly accurate method for genotyping 7q11.23 deletion. It is potentially useful in the clinical diagnosis of WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Guoling You
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China
| | - Yongguo Yu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qihua Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, PR China.
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10
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Alfieri P, Menghini D, Marotta L, De Peppo L, Ravà L, Salvaguardia F, Varuzza C, Vicari S. A comparison between linguistic skills and socio-communicative abilities in Williams syndrome. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2017; 61:866-876. [PMID: 28745018 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) show a disharmonic linguistic profile with a clear pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Despite their sociable nature, atypical socio-communicative abilities and deficits in communication and relationship with others have been found. AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate whether linguistic skills (LS) were in line with the pragmatic and social use of language and the cognitive development of 32 individuals with WS (18 boys and 14 girls) with a mean chronological age of 12.3 (±4.4) years. To examine the relationship between language and mental age (MA) at different ages, the issue was investigated in children and adolescents/young adults with WS. METHOD Measures of LS, including lexical and morphosyntactic competences, and adaptive socio-communicative abilities (ASCA), pertaining to the use of language in daily living social context, were compared with the MA of participants. In a second step, participants with WS were split into two subgroups based on age, and the relationship between LS, ASCA and MA was studied. RESULTS Although expressive and receptive LS were generally found to be in line with or better than would be expected for MA, specific deficits in receptive ASCA were documented. LS and ASCA appeared to have a different evolution during the different time windows considered. CONCLUSIONS Our results underlined the importance of assessing linguistic abilities in the context of adaptive functioning, to guide educational and rehabilitative strategies for individuals with WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Alfieri
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - D Menghini
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Marotta
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L De Peppo
- Psychology Department, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, Rome, Italy
| | - L Ravà
- Epidemiology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Salvaguardia
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Varuzza
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S Vicari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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11
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Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of LIM Domain Kinase for Inhibiting HIV-1. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.02418-16. [PMID: 28381571 PMCID: PMC5469273 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02418-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A dynamic actin cytoskeleton is necessary for viral entry, intracellular migration, and virion release. For HIV-1 infection, during entry, the virus triggers early actin activity by hijacking chemokine coreceptor signaling, which activates a host dependency factor, cofilin, and its kinase, the LIM domain kinase (LIMK). Although knockdown of human LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) inhibits HIV infection, no specific small-molecule inhibitor of LIMK has been available. Here, we describe the design and discovery of novel classes of small-molecule inhibitors of LIMK for inhibiting HIV infection. We identified R10015 as a lead compound that blocks LIMK activity by binding to the ATP-binding pocket. R10015 specifically blocks viral DNA synthesis, nuclear migration, and virion release. In addition, R10015 inhibits multiple viruses, including Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), suggesting that LIMK inhibitors could be developed as a new class of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. IMPORTANCE The actin cytoskeleton is a structure that gives the cell shape and the ability to migrate. Viruses frequently rely on actin dynamics for entry and intracellular migration. In cells, actin dynamics are regulated by kinases, such as the LIM domain kinase (LIMK), which regulates actin activity through phosphorylation of cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing factor. Recent studies have found that LIMK/cofilin are targeted by viruses such as HIV-1 for propelling viral intracellular migration. Although inhibiting LIMK1 expression blocks HIV-1 infection, no highly specific LIMK inhibitor is available. This study describes the design, medicinal synthesis, and discovery of small-molecule LIMK inhibitors for blocking HIV-1 and several other viruses and emphasizes the feasibility of developing LIMK inhibitors as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
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12
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Zhao J, Ma J, Deng Y, Kelly JA, Kim K, Bang SY, Lee HS, Li QZ, Wakeland EK, Qiu R, Liu M, Guo J, Li Z, Tan W, Rasmussen A, Lessard CJ, Sivils KL, Hahn BH, Grossman JM, Kamen DL, Gilkeson GS, Bae SC, Gaffney PM, Shen N, Tsao BP. A missense variant in NCF1 is associated with susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases. Nat Genet 2017; 49:433-437. [PMID: 28135245 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component characterized by autoantibody production and a type I interferon signature. Here we report a missense variant (g.74779296G>A; p.Arg90His) in NCF1, encoding the p47phox subunit of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2), as the putative underlying causal variant that drives a strong SLE-associated signal detected by the Immunochip in the GTF2IRD1-GTF2I region at 7q11.23 with a complex genomic structure. We show that the p.Arg90His substitution, which is reported to cause reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, predisposes to SLE (odds ratio (OR) = 3.47 in Asians (Pmeta = 3.1 × 10-104), OR = 2.61 in European Americans, OR = 2.02 in African Americans) and other autoimmune diseases, including primary Sjögren's syndrome (OR = 2.45 in Chinese, OR = 2.35 in European Americans) and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.65 in Koreans). Additionally, decreased and increased copy numbers of NCF1 predispose to and protect against SLE, respectively. Our data highlight the pathogenic role of reduced NOX2-derived ROS levels in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jianyang Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Deng
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A Kelly
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kwangwoo Kim
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Young Bang
- Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Soon Lee
- Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Quan-Zhen Li
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Edward K Wakeland
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rong Qiu
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
| | - Mengru Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Guo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanguo Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Astrid Rasmussen
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Christopher J Lessard
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kathy L Sivils
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Bevra H Hahn
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer M Grossman
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Diane L Kamen
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gary S Gilkeson
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sang-Cheol Bae
- Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Patrick M Gaffney
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Nan Shen
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Betty P Tsao
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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13
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Kirchner RM, Martens MA, Andridge RR. Adaptive Behavior and Development of Infants and Toddlers with Williams Syndrome. Front Psychol 2016; 7:598. [PMID: 27199832 PMCID: PMC4848290 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes deficits in adaptive behavior, difficulties eating and sleeping, cognitive delays, and delayed development. Although researchers have conducted characterizations of children and adults with WS, less is known about young children with this disorder. This study characterizes the developmental and adaptive behavior features of 16 infants and toddlers with WS aged 3 months – 5 years. Data for this project was obtained from 2007 to 2014, and includes parent report data and standardized developmental testing. Thirty-one percent (31.3%) of parents reported that their infant/toddler with WS had sleeping problems and 58.3% reported feeding difficulties. Levels of adaptive behavior were in the Mildly Delayed range as measured by the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition. Self-care skills such as feeding or dressing oneself were significantly weaker than skills needed to function in the community, such as recognizing his/her home or throwing away trash. The difficulty with self-care skills is hypothesized to be related to the reported difficulties with eating and sleeping. Motor skills were significantly lower than both cognitive and language skills on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. The current study highlights the need for early intervention in these young children across all areas of development, particularly in self-care skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Kirchner
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, ColumbusOH, USA; Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, ColumbusOH, USA
| | - Marilee A Martens
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University at Newark, NewarkOH, USA; Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, ColumbusOH, USA
| | - Rebecca R Andridge
- Department of Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH, USA
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Dutra RL, Piazzon FB, Zanardo ÉA, Costa TVMM, Montenegro MM, Novo-Filho GM, Dias AT, Nascimento AM, Kim CA, Kulikowski LD. Rare genomic rearrangement in a boy with Williams-Beuren syndrome associated to XYY syndrome and intriguing behavior. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167A:3197-203. [PMID: 26420477 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by a hemizygous contiguous gene microdeletion of 1.55-1.84 Mb at 7q11.23 region. Approximately, 28 genes have been shown to contribute to classical phenotype of SWB with presence of dysmorphic facial features, supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), intellectual disability, and overfriendliness. With the use of Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization and other molecular cytogenetic techniques, is possible define with more accuracy partial or atypical deletion and refine the genotype-phenotype correlation. Here, we report on a rare genomic structural rearrangement in a boy with atypical deletion in 7q11.23 and XYY syndrome with characteristic clinical signs, but not sufficient for the diagnosis of WBS. Cytogenetic analysis of G-banding showed a karyotype 47,XYY. Analysis of DNA with the technique of MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification) using kits a combination of kits (P064, P036, P070, and P029) identified an atypical deletion on 7q11.23. In addition, high resolution SNP Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis (SNP-array) confirmed the alterations found by MLPA and revealed others pathogenic CNVs, in the chromosomes 7 and X. The present report demonstrates an association not yet described in literature, between Williams-Beuren syndrome and 47,XYY. The identification of atypical deletion in 7q11.23 concomitant to additional pathogenic CNVs in others genomic regions allows a better comprehension of clinical consequences of atypical genomic rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta L Dutra
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia B Piazzon
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Évelin A Zanardo
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marília M Montenegro
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gil M Novo-Filho
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre T Dias
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amom M Nascimento
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chong Ae Kim
- Genetics Unit, Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leslie D Kulikowski
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenomics Lab - LIM03, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Collective Health - Human Reproduction and Genetics Center, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Lanfranchi S, De Mori L, Mammarella IC, Carretti B, Vianello R. Spatial-sequential and spatial-simultaneous working memory in individuals with Williams syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2015; 120:193-202. [PMID: 25928432 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-120.3.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare visuospatial working memory performance in 18 individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) and 18 typically developing (TD) children matched for nonverbal mental age. Two aspects were considered: task presentation format (i.e., spatial-sequential or spatial-simultaneous), and level of attentional control (i.e., passive or active tasks). Our results showed that individuals with WS performed less well than TD children in passive spatial-simultaneous tasks, but not in passive spatial-sequential tasks. The former's performance was also worse in both active tasks. These findings suggest an impairment in the spatial-simultaneous working memory of individuals with WS, together with a more generalized difficulty in tasks requiring information storage and concurrent processing, as seen in other etiologies of intellectual disability.
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16
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Carretti B, Lanfranchi S, De Mori L, Mammarella IC, Vianello R. Exploring spatial working memory performance in individuals with Williams syndrome: the effect of presentation format and configuration. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2015; 37:37-44. [PMID: 25460218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with an impaired capacity for visuospatial representation. Individuals with WS have a specific weakness in spatial processing, while visual components are relatively well preserved. This dissociation is apparent in working memory function too. The present study aimed to further investigate spatial working memory performance in individuals with WS, analyzing whether their impaired WM performance regards both simultaneous and sequential spatial formats, and whether presenting configurations differently might reduce their difficulties. These issues were examined by administering simultaneous and sequential spatial tasks, in which the information to be recalled was presented in random or arranged configurations. Our results showed that individuals with WS performed less well than typically developing (TD) children in the spatial-simultaneous task, but not in the spatial-sequential one. The presence of a pattern enhanced the performance of both groups, but the difference between the two groups' performance in the spatial simultaneous task remained, albeit to a lesser degree.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Lanfranchi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Itlay
| | - Letizia De Mori
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Itlay
| | - Irene C Mammarella
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Itlay
| | - Renzo Vianello
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Itlay
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17
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Dunning BA, Martens MA, Jungers MK. Music lessons are associated with increased verbal memory in individuals with Williams syndrome. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2015; 36C:565-578. [PMID: 25462517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual delay and an affinity for music. It has been previously shown that familiar music can enhance verbal memory in individuals with WS who have had music training. There is also evidence that unfamiliar, or novel, music may also improve cognitive recall. This study was designed to examine if a novel melody could also enhance verbal memory in individuals with WS, and to more fully characterize music training in this population. We presented spoken or sung sentences that described an animal and its group name to 44 individuals with WS, and then tested their immediate and delayed memory using both recall and multiple choice formats. Those with formal music training (average duration of training 4½ years) scored significantly higher on both the spoken and sung recall items, as well as on the spoken multiple choice items, than those with no music training. Music therapy, music enjoyment, age, and Verbal IQ did not impact performance on the memory tasks. These findings provide further evidence that formal music lessons may impact the neurological pathways associated with verbal memory in individuals with WS, consistent with findings in typically developing individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A Dunning
- The Ohio State University at Newark, 1179 University Dr., Newark, OH 43055, USA.
| | - Marilee A Martens
- The Ohio State University at Newark, 1179 University Dr., Newark, OH 43055, USA; Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Dr., Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Melissa K Jungers
- The Ohio State University at Newark, 1179 University Dr., Newark, OH 43055, USA.
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18
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Segura-Puimedon M, Sahún I, Velot E, Dubus P, Borralleras C, Rodrigues AJ, Valero MC, Valverde O, Sousa N, Herault Y, Dierssen M, Pérez-Jurado LA, Campuzano V. Heterozygous deletion of the Williams-Beuren syndrome critical interval in mice recapitulates most features of the human disorder. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:6481-94. [PMID: 25027326 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome is a developmental multisystemic disorder caused by a recurrent 1.55-1.83 Mb heterozygous deletion on human chromosome band 7q11.23. Through chromosomal engineering with the cre-loxP system, we have generated mice with an almost complete deletion (CD) of the conserved syntenic region on chromosome 5G2. Heterozygous CD mice were viable, fertile and had a normal lifespan, while homozygotes were early embryonic lethal. Transcript levels of most deleted genes were reduced 50% in several tissues, consistent with gene dosage. Heterozygous mutant mice showed postnatal growth delay with reduced body weight and craniofacial abnormalities such as small mandible. The cardiovascular phenotype was only manifested with borderline hypertension, mildly increased arterial wall thickness and cardiac hypertrophy. The neurobehavioral phenotype revealed impairments in motor coordination, increased startle response to acoustic stimuli and hypersociability. Mutant mice showed a general reduction in brain weight. Cellular and histological abnormalities were present in the amygdala, cortex and hippocampus, including increased proportion of immature neurons. In summary, these mice recapitulate most crucial phenotypes of the human disorder, provide novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease such as the neural substrates of the behavioral manifestations, and will be valuable to evaluate novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Segura-Puimedon
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - Ignasi Sahún
- Laboratory Animal Applied Research Platform (PRAAL), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Emilie Velot
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Department of Translational Medicine and Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR7104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS, PHENOMIN, GIE CERBM, Illkirch CEDEX 67404, France
| | - Pierre Dubus
- EA2406, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cristina Borralleras
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain, Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar D'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Ana J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - María C Valero
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, IL 61801, USA and
| | - Olga Valverde
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain, Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar D'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Yann Herault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Department of Translational Medicine and Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR7104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS, PHENOMIN, GIE CERBM, Illkirch CEDEX 67404, France
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain, Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar D'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain, Centre de Regulació Genòmica (CRG), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Luis A Pérez-Jurado
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain, Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar D'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain, Neurosciences Program, Institut Hospital del Mar D'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain,
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19
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Damasceno ML, Cristante AF, Marcon RM, Barros Filho TEPD. Prevalence of scoliosis in Williams-Beuren syndrome patients treated at a regional reference center. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2014; 69:452-6. [PMID: 25029575 PMCID: PMC4081883 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2014(07)02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the prevalence of scoliosis and the patterns of scoliotic curves in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Williams-Beuren syndrome is caused by a chromosome 7q11.23 deletion in a region containing 28 genes, with the gene encoding elastin situated approximately at the midpoint of the deletion. Mutation of the elastin gene leads to phenotypic changes in patients, including neurodevelopmental impairment of varying degrees, characteristic facies, cardiovascular abnormalities, hypercalcemia, urological dysfunctions, and bone and joint dysfunctions. METHODS A total of 41 patients diagnosed with Williams-Beuren syndrome, who were followed up at the genetics ambulatory center of a large referral hospital, were included in the study. There were 25 male subjects. The patients were examined and submitted to radiographic investigation for Cobb angle calculation. RESULTS It was observed that 14 patients had scoliosis; of these 14 patients, 10 were male. The pattern of deformity in younger patients was that of flexible and simple curves, although adults presented with double and triple curves. Statistical analysis showed no relationships between scoliosis and age or sex. CONCLUSION This study revealed a prevalence of scoliosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome of 34.1%; however, age and sex were not significantly associated with scoliosis or with the severity of the curves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Loquette Damasceno
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Spine Surgery Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Fogaça Cristante
- Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Spine Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Raphael Martus Marcon
- Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Spine Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa de Barros Filho
- Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Disciplina de Ortopedia Geral, Grupo de Oncologia Ortopédica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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20
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Spear M, Guo J, Wu Y. Novel anti-HIV therapeutics targeting chemokine receptors and actin regulatory pathways. Immunol Rev 2014; 256:300-12. [PMID: 24117829 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infects helper CD4(+) T cells, and causes CD4(+) T-cell depletion and immunodeficiency. In the past 30 years, significant progress has been made in antiretroviral therapy, and the disease has become manageable. Nevertheless, an effective vaccine is still nowhere in sight, and a cure or a functional cure awaits discovery. Among possible curative therapies, traditional antiretroviral therapy, mostly targeting viral proteins, has been proven ineffective. It is possible that targeting HIV-dependent host cofactors may offer alternatives, both for preventing HIV transmission and for forestalling disease progression. Recently, the actin cytoskeleton and its regulators in blood CD4(+) T cells have emerged as major host cofactors that could be targeted. The novel concept that the cortical actin is a barrier to viral entry and early post-entry migration has led to the nascent model of virus-host interaction at the cortical actin layer. Deciphering the cellular regulatory pathways has manifested exciting prospects for future therapeutics. In this review, we describe the study of HIV interactions with actin cytoskeleton. We also examine potential pharmacological targets that emerge from this interaction. In addition, we briefly discuss several actin pathway-based anti-HIV drugs that are currently in development or testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Spear
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Microbiology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
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21
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Opfer JE, Martens MA. Learning without representational change: development of numerical estimation in individuals with Williams syndrome. Dev Sci 2013; 15:863-75. [PMID: 23106740 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2012.01187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Experience engenders learning, but not all learning involves representational change. In this paper, we provide a dramatic case study of the distinction between learning and representational change. Specifically, we examined long- and short-term changes in representations of numeric magnitudes by asking individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) and typically developing (TD) children to estimate the position of numbers on a number line. As with TD children, accuracy of WS children's numerical estimates improved with age (Experiment 1) and feedback (Experiment 2). Both long- and short-term changes in estimates of WS individuals, however, followed an atypical developmental trajectory: as TD children gained in age and experience, increases in accuracy were accompanied by a logarithmic-to-linear shift in estimates of numerical magnitudes, whereas in WS individuals, accuracy increased but logarithmic estimation patterns persisted well into adulthood and after extensive training. These findings suggest that development of numerical estimation in WS is both arrested and atypical.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Opfer
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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22
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Francke U. 2012 William Allan Award: Adventures in cytogenetics. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 92:325-37. [PMID: 23472754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Uta Francke
- Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Tordjman S, Anderson GM, Botbol M, Toutain A, Sarda P, Carlier M, Saugier-Veber P, Baumann C, Cohen D, Lagneaux C, Tabet AC, Verloes A. Autistic disorder in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome: a reconsideration of the Williams-Beuren syndrome phenotype. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30778. [PMID: 22412832 PMCID: PMC3295800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a rare developmental disorder caused by deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23, has been characterized by strengths in socialization (overfriendliness) and communication (excessive talkativeness). WBS has been often considered as the polar opposite behavioral phenotype to autism. Our objective was to better understand the range of phenotypic expression in WBS and the relationship between WBS and autistic disorder. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted on 9 French individuals aged from 4 to 37 years old with autistic disorder associated with WBS. Behavioral assessments were performed using Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scales. Molecular characterization of the WBS critical region was performed by FISH. FINDINGS FISH analysis indicated that all 9 patients displayed the common WBS deletion. All 9 patients met ADI-R and ADOS diagnostic criteria for autism, displaying stereotypies and severe impairments in social interaction and communication (including the absence of expressive language). Additionally, patients showed improvement in social communication over time. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that comorbid autism and WBS is more frequent than expected and suggest that the common WBS deletion can result in a continuum of social communication impairment, ranging from excessive talkativeness and overfriendliness to absence of verbal language and poor social relationships. Appreciation of the possible co-occurrence of WBS and autism challenges the common view that WBS represents the opposite behavioral phenotype of autism, and might lead to improved recognition of WBS in individuals diagnosed with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Tordjman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Guillaume Regnier Hospital, University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France.
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Campuzano V, Segura-Puimedon M, Terrado V, Sánchez-Rodríguez C, Coustets M, Menacho-Márquez M, Nevado J, Bustelo XR, Francke U, Pérez-Jurado LA. Reduction of NADPH-oxidase activity ameliorates the cardiovascular phenotype in a mouse model of Williams-Beuren Syndrome. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002458. [PMID: 22319452 PMCID: PMC3271062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark feature of Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a generalized arteriopathy due to elastin deficiency, presenting as stenoses of medium and large arteries and leading to hypertension and other cardiovascular complications. Deletion of a functional NCF1 gene copy has been shown to protect a proportion of WBS patients against hypertension, likely through reduced NADPH-oxidase (NOX)-mediated oxidative stress. DD mice, carrying a 0.67 Mb heterozygous deletion including the Eln gene, presented with a generalized arteriopathy, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy, associated with elevated angiotensin II (angII), oxidative stress parameters, and Ncf1 expression. Genetic (by crossing with Ncf1 mutant) and/or pharmacological (with ang II type 1 receptor blocker, losartan, or NOX inhibitor apocynin) reduction of NOX activity controlled hormonal and biochemical parameters in DD mice, resulting in normalized blood pressure and improved cardiovascular histology. We provide strong evidence for implication of the redox system in the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular disease in a mouse model of WBS. The phenotype of these mice can be ameliorated by either genetic or pharmacological intervention reducing NOX activity, likely through reduced angII-mediated oxidative stress. Therefore, anti-NOX therapy merits evaluation to prevent the potentially serious cardiovascular complications of WBS, as well as in other cardiovascular disorders mediated by similar pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Dutra RL, Honjo RS, Kulikowski LD, Fonseca FM, Pieri PC, Jehee FS, Bertola DR, Kim CA. Copy number variation in Williams-Beuren syndrome: suitable diagnostic strategy for developing countries. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:13. [PMID: 22226172 PMCID: PMC3285034 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS; OMIM 194050) is caused by a hemizygous contiguous gene microdeletion at 7q11.23. Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), mental retardation, and overfriendliness comprise typical symptoms of WBS. Although fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is considered the gold standard technique, the microsatellite DNA markers and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) could be used for to confirm the diagnosis of WBS. Results We have evaluated a total cohort of 88 patients with a suspicion clinical diagnosis of WBS using a collection of five markers (D7S1870, D7S489, D7S613, D7S2476, and D7S489_A) and a commercial MLPA kit (P029). The microdeletion was present in 64 (72.7%) patients and absent in 24 (27.3%) patients. The parental origin of deletion was maternal in 36 of 64 patients (56.3%) paternal in 28 of 64 patients (43.7%). The deletion size was 1.55 Mb in 57 of 64 patients (89.1%) and 1.84 Mb in 7 of 64 patients (10.9%). The results were concordant using both techniques, except for four patients whose microsatellite markers were uninformative. There were no clinical differences in relation to either the size or parental origin of the deletion. Conclusion MLPA was considered a faster and more economical method in a single assay, whereas the microsatellite markers could determine both the size and parental origin of the deletion in WBS. The microsatellite marker and MLPA techniques are effective in deletion detection in WBS, and both methods provide a useful diagnostic strategy mainly for developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta L Dutra
- Department of Genetics, Instituto da Criança, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Capossela S, Muzio L, Bertolo A, Bianchi V, Dati G, Chaabane L, Godi C, Politi LS, Biffo S, D'Adamo P, Mallamaci A, Pannese M. Growth defects and impaired cognitive-behavioral abilities in mice with knockout for Eif4h, a gene located in the mouse homolog of the Williams-Beuren syndrome critical region. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 180:1121-1135. [PMID: 22234171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis is a tightly regulated, energy-consuming process. The control of mRNA translation into protein is fundamentally important for the fine-tuning of gene expression; additionally, precise translational control plays a critical role in many cellular processes, including development, cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, memory, and learning. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4h (Eif4h) encodes a protein involved in the process of protein synthesis, at the level of initiation phase. Its human homolog, WBSCR1, maps on 7q11.23, inside the 1.6 Mb region that is commonly deleted in patients affected by the Williams-Beuren syndrome, which is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cardiovascular defects, cerebral dysplasias and a peculiar cognitive-behavioral profile. In this study, we generated knockout mice deficient in Eif4h. These mice displayed growth retardation with a significant reduction of body weight that began from the first week of postnatal development. Neuroanatomical profiling results generated by magnetic resonance imaging analysis revealed a smaller brain volume in null mice compared with controls as well as altered brain morphology, where anterior and posterior brain regions were differentially affected. The inactivation of Eif4h also led to a reduction in both the number and complexity of neurons. Behavioral studies revealed severe impairments of fear-related associative learning and memory formation. These alterations suggest that Eif4h might contribute to certain deficits associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capossela
- Gene Expression Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Muzio
- Neuroimmunology Unit - INSPE, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolo
- Gene Expression Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Bianchi
- Molecular Genetics of Mental Retardation Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Dulbecco Telethon Institute, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Dati
- INSPE, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Chaabane
- INSPE, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Godi
- Neuroradiology Research Group, Center for Imaging, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio S Politi
- Neuroradiology Research Group, Center for Imaging, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Biffo
- Molecular Histology and Cell Growth Unit, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Science of Environment and Life (DISAV), University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Adamo
- Molecular Genetics of Mental Retardation Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Dulbecco Telethon Institute, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Pannese
- Gene Expression Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Capitão L, Sampaio A, Sampaio C, Vasconcelos C, Férnandez M, Garayzábal E, Shenton ME, Gonçalves OF. MRI amygdala volume in Williams Syndrome. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2011; 32:2767-2772. [PMID: 21752593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
One of the most intriguing characteristics of Williams Syndrome individuals is their hypersociability. The amygdala has been consistently implicated in the etiology of this social profile, particularly given its role in emotional and social behavior. This study examined amygdala volume and symmetry in WS individuals and in age and sex matched controls. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on a GE 1.5-T magnet with 1.5-mm contiguous slices and were used to measure whole gray matter, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid volumes, as well as amygdala volume (right and left). Results revealed significantly reduced intracranial volume in individuals with WS, compared with controls. There were no differences between groups in absolute amygdalae volume, although there was a relative increase in amygdalae volumes, when adjusted for total intracranial content. There were no inter-hemispheric differences in amygdalae volumes in both groups. These results suggest a relative increase in amygdala volume in WS compared with healthy controls that likely reflects abnormal neurodevelopmental processes of midline brain structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Capitão
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Arlinghaus LR, Thornton-Wells TA, Dykens EM, Anderson AW. Alterations in diffusion properties of white matter in Williams syndrome. Magn Reson Imaging 2011; 29:1165-74. [PMID: 21907520 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2011.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to investigate the involvement of brain white matter in Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. Whole-brain DTIs were obtained from 16 young adults with WS and 16 normal controls. A voxel-based analysis was performed to compare fractional anisotropy (FA) values between the two groups. A tract-based analysis was also performed to compare FA values between the two groups along two major white matter tracts that pass through the external capsule: the uncinate and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi. Several regions of both increased and decreased FA were found within major white matter tracts that connect functional regions that have previously been implicated in the cognitive and neurological symptoms of the syndrome. The tract-based analysis provided additional insight into the involvement of specific white matter tracts implicated in the voxel-based analysis within the external capsule. The results from this study support previously reported changes in white matter diffusion properties in WS and demonstrate the potential usefulness for tract-based analysis in future studies of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori R Arlinghaus
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Keber R, Motaln H, Wagner KD, Debeljak N, Rassoulzadegan M, Ačimovič J, Rozman D, Horvat S. Mouse knockout of the cholesterogenic cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (Cyp51) resembles Antley-Bixler syndrome. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:29086-29097. [PMID: 21705796 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.253245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS) represents a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by skeletal, cardiac, and urogenital abnormalities that have frequently been associated with mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 or cytochrome P450 reductase genes. In some ABS patients, reduced activity of the cholesterogenic cytochrome P450 CYP51A1, an ortholog of the mouse CYP51, and accumulation of lanosterol and 24,25-dihydrolanosterol has been reported, but the role of CYP51A1 in the ABS etiology has remained obscure. To test whether Cyp51 could be involved in generating an ABS-like phenotype, a mouse knock-out model was developed that exhibited several prenatal ABS-like features leading to lethality at embryonic day 15. Cyp51(-/-) mice had no functional Cyp51 mRNA and no immunodetectable CYP51 protein. The two CYP51 enzyme substrates (lanosterol and 24,25-dihydrolanosterol) were markedly accumulated. Cholesterol precursors downstream of the CYP51 enzymatic step were not detected, indicating that the targeting in this study blocked de novo cholesterol synthesis. This was reflected in the up-regulation of 10 cholesterol synthesis genes, with the exception of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase. Lethality was ascribed to heart failure due to hypoplasia, ventricle septum, and epicardial and vasculogenesis defects, suggesting that Cyp51 deficiency was involved in heart development and coronary vessel formation. As the most likely downstream molecular mechanisms, alterations were identified in the sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid signaling pathways. Cyp51 knock-out mice provide evidence that Cyp51 is essential for embryogenesis and present a potential animal model for studying ABS syndrome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Keber
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kay D Wagner
- INSERM U907, Parc Valrose, Nice, France; Université de Nice, Sophia-Antipolis, Parc Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Nataša Debeljak
- Institute of Biochemistry, Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Université de Nice, Sophia-Antipolis, Parc Valrose, Nice, France; Centre de Biochimie, INSERM U636, Parc Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Jure Ačimovič
- Institute of Biochemistry, Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Institute of Biochemistry, Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia and.
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Capitão L, Sampaio A, Férnandez M, Sousa N, Pinheiro A, Gonçalves ÓF. Williams syndrome hypersociability: a neuropsychological study of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex hypotheses. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2011; 32:1169-1179. [PMID: 21320764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Williams syndrome display indiscriminate approach towards strangers. Neuroimaging studies conducted so far have linked this social profile to structural and/or functional abnormalities in WS amygdala and prefrontal cortex. In this study, the neuropsychological hypotheses of amygdala and prefrontal cortex involvement in WS hypersociability was explored using three behavioral tasks--facial emotional recognition task, a social approach task and a go no/go task. Thus, a group 15 individuals with Williams syndrome was compared to two groups of normal developing individuals--a group of 15 individuals matched for chronological age (CA) and 15 individuals matched for mental age (MA), and sex. Individuals with WS present a specific impairment in recognizing negative facial expressions and do not display impairments in response inhibition when compared with typically developing groups. Although these findings partially support the amygdala contribution to WS hypersociability, we found that general cognitive functioning predicted this performance. Additionally, individuals with WS did not differ from both CA and MA groups in the recognition of angry facial expressions, a finding suggesting that they are actually able to identify stimuli associated with social threat. Overall, the results seem to indicate that this social profile must be understood within a developmental framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Capitão
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Scallan S, Senior J, Reilly C. Williams Syndrome: Daily Challenges and Positive Impact on the Family. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2010.00575.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Dutra RL, Pieri PDC, Teixeira ACD, Honjo RS, Bertola DR, Kim CA. Detection of deletions at 7q11.23 in Williams-Beuren syndrome by polymorphic markers. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2011; 66:959-64. [PMID: 21808859 PMCID: PMC3129970 DOI: 10.1590/s1807-59322011000600007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS; OMIM 194050) is caused by a hemizygous contiguous gene microdeletion at 7q11.23. Supravalvular aortic stenosis, mental retardation, overfriendliness, and ocular and renal abnormalities comprise typical symptoms in WBS. Although fluorescence in situ hybridization is widely used for diagnostic confirmation, microsatellite DNA markers are considered highly informative and easily manageable. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to test the microsatellite markers for the diagnosis of Williams-Beuren syndrome, to determine the size and parental origin of microdeletion, compare the clinical characteristics between patients with different sizes of the deletion and parental origin. METHODS We studied 97 patients with clinical diagnosis of Williams-Beuren syndrome using five microsatellite markers: D7S1870, D7S489, D7S613, D7S2476 and D7S489_A. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Using five markers together, the result was informative in all patients. The most informative marker was D7S1870 (78.4%), followed by D7S613 (75.3%), D7S489 (70.1%) and D7S2476 (62.9%). The microdeletion was present in 84 (86.6%) patients and absent in 13 (13.4%) patients. Maternal deletions were found in 52.4% of patients and paternal deletions in 47.6% of patients. The observed size of deletions was 1.55 Mb in 76/ 84 patients (90.5%) and 1.84 Mb in 8/84 patients (9.5%). SVAS as well as ocular and urinary abnormalities were more frequent in the patients with a deletion. There were no clinical differences in relation to either the size or parental origin of the deletion. CONCLUSION Using these five selected microsatellite markers was informative in all patients, thus can be considered an alternative method for molecular diagnosis in Williams-Beuren syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lelis Dutra
- Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Theisen A, Shaffer LG. Disorders caused by chromosome abnormalities. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2010; 3:159-74. [PMID: 23776360 PMCID: PMC3681172 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s8884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Many human genetic disorders result from unbalanced chromosome abnormalities, in which there is a net gain or loss of genetic material. Such imbalances often disrupt large numbers of dosage-sensitive, developmentally important genes and result in specific and complex phenotypes. Alternately, some chromosomal syndromes may be caused by a deletion or duplication of a single gene with pleiotropic effects. Traditionally, chromosome abnormalities were identified by visual inspection of the chromosomes under a microscope. The use of molecular cytogenetic technologies, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and microarrays, has allowed for the identification of cryptic or submicroscopic imbalances, which are not visible under the light microscope. Microarrays have allowed for the identification of numerous new syndromes through a genotype-first approach in which patients with the same or overlapping genomic alterations are identified and then the phenotypes are described. Because many chromosomal alterations are large and encompass numerous genes, the ascertainment of individuals with overlapping deletions and varying clinical features may allow researchers to narrow the region in which to search for candidate genes.
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Molina O, Anton E, Vidal F, Blanco J. Sperm rates of 7q11.23, 15q11q13 and 22q11.2 deletions and duplications: a FISH approach. Hum Genet 2010; 129:35-44. [PMID: 20931230 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-010-0894-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genomic disorders are human diseases caused by meiotic chromosomal rearrangements of unstable regions flanked by Low Copy Repeats (LCRs). LCRs act as substrates for Non-Allelic Homologous Recombination (NAHR) leading to deletions and duplications. The aim of this study was to assess the basal frequency of deletions and duplications of the 7q11.23, 15q11-q13 and 22q11.2 regions in spermatozoa from control donors to check differences in the susceptibility to generate anomalies and to assess the contribution of intra- and inter-chromatid NAHR events. Semen samples from ten control donors were processed by FISH. A customized combination of probes was used to discriminate among normal, deleted and duplicated sperm genotypes. A minimum of 10,000 sperm were assessed per sample and region. There were no differences in the mean frequency of deletions and duplications (del + dup) among the 7q11.23, 15q11-q13 and 22q11.2 regions (frequency ± SEM, 0.37 ± 0.02; 0.46 ± 0.07 and 0.27 ± 0.07%, respectively) (P = 0.122). Nevertheless, hierarchical cluster analysis reveals interindividual differences suggesting that particular haplotypes could be the main source of variability in NAHR rates. The mean frequency of deletions was not different from the mean frequency of duplications in the 7q11.23 (P = 0.202) and 15q11-q13 (P = 0.609) regions, indicating a predominant inter-chromatid NAHR. By contrast, in the 22q11.2 region the frequency of deletions slightly exceed duplications (P = 0.032), although at the individual level any donor showed differences. Altogether, our results support the inter-chromatid NAHR as the predominant mechanism involved in the generation of sperm deletions and duplications.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Chromatids/genetics
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/genetics
- DNA Sequence, Unstable/genetics
- Gene Deletion
- Gene Duplication
- Haplotypes/genetics
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Recombination, Genetic
- Segmental Duplications, Genomic/genetics
- Spermatozoa
- Tissue Donors
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Molina
- Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
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Goergen CJ, Li HH, Francke U, Taylor CA. Induced chromosome deletion in a Williams-Beuren syndrome mouse model causes cardiovascular abnormalities. J Vasc Res 2010; 48:119-29. [PMID: 20926892 DOI: 10.1159/000316808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a genetic disorder caused by a heterozygous ~1.5-Mb deletion. The aim of this study was to determine how the genetic changes in a Wbs mouse model alter Eln expression, blood pressure, vessel structure, and abdominal aortic wall dynamics in vivo. METHODS Elastin (ELN) transcript levels were quantified by qRT-PCR and blood pressure was measured with a tail cuff system. M-mode ultrasound was used to track pulsatile abdominal aortic wall motion. Aortas were sectioned and stained to determine medial lamellar structure. RESULTS ELN transcript levels were reduced by 38-41% in Wbs mice lacking one copy of the ELN gene. These mice also had a 10-20% increase in mean blood pressure and significantly reduced circumferential cyclic strain (p < 0.001). Finally, histological sections showed disorganized and fragmented elastin sheets in Wbs mice, but not the characteristic increase in lamellar units seen in Eln(+/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS The deletion of Eln in this Wbs mouse model results in lower gene expression, hypertension, reduced cyclic strain, and fragmented elastin sheets. The observation that the number of medial lamellar units is normal in Wbs deletion mice, which is in contrast to Eln(+/-) mice, suggests other genes may be involved in vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J Goergen
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif., USA.
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Pober BR, Wang E, Caprio S, Petersen KF, Brandt C, Stanley T, Osborne LR, Dzuria J, Gulanski B. High prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in adults with Williams syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2010; 154C:291-8. [PMID: 20425788 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered to 28 adults with Williams syndrome (WS). Three quarters of the WS subjects showed abnormal glucose curves, meeting diagnostic criteria for either diabetes or the pre-diabetic state of impaired glucose tolerance. Fasting mean glucose and median insulin levels did not differ significantly in the total WS cohort versus age-gender-BMI matched controls, though the glucose area under the curve was greater in the WS subjects. HbA1c levels were not as reliable as the OGTT in diagnosing the presence of diabetes. Given the high prevalence of impaired glucose regulation, adults with WS should be screened for diabetes, and when present should be treated in accordance with standard medical practice. Hemizygosity for a gene mapping to the Williams syndrome chromosome region (WSCR) is likely the major factor responsible for the high frequency of diabetes in WS. Syntaxin-1A is a prime candidate gene based on its location in the WSCR, its role in insulin release, and the presence of abnormal glucose metabolism in mouse models with aberrantly expressed Stx-1a.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Pober
- Center for Human Genetics, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Rm 222, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Wengenroth M, Blatow M, Bendszus M, Schneider P. Leftward lateralization of auditory cortex underlies holistic sound perception in Williams syndrome. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12326. [PMID: 20808792 PMCID: PMC2925895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with the rare genetic disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome (WS) are known for their characteristic auditory phenotype including strong affinity to music and sounds. In this work we attempted to pinpoint a neural substrate for the characteristic musicality in WS individuals by studying the structure-function relationship of their auditory cortex. Since WS subjects had only minor musical training due to psychomotor constraints we hypothesized that any changes compared to the control group would reflect the contribution of genetic factors to auditory processing and musicality. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using psychoacoustics, magnetoencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging, we show that WS individuals exhibit extreme and almost exclusive holistic sound perception, which stands in marked contrast to the even distribution of this trait in the general population. Functionally, this was reflected by increased amplitudes of left auditory evoked fields. On the structural level, volume of the left auditory cortex was 2.2-fold increased in WS subjects as compared to control subjects. Equivalent volumes of the auditory cortex have been previously reported for professional musicians. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE There has been an ongoing debate in the neuroscience community as to whether increased gray matter of the auditory cortex in musicians is attributable to the amount of training or innate disposition. In this study musical education of WS subjects was negligible and control subjects were carefully matched for this parameter. Therefore our results not only unravel the neural substrate for this particular auditory phenotype, but in addition propose WS as a unique genetic model for training-independent auditory system properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Wengenroth
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Li HH, Roy M, Kuscuoglu U, Spencer CM, Halm B, Harrison KC, Bayle JH, Splendore A, Ding F, Meltzer LA, Wright E, Paylor R, Deisseroth K, Francke U. Induced chromosome deletions cause hypersociability and other features of Williams-Beuren syndrome in mice. EMBO Mol Med 2010; 1:50-65. [PMID: 20049703 PMCID: PMC3378107 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.200900003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome is caused by spontaneous approximately 1.5 Mb deletions comprising 25 genes on human chromosome 7q11.23. To functionally dissect the deletion and identify dosage-sensitive genes, we created two half-deletions of the conserved syntenic region on mouse chromosome 5G2. Proximal deletion (PD) mice lack Gtf2i to Limk1, distal deletion (DD) mice lack Limk1 to Fkbp6, and the double heterozygotes (D/P) model the complete human deletion. Gene transcript levels in brain are generally consistent with gene dosage. Increased sociability and acoustic startle response are associated with PD, and cognitive defects with DD. Both PD and D/P males are growth-retarded, while skulls are shortened and brains are smaller in DD and D/P. Lateral ventricle (LV) volumes are reduced, and neuronal cell density in the somatosensory cortex is increased, in PD and D/P. Motor skills are most impaired in D/P. Together, these partial deletion mice replicate crucial aspects of the human disorder and serve to identify genes and gene networks contributing to the neural substrates of complex behaviours and behavioural disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Hua Li
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Abstract
During the last quarter of the twentieth century, our knowledge about human genetic variation was limited mainly to the heterochromatin polymorphisms, large enough to be visible in the light microscope, and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by traditional PCR-based DNA sequencing. In the past five years, the rapid development and expanded use of microarray technologies, including oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization and SNP genotyping arrays, as well as next-generation sequencing with “paired-end” methods, has enabled a whole-genome analysis with essentially unlimited resolution. The discovery of submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) present in our genomes has changed dramatically our perspective on DNA structural variation and disease. It is now thought that CNVs encompass more total nucleotides and arise more frequently than SNPs. CNVs, to a larger extent than SNPs, have been shown to be responsible for human evolution, genetic diversity between individuals, and a rapidly increasing number of traits or susceptibility to traits; such conditions have been referred to as genomic disorders. In addition to well-known sporadic chromosomal microdeletion syndromes and Mendelian diseases, many common complex traits including autism and schizophrenia can result from CNVs. Both recombination- and replication-based mechanisms for CNV formation have been described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James R. Lupski
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, Texas 77030
- Departments of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Departments of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
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Stinton C, Elison S, Howlin P. Mental health problems in adults with Williams syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2010; 115:3-18. [PMID: 20025356 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-115.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 06/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although many researchers have investigated emotional and behavioral difficulties in individuals with Williams syndrome, few have used standardized diagnostic assessments. We examined mental health problems in 92 adults with Williams syndrome using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities-PAS-ADD (Moss, Goldberg, et al., 1996). Factors potentially associated with mental health problems were also explored. The PAS-ADD identified mental health problems in 24% of the sample. The most common were anxiety (16.5%) and specific phobias (12%). Other diagnoses included depression, agoraphobia, and social phobia. No association was found between the presence of mental health problems and either individual (e.g., age, IQ, language level) or external (life events) variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Stinton
- University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.
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de Smith AJ, Walters RG, Froguel P, Blakemore AI. Human genes involved in copy number variation: mechanisms of origin, functional effects and implications for disease. Cytogenet Genome Res 2009; 123:17-26. [PMID: 19287135 DOI: 10.1159/000184688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) overlap over 7000 genes, many of which are pivotal in biological pathways. The implications of this are profound, with consequences for evolutionary studies, population genetics, gene function and human phenotype, including elucidation of genetic susceptibility to major common diseases, the heritability of which has thus far defied full explanation. Even though this research is still in its infancy, CNVs have already been associated with a number of monogenic, syndromic and complex diseases: the development of high throughput and high resolution techniques for CNV screening is likely to bring further new insights into the contribution of copy number variation to common diseases. Amongst genes overlapped by CNVs, significant enrichments for certain gene ontology categories have been identified, including those related to immune responses and interactions with the environment. Genes in both of these categories are thought to be important in evolutionary adaptation and to be particular targets of natural selection. Thus, a full appreciation of copy number variation may be important for our understanding of human evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J de Smith
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
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Blyth M, Beal S, Huang S, Crolla J, Foulds N. A novel 2.43 Mb deletion of 7q11.22-q11.23. Am J Med Genet A 2009; 146A:3206-10. [PMID: 19012340 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We present a patient with a novel heterozygous deletion of 7q11.22-q11.23. Standard cytogenetic analysis using the ELN cosmid 82C and the ELN/ LIMK1 cosmid 34B FISH probes suggested a diagnosis of Williams syndrome. Although he has supravalvular aortic stenosis and peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, which are common in this condition, he does not have the clinical gestalt of Williams syndrome. 44k oligo array CGH analysis showed a 2.43 Mb deletion, encompassing the proximal 1.43 kb of the Williams syndrome critical region and extending approximately 1 Mb beyond it. The deletion of further genes outside the Williams syndrome critical region does not appear to be having a phenotypic effect at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira Blyth
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, UK.
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Medvedeva AV, Molotkov DA, Nikitina EA, Popov AV, Karagodin DA, Baricheva EM, Savvateeva-Popova EV. Systemic regulation of genetic and cytogenetic processes by a signal cascade of actin remodeling: Locus agnostic in Drosophila. RUSS J GENET+ 2008. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795408060069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Martens MA, Wilson SJ, Reutens DC. Research Review: Williams syndrome: a critical review of the cognitive, behavioral, and neuroanatomical phenotype. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2008; 49:576-608. [PMID: 18489677 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01887.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 311] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review critically examines the research findings which characterize the cognitive, behavioral, and neuroanatomical features of Williams syndrome (WS). This article analyzes 178 published studies in the WS literature covering the following areas: 1) General intelligence, 2) Language skills, 3) Visuospatial and face processing skills, 4) Behavior patterns and hypersociability, 5) Musical abilities, and 6) Brain structure and function. We identify methodological issues relating to small sample size, use and type of control groups, and multiple measures of task performance. Previously described 'peaks' within the cognitive profile are closely examined to assess their veracity. This review highlights the need for methodologically sound studies that utilize multiple comparison groups, developmental trajectories, and longitudinal analyses to examine the WS phenotype, as well as those that link brain structure and function to the cognitive and behavioral phenotype of WS individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilee A Martens
- The Ohio State University-Newark, 1179 University Dr., Newark, OH 43055, USA.
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Galat A. Functional drift of sequence attributes in the FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). J Chem Inf Model 2008; 48:1118-30. [PMID: 18412331 DOI: 10.1021/ci700429n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Diverse members of the FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) group and their complexes with different macrocyclic ligands of fungal origins such as FK506, rapamycin, ascomycin, and their immunosuppressive and nonimmunosuppressive derivatives display a variety of cellular and biological activities. The functional relatedness of the FKBPs was estimated from the following attributes of their aligned sequences: 1 degrees conservation of the consensus sequence; 2 degrees sequence similarity; 3 degrees pI; 4 degrees hydrophobicity; 5 degrees amino acid hydrophobicity and bulkiness profiles. Analyses of the multiple sequence alignments and intramolecular interaction networks calculated from a series of structures of the FKBPs revealed some variations in the interaction clusters formed by the AA residues that are crucial for sustaining peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) activity and binding capacity of the FKBPs. Fine diversification of the sequences of the multiple paralogues and orthologues of the FKBPs encoded in different genomes alter the intramolecular interaction patterns of their structures and allowed them to gain some selectivity in binding to diverse targets (functional drift).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Galat
- Institute de Biologie et de Technologies de Saclay, DSV/CEA, CE-Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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Cuscó I, Corominas R, Bayés M, Flores R, Rivera-Brugués N, Campuzano V, Pérez-Jurado LA. Copy number variation at the 7q11.23 segmental duplications is a susceptibility factor for the Williams-Beuren syndrome deletion. Genome Res 2008; 18:683-94. [PMID: 18292220 DOI: 10.1101/gr.073197.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Large copy number variants (CNVs) have been recently found as structural polymorphisms of the human genome of still unknown biological significance. CNVs are significantly enriched in regions with segmental duplications or low-copy repeats (LCRs). Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23 mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between large flanking LCRs and facilitated by a structural variant of the region, a approximately 2-Mb paracentric inversion present in 20%-25% of WBS-transmitting progenitors. We now report that eight out of 180 (4.44%) WBS-transmitting progenitors are carriers of a CNV, displaying a chromosome with large deletion of LCRs. The prevalence of this CNV among control individuals and non-transmitting progenitors is much lower (1%, n=600), thus indicating that it is a predisposing factor for the WBS deletion (odds ratio 4.6-fold, P= 0.002). LCR duplications were found in 2.22% of WBS-transmitting progenitors but also in 1.16% of controls, which implies a non-statistically significant increase in WBS-transmitting progenitors. We have characterized the organization and breakpoints of these CNVs, encompassing approximately 100-300 kb of genomic DNA and containing several pseudogenes but no functional genes. Additional structural variants of the region have also been defined, all generated by NAHR between different blocks of segmental duplications. Our data further illustrate the highly dynamic structure of regions rich in segmental duplications, such as the WBS locus, and indicate that large CNVs can act as susceptibility alleles for disease-associated genomic rearrangements in the progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivon Cuscó
- Genetics Unit, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain
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Shaikh TH. Oligonucleotide arrays for high-resolution analysis of copy number alteration in mental retardation/multiple congenital anomalies. Genet Med 2007; 9:617-25. [PMID: 17873650 DOI: 10.1097/gim.0b013e318148bb81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diseases arising from microdeletions and microduplications lead to copy number alterations of genomic regions containing one or more genes. Clinically, these rearrangements may be detected by routine cytogenetic testing, which may include karyotype analysis, subtelomeric analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization, and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization directed at known chromosomal rearrangement-based disorders. The major limitations of these tests are low resolution and limited coverage of the genome. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization has recently become a widely used approach in the genome-wide analysis of copy number alterations in children with mental retardation and/or multiple congenital anomalies. Oligonucleotide-based arrays provide a genome-wide coverage at a much higher resolution than microarrays currently used in clinical diagnostics, greatly improving the rate of detection of submicroscopic copy number alterations in children with mental retardation and/or multiple congenital anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamim H Shaikh
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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48
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Berg JS, Brunetti-Pierri N, Peters SU, Kang SHL, Fong CT, Salamone J, Freedenberg D, Hannig VL, Prock LA, Miller DT, Raffalli P, Harris DJ, Erickson RP, Cunniff C, Clark GD, Blazo MA, Peiffer DA, Gunderson KL, Sahoo T, Patel A, Lupski JR, Beaudet AL, Cheung SW. Speech delay and autism spectrum behaviors are frequently associated with duplication of the 7q11.23 Williams-Beuren syndrome region. Genet Med 2007; 9:427-41. [PMID: 17666889 DOI: 10.1097/gim.0b013e3180986192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Williams-Beuren syndrome is among the most well-characterized microdeletion syndromes, caused by recurrent de novo microdeletions at 7q11.23 mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination between low copy repeats flanking this critical region. However, the clinical phenotype associated with reciprocal microduplication of this genomic region is less well described. We investigated the molecular, clinical, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral features of seven patients with dup(7)(q11.23), including two children who inherited the microduplication from one of their parents, to more fully characterize this emerging microduplication syndrome. METHODS Patients were identified by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. Clinical examinations were performed on seven affected probands, and detailed cognitive and behavioral evaluations were carried out on four of the affected probands. RESULTS Our findings confirm initial reports of speech delay seen in patients with dup(7)(q11.23) and further delineate and expand the phenotypic spectrum of this condition to include communication, social interactions, and repetitive interests that are often observed in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. CONCLUSIONS Array-based comparative genomic hybridization is a powerful means of detecting genomic imbalances and identifying molecular etiologies in the clinic setting, including genomic disorders such as Williams-Beuren syndrome and dup(7)(q11.23). We propose that dup(7)(q11.23) syndrome may be as frequent as Williams-Beuren syndrome and a previously unrecognized cause of language delay and behavioral abnormalities. Indeed, these individuals may first be referred for evaluation of autism, even if they do not ultimately meet diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Berg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Poss AF, Goldenberg PC, Rehder CW, Kearney HM, Melvin EC, Koeberl DD, McDonald MT. Clinical experience with array CGH: case presentations from nine months of practice. Am J Med Genet A 2006; 140:2050-6. [PMID: 16906557 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A total of 124 individuals were tested in the initial 9 months that array CGH technology was offered to clinical genetics patients. In 11 of these patients array CGH identified a previously unsuspected diagnosis. A suspected diagnosis was confirmed in three patients. A single case in this series proved to be a polymorphic copy number variant. This paper describes five of the patients with previously unsuspected diagnoses in detail. We suggest that array CGH is an improved tool ready for routine use in clinical genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis F Poss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27516, USA.
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50
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Lee JA, Lupski JR. Genomic rearrangements and gene copy-number alterations as a cause of nervous system disorders. Neuron 2006; 52:103-21. [PMID: 17015230 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2006.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Genomic disorders are a group of human genetic diseases caused by genomic rearrangements resulting in copy-number variation (CNV) affecting a dosage-sensitive gene or genes critical for normal development or maintenance. These disorders represent a wide range of clinically distinct entities but include many diseases affecting nervous system function. Herein, we review selected neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders either known or suggested to be caused by genomic rearrangement and CNV. Further, we emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship between gene CNV and complex disease traits. We also discuss the prevalence and heritability of CNV, the correlation between CNV and higher-order genome architecture, and the heritability of personality, behavioral, and psychiatric traits. We speculate that CNV could underlie a significant proportion of normal human variation including differences in cognitive, behavioral, and psychological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
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