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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Analysis of convergence of linkage and association studies in autism spectrum disorders. Psychiatr Genet 2023; 33:113-124. [PMID: 37212558 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong hereditary component. Although genome-wide linkage studies (GWLS) and [genome-wide association studies (GWAS)] have previously identified hundreds of ASD risk gene loci, the results remain inconclusive. In this study, a genomic convergence approach of GWAS and GWLS for ASD was implemented for the first time in order to identify genomic loci supported by both methods. A database with 32 GWLS and five GWAS for ASD was created. Convergence was quantified as the proportion of significant GWAS markers located within linked regions. Convergence was not found to be significantly higher than expected by chance (z-test = 1,177, P = 0,239). Although convergence is supportive of genuine effects, the lack of agreement between GWLS and GWAS is also indicative that these studies are designed to answer different questions and are not equally well suited for deciphering the genetics of complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Jaudon F, Thalhammer A, Zentilin L, Cingolani LA. CRISPR-mediated activation of autism gene Itgb3 restores cortical network excitability via mGluR5 signaling. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:462-480. [PMID: 36035754 PMCID: PMC9382421 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Many mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affect a single allele, indicating a key role for gene dosage in ASD susceptibility. Recently, haplo-insufficiency of ITGB3, the gene encoding the extracellular matrix receptor β3 integrin, was associated with ASD. Accordingly, Itgb3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit autism-like phenotypes. The pathophysiological mechanisms of Itgb3 remain, however, unknown, and the potential of targeting this gene for developing ASD therapies uninvestigated. By combining molecular, biochemical, imaging, and pharmacological analyses, we establish that Itgb3 haplo-insufficiency impairs cortical network excitability by promoting extra-synaptic over synaptic signaling of the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR5, which is similarly dysregulated in fragile X syndrome, the most frequent monogenic form of ASD. To assess the therapeutic potential of regulating Itgb3 gene dosage, we implemented CRISPR activation and compared its efficacy with that of a pharmacological rescue strategy for fragile X syndrome. Correction of neuronal Itgb3 haplo-insufficiency by CRISPR activation rebalanced network excitability as effectively as blockade of mGluR5 with the selective antagonist MPEP. Our findings reveal an unexpected functional interaction between two ASD genes, thereby validating the pathogenicity of ITGB3 haplo-insufficiency. Further, they pave the way for exploiting CRISPR activation as gene therapy for normalizing gene dosage and network excitability in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Jaudon
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Agnes Thalhammer
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- AAV Vector Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A. Cingolani
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Corresponding author Lorenzo A. Cingolani, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Iyshwarya B, Vajagathali M, Ramakrishnan V. Investigation of Genetic Polymorphism in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Pathogenesis of the Neurodevelopmental Disorder. ADVANCES IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2022; 6:136-146. [DOI: 10.1007/s41252-022-00251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
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Despang P, Salamon S, Breitenkamp A, Kuzmenkina E, Matthes J. Inhibitory effects on L- and N-type calcium channels by a novel Ca Vβ 1 variant identified in a patient with autism spectrum disorder. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 395:459-470. [PMID: 35122502 PMCID: PMC8873119 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02213-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) subunits have been genetically associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The properties of the pore-forming VGCC subunit are modulated by auxiliary β-subunits, which exist in four isoforms (CaVβ1-4). Our previous findings suggested that activation of L-type VGCCs is a common feature of CaVβ2 subunit mutations found in ASD patients. In the current study, we functionally characterized a novel CaVβ1b variant (p.R296C) identified in an ASD patient. We used whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp to study the effect of CaVβ1b_R296C on the function of L- and N-type VGCCs. Furthermore, we used co-immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot to evaluate the interaction of the CaVβ1b-subunits with the RGK-protein Gem. Our data obtained at both, whole-cell and single-channel levels, show that compared to a wild-type CaVβ1b, the CaVβ1b_R296C variant inhibits L- and N-type VGCCs. Interaction with and modulation by the RGK-protein Gem seems to be intact. Our findings indicate functional effects of the CaVβ1b_R296C variant differing from that attributed to CaVβ2 variants found in ASD patients. Further studies have to detail the effects on different VGCC subtypes and on VGCC expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Despang
- Center of Pharmacology, Institute II, University of Cologne, Gleueler Strasse 24, 50931, Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sarah Salamon
- Center of Pharmacology, Institute II, University of Cologne, Gleueler Strasse 24, 50931, Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Breitenkamp
- Center of Pharmacology, Institute II, University of Cologne, Gleueler Strasse 24, 50931, Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elza Kuzmenkina
- Center of Pharmacology, Institute II, University of Cologne, Gleueler Strasse 24, 50931, Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Matthes
- Center of Pharmacology, Institute II, University of Cologne, Gleueler Strasse 24, 50931, Köln, Cologne, Germany.
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Lopuch AJ, Swinehart BD, Widener EL, Holley ZL, Bland KM, Handwerk CJ, Brett CA, Cook HN, Kalinowski AR, Rodriguez HV, Song MI, Vidal GS. Integrin β3 in forebrain Emx1-expressing cells regulates repetitive self-grooming and sociability in mice. BMC Neurosci 2022; 23:12. [PMID: 35247972 PMCID: PMC8897866 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-022-00691-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive behaviors, deficits in communication, and overall impaired social interaction. Of all the integrin subunit mutations, mutations in integrin β3 (Itgb3) may be the most closely associated with ASD. Integrin β3 is required for normal structural plasticity of dendrites and synapses specifically in excitatory cortical and hippocampal circuitry. However, the behavioral consequences of Itgb3 function in the forebrain have not been assessed. We tested the hypothesis that behaviors that are typically abnormal in ASD-such as self-grooming and sociability behaviors-are disrupted with conditional Itgb3 loss of function in forebrain circuitry in male and female mice. METHODS We generated male and female conditional knockouts (cKO) and conditional heterozygotes (cHET) of Itgb3 in excitatory neurons and glia that were derived from Emx1-expressing forebrain cells during development. We used several different assays to determine whether male and female cKO and cHET mice have repetitive self-grooming behaviors, anxiety-like behaviors, abnormal locomotion, compulsive-like behaviors, or abnormal social behaviors, when compared to male and female wildtype (WT) mice. RESULTS Our findings indicate that only self-grooming and sociability are altered in cKO, but not cHET or WT mice, suggesting that Itgb3 is specifically required in forebrain Emx1-expressing cells for normal repetitive self-grooming and social behaviors. Furthermore, in cKO (but not cHET or WT), we observed an interaction effect for sex and self-grooming environment and an interaction effect for sex and sociability test chamber. LIMITATIONS While this study demonstrated a role for forebrain Itgb3 in specific repetitive and social behaviors, it was unable to determine whether forebrain Itgb3 is required for a preference for social novelty, whether cHET are haploinsufficient with respect to repetitive self-grooming and social behaviors, or the nature of the interaction effect for sex and environment/chamber in affected behaviors of cKO. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings strengthen the idea that Itgb3 has a specific role in shaping forebrain circuitry that is relevant to endophenotypes of autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Lopuch
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Brian D Swinehart
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Eden L Widener
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Z Logan Holley
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Katherine M Bland
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Christopher J Handwerk
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Cooper A Brett
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Hollyn N Cook
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Anna R Kalinowski
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - Hilda V Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - M Irene Song
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
| | - George S Vidal
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, 951 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA.
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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Identification of Chromosomal Regions Linked to Autism-Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Linkage Scans. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2022; 26:59-69. [PMID: 35225680 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2021.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong hereditary component. Although, genome-wide linkage scans (GWLS) and association studies (GWAS) have previously identified hundreds of ASD risk gene loci, the results remain inconclusive. Method: We performed a heterogeneity-based genome search meta-analysis (HEGESMA) of 15 genome scans of autism and ASD. Results: For strictly defined autism, data were analyzed across six separate genome scans. Region 7q22-q34 reached statistical significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses, with evidence of significantly low between-scan heterogeneity. For ASDs (data from 12 separate scans), chromosomal regions 5p15.33-5p15.1 and 15q22.32-15q26.1 reached significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses but did not reach significance for either low or high heterogeneity. Region 1q23.2-1q31.1 was significant in unweighted analyses with low between-scan heterogeneity. Finally, region 8p21.1-8q13.2 reached significant linkage peak in all our meta-analyses. When we combined all available genome scans (15), the same results were produced. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that these regions should be further investigated for autism susceptibility genes, with the caveat that autism spectrum disorders have different linkage signals across genome scans, possibly because of the high genetic heterogeneity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.,The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Fanjul-Fernández M, Brown NJ, Hickey P, Diakumis P, Rafehi H, Bozaoglu K, Green CC, Rattray A, Young S, Alhuzaimi D, Mountford HS, Gillies G, Lukic V, Vick T, Finlay K, Coe BP, Eichler EE, Delatycki MB, Wilson SJ, Bahlo M, Scheffer IE, Lockhart PJ. A family study implicates GBE1 in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:16-29. [PMID: 34633740 PMCID: PMC8720068 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with an estimated heritability of >60%. Family-based genetic studies of ASD have generally focused on multiple small kindreds, searching for de novo variants of major effect. We hypothesized that molecular genetic analysis of large multiplex families would enable the identification of variants of milder effects. We studied a large multigenerational family of European ancestry with multiple family members affected with ASD or the broader autism phenotype (BAP). We identified a rare heterozygous variant in the gene encoding 1,4-ɑ-glucan branching enzyme 1 (GBE1) that was present in seven of seven individuals with ASD, nine of ten individuals with the BAP, and none of four tested unaffected individuals. We genotyped a community-acquired cohort of 389 individuals with ASD and identified three additional probands. Cascade analysis demonstrated that the variant was present in 11 of 13 individuals with familial ASD/BAP and neither of the two tested unaffected individuals in these three families, also of European ancestry. The variant was not enriched in the combined UK10K ASD cohorts of European ancestry but heterozygous GBE1 deletion was overrepresented in large ASD cohorts, collectively suggesting an association between GBE1 and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Fanjul-Fernández
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha J Brown
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Royal Children’s Hospital Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Hickey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Diakumis
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Haloom Rafehi
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiymet Bozaoglu
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cherie C Green
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Audrey Rattray
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Savannah Young
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dana Alhuzaimi
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley S Mountford
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Greta Gillies
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vesna Lukic
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tanya Vick
- Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Bradley P Coe
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Martin B Delatycki
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah J Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J Lockhart
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Yurko R, Roeder K, Devlin B, G'Sell M. An approach to gene-based testing accounting for dependence of tests among nearby genes. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:6359004. [PMID: 34459489 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In genome-wide association studies (GWAS), it has become commonplace to test millions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for phenotypic association. Gene-based testing can improve power to detect weak signal by reducing multiple testing and pooling signal strength. While such tests account for linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure of SNP alleles within each gene, current approaches do not capture LD of SNPs falling in different nearby genes, which can induce correlation of gene-based test statistics. We introduce an algorithm to account for this correlation. When a gene's test statistic is independent of others, it is assessed separately; when test statistics for nearby genes are strongly correlated, their SNPs are agglomerated and tested as a locus. To provide insight into SNPs and genes driving association within loci, we develop an interactive visualization tool to explore localized signal. We demonstrate our approach in the context of weakly powered GWAS for autism spectrum disorder, which is contrasted to more highly powered GWAS for schizophrenia and educational attainment. To increase power for these analyses, especially those for autism, we use adaptive $P$-value thresholding, guided by high-dimensional metadata modeled with gradient boosted trees, highlighting when and how it can be most useful. Notably our workflow is based on summary statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Yurko
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn Roeder
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
| | - Bernie Devlin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA
| | - Max G'Sell
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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9
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Cuellar-Partida G, Tung JY, Eriksson N, Albrecht E, Aliev F, Andreassen OA, Barroso I, Beckmann JS, Boks MP, Boomsma DI, Boyd HA, Breteler MMB, Campbell H, Chasman DI, Cherkas LF, Davies G, de Geus EJC, Deary IJ, Deloukas P, Dick DM, Duffy DL, Eriksson JG, Esko T, Feenstra B, Geller F, Gieger C, Giegling I, Gordon SD, Han J, Hansen TF, Hartmann AM, Hayward C, Heikkilä K, Hicks AA, Hirschhorn JN, Hottenga JJ, Huffman JE, Hwang LD, Ikram MA, Kaprio J, Kemp JP, Khaw KT, Klopp N, Konte B, Kutalik Z, Lahti J, Li X, Loos RJF, Luciano M, Magnusson SH, Mangino M, Marques-Vidal P, Martin NG, McArdle WL, McCarthy MI, Medina-Gomez C, Melbye M, Melville SA, Metspalu A, Milani L, Mooser V, Nelis M, Nyholt DR, O'Connell KS, Ophoff RA, Palmer C, Palotie A, Palviainen T, Pare G, Paternoster L, Peltonen L, Penninx BWJH, Polasek O, Pramstaller PP, Prokopenko I, Raikkonen K, Ripatti S, Rivadeneira F, Rudan I, Rujescu D, Smit JH, Smith GD, Smoller JW, Soranzo N, Spector TD, Pourcain BS, Starr JM, Stefánsson H, Steinberg S, Teder-Laving M, Thorleifsson G, Stefánsson K, Timpson NJ, Uitterlinden AG, van Duijn CM, van Rooij FJA, Vink JM, Vollenweider P, Vuoksimaa E, Waeber G, Wareham NJ, Warrington N, Waterworth D, Werge T, Wichmann HE, Widen E, Willemsen G, Wright AF, Wright MJ, Xu M, Zhao JH, Kraft P, Hinds DA, Lindgren CM, Mägi R, Neale BM, Evans DM, Medland SE. Genome-wide association study identifies 48 common genetic variants associated with handedness. Nat Hum Behav 2021; 5:59-70. [PMID: 32989287 PMCID: PMC7116623 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-00956-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Handedness has been extensively studied because of its relationship with language and the over-representation of left-handers in some neurodevelopmental disorders. Using data from the UK Biobank, 23andMe and the International Handedness Consortium, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of handedness (N = 1,766,671). We found 41 loci associated (P < 5 × 10-8) with left-handedness and 7 associated with ambidexterity. Tissue-enrichment analysis implicated the CNS in the aetiology of handedness. Pathways including regulation of microtubules and brain morphology were also highlighted. We found suggestive positive genetic correlations between left-handedness and neuropsychiatric traits, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, the genetic correlation between left-handedness and ambidexterity is low (rG = 0.26), which implies that these traits are largely influenced by different genetic mechanisms. Our findings suggest that handedness is highly polygenic and that the genetic variants that predispose to left-handedness may underlie part of the association with some psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cuellar-Partida
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- 23andMe, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Eva Albrecht
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Fazil Aliev
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Karabuk University, Faculty of Business, Karabük, Turkey
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inês Barroso
- Human Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacques S Beckmann
- Service of Medical Genetics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heather A Boyd
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Monique M B Breteler
- Population Health Sciences, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Harry Campbell
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel I Chasman
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lynn F Cherkas
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gail Davies
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eco J C de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ian J Deary
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Panos Deloukas
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Medical School, and the Centre for Genomic Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - David L Duffy
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johan G Eriksson
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tõnu Esko
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bjarke Feenstra
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Geller
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ina Giegling
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Scott D Gordon
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jiali Han
- Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Thomas F Hansen
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Services of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kauko Heikkilä
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrew A Hicks
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Joel N Hirschhorn
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer E Huffman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Liang-Dar Hwang
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - John P Kemp
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kay-Tee Khaw
- Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Norman Klopp
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Konte
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Zoltan Kutalik
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Turku Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Luciano
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Pedro Marques-Vidal
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Mark I McCarthy
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals Trust, Oxford, UK
- Human Genetics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carolina Medina-Gomez
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mads Melbye
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Andres Metspalu
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lili Milani
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vincent Mooser
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mari Nelis
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Dale R Nyholt
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin S O'Connell
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roel A Ophoff
- Department of Human Genetics, University California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cameron Palmer
- Department of Computer Science, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarno Palotie
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Palviainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Guillaume Pare
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Leena Peltonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ozren Polasek
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
- Research Unit, Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Inga Prokopenko
- Section of Statistical Multi-Omics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Section of Genomics of Common Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Katri Raikkonen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samuli Ripatti
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Rudan
- Centre for Global Health Research, The Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dan Rujescu
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Johannes H Smit
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jordan W Smoller
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Tim D Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Beate St Pourcain
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John M Starr
- Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemilogy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Maris Teder-Laving
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | - André G Uitterlinden
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia M van Duijn
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J A van Rooij
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaqueline M Vink
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Vollenweider
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eero Vuoksimaa
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gérard Waeber
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicole Warrington
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Werge
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Services of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation's IPSYCH Initiative, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Elisabeth Widen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alan F Wright
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mousheng Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jing Hua Zhao
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Kraft
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute at the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Benjamin M Neale
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David M Evans
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Sarah E Medland
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
- Psychiatric Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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10
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Moore SJ, Murphy GG, Cazares VA. Turning strains into strengths for understanding psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:3164-3177. [PMID: 32404949 PMCID: PMC7666068 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0772-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity in the development of new mechanistic insights and therapeutic approaches for treating psychiatric disease. One of the major challenges is reflected in the growing consensus that risk for these diseases is not determined by a single gene, but rather is polygenic, arising from the action and interaction of multiple genes. Canonically, experimental models in mice have been designed to ascertain the relative contribution of a single gene to a disease by systematic manipulation (e.g., mutation or deletion) of a known candidate gene. Because these studies have been largely carried out using inbred isogenic mouse strains, in which there is no (or very little) genetic diversity among subjects, it is difficult to identify unique allelic variants, gene modifiers, and epigenetic factors that strongly affect the nature and severity of these diseases. Here, we review various methods that take advantage of existing genetic diversity or that increase genetic variance in mouse models to (1) strengthen conclusions of single-gene function; (2) model diversity among human populations; and (3) dissect complex phenotypes that arise from the actions of multiple genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon J Moore
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Victor A Cazares
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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11
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Pain O, Pocklington AJ, Holmans PA, Bray NJ, O’Brien HE, Hall LS, Pardiñas AF, O’Donovan MC, Owen MJ, Anney R. Novel Insight Into the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder Gained by Integrating Expression Data With Genome-wide Association Statistics. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:265-273. [PMID: 31230729 PMCID: PMC6664597 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (ncases = 18,381, ncontrols = 27,969) has provided novel opportunities for investigating the etiology of ASD. Here, we integrate the ASD GWAS summary statistics with summary-level gene expression data to infer differential gene expression in ASD, an approach called transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). METHODS Using FUSION software, ASD GWAS summary statistics were integrated with predictors of gene expression from 16 human datasets, including adult and fetal brains. A novel adaptation of established statistical methods was then used to test for enrichment within candidate pathways and specific tissues and at different stages of brain development. The proportion of ASD heritability explained by predicted expression of genes in the TWAS was estimated using stratified linkage disequilibrium score regression. RESULTS This study identified 14 genes as significantly differentially expressed in ASD, 13 of which were outside of known genome-wide significant loci (±500 kb). XRN2, a gene proximal to an ASD GWAS locus, was inferred to be significantly upregulated in ASD, providing insight into the functional consequence of this associated locus. One novel transcriptome-wide significant association from this study is the downregulation of PDIA6, which showed minimal evidence of association in the GWAS, and in gene-based analysis using MAGMA. Predicted gene expression in this study accounted for 13.0% of the total ASD single nucleotide polymorphism heritability. CONCLUSIONS This study has implicated several genes as significantly up/downregulated in ASD, providing novel and useful information for subsequent functional studies. This study also explores the utility of TWAS-based enrichment analysis and compares TWAS results with a functionally agnostic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pain
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom,Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Pocklington
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A. Holmans
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Bray
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Heath E. O’Brien
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey S. Hall
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio F. Pardiñas
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Michael C. O’Donovan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Owen
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Anney
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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12
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Andrade A, Brennecke A, Mallat S, Brown J, Gomez-Rivadeneira J, Czepiel N, Londrigan L. Genetic Associations between Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3537. [PMID: 31331039 PMCID: PMC6679227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are mental, behavioral or emotional disorders. These conditions are prevalent, one in four adults suffer from any type of psychiatric disorders world-wide. It has always been observed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic component, however, new methods to sequence full genomes of large cohorts have identified with high precision genetic risk loci for these conditions. Psychiatric disorders include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Several risk loci for psychiatric disorders fall within genes that encode for voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs). Calcium entering through CaVs is crucial for multiple neuronal processes. In this review, we will summarize recent findings that link CaVs and their auxiliary subunits to psychiatric disorders. First, we will provide a general overview of CaVs structure, classification, function, expression and pharmacology. Next, we will summarize tools to study risk loci associated with psychiatric disorders. We will examine functional studies of risk variations in CaV genes when available. Finally, we will review pharmacological evidence of the use of CaV modulators to treat psychiatric disorders. Our review will be of interest for those studying pathophysiological aspects of CaVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Andrade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - Ashton Brennecke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Shayna Mallat
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Julian Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | | | - Natalie Czepiel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Laura Londrigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
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13
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Quinlan MA, Krout D, Katamish RM, Robson MJ, Nettesheim C, Gresch PJ, Mash DC, Keith Henry L, Blakely RD. Human Serotonin Transporter Coding Variation Establishes Conformational Bias with Functional Consequences. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3249-3260. [PMID: 30668912 PMCID: PMC6640095 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The antidepressant-sensitive serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) dictates rapid, high-affinity clearance of the neurotransmitter in both the brain and periphery. In a study of families with multiple individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we previously identified several, rare, missense coding variants that impart elevated 5-HT transport activity, relative to wild-type SERT, upon heterologous expression as well as in ASD subject lymphoblasts. The most common of these variants, SERT Ala56, located in the transporter's cytosolic N-terminus, has been found to confer in transgenic mice hyperserotonemia, an ASD-associated biochemical trait, an elevated brain 5-HT clearance rate, and ASD-aligned behavioral changes. Hyperfunction of SERT Ala56 has been ascribed to a change in 5-HT KM, though the physical basis of this change has yet to be elucidated. Through assessments of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between cytosolic N- and C-termini, sensitivity to methanethiosulfonates, and capacity for N-terminal tryptic digestion, we obtain evidence for mutation-induced conformational changes that support an open-outward 5-HT binding conformation in vitro and in vivo. Aspects of these findings were also evident with another naturally occurring C-terminal SERT coding variant identified in our ASD study, Asn605. We conclude that biased conformations of surface resident transporters that can impact transporter function and regulation are an unappreciated consequence of heritable and disease-associated SERT coding variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A. Quinlan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
| | - Danielle Krout
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND
| | - Rania M. Katamish
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
| | - Matthew J. Robson
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - Paul J. Gresch
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
- Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL
| | - Deborah C. Mash
- Dr. Kiran Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
| | - L. Keith Henry
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND
| | - Randy D. Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
- Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL
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14
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Montgomery AK, Shuffrey LC, Guter SJ, Anderson GM, Jacob S, Mosconi MW, Sweeney JA, Turner JB, Sutcliffe JS, Cook EH, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. Maternal Serotonin Levels Are Associated With Cognitive Ability and Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 57:867-875. [PMID: 30392628 PMCID: PMC6531860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [HT]) system has long been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Whole-blood 5-HT level (WB5-HT) is a stable, heritable biomarker that is elevated in more than 25% of children with ASD. Recent findings indicate that the maternal 5-HT system may influence embryonic neurodevelopment, but maternal WB5-HT has not been examined in relation to ASD phenotypes. METHOD WB5-HT levels were obtained from 181 individuals (3-27 years of age) diagnosed with ASD, 99 of their fathers, and 119 of their mothers. Standardized assessments were used to evaluate cognitive, behavioral, and language phenotypes. RESULTS Exploratory regression analyses found relationships between maternal WB5-HT and nonverbal IQ (NVIQ), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) Nonverbal Communication Algorithm scores, and overall adaptive function on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Latent class analysis identified a three-class structure in the assessment data, describing children with low, intermediate, and high severity across measures of behavior, cognition, and adaptive function. Mean maternal WB5-HT differed across classes, with the lowest maternal WB5-HT levels seen in the highest-severity group (Welch F2,46.048 = 17.394, p < .001). Paternal and proband WB5-HT did not differ between classes. CONCLUSION Maternal WB5-HT is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring with ASD. Prospective, longitudinal studies will be needed to better understand the relationship between the function of the maternal serotonin system during pregnancy and brain development. Further studies in animal models may be able to reveal the mechanisms underlying these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Montgomery
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY; Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY
| | - Lauren C. Shuffrey
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, and the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY. They are also with the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Stephen J. Guter
- Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training, Overland Park. He is also with the Clinical Child Psychology Program and Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies at the University of Kansas, Lawrence
| | | | - J. Blake Turner
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
| | | | - Edwin H. Cook
- Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, IL
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, and the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY. They are also with the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
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15
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Cantor RM, Navarro L, Won H, Walker RL, Lowe JK, Geschwind DH. ASD restricted and repetitive behaviors associated at 17q21.33: genes prioritized by expression in fetal brains. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:993-1000. [PMID: 28533516 PMCID: PMC5700871 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined condition that manifests in infancy or early childhood as deficits in communication skills and social interactions. Often, restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) accompany this disorder. ASD is polygenic and genetically complex, so we hypothesized that focusing analyses on intermediate core component phenotypes, such as RRBs, can reduce genetic heterogeneity and improve statistical power. Applying this approach, we mined Caucasian genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data from two of the largest ASD family cohorts, the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange and Autism Genome Project (AGP). Of the 12 RRBs measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, seven were found to be significantly familial and substantially variable, and hence, were tested for genome-wide association in 3104 ASD-affected children from 2045 families. Using a stringent significance threshold (P<7.1 × 10-9), GWAS in the AGP revealed an association between 'the degree of the repetitive use of objects or interest in parts of objects' and rs2898883 (P<6.8 × 10-9), which resides within the sixth intron of PHB. To identify the candidate target genes of the associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms at that locus, we applied chromosome conformation studies in developing human brains and implicated three additional genes: SLC35B1, CALCOCO2 and DLX3. Gene expression, brain imaging and fetal brain expression quantitative trait locus studies prioritize SLC35B1 and PHB. These analyses indicate that GWAS of single heritable features of genetically complex disorders followed by chromosome conformation studies in relevant tissues can be successful in revealing novel risk genes for single core features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita M. Cantor
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
| | - Linda Navarro
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
| | - Hyejung Won
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
| | - Rebecca L. Walker
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
| | - Jennifer K. Lowe
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
| | - Daniel H. Geschwind
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 695 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – 7088
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16
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Abstract
Examining sex differences in the brain has been historically contentious but is nonetheless important for advancing mental health for both girls and boys. Unfortunately, females in biomedical research remain underrepresented in most mental health conditions including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even though equal inclusion of females would improve treatment for girls and yield benefits to boys. This review examines sex differences in the relationship between neuroanatomy and neurogenetics of ASD. Recent findings reveal that girls diagnosed with ASD exhibit more intellectual and behavioral problems compared to their male counterparts, suggesting that girls may be less likely diagnosed in the absence of such problems or that they require a higher mutational load to meet the diagnostic criteria. Thus far, the female biased effect of chromosome 4, 5p15.33, 8p, 9p24.1, 11p12-13, 15q, and Xp22.3 and the male biased effect of 1p31.3, 5q12.3, 7q, 9q33.3, 11q13.4, 13q33.3, 16p11.2, 17q11-21, Xp22.33/Yp11.31, DRD1, NLGN3, MAOA, and SHANK1 deletion have been discovered in ASD. The SNPs of genes such as RYR2, UPP2, and the androgen receptor gene have been shown to have sex-biasing factors in both girls and boys diagnosed with ASD. These sex-related genetic factors may drive sex differences in the neuroanatomy of these girls and boys, including abnormal enlargement in temporal gray and white matter volumes, and atypical reduction in cerebellar gray matter volumes and corpus callosum fibers projecting to the anterior frontal cortex in ASD girls relative to boys. Such factors may also be responsible for the attenuation of brain sexual differentiation in adult men and women with ASD; however, much remains to be uncovered or replicated. Future research should leverage further the association between neuroanatomy and genetics in girls for an integrated and interdisciplinary understanding of ASD.
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17
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Fakhoury M. Imaging genetics in autism spectrum disorders: Linking genetics and brain imaging in the pursuit of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 80:101-114. [PMID: 28322981 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include a wide range of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions that affect an individual in several aspects of social communication and behavior. Recent advances in molecular genetic technologies have dramatically increased our understanding of ASD etiology through the identification of several autism risk genes, most of which serve important functions in synaptic plasticity and protein synthesis. However, despite significant progress in this field of research, the characterization of the neurobiological mechanisms by which common genetic risk variants might operate to give rise to ASD symptomatology has proven to be far more difficult than expected. The imaging genetics approach holds great promise for advancing our understanding of ASD etiology by bridging the gap between genetic variations and their resultant biological effects on the brain. This paper provides a conceptual overview of the contribution of genetics in ASD and discusses key findings from the emerging field of imaging genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Fakhoury
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.
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18
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Das S, Miller M, Broide DH. Chromosome 17q21 Genes ORMDL3 and GSDMB in Asthma and Immune Diseases. Adv Immunol 2017; 135:1-52. [PMID: 28826527 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chromosome 17q21 contains a cluster of genes including ORMDL3 and GSDMB, which have been highly linked to asthma in genome-wide association studies. ORMDL3 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and regulates downstream pathways including sphingolipids, metalloproteases, remodeling genes, and chemokines. ORMDL3 inhibits serine palmitoyl-CoA transferase, the rate-limiting enzyme for sphingolipid biosynthesis. In addition, ORMDL3 activates the ATF6α branch of the unfolded protein response which regulates SERCA2b and IL-6, pathways of potential importance to asthma. The SNP-linking chromosome 17q21 to asthma is associated with increased ORMDL3 and GSDMB expression. Mice expressing either increased levels of human ORMDL3, or human GSDMB, have an asthma phenotype characterized by increased airway responsiveness and increased airway remodeling (increased smooth muscle and fibrosis) in the absence of airway inflammation. GSDMB regulates expression of 5-LO and TGF-β1 which are known pathways involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. GSDMB is one of four members of the GSDM family (GSDMA, GSDMB, GSDMC, and GSDMD). GSDMD (located on chromosome 8q24 and not linked to asthma) has emerged as a key mediator of pyroptosis. GSDMD is a key component of the NLPR3 inflammasome and is required for its activation. GSDMD undergoes proteolytic cleavage by caspase-1 to release its N-terminal fragment, which in turn mediates pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion. Chromosome 17q21 has not only been linked to asthma but also to type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and primary biliary cirrhosis suggesting that future insights into the biology of genes located in this region will increase our understanding of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Das
- University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Marina Miller
- University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
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19
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Reilly J, Gallagher L, Chen JL, Leader G, Shen S. Bio-collections in autism research. Mol Autism 2017; 8:34. [PMID: 28702161 PMCID: PMC5504648 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse clinical manifestations and symptoms. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances in understanding the genetic basis for ASD, critically supported through the establishment of ASD bio-collections and application in research. Here, we summarise a selection of major ASD bio-collections and their associated findings. Collectively, these include mapping ASD candidate genes, assessing the nature and frequency of gene mutations and their association with ASD clinical subgroups, insights into related molecular pathways such as the synapses, chromatin remodelling, transcription and ASD-related brain regions. We also briefly review emerging studies on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to potentially model ASD in culture. These provide deeper insight into ASD progression during development and could generate human cell models for drug screening. Finally, we provide perspectives concerning the utilities of ASD bio-collections and limitations, and highlight considerations in setting up a new bio-collection for ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - June L Chen
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062 China
| | - Geraldine Leader
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
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20
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Shuffrey LC, Guter SJ, Delaney S, Jacob S, Anderson GM, Sutcliffe JS, Cook EH, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. Is there sexual dimorphism of hyperserotonemia in autism spectrum disorder? Autism Res 2017; 10:1417-1423. [PMID: 28401654 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 30% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have elevated whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels. Genetic linkage and association studies of ASD and of whole blood 5-HT levels as a quantitative trait have revealed sexual dimorphism. Few studies have examined the presence of a sex difference on hyperserotonemia within ASD. To assess whether the rate of hyperserotonemia is different in males than in females with ASD, we measured whole blood 5-HT levels in 292 children and adolescents with ASD, the largest sample in which this biomarker has been assessed. Based upon previous work suggesting that hyperserotonemia is more common prior to puberty, we focused our analysis on the 182 pre-pubertal children with ASD. 42% of pre-pubertal participants were within the hyperserotonemia range. In this population, we found that males were significantly more likely to manifest hyperserotonemia than females (P = 0.03). As expected, no significant difference was found in the post-pubertal population. Additional work will be needed to replicate this intriguing finding and to understand whether it could potentially explain differences in patterns of ASD risk between males and females. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1417-1423. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Shuffrey
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York.,New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York.,Teachers College, Columbia University, New York
| | - Stephen J Guter
- Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago
| | - Shannon Delaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | | | - James S Sutcliffe
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville
| | - Edwin H Cook
- Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York.,New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York
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21
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Chen R, Davis LK, Guter S, Wei Q, Jacob S, Potter MH, Cox NJ, Cook EH, Sutcliffe JS, Li B. Leveraging blood serotonin as an endophenotype to identify de novo and rare variants involved in autism. Mol Autism 2017; 8:14. [PMID: 28344757 PMCID: PMC5361831 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0130-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorders, but underlying molecular mechanisms are still unresolved due to extreme locus heterogeneity. Leveraging meaningful endophenotypes or biomarkers may be an effective strategy to reduce heterogeneity to identify novel ASD genes. Numerous lines of evidence suggest a link between hyperserotonemia, i.e., elevated serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) in whole blood, and ASD. However, the genetic determinants of blood 5-HT level and their relationship to ASD are largely unknown. METHODS In this study, pursuing the hypothesis that de novo variants (DNVs) and rare risk alleles acting in a recessive mode may play an important role in predisposition of hyperserotonemia in people with ASD, we carried out whole exome sequencing (WES) in 116 ASD parent-proband trios with most (107) probands having 5-HT measurements. RESULTS Combined with published ASD DNVs, we identified USP15 as having recurrent de novo loss of function mutations and discovered evidence supporting two other known genes with recurrent DNVs (FOXP1 and KDM5B). Genes harboring functional DNVs significantly overlap with functional/disease gene sets known to be involved in ASD etiology, including FMRP targets and synaptic formation and transcriptional regulation genes. We grouped the probands into High-5HT and Normal-5HT groups based on normalized serotonin levels, and used network-based gene set enrichment analysis (NGSEA) to identify novel hyperserotonemia-related ASD genes based on LoF and missense DNVs. We found enrichment in the High-5HT group for a gene network module (DAWN-1) previously implicated in ASD, and this points to the TGF-β pathway and cell junction processes. Through analysis of rare recessively acting variants (RAVs), we also found that rare compound heterozygotes (CHs) in the High-5HT group were enriched for loci in an ASD-associated gene set. Finally, we carried out rare variant group-wise transmission disequilibrium tests (gTDT) and observed significant association of rare variants in genes encoding a subset of the serotonin pathway with ASD. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified USP15 as a novel gene implicated in ASD based on recurrent DNVs. It also demonstrates the potential value of 5-HT as an effective endophenotype for gene discovery in ASD, and the effectiveness of this strategy needs to be further explored in studies of larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Chen
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Lea K Davis
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Stephen Guter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Qiang Wei
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Melissa H Potter
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Nancy J Cox
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Edwin H Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - James S Sutcliffe
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Bingshan Li
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
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22
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Mitra I, Tsang K, Ladd-Acosta C, Croen LA, Aldinger KA, Hendren RL, Traglia M, Lavillaureix A, Zaitlen N, Oldham MC, Levitt P, Nelson S, Amaral DG, Herz-Picciotto I, Fallin MD, Weiss LA. Pleiotropic Mechanisms Indicated for Sex Differences in Autism. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006425. [PMID: 27846226 PMCID: PMC5147776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in common disease is pervasive, including a dramatic male preponderance in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Potential genetic explanations include a liability threshold model requiring increased polymorphism risk in females, sex-limited X-chromosome contribution, gene-environment interaction driven by differences in hormonal milieu, risk influenced by genes sex-differentially expressed in early brain development, or contribution from general mechanisms of sexual dimorphism shared with secondary sex characteristics. Utilizing a large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset, we identify distinct sex-specific genome-wide significant loci. We investigate genetic hypotheses and find no evidence for increased genetic risk load in females, but evidence for sex heterogeneity on the X chromosome, and contribution of sex-heterogeneous SNPs for anthropometric traits to ASD risk. Thus, our results support pleiotropy between secondary sex characteristic determination and ASDs, providing a biological basis for sex differences in ASDs and implicating non brain-limited mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileena Mitra
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Tsang
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, California, United States of America
| | - Kimberly A. Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert L. Hendren
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michela Traglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Alinoë Lavillaureix
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculty of Medicine, France
| | - Noah Zaitlen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Oldham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stanley Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - David G. Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medicine and Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Irva Herz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Medicine and Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - M. Daniele Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lauren A. Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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23
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Lv Y, Meng B, Dong H, Jing T, Wu N, Yang Y, Huang L, Moses RE, O'Malley BW, Mei B, Li X. Upregulation of GSK3β Contributes to Brain Disorders in Elderly REGγ-knockout Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:1340-9. [PMID: 26370326 PMCID: PMC4793118 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
GSK3β regulates some functions of the brain, but the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of GSK3β protein stability remain ambiguous. REGγ, an important proteasome activator for ubiquitin-independent protein degradation, has been shown to degrade certain intact proteins and is involved in the regulation of important biological processes. Here we demonstrate that REGγ promotes the degradation of GSK3β protein in vitro and in vivo. With increased GSK3β activity, REGγ knockout (REGγ-/-) mice exhibit late-onset sensorimotor gating and cognitive deficiencies including decreased working memory, hyperlocomotion, increased stereotype, defective prepulse inhibition (PPI), and disability in nest building, at the age of 8 months or older. Inhibition of GSK3β rescued the compromised PPI phenotypes and working memory deficiency in the knockout mice. Also, we found an age-dependent decrease in the trypsin-like proteasomal activity in REGγ-/- mice brains, which may be reflective of a lack of degradation of GSK3β. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel regulatory pathway in which the REGγ-proteasome controls the steady-state level of GSK3β protein. Dysfunction in this non-canonical proteasome degradation pathway may contribute to the sensorimotor gating deficiency and cognitive disorders in aging mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Lv
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Meng
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China, Tel: +86 21 62233970 or +86 21 62233967, Fax: +86 21 62601953, E-mail: or
| | - Hao Dong
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiantian Jing
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Robb E Moses
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bing Mei
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China, Tel: +86 21 62233970 or +86 21 62233967, Fax: +86 21 62601953, E-mail: or
| | - Xiaotao Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA, Tel: 713 7983817, Fax: 713 7901275, E-mail:
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24
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Werling DM, Geschwind DH. Recurrence rates provide evidence for sex-differential, familial genetic liability for autism spectrum disorders in multiplex families and twins. Mol Autism 2015; 6:27. [PMID: 25973164 PMCID: PMC4429923 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are more prevalent in males, suggesting a multiple threshold liability model in which females are, on average, protected by sex-differential mechanisms. Under this model, autistic females are predicted to carry a more penetrant risk variant load than males and to share this greater genetic liability with their siblings. However, reported ASD recurrence rates have not demonstrated significantly increased risk to siblings of affected girls. Here, we characterize recurrence patterns in multiplex families from the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE) to determine if risk in these families follows a female protective model. Methods We assess recurrence rates and quantitative traits in full siblings from 1,120 multiplex nuclear families and concordance rates in 305 twin pairs from AGRE. We consider the first two affected children per family, and one randomly selected autistic twin per pair, as probands. We then compare recurrence rates and phenotypes between males and females and between twin pairs or families with at least one female proband (female-containing (FC)) versus those with only male probands (male-only (MO)). Results Among children born after two probands, we observe significantly higher recurrence in males (47.5%) than in females (21.1%; relative risk, RR = 2.25; adjusted P = 6.22e−08) and in siblings of female (44.3%) versus siblings of male probands (30.4%; RR = 1.46; adj. P = 0.036). This sex-differential recurrence is also robust in dizygotic twin pairs (males = 61.5%, females = 19.1%; RR = 3.23; adj. P = 7.66e−09). Additionally, we find a significant negative relationship between interbirth interval and ASD recurrence that is driven by children in MO families. Conclusions By classifying families as MO or FC using two probands instead of one, we observe significant recurrence rate differences between families harboring sex-differential familial liability. However, a significant sex difference in risk to children within FC families suggests that female protective mechanisms are still operative in families carrying high genetic risk loads. Furthermore, the male-specific relationship between shorter interbirth intervals and increased ASD risk is consistent with a potentially greater contribution from environmental factors in males versus higher genetic risk in affected females and their families. Understanding the mechanisms driving these sex-differential risk profiles will be useful for treatment development and prevention. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-015-0004-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M Werling
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA ; Neurogenetics Program and Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA ; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA ; Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA ; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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25
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Jaiswal P, Guhathakurta S, Singh AS, Verma D, Pandey M, Varghese M, Sinha S, Ghosh S, Mohanakumar KP, Rajamma U. SLC6A4 markers modulate platelet 5-HT level and specific behaviors of autism: a study from an Indian population. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 56:196-206. [PMID: 25261775 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Presence of platelet hyperserotonemia and effective amelioration of behavioral dysfunctions by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicate that irregularities in serotonin (5-HT) reuptake and its homeostasis could be the basis of behavioral impairments in ASD patients. SLC6A4, the gene encoding serotonin transporter (SERT) is considered as a potential susceptibility gene for ASD, since it is a quantitative trait locus for blood 5-HT levels. Three functional polymorphisms, 5-HTTLPR, STin2 and 3'UTR-SNP of SLC6A4 are extensively studied for possible association with the disorder, with inconclusive outcome. In the present study, we investigated association of these polymorphisms with platelet 5-HT content and symptoms severity as revealed by childhood autism rating scale in ASD children from an Indian population. Higher 5-HT level observed in ASD was highly significant in children with heterozygous and homozygous genotypes comprising of minor alleles of the markers. Quantitative transmission disequilibrium test demonstrated significant genetic effect of STin2 allele as well as STin2/3'UTR-SNP and 5-HTTLPR/3'UTR-SNP haplotypes on 5-HT levels, but no direct association with overall CARS score and ASD phenotype. Significant genetic effect of the markers on specific behavioral phenotypes was observed for various sub-phenotypes of CARS in quantitative trait analysis. Even though the 5-HT level was not associated with severity of behavioral CARS score, a significant negative relationship was observed for 5-HT levels and level and consistency of intellectual response and general impression in ASD children. Population-based study revealed higher distribution of the haplotype 10/G of STin2/3'UTR-SNP in male controls, suggesting protective effect of this haplotype in male cases. Overall results of the study suggest that SLC6A4 markers have specific genetic effect on individual ASD behavioral attributes, might be through the modulation of 5-HT content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Jaiswal
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India
| | - Subhrangshu Guhathakurta
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India
| | - Asem Surindro Singh
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India
| | - Deepak Verma
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India
| | - Mritunjay Pandey
- Lab of Clinical & Experimental Neurosciences, Cell Biology & Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Merina Varghese
- Lab of Clinical & Experimental Neurosciences, Cell Biology & Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Swagata Sinha
- Out-Patients Department, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India
| | - Saurabh Ghosh
- Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 BT Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Kochupurackal P Mohanakumar
- Lab of Clinical & Experimental Neurosciences, Cell Biology & Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Usha Rajamma
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, India.
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Brief Report: Phenotypic Differences and their Relationship to Paternal Age and Gender in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2014; 45:1915-24. [PMID: 25526953 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Two modes of inheritance have been proposed in autism spectrum disorder, transmission though pre-existing variants and de novo mutations. Different modes may lead to different symptom expressions in affected individuals. De novo mutations become more likely with advancing paternal age suggesting that paternal age may predict phenotypic differences. To test this possibility we measured IQ, adaptive behavior, and autistic symptoms in 830 probands from simplex families. We conducted multiple linear regression analysis to estimate the predictive value of paternal age, maternal age, and gender on behavioral measures and IQ. We found a differential effect of parental age and sex on repetitive and restricted behaviors. Findings suggest effects of paternal age on phenotypic differences in simplex families with ASD.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication, and repetitive or restricted interests. There is strong evidence that de novo or inherited genetic alterations play a critical role in causing Autism Spectrum Disorders, but non-genetic causes, such as in utero infections, may also play a role. Magnetic resonance imaging based and autopsy studies indicate that early rapid increase in brain size during infancy could underlie the deficits in a large subset of subjects. Clinical studies show benefits for both behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategies. Genotype-specific treatments have the potential for improving outcome in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Q Mehta
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Ailion M, Hannemann M, Dalton S, Pappas A, Watanabe S, Hegermann J, Liu Q, Han HF, Gu M, Goulding MQ, Sasidharan N, Schuske K, Hullett P, Eimer S, Jorgensen EM. Two Rab2 interactors regulate dense-core vesicle maturation. Neuron 2014; 82:167-80. [PMID: 24698274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Peptide neuromodulators are released from a unique organelle: the dense-core vesicle. Dense-core vesicles are generated at the trans-Golgi and then sort cargo during maturation before being secreted. To identify proteins that act in this pathway, we performed a genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans for mutants defective in dense-core vesicle function. We identified two conserved Rab2-binding proteins: RUND-1, a RUN domain protein, and CCCP-1, a coiled-coil protein. RUND-1 and CCCP-1 colocalize with RAB-2 at the Golgi, and rab-2, rund-1, and cccp-1 mutants have similar defects in sorting soluble and transmembrane dense-core vesicle cargos. RUND-1 also interacts with the Rab2 GAP protein TBC-8 and the BAR domain protein RIC-19, a RAB-2 effector. In summary, a pathway of conserved proteins controls the maturation of dense-core vesicles at the trans-Golgi network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ailion
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Mandy Hannemann
- European Neuroscience Institute, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; International Max Planck Research School Molecular Biology, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susan Dalton
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Andrea Pappas
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Shigeki Watanabe
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jan Hegermann
- European Neuroscience Institute, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; DFG research Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB), 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Qiang Liu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Hsiao-Fen Han
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mingyu Gu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Morgan Q Goulding
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Kim Schuske
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Patrick Hullett
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Stefan Eimer
- European Neuroscience Institute, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; DFG research Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB), 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Erik M Jorgensen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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Gabriele S, Sacco R, Persico AM. Blood serotonin levels in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:919-29. [PMID: 24613076 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Elevated blood serotonin (5-HT) levels were the first biomarker identified in autism research. Many studies have contrasted blood 5-HT levels in autistic patients and controls, but different measurement protocols, technologies, and biomaterials have been used through the years. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide an overall estimate of effect size and between-study heterogeneity, while verifying whether and to what extent different methodological approaches influence the strength of this association. Our literature search strategy identified 551 papers, from which 22 studies providing patient and control blood 5-HT values were selected for meta-analysis. Significantly higher 5-HT levels in autistic patients compared to controls were recorded both in whole blood (WB) [O.R.=4.6; (3.1-5.2); P=1.0×10(-12]), and in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) [O.R.=2.6 (1.8-3.9); P=2.7×10(-7)]. Predictably, studies measuring 5-HT levels in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) yielded no significant group difference [O.R.=0.54 (0.2-2-0); P=0.36]. Altogether, elevated 5-HT blood levels were recorded in 28.3% in WB and 22.5% in PRP samples of autistic individuals, as reported in 15 and 4 studies, respectively. Studies employing HPLC vs fluorometric assays yield similar cumulative effect sizes, but the former display much lower variability. In summary, despite some limitations mainly due to small study sample sizes, our results significantly reinforce the reliability of elevated 5-HT blood levels as a biomarker in ASD, providing practical indications potentially useful for its inclusion in multi-marker diagnostic panels for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Gabriele
- Unit of Child and Adolescent NeuroPsychiatry, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University "Campus Bio-Medico", Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, I-00128 Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Neurosciences, I.R.C.C.S. "Fondazione Santa Lucia", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacco
- Unit of Child and Adolescent NeuroPsychiatry, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University "Campus Bio-Medico", Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, I-00128 Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Neurosciences, I.R.C.C.S. "Fondazione Santa Lucia", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio M Persico
- Unit of Child and Adolescent NeuroPsychiatry, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University "Campus Bio-Medico", Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, I-00128 Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Neurosciences, I.R.C.C.S. "Fondazione Santa Lucia", Rome, Italy; Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Milan, Italy.
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Werling DM, Lowe JK, Luo R, Cantor RM, Geschwind DH. Replication of linkage at chromosome 20p13 and identification of suggestive sex-differential risk loci for autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2014; 5:13. [PMID: 24533643 PMCID: PMC3942516 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-5-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are male-biased and genetically heterogeneous. While sequencing of sporadic cases has identified de novo risk variants, the heritable genetic contribution and mechanisms driving the male bias are less understood. Here, we aimed to identify familial and sex-differential risk loci in the largest available, uniformly ascertained, densely genotyped sample of multiplex ASD families from the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE), and to compare results with earlier findings from AGRE. METHODS From a total sample of 1,008 multiplex families, we performed genome-wide, non-parametric linkage analysis in a discovery sample of 847 families, and separately on subsets of families with only male, affected children (male-only, MO) or with at least one female, affected child (female-containing, FC). Loci showing evidence for suggestive linkage (logarithm of odds ≥2.2) in this discovery sample, or in previous AGRE samples, were re-evaluated in an extension study utilizing all 1,008 available families. For regions with genome-wide significant linkage signal in the discovery stage, those families not included in the corresponding discovery sample were then evaluated for independent replication of linkage. Association testing of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was also performed within suggestive linkage regions. RESULTS We observed an independent replication of previously observed linkage at chromosome 20p13 (P < 0.01), while loci at 6q27 and 8q13.2 showed suggestive linkage in our extended sample. Suggestive sex-differential linkage was observed at 1p31.3 (MO), 8p21.2 (FC), and 8p12 (FC) in our discovery sample, and the MO signal at 1p31.3 was supported in our expanded sample. No sex-differential signals met replication criteria, and no common SNPs were significantly associated with ASD within any identified linkage regions. CONCLUSIONS With few exceptions, analyses of subsets of families from the AGRE cohort identify different risk loci, consistent with extreme locus heterogeneity in ASD. Large samples appear to yield more consistent results, and sex-stratified analyses facilitate the identification of sex-differential risk loci, suggesting that linkage analyses in large cohorts are useful for identifying heritable risk loci. Additional work, such as targeted re-sequencing, is needed to identify the specific variants within these loci that are responsible for increasing ASD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Neurogenetics Program and Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095 Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Ronemus M, Iossifov I, Levy D, Wigler M. The role of de novo mutations in the genetics of autism spectrum disorders. Nat Rev Genet 2014; 15:133-41. [PMID: 24430941 DOI: 10.1038/nrg3585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The identification of the genetic components of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has advanced rapidly in recent years, particularly with the demonstration of de novo mutations as an important source of causality. We review these developments in light of genetic models for ASDs. We consider the number of genetic loci that underlie ASDs and the relative contributions from different mutational classes, and we discuss possible mechanisms by which these mutations might lead to dysfunction. We update the two-class risk genetic model for autism, especially in regard to children with high intelligence quotients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ronemus
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Ivan Iossifov
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Dan Levy
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Michael Wigler
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
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Kerrisk ME, Cingolani LA, Koleske AJ. ECM receptors in neuronal structure, synaptic plasticity, and behavior. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2014; 214:101-31. [PMID: 25410355 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63486-3.00005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During central nervous system development, extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors and their ligands play key roles as guidance molecules, informing neurons where and when to send axonal and dendritic projections, establish connections, and form synapses between pre- and postsynaptic cells. Once stable synapses are formed, many ECM receptors transition in function to control the maintenance of stable connections between neurons and regulate synaptic plasticity. These receptors bind to and are activated by ECM ligands. In turn, ECM receptor activation modulates downstream signaling cascades that control cytoskeletal dynamics and synaptic activity to regulate neuronal structure and function and thereby impact animal behavior. The activities of cell adhesion receptors that mediate interactions between pre- and postsynaptic partners are also strongly influenced by ECM composition. This chapter highlights a number of ECM receptors, their roles in the control of synapse structure and function, and the impact of these receptors on synaptic plasticity and animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Kerrisk
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lorenzo A Cingolani
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anthony J Koleske
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Sampath S, Bhat S, Gupta S, O’Connor A, West AB, Arking DE, Chakravarti A. Defining the contribution of CNTNAP2 to autism susceptibility. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77906. [PMID: 24147096 PMCID: PMC3798378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of genetic evidence suggest a role for CNTNAP2 in autism. To assess its population impact we studied 2148 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) across the entire ~3.3 Mb CNTNAP2 locus in 186 (408 trios) multiplex and 323 simplex families with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). This analysis yielded two SNPs with nominal statistical significance (rs17170073, p = 2.0 x 10-4; rs2215798, p = 1.6 x 10-4) that did not survive multiple testing. In a combined analysis of all families, two highly correlated (r2 = 0.99) SNPs in intron 14 showed significant association with autism (rs2710093, p = 9.0 x 10-6; rs2253031, p = 2.5 x 10-5). To validate these findings and associations at SNPs from previous autism studies (rs7794745, rs2710102 and rs17236239) we genotyped 2051 additional families (572 multiplex and 1479 simplex). None of these variants were significantly associated with ASD after corrections for multiple testing. The analysis of Mendelian errors within each family did not indicate any segregating deletions. Nevertheless, a study of CNTNAP2 gene expression in brains of autistic patients and of normal controls, demonstrated altered expression in a subset of patients (p = 1.9 x10-5). Consequently, this study suggests that although CNTNAP2 dysregulation plays a role in some cases, its population contribution to autism susceptibility is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srirangan Sampath
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Shambu Bhat
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Simone Gupta
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ashley O’Connor
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew B. West
- Department of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Dan E. Arking
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Aravinda Chakravarti
- Center for Complex Disease Genomics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Kerr TM, Muller CL, Miah M, Jetter CS, Pfeiffer R, Shah C, Baganz N, Anderson GM, Crawley JN, Sutcliffe JS, Blakely RD, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Genetic background modulates phenotypes of serotonin transporter Ala56 knock-in mice. Mol Autism 2013; 4:35. [PMID: 24083388 PMCID: PMC3851031 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, we identified multiple, rare serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) variants in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although in our study the SERT Ala56 variant was over-transmitted to ASD probands, it was also seen in some unaffected individuals, suggesting that associated ASD risk is influenced by the epistatic effects of other genetic variation. Subsequently, we established that mice expressing the SERT Ala56 variant on a 129S6/S4 genetic background display multiple biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes, including hyperserotonemia, altered 5-HT receptor sensitivity, and altered social, communication, and repetitive behavior. Here we explore the effects of genetic background on SERT Ala56 knock-in phenotypes. Methods To explore the effects of genetic background, we backcrossed SERT Ala56 mice on the 129 background into a C57BL/6 (B6) background to achieve congenic B6 SERT Ala56 mice, and assessed autism-relevant behavior, including sociability, ultrasonic vocalizations, and repetitive behavior in the home cage, as well as serotonergic phenotypes, including whole blood serotonin levels and serotonin receptor sensitivity. Results One consistent phenotype between the two strains was performance in the tube test for dominance, where mutant mice displayed a greater tendency to withdraw from a social encounter in a narrow tube as compared to wildtype littermate controls. On the B6 background, mutant pup ultrasonic vocalizations were significantly increased, in contrast to decreased vocalizations seen previously on the 129 background. Several phenotypes seen on the 129 background were reduced or absent when the mutation was placed on the B6 background, including hyperserotonemia, 5-HT receptor hypersensivity, and repetitive behavior. Conclusions Our findings provide a cogent example of how epistatic interactions can modulate the impact of functional genetic variation and suggest that some aspects of social behavior may be especially sensitive to changes in SERT function. Finally, these results provide a platform for the identification of genes that may modulate the risk of ASD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis M Kerr
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Campbell NG, Zhu CB, Lindler KM, Yaspan BL, Kistner-Griffin E. Rare coding variants of the adenosine A3 receptor are increased in autism: on the trail of the serotonin transporter regulome. Mol Autism 2013; 4:28. [PMID: 23953133 PMCID: PMC3882891 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rare genetic variation is an important class of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk factors and can implicate biological networks for investigation. Altered serotonin (5-HT) signaling has been implicated in ASD, and we and others have discovered multiple, rare, ASD-associated variants in the 5-HT transporter (SERT) gene leading to elevated 5-HT re-uptake and perturbed regulation. We hypothesized that loci encoding SERT regulators harbor variants that impact SERT function and/or regulation and therefore could contribute to ASD risk. The adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR) regulates SERT via protein kinase G (PKG) and other signaling pathways leading to enhanced SERT surface expression and catalytic activity. METHODS To test our hypothesis, we asked whether rare variants in the A3AR gene (ADORA3) were increased in ASD cases vs. controls. Discovery sequencing in a case-control sample and subsequent analysis of comparison exome sequence data were conducted. We evaluated the functional impact of two variants from the discovery sample on A3AR signaling and SERT activity. RESULTS Sequencing discovery showed an increase of rare coding variants in cases vs. controls (P=0.013). While comparison exome sequence data did not show a significant enrichment (P=0.071), combined analysis strengthened evidence for association (P=0.0025). Two variants discovered in ASD cases (Leu90Val and Val171Ile) lie in or near the ligand-binding pocket, and Leu90Val was enriched individually in cases (P=0.040). In vitro analysis of cells expressing Val90-A3AR revealed elevated basal cGMP levels compared with the wildtype receptor. Additionally, a specific A3AR agonist increased cGMP levels across the full time course studied in Val90-A3AR cells, compared to wildtype receptor. In Val90-A3AR/SERT co-transfections, agonist stimulation elevated SERT activity over the wildtype receptor with delayed 5-HT uptake activity recovery. In contrast, Ile171-A3AR was unable to support agonist stimulation of SERT. Although both Val90 and Ile171 were present in greater numbers in these ASD cases, segregation analysis in families showed incomplete penetrance, consistent with other rare ASD risk alleles. CONCLUSIONS Our results validate the hypothesis that the SERT regulatory network harbors rare, functional variants that impact SERT activity and regulation in ASD, and encourages further investigation of this network for other variation that may impact ASD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Campbell
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
| | - Chong-Bin Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
| | - Kathryn M Lindler
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
| | - Brian L Yaspan
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics and Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
| | - Emily Kistner-Griffin
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Shastry BS. Recent Advances in the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Minireview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1179/096979505799103704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Talebizadeh Z, Arking DE, Hu VW. A Novel Stratification Method in Linkage Studies to Address Inter- and Intra-Family Heterogeneity in Autism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67569. [PMID: 23840741 PMCID: PMC3694043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most genome linkage scans for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have failed to be replicated. Recently, a new ASD phenotypic sub-classification method was developed which employed cluster analyses of severity scores from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Here, we performed linkage analysis for each of the four identified ADI-R stratified subgroups. Additional stratification was also applied to reduce intra-family heterogeneity and to investigate the impact of gender. For the purpose of replication, two independent sets of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for 392 families were used in our study. This deep subject stratification protocol resulted in 16 distinct group-specific datasets for linkage analysis. No locus reached significance for the combined non-stratified cohort. However, study-wide significant (P = 0.02) linkage scores were reached for chromosomes 22q11 (LOD = 4.43) and 13q21 (LOD = 4.37) for two subsets representing the most severely language impaired individuals with ASD. Notably, 13q21 has been previously linked to autism with language impairment, and 22q11 has been separately associated with either autism or language disorders. Linkage analysis on chromosome 5p15 for a combination of two stratified female-containing subgroups demonstrated suggestive linkage (LOD = 3.5), which replicates previous linkage result for female-containing pedigrees. A trend was also found for the association of previously reported 5p14-p15 SNPs in the same female-containing cohort. This study demonstrates a novel and effective method to address the heterogeneity in genetic studies of ASD. Moreover, the linkage results for the stratified subgroups provide evidence at the gene scan level for both inter- and intra-family heterogeneity as well as for gender-specific loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Talebizadeh
- Medical Genetics Research, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dan E. Arking
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that results in behavioral, social and communication impairments. ASD has a substantial genetic component, with 88-95% trait concordance among monozygotic twins. Efforts to elucidate the causes of ASD have uncovered hundreds of susceptibility loci and candidate genes. However, owing to its polygenic nature and clinical heterogeneity, only a few of these markers represent clear targets for further analyses. In the present study, we used the linkage structure associated with published genetic markers of ASD to simultaneously improve candidate gene detection while providing a means of prioritizing markers of common genetic variation in ASD. We first mined the literature for linkage and association studies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, copy-number variations and multi-allelic markers in Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) families. From markers that reached genome-wide significance, we calculated male-specific genetic distances, in light of the observed strong male bias in ASD. Four of 67 autism-implicated regions, 3p26.1, 3p26.3, 3q25-27 and 5p15, were enriched with differentially expressed genes in blood and brain from individuals with ASD. Of 30 genes differentially expressed across multiple expression data sets, 21 were within 10 cM of an autism-implicated locus. Among them, CNTN4, CADPS2, SUMF1, SLC9A9, NTRK3 have been previously implicated in autism, whereas others have been implicated in neurological disorders comorbid with ASD. This work leverages the rich multimodal genomic information collected on AGRE families to present an efficient integrative strategy for prioritizing autism candidates and improving our understanding of the relationships among the vast collection of past genetic studies.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A strong male bias in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has been observed with striking consistency, but no mechanism has yet to definitively account for this sex difference. This review explores the current status of epidemiological, genetic, and neuroendocrinological work addressing ASD prevalence and liability in males and females, so as to frame the major issues necessary to pursue a more complete understanding of the biological basis for sex-differential risk. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies continue to report a male bias in ASD prevalence, but also suggest that sex differences in phenotypic presentation, including fewer restricted and repetitive behaviors and externalizing behavioral problems in females, may contribute to this bias. Genetic studies demonstrate that females are protected from the effects of heritable and de-novo ASD risk variants, and compelling work suggests that sex chromosomal genes and/or sex hormones, especially testosterone, may modulate the effects of genetic variation on the presentation of an autistic phenotype. SUMMARY ASDs affect females less frequently than males, and several sex-differential genetic and hormonal factors may contribute. Future work to determine the mechanisms by which these factors confer risk and protection to males and females is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M Werling
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, Brain Research Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Lu ATH, Dai X, Martinez-Agosto JA, Cantor RM. Support for calcium channel gene defects in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2012; 3:18. [PMID: 23241247 PMCID: PMC3558437 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-3-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Alternation of synaptic homeostasis is a biological process whose disruption might predispose children to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Calcium channel genes (CCG) contribute to modulating neuronal function and evidence implicating CCG in ASD has been accumulating. We conducted a targeted association analysis of CCG using existing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data and imputation methods in a combined sample of parent/affected child trios from two ASD family collections to explore this hypothesis. METHODS A total of 2,176 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (703 genotyped and 1,473 imputed) covering the genes that encode the α1 subunit proteins of 10 calcium channels were tested for association with ASD in a combined sample of 2,781 parent/affected child trios from 543 multiplex Caucasian ASD families from the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE) and 1,651 multiplex and simplex Caucasian ASD families from the Autism Genome Project (AGP). SNP imputation using IMPUTE2 and a combined reference panel from the HapMap3 and the 1,000 Genomes Project increased coverage density of the CCG. Family-based association was tested using the FBAT software which controls for population stratification and accounts for the non-independence of siblings within multiplex families. The level of significance for association was set at 2.3E-05, providing a Bonferroni correction for this targeted 10-gene panel. RESULTS Four SNPs in three CCGs were associated with ASD. One, rs10848653, is located in CACNA1C, a gene in which rare de novo mutations are responsible for Timothy syndrome, a Mendelian disorder that features ASD. Two others, rs198538 and rs198545, located in CACN1G, and a fourth, rs5750860, located in CACNA1I, are in CCGs that encode T-type calcium channels, genes with previous ASD associations. CONCLUSIONS These associations support a role for common CCG SNPs in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ake Tzu-Hui Lu
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-7088, USA.
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Autism spectrum disorders. Transl Neurosci 2012. [DOI: 10.1017/cbo9780511980053.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Galimberti D, Dell'Osso B, Fenoglio C, Villa C, Cortini F, Serpente M, Kittel-Schneider S, Weigl J, Neuner M, Volkert J, Leonhard C, Olmes DG, Kopf J, Cantoni C, Ridolfi E, Palazzo C, Ghezzi L, Bresolin N, Altamura AC, Scarpini E, Reif A. Progranulin gene variability and plasma levels in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32164. [PMID: 22505994 PMCID: PMC3323578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Basing on the assumption that frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BPD) might share common aetiological mechanisms, we analyzed genetic variation in the FTLD risk gene progranulin (GRN) in a German population of patients with schizophrenia (n = 271) or BPD (n = 237) as compared with 574 age-, gender- and ethnicity-matched controls. Furthermore, we measured plasma progranulin levels in 26 German BPD patients as well as in 61 Italian BPD patients and 29 matched controls. A significantly decreased allelic frequency of the minor versus the wild-type allele was observed for rs2879096 (23.2 versus 34.2%, P<0.001, OR:0.63, 95%CI:0.49–0.80), rs4792938 (30.7 versus 39.7%, P = 0.005, OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.55–0.89) and rs5848 (30.3 versus 36.8, P = 0.007, OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.56–0.91). Mean±SEM progranulin plasma levels were significantly decreased in BPD patients, either Germans or Italians, as compared with controls (89.69±3.97 and 116.14±5.80 ng/ml, respectively, versus 180.81±18.39 ng/ml P<0.001) and were not correlated with age. In conclusion, GRN variability decreases the risk to develop BPD and schizophrenia, and progranulin plasma levels are significantly lower in BPD patients than in controls. Nevertheless, a larger replication analysis would be needed to confirm these preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Milan, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Current genomewide association studies account for only a small fraction of the estimated heritabilities of genetically complex neuropsychiatric disorders, indicating they are likely to result from the small effects of numerous predisposing variants, many of which have gone undetected. The statistical power to detect associations of common variants with small effects is increased by conducting joint association tests of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), an additional risk factor (F), and their interaction. F can represent an environmental exposure, another genotype or any source of genetic heterogeneity. In case and control studies, logistic regression makes joint tests straightforward. This analytic method cannot be employed directly when SNP transmission tests are used to detect associations in parent/affected child trios and multiplex families. However, the method can be implemented using the case/pseudocontrol approach. We applied this approach to analyze data from a genomewide association study of multiplex families ascertained for Autism Spectrum Disorder, where sex was used to define the F. Joint analyses revealed two associations exceeding genomewide significance. One novel gene, Ryandine Receptor 2, implicated in calcium channel defects, was identified with a joint P-value of 3.9E-11. Calcium channel defects have been connected to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by Timothy Syndrome, which is Mendelian, and a previous targeted sex-specific association analysis of idiopathic Autism. A second gene, uridine phosphorylase 2, with a joint P-value of 2.3E-9, has been previously linked and associated with Autism in independent samples. These findings highlight two Autism candidate genes for follow-up studies.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are important neuropsychiatric disorders, currently estimated to affect approximately 1% of children, with considerable emotional and financial costs. Significant collaborative effort has been made over the last 15 years in an attempt to unravel the genetic mechanisms underlying these conditions. This has led to important discoveries, both of the roles of specific genes, as well as larger scale chromosomal copy number changes. Here, we summarize some of the latest genetic findings in the field of ASD and attempt to link them with the results of pathophysiological studies to provide an overall picture of at least one of the mechanisms by which ASD may develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Holt
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
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Carayol J, Schellenberg GD, Dombroski B, Genin E, Rousseau F, Dawson G. Autism risk assessment in siblings of affected children using sex-specific genetic scores. Mol Autism 2011; 2:17. [PMID: 22017886 PMCID: PMC3214848 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-2-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The inheritance pattern in most cases of autism is complex. The risk of autism is increased in siblings of children with autism and previous studies have indicated that the level of risk can be further identified by the accumulation of multiple susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) allowing for the identification of a higher-risk subgroup among siblings. As a result of the sex difference in the prevalence of autism, we explored the potential for identifying sex-specific autism susceptibility SNPs in siblings of children with autism and the ability to develop a sex-specific risk assessment genetic scoring system. Methods SNPs were chosen from genes known to be associated with autism. These markers were evaluated using an exploratory sample of 480 families from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) repository. A reproducibility index (RI) was proposed and calculated in all children with autism and in males and females separately. Differing genetic scoring models were then constructed to develop a sex-specific genetic score model designed to identify individuals with a higher risk of autism. The ability of the genetic scores to identify high-risk children was then evaluated and replicated in an independent sample of 351 affected and 90 unaffected siblings from families with at least 1 child with autism. Results We identified three risk SNPs that had a high RI in males, two SNPs with a high RI in females, and three SNPs with a high RI in both sexes. Using these results, genetic scoring models for males and females were developed which demonstrated a significant association with autism (P = 2.2 × 10-6 and 1.9 × 10-5, respectively). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that individual susceptibility associated SNPs for autism may have important differential sex effects. We also show that a sex-specific risk score based on the presence of multiple susceptibility associated SNPs allow for the identification of subgroups of siblings of children with autism who have a significantly higher risk of autism.
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Chang SC, Pauls DL, Lange C, Sasanfar R, Santangelo SL. Common genetic variation in the GAD1 gene and the entire family of DLX homeobox genes and autism spectrum disorders. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2011; 156:233-9. [PMID: 21302352 PMCID: PMC3088769 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 10/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biological and positional evidence supports the involvement of the GAD1 and distal-less homeobox genes (DLXs) in the etiology of autism. We investigated 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a large family-based association study of 715 nuclear families. No single marker showed significant association after correction for multiple testing. A rare haplotype in the DLX1 promoter was associated with ASD (P-value = 0.001). Given the importance of rare variants to the etiology of autism revealed in recent studies, the observed rare haplotype may be relevant to future investigations. Our observations, when taken together with previous findings, suggest that common genetic variation in the GAD1 and DLX genes is unlikely to play a critical role in ASD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Chiao Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David L. Pauls
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christoph Lange
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Channing Laboratories, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roksana Sasanfar
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan L. Santangelo
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chapman NH, Estes A, Munson J, Bernier R, Webb SJ, Rothstein JH, Minshew NJ, Dawson G, Schellenberg GD, Wijsman EM. Genome-scan for IQ discrepancy in autism: evidence for loci on chromosomes 10 and 16. Hum Genet 2011; 129:59-70. [PMID: 20963441 PMCID: PMC3082447 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-010-0899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Performance IQ (PIQ) greater than verbal IQ (VIQ) is often observed in studies of the cognitive abilities of autistic individuals. This characteristic is correlated with social and communication impairments, key parts of the autism diagnosis. We present the first genetic analyses of IQ discrepancy (PIQ-VIQ) as an autism-related phenotype. We performed genome-wide joint linkage and segregation analyses on 287 multiplex families, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Genetic data included a genome-scan of 387 micro-satellite markers in 210 families augmented with additional markers added in a subset of families. Empirical P values were calculated for five interesting regions. Linkage analysis identified five chromosomal regions with substantial regional evidence of linkage; 10p12 [P = 0.001; genome-wide (gw) P = 0.05], 16q23 (P = .015; gw P = 0.53), 2p21 (P = 0.03, gw P = 0.78), 6q25 (P = 0.047, gw P = 0.91) and 15q23-25 (P = 0.053, gw P = 0.93). The location of the chromosome 10 linkage signal coincides with a region noted in a much earlier genome-scan for autism, and the chromosome 16 signal coincides exactly with a linkage signal for non-word repetition in specific language impairment. This study provides strong evidence for a QTL influencing IQ discrepancy in families with autistic individuals on chromosome 10, and suggestive evidence for a QTL on chromosome 16. The location of the chromosome 16 signal suggests a candidate gene, CDH13, a T-cadherin expressed in the brain, which has been implicated in previous SNP studies of autism and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annette Estes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeff Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Raphael Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara J. Webb
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Nancy J. Minshew
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Autism Speaks, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gerard D. Schellenberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellen M. Wijsman
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Statistical Genetics Lab, T15, 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195-9460, USA
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Matson JL, Sturmey P. The Genetics of Autism. INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF AUTISM AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2011. [PMCID: PMC7120060 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This chapter is written to make the fast-paced, expanding field of the genetics of autism accessible to those practitioners who help children with autism. New genetic knowledge and technology have quickly developed over the past 30 years, particularly within the past decade, and have made many optimistic about our ability to explain autism. Among these advances include the sequencing of the human genome (Lander et al., 2001) and the identification of common genetic variants via the HapMap project (International HapMap Consortium, 2005), and the development of cost-efficient genotyping and analysis technologies (Losh, Sullivan, Trembath, & Piven, 2008). Improvement in technology has led to improved visualization of chromosomal abnormality down to the molecular level. The four most common syndromes associated with autism include fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, 15q duplications, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU; Costa e Silva, 2008). FXS and 15q duplications are discussed within the context of cytogenetics. TSC is illustrated within the description of linkage analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny L. Matson
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803 Louisiana USA
| | - Peter Sturmey
- City University of New York, Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, 11367 New York USA
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Napolioni V, Lombardi F, Sacco R, Curatolo P, Manzi B, Alessandrelli R, Militerni R, Bravaccio C, Lenti C, Saccani M, Schneider C, Melmed R, Pascucci T, Puglisi-Allegra S, Reichelt KL, Rousseau F, Lewin P, Persico AM. Family-based association study of ITGB3 in autism spectrum disorder and its endophenotypes. Eur J Hum Genet 2010; 19:353-9. [PMID: 21102624 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2010.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrin-β 3 gene (ITGB3), located on human chromosome 17q21.3, was previously identified as a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for 5-HT blood levels and has been implicated as a candidate gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We performed a family-based association study in 281 simplex and 12 multiplex Caucasian families. ITGB3 haplotypes are significantly associated with autism (HBAT, global P=0.038). Haplotype H3 is largely over-transmitted to the affected offspring and doubles the risk of an ASD diagnosis (HBAT P=0.005; odds ratio (OR)=2.000), at the expense of haplotype H1, which is under-transmitted (HBAT P=0.018; OR=0.725). These two common haplotypes differ only at rs12603582 located in intron 11, which reaches a P-value of 0.072 in single-marker FBAT analyses. Interestingly, rs12603582 is strongly associated with pre-term delivery in our ASD patients (P=0.008). On the other hand, it is SNP rs2317385, located at the 5' end of the gene, that significantly affects 5-HT blood levels (Mann-Whitney U-test, P=0.001; multiple regression analysis, P=0.010). No gene-gene interaction between ITGB3 and SLC6A4 has been detected. In conclusion, we identify a significant association between a common ITGB3 haplotype and ASD. Distinct markers, located toward the 5' and 3' ends of the gene, seemingly modulate 5-HT blood levels and autism liability, respectively. Our results also raise interest into ITGB3 influences on feto-maternal immune interactions in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Napolioni
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis of a motor speech phenotype within families ascertained for autism risk loci. J Neurodev Disord 2010; 2:210-223. [PMID: 21125004 PMCID: PMC2974936 DOI: 10.1007/s11689-010-9063-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Using behavioral and genetic information from the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE) data set we developed phenotypes and investigated linkage and association for individuals with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who exhibit expressive language behaviors consistent with a motor speech disorder. Speech and language variables from Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were used to develop a motor speech phenotype associated with non-verbal or unintelligible verbal behaviors (NVMSD:ALL) and a related phenotype restricted to individuals without significant comprehension difficulties (NVMSD:C). Using Affymetrix 5.0 data, the PPL framework was employed to assess the strength of evidence for or against trait-marker linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LD) across the genome. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was then utilized to identify potential genes for further investigation. We identified several linkage peaks based on two related language-speech phenotypes consistent with a potential motor speech disorder: chromosomes 1q24.2, 3q25.31, 4q22.3, 5p12, 5q33.1, 17p12, 17q11.2, and 17q22 for NVMSD:ALL and 4p15.2 and 21q22.2 for NVMSD:C. While no compelling evidence of association was obtained under those peaks, we identified several potential genes of interest using IPA. CONCLUSION: Several linkage peaks were identified based on two motor speech phenotypes. In the absence of evidence of association under these peaks, we suggest genes for further investigation based on their biological functions. Given that autism spectrum disorders are complex with a wide range of behaviors and a large number of underlying genes, these speech phenotypes may belong to a group of several that should be considered when developing narrow, well-defined, phenotypes in the attempt to reduce genetic heterogeneity. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11689-010-9063-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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