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Zeng S, Yang H, Wang B, Xie Y, Xu K, Liu L, Cao W, Liu X, Tang B, Liu M, Zhang R. The MORC2 p.S87L mutation reduces proliferation of pluripotent stem cells derived from a patient with the spinal muscular atrophy-like phenotype by inhibiting proliferation-related signaling pathways. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:205-211. [PMID: 37488868 PMCID: PMC10479865 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375347] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the microrchidia CW-type zinc finger protein 2 (MORC2) gene are the causative agent of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z (CMT2Z), and the hotspot mutation p.S87L is associated with a more severe spinal muscular atrophy-like clinical phenotype. The aims of this study were to determine the mechanism of the severe phenotype caused by the MORC2 p.S87L mutation and to explore potential treatment strategies. Epithelial cells were isolated from urine samples from a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-like patient (MORC2 p.S87L), a CMT2Z patient (MORC2 p.Q400R), and a healthy control and induced to generate pluripotent stem cells, which were then differentiated into motor neuron precursor cells. Next-generation RNA sequencing followed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes involved in the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways were enriched in the p.S87L SMA-like patient group and were significantly downregulated in induced pluripotent stem cells. Reduced proliferation was observed in the induced pluripotent stem cells and motor neuron precursor cells derived from the p.S87L SMA-like patient group compared with the CMT2Z patient group and the healthy control. G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest was observed in induced pluripotent stem cells derived from the p.S87L SMA-like patient. MORC2 p.S87L-specific antisense oligonucleotides (p.S87L-ASO-targeting) showed significant efficacy in improving cell proliferation and activating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways in induced pluripotent stem cells. However, p.S87L-ASO-targeting did not rescue proliferation of motor neuron precursor cells. These findings suggest that downregulation of the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways leading to reduced cell proliferation and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in induced pluripotent stem cells might be the underlying mechanism of the severe p.S87L SMA-like phenotype. p.S87L-ASO-targeting treatment can alleviate disordered cell proliferation in the early stage of pluripotent stem cell induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Zeng
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Honglan Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Binghao Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yongzhi Xie
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Health Management Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wanqian Cao
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xionghao Liu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Mujun Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ruxu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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2
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Hu SY, Qian JX, Yang SY, Andriani L, Liao L, Deng L, Huang MY, Zhang YL, Zhang FL, Shao ZM, Li DQ. Destabilization of microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 via the cyclin-dependent kinase 1-chaperone-mediated autophagy pathway promotes mitotic arrest and enhances cancer cellular sensitivity to microtubule-targeting agents. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1210. [PMID: 36967563 PMCID: PMC10040724 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1210] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microtubule-targeing agents (MTAs), such as paclitaxel (PTX) and vincristine (VCR), kill cancer cells through activtion of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and induction of mitotic arrest, but the development of resistance poses significant clinical challenges. METHODS Immunoblotting and RT-qPCR were used to investigate potential function and related mechanism of MORC2. Flow cytometry analyses were carried out to determine cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The effect of MORC2 on cellular sensitivity to PTX and VCR was determined by immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays. Immunoprecipitation assays and immunofluorescent staining were utilized to investigate protein-protein interaction and protein co-localization. RESULTS Here, we identified microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2), a poorly characterized oncoprotein, as a novel regulator of SAC activation, mitotic progression, and resistance of cancer cells to PTX and VCR. Mechanically, PTX and VCR activate cyclin-dependent kinase 1, which in turn induces MORC2 phosphorylation at threonine 717 (T717) and T733. Phosphorylated MORC2 enhances its interation with HSPA8 and LAMP2A, two essential components of the chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) mechinery, resulting in its autophagic degradation. Degradation of MORC2 during mitosis leads to SAC activation through stabilizing anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome activator protein Cdc20 and facilitating mitotic checkpoint complex assembly, thus contributing to mitotic arrest induced by PTX and VCR. Notably, knockdown of MORC2 promotes mitotic arrest induced by PTX and VCR and enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to PTX and VCR. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these findings unveil a previously unrecognized function and regulatory mechanism of MORC2 in mitotic progression and resistance of cancer cells to MTAs. These results also provide a new clue for developing combined treatmentstrategy by targeting MORC2 in combination with MTAs against human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yuan Hu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Xian Qian
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Ying Yang
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lisa Andriani
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liao
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Deng
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Ying Huang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin-Ling Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Lin Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Min Shao
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Jacquier A, Ribault S, Mendes M, Lacoste N, Risson V, Carras J, Latour P, Nadaj-Pakleza A, Stojkovic T, Schaeffer L. Expanding the phenotypic variability of MORC2 gene mutations: From Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease to late-onset pure motor neuropathy. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1898-1908. [PMID: 35904125 PMCID: PMC10087860 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
MORC2 gene encodes a ubiquitously expressed nuclear protein involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and transcriptional regulation. Heterozygous mutations in MORC2 gene have been associated with a spectrum of disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT2Z), spinal muscular atrophy-like with or without cerebellar involvement, and a developmental syndrome associated with impaired growth, craniofacial dysmorphism and axonal neuropathy (DIGFAN syndrome). Such variability in clinical manifestations associated with the increasing number of variants of unknown significance detected by next-generation sequencing constitutes a serious diagnostic challenge. Here we report the characterization of an in vitro model to evaluate the pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance based on MORC2 overexpression in a neuroblastoma cell line SH-EP or cortical neurons. Likewise, we show that MORC2 mutants affect survival and trigger apoptosis over time in SH-EP cell line. Furthermore, overexpression in primary cortical neurons increases apoptotic cell death and decreases neurite outgrowth. Altogether, these approaches establish the pathogenicity of two new variants p.Gly444Arg and p.His446Gln in three patients from two families. These new mutations in MORC2 gene are associated with autosomal dominant CMT and with adult late onset proximal motor neuropathy, further increasing the spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with MORC2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Jacquier
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.,Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon-HCL groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Shams Ribault
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.,Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Hôpital Henry Gabrielle, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Saint-Genis-Laval, France
| | - Michel Mendes
- Service de Neurologie, Centro Hospitalar Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Lacoste
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France
| | - Valérie Risson
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France
| | - Julien Carras
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.,Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon-HCL groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Philippe Latour
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.,Unité fonctionnelle de neurogénétique moléculaire, CHU de Lyon-HCL groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Aleksandra Nadaj-Pakleza
- Centre de Référence des maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile-de-France, Service de Neurologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Schaeffer
- PGNM, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Lyon1-CNRS UMR5261-INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.,Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon-HCL groupement Est, Bron, France
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4
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Sivera R, Lupo V, Frasquet M, Argente-Escrig H, Alonso-Pérez J, Díaz-Manera J, Querol L, Del Mar García-Romero M, Ignacio Pascual S, García-Sobrino T, Paradas C, Francisco Vázquez-Costa J, Muelas N, Millet E, Jesús Vílchez J, Espinós C, Sevilla T. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease due to MORC2 mutations in Spain. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:3001-3011. [PMID: 34189813 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MORC2 mutations have been described as a rare cause of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT2Z). The aim of this work was to determine the frequency and distribution of these mutations throughout Spain, to provide a comprehensive phenotypical description and, if possible, to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS Retrospectively, data on patients diagnosed with CMT2Z in Spain were collected and clinical, electrophysiological and muscle imaging information were analysed. RESULTS Fifteen patients with CMT2Z were identified throughout Spain, seven of them belonging to a single kindred, whilst the rest were sporadic. The most common mutation was p.R252W, and four new mutations were identified. Eleven patients were categorized as having a scapuloperoneal phenotype, with asymmetric muscle weakness, early proximal upper limb involvement and frequent spontaneous muscular activity with distal sensory impairment and pes cavus, whilst two presented with a more classic length dependent sensory motor phenotype. This distinction was corroborated by the distribution of muscle fatty infiltration in muscle imaging. Two other patients were classified as having a neurodevelopmental phenotype consisting in congenital or early onset, delay in motor milestones, and global developmental delay in one of them. Nerve conduction studies revealed an unequivocally axonal neuropathy with frequent spontaneous activity, and serum creatine kinase levels were increased in 50% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS MORC2 mutations are a rare cause of CMT in Spain, but in-depth phenotyping reveals a recognizable phenotypic spectrum that will be clinically relevant for future identification of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Sivera
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Francesc de Borja, Gandía, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Lupo
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases Felipe, Centro de Investigación Príncipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Frasquet
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Herminia Argente-Escrig
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Alonso-Pérez
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Díaz-Manera
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Luis Querol
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Del Mar García-Romero
- Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Ignacio Pascual
- Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tania García-Sobrino
- Department of Neurology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Paradas
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Vázquez-Costa
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Muelas
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elvira Millet
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Jesús Vílchez
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Espinós
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases Felipe, Centro de Investigación Príncipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Sevilla
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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Duan X, Liu X, Wang G, Gu W, Xu M, Hao Y, Dong M, Sun Q, Sun S, Chen Y, Wang W, Li J, Zhang Y, Cao Z, Fan D, Wang R, Da Y. Characterization of genotype-phenotype correlation with MORC2 mutated Axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a cohort of Chinese patients. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:244. [PMID: 34059105 PMCID: PMC8166055 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01881-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is an exciting field of study, with a growing number of causal genes and an expanding phenotypic spectrum. The microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 gene (MORC2) was newly identified as a causative gene of CMT2Z in 2016. We aimed to describe the phenotypic-genetic spectrum of MORC2-related diseases in the Chinese population. METHODS With the use of Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, we screened a cohort of 284 unrelated Chinese CMT2 families. Pathogenicity assessments of MORC2 variants were interpreted according to the ACMG guidelines. Potential pathogenic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS We identified 4 different heterozygous MORC2 mutations in four unrelated families, accounting for 1.4% (4/284). A novel mutation c.1397A>G p. D466G was detected in family 1 and all affected patients presented with later onset axonal CMT with hyperCKemia. The patient in family 2 showed a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-like disease with cerebellar hypoplasia and mental retardation, with a hot spot de novo mutation c.260C>T p. S87L. The twin sisters in family 3 were identified as having the most common mutation c.754C>T p. R252W and suffered from axonal motor neuropathy with high variability in disease severity and duration. The patient in family 4 developed an early onset axonal motor and sensory neuropathy, with a reported mutation c.1220G>A p.C407Y. All identified mutations associated with MORC2-related neuropathies are localized in the N-terminal ATPase module. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed that MORC2-related neuropathies exist in the Chinese population at a relatively high mutation rate. We revealed a complex genotype-phenotype correlation with MORC2 mutations. This report adds a new piece to the puzzle of the genetics of CMT and contributes to a better understanding of the disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Duan
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Guochun Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihong Gu
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chang Chun Street, Beijing, 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Hao
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingrui Dong
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Sun
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaojie Sun
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Clinical Research Institute, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research Institute, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Cao
- Running Gene Inc., Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Renbin Wang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuwei Da
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chang Chun Street, Beijing, 100053, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Vujovic D, Cornblath DR, Scherer SS. A recurrent MORC2 mutation causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2021; 26:184-186. [PMID: 33844363 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We found a p.Ala406Val (c.1217C > T) mutation in MORC2 in three individuals, from two families. All three individuals were evaluated and clinical electrophysiology was completed. The neuropathy began in childhood to early adulthood, with distal weakness progressing to proximal weakness. Vinblastine (for Hodgkin lymphoma) acutely worsened the weakness in one patient. This finding confirms that that the p.Ala406Val mutation in MORC2 causes severe neuropathy. In addition, we report the first case of vinblastine neurotoxicity in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Vujovic
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David R Cornblath
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven S Scherer
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Sun SC, Ma D, Li MY, Zhang RX, Huang C, Huang HJ, Xie YZ, Wang ZJ, Liu J, Cai DC, Liu CX, Yang Q, Bao FX, Gong XL, Li JR, Hui Z, Wei XF, Zhong JM, Zhou WJ, Shang X, Zhang C, Liu XG, Tang BS, Xiong F, Xu XM. Mutations in C1orf194, encoding a calcium regulator, cause dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Brain 2020; 142:2215-2229. [PMID: 31199454 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy exhibiting great clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Here, the identification of two heterozygous missense mutations in the C1orf194 gene at 1p21.2-p13.2 with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are reported. Specifically, the p.I122N mutation was the cause of an intermediate form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and the p.K28I missense mutation predominately led to the demyelinating form. Functional studies demonstrated that the p.K28I variant significantly reduced expression of the protein, but the p.I122N variant increased. In addition, the p.I122N mutant protein exhibited the aggregation in neuroblastoma cell lines and the patient's peroneal nerve. Either gain-of-function or partial loss-of-function mutations to C1ORF194 can specify different causal mechanisms responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with a wide range of clinical severity. Moreover, a knock-in mouse model confirmed that the C1orf194 missense mutation p.I121N led to impairments in motor and neuromuscular functions, and aberrant myelination and axonal phenotypes. The loss of normal C1ORF194 protein altered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and upregulated Ca2+ handling regulatory proteins. These findings describe a novel protein with vital functions in peripheral nervous systems and broaden the causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which open new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of related neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Chang Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ruijin Hospital North, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Di Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Mei-Yi Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ru-Xu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hua-Jie Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Zhi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Zhong-Ju Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - De-Cheng Cai
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Xian Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Fei-Xiang Bao
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Gong
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jie-Ru Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Hui
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Wei
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Mei Zhong
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wan-Jun Zhou
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Shang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Guo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Bei-Sha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Fu Xiong
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R.China
| | - Xiang-Min Xu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R.China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brian Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
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8
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Sancho P, Bartesaghi L, Miossec O, García-García F, Ramírez-Jiménez L, Siddell A, Åkesson E, Hedlund E, Laššuthová P, Pascual-Pascual SI, Sevilla T, Kennerson M, Lupo V, Chrast R, Espinós C. Characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying the axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy caused by MORC2 mutations. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:1629-1644. [PMID: 30624633 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in MORC2 lead to an axonal form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy type 2Z. To date, 31 families have been described with mutations in MORC2, indicating that this gene is frequently involved in axonal CMT cases. While the genetic data clearly establish the causative role of MORC2 in CMT2Z, the impact of its mutations on neuronal biology and their phenotypic consequences in patients remains to be clarified. We show that the full-length form of MORC2 is highly expressed in both embryonic and adult human neural tissues and that Morc2 expression is dynamically regulated in both the developing and the maturing murine nervous system. To determine the effect of the most common MORC2 mutations, p.S87L and p.R252W, we used several in vitro cell culture paradigms. Both mutations induced transcriptional changes in patient-derived fibroblasts and when expressed in rodent sensory neurons. These changes were more pronounced and accompanied by abnormal axonal morphology, in neurons expressing the MORC2 p.S87L mutation, which is associated with a more severe clinical phenotype. These data provide insight into the neuronal specificity of the mutated MORC2-mediated phenotype and highlight the importance of neuronal cell models to study the pathophysiology of CMT2Z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Sancho
- Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | - Luca Bartesaghi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olivia Miossec
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francisco García-García
- Unit of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez-Jiménez
- Department of Genomics and Translational Genetics, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | - Anna Siddell
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Division of Neurodegeneration, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,The R&D Unit, Stiftelsen Stockholms Sjukhemm, 14152, Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petra Laššuthová
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, DNA Laboratory, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Teresa Sevilla
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, and CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Kennerson
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia.,Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Hospital, Concord NSW, Australia
| | - Vincenzo Lupo
- Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Genomics and Translational Genetics, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA & IIS-La Fe Rare Diseases Joint Units, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | - Roman Chrast
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmen Espinós
- Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Genomics and Translational Genetics, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA & IIS-La Fe Rare Diseases Joint Units, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
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9
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Zanni G, Nardella M, Barresi S, Bellacchio E, Niceta M, Ciolfi A, Pro S, D'Arrigo S, Tartaglia M, Bertini E. De novo p.T362R mutation in MORC2 causes early onset cerebellar ataxia, axonal polyneuropathy and nocturnal hypoventilation. Brain 2019; 140:e34. [PMID: 28402445 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ginevra Zanni
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Nardella
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Barresi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Niceta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Pro
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Arrigo
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and related neuropathies represent a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders. The present review will discuss the most recent advances in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Knowledge of CMT epidemiology and frequency of the main associated genes is increasing, with an overall prevalence estimated at 10-28/100 000. In the last years, the huge number of newly uncovered genes, thanks to next-generation sequencing techniques, is challenging the current classification of CMT. During the last 18 months other genes have been associated with CMT, such as PMP2, MORC2, NEFH, MME, and DGAT2. For the most common forms of CMT, numerous promising compounds are under study in cellular and animal models, mainly targeting either the protein degradation pathway or the protein overexpression. Consequently, efforts are devoted to develop responsive outcome measures and biomarkers for this overall slowly progressive disorder, with quantitative muscle MRI resulting the most sensitive-to-change measure. SUMMARY This is a rapidly evolving field where better understanding of pathophysiology is paving the way to develop potentially effective treatments, part of which will soon be tested in patients. Intense research is currently devoted to prepare clinical trials and develop responsive outcome measures.
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11
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Pan Z, Ding Q, Guo Q, Guo Y, Wu L, Wu L, Tang M, Yu H, Zhou F. MORC2, a novel oncogene, is upregulated in liver cancer and contributes to proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:59-72. [PMID: 29620211 PMCID: PMC5958890 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microrchidia 2 (MORC2) is important in DNA damage repair and lipogenesis, however, the clinical and functional role of MORC2 in liver cancer remains to be fully elucidated. The aim the present study was to clarify the role of MORC2 in liver cancer. Expression profile analysis, immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the levels of MORC2 in liver cancer patient specimens and cell lines; subsequently the expression of MORC2 was suppressed or increased in liver cancer cells and the effects of MORC2 on the cancerous transformation of liver cancer cells were examined in vitro and in vivo. MORC2 was upregulated in liver cancer tissues, and the upregulation was associated with certain clinicopathologic features of patients with liver cancer. MORC2 knockdown caused marked inhibition of liver cancer cell proliferation and clonogenicity, whereas the overexpression of MORC2 substantially promoted liver cancer cell proliferation. In addition, the knockdown of MORC2 inhibited the migratory and invasive ability of liver cancer cells, whereas increased migration and invasion rates were observed in cells with ectopic expression of MORC2. In a model of nude mice, the overexpression of MORC2 promoted tumorigenicity and markedly enhanced pulmonary metastasis of liver cancer. Furthermore, MORC2 regulated apoptosis and its expression level had an effect on the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. Mechanically, MORC2 modulated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, possibly in a p53-dependent manner, and its dysregulation also resulted in the abnormal activation of the Hippo pathway. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the present study confirmed that MORC2 was a novel oncogene in liver cancer. These results provide useful insight into the mechanism underlying the tumorigenesis and progression of liver cancer, and offers clues into potential novel liver cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qianshan Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qian Guo
- Hepatic Disease Institute, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430061, P.R. China
| | - Yong Guo
- College of Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guanxi 541004, P.R. China
| | - Lianlian Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Meng Tang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Hubei Clinical Cancer Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Honggang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Fuxiang Zhou
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Hubei Clinical Cancer Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
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12
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Neuropathic MORC2 mutations perturb GHKL ATPase dimerization dynamics and epigenetic silencing by multiple structural mechanisms. Nat Commun 2018; 9:651. [PMID: 29440755 PMCID: PMC5811534 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03045-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in MORC2 cause neuropathies including spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. We recently identified MORC2 as an effector of epigenetic silencing by the human silencing hub (HUSH). Here we report the biochemical and cellular activities of MORC2 variants, alongside crystal structures of wild-type and neuropathic forms of a human MORC2 fragment comprising the GHKL-type ATPase module and CW-type zinc finger. This fragment dimerizes upon binding ATP and contains a hinged, functionally critical coiled-coil insertion absent in other GHKL ATPases. We find that dimerization and DNA binding of the MORC2 ATPase module transduce HUSH-dependent silencing. Disease mutations change the dynamics of dimerization by distinct structural mechanisms: destabilizing the ATPase-CW module, trapping the ATP lid, or perturbing the dimer interface. These defects lead to the modulation of HUSH function, thus providing a molecular basis for understanding MORC2-associated neuropathies.
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13
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Ando M, Okamoto Y, Yoshimura A, Yuan JH, Hiramatsu Y, Higuchi Y, Hashiguchi A, Mitsui J, Ishiura H, Fukumura S, Matsushima M, Ochi N, Tsugawa J, Morishita S, Tsuji S, Takashima H. Clinical and mutational spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z caused by MORC2 variants in Japan. Eur J Neurol 2017; 24:1274-1282. [PMID: 28771897 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 gene (MORC2) was newly identified as a causative gene of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 2Z in 2016. We aimed to describe the clinical and mutational spectrum of patients with CMT harboring MORC2 mutations in Japan. METHODS We analyzed samples from 781 unrelated patients clinically diagnosed with CMT using deoxyribonucleic acid microarray or targeted resequencing by next-generation sequencing, and samples from 434 mutation-negative patients were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. We extracted MORC2 variants from these whole-exome sequencing data and classified them according to American College of Medical Genetics standards and guidelines. RESULTS We identified MORC2 variants in 13 patients. As the second most common causative gene of CMT type 2 after MFN2, MORC2 variants were detected in 2.7% of patients with CMT type 2. The mean age of onset was 10.3 ± 8.7 years, and the inheritance pattern was mostly sporadic (11/13 patients, 84.6%). The clinical phenotype was typically length-dependent polyneuropathy, and electrophysiological studies revealed sensory-dominant axonal neuropathy. Mental retardation was identified in 4/13 patients (30.8%). p.Arg190Trp, as a mutational hotspot, was observed in eight unrelated families. We also identified two novel probably pathogenic variants, p.Cys345Tyr and p.Ala369Val, and one novel uncertain significance variant, p.Tyr332Cys. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the largest report of patients harboring MORC2 variants. We revealed a clinical and mutational spectrum of Japanese patients with MORC2 variants. More attention should be paid to cognitive impairment, and the responsible mechanism requires further research for elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ando
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - Y Okamoto
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - A Yoshimura
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - J-H Yuan
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - Y Hiramatsu
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - Y Higuchi
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - A Hashiguchi
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
| | - J Mitsui
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - H Ishiura
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - S Fukumura
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo
| | - M Matsushima
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo
| | - N Ochi
- Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Aichi
| | - J Tsugawa
- Department of Neurology, Fukuoka University Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka
| | - S Morishita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Tsuji
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
| | - H Takashima
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima
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14
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Hyperactivation of HUSH complex function by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease mutation in MORC2. Nat Genet 2017; 49:1035-1044. [PMID: 28581500 PMCID: PMC5493197 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Dominant mutations in the MORC2 gene have recently been shown to cause axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, but the cellular function of MORC2 is poorly understood. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-mediated forward genetic screen, we identified MORC2 as an essential gene required for epigenetic silencing by the HUSH complex. HUSH recruits MORC2 to target sites in heterochromatin. We exploited a new method, differential viral accessibility (DIVA), to show that loss of MORC2 results in chromatin decompaction at these target loci, which is concomitant with a loss of H3K9me3 deposition and transcriptional derepression. The ATPase activity of MORC2 is critical for HUSH-mediated silencing, and the most common alteration affecting the ATPase domain in CMT patients (p.Arg252Trp) hyperactivates HUSH-mediated repression in neuronal cells. These data define a critical role for MORC2 in epigenetic silencing by the HUSH complex and provide a mechanistic basis underpinning the role of MORC2 mutations in CMT disease.
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15
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Koch A, Kang HG, Steinbrenner J, Dempsey DA, Klessig DF, Kogel KH. MORC Proteins: Novel Players in Plant and Animal Health. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1720. [PMID: 29093720 PMCID: PMC5651269 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Microrchidia (MORC) proteins comprise a family of proteins that have been identified in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They are defined by two hallmark domains: a GHKL-type ATPase and an S5 fold. MORC proteins in plants were first discovered via a genetic screen for Arabidopsis mutants compromised for resistance to a viral pathogen. Subsequent studies expanded their role in plant immunity and revealed their involvement in gene silencing and transposable element repression. Emerging data suggest that MORC proteins also participate in pathogen-induced chromatin remodeling and epigenetic gene regulation. In addition, biochemical analyses recently demonstrated that plant MORCs have topoisomerase II (topo II)-like DNA modifying activities that may be important for their function. Interestingly, animal MORC proteins exhibit many parallels with their plant counterparts, as they have been implicated in disease development and gene silencing. In addition, human MORCs, like plant MORCs, bind salicylic acid and this inhibits some of their topo II-like activities. In this review, we will focus primarily on plant MORCs, although relevant comparisons with animal MORCs will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Koch
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute for Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hong-Gu Kang
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | - Jens Steinbrenner
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute for Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Daniel F. Klessig
- Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ithaca, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Daniel F. Klessig
| | - Karl-Heinz Kogel
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute for Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Karl-Heinz Kogel
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16
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Schottmann G, Wagner C, Seifert F, Stenzel W, Schuelke M. MORC2 mutation causes severe spinal muscular atrophy-phenotype, cerebellar atrophy, and diaphragmatic paralysis. Brain 2016; 139:e70. [PMID: 27794525 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Schottmann
- 1 Department of Neuropaediatrics and NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Wagner
- 2 Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Department of Neuropaediatrics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Seifert
- 1 Department of Neuropaediatrics and NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Germany
| | - Werner Stenzel
- 3 Institute of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Schuelke
- 1 Department of Neuropaediatrics and NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Germany
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