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Wang A, Shi S, Ma Y, Li S, Gui W. Insights into the role of FoxL2 in tebuconazole-induced male- biased sex differentiation of zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174543. [PMID: 38977095 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Tebuconazole (TEB) is a commonly used fungicide that inhibits the aromatase Cyp19A and downregulates the transcription factor forkhead box L2 (FoxL2), leading to male-biased sex differentiation in zebrafish larvae. However, the specific mechanism by which FoxL2 functions following TEB exposure remains unclear. In this study, the phosphorylation sites and kinase-specific residues in zebrafish FoxL2 protein (zFoxL2) were predicted. Subsequently, recombinant zFoxL2 was prepared via prokaryotic expression, and a polyclonal rabbit-anti-zFoxL2 antibody was generated. Zebrafish fibroblast (ZF4) cells were exposed to 100-μM TEB alone for 8 h, after which changes in the expression of genes involved in the foxl2 regulatory pathway (akt1, pi3k, cyp19a1b, c/ebpb and sox9a) were detected. When co-exposed to 1-μM estradiol and 100-μM TEB, the expression of these key genes tended to be restored. Interestingly, TEB did not affect the expression of the foxl2 gene or protein but it significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of FoxL2 (pFoxL2) at serine 238 (decreased by 43.64 %, p = 0.009). Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that, following exposure to 100-μM TEB, the total precipitated proteins in ZF4 cells decreased by 17.02 % (p = 0.029) and 31.39 % (p = 0.027) in the anti-zFoxL2 antibody group and anti-pFoxL2 (ser238) antibody group, respectively, indicating that TEB suppressed the capacity of the FoxL2 protein to bind to other proteins via repression of its own phosphorylation. The pull-down assay confirmed this conclusion. This study preliminarily elucidated that the foxl2 gene functions via post-translational regulation through hypophosphorylation of its encoded protein during TEB-induced male-biased sex differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoxue Wang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shiyao Shi
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yongfang Ma
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shuying Li
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.
| | - Wenjun Gui
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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Zutterling C, Todeschini AL, Fourmy D, Busso D, Veaute X, Ducongé F, Veitia RA. The forkhead DNA-binding domain binds specific G2-rich RNA sequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12367-12380. [PMID: 37933840 PMCID: PMC10711433 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors contain a DNA-binding domain ensuring specific recognition of DNA target sequences. The family of forkhead (FOX) transcription factors is composed of dozens of paralogs in mammals. The forkhead domain (FHD) is a segment of about 100 amino acids that binds an A-rich DNA sequence. Using DNA and RNA PCR-SELEX, we show that recombinant FOXL2 proteins, either wild-type or carrying the oncogenic variant C134W, recognize similar DNA-binding sites. This suggests that the oncogenic variant does not alter the intrinsic sequence-specificity of FOXL2. Most importantly, we show that FOXL2 binds G2-rich RNA sequences whereas it virtually fails to bind similar sequences in DNA chemistry. Interestingly, a statistically significant subset of genes responding to the knock-down of FOXL2/Foxl2 harbor such G2-rich sequences and are involved in crucial signaling pathways and cellular processes. In addition, we show that FOXA1, FOXO3a and chimeric FOXL2 proteins containing the FHD of the former are also able to interact with some of the preferred FOXL2-binding sequences. Our results point to an unexpected and novel characteristic of the forkhead domain, the biological relevance of which remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Zutterling
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
| | - Anne-Laure Todeschini
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
| | - Deborah Fourmy
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Didier Busso
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- CIGEx platform. UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Xavier Veaute
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- CIGEx platform. UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Frédéric Ducongé
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
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Molecular cloning and expression patterns of a sex-biased transcriptional factor Foxl2 in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Mol Biol Rep 2022; 50:3581-3591. [PMID: 36422756 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Macrobrachium rosenbergii is an economically important species that is widely cultivated in some Asian nations. Foxl2 is a transcriptional regulator of ovarian differentiation and development. The aim of this study was to study the bioinformatics features and expression patterns of M. rosenbergii Foxl2 (MrFoxl2). METHODS In this study, all experimental animals were mature M. rosenbergii (9-12 cm) individuals. The foxl2 gene was identified and characterized in the genome of M. rosenbergii using molecular cloning, bioinformatic analysis, in situ hybridization, and quantitative analysis. RESULTS The identified cDNA encoded a putative 489-amino-acid MrFoxl2 protein. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a low identity of MrFoxl2 to other crustacean orthologues. The closest phylogenetic relationship was to Foxl2 of Eriocheir sinensis. The result of in situ hybridization demonstrated that transcripts of MrFoxl2 in M. rosenbergii were identified in spermatocytes, oocytes, and secretory epithelial cells of the vas deferens. The result of q-PCR suggested that a high expression of MrFoxl2 was identified in the testis, vas deferens, and ovaries. During ovarian development, MrFoxl2 expression was the highest in stage I. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that MrFoxl2 may play a role in gonadal development in both female and male M. rosenbergii.
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Meng T, Zhang W, Zhang R, Li J, Gao Y, Qin Y, Jiao X. Ovarian Reserve and ART Outcomes in Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome Patients With FOXL2 Mutations. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:829153. [PMID: 35574016 PMCID: PMC9097277 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.829153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To characterize the status of ovarian reserve and ART outcomes in BPES women and provide informative reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods Twenty-one women with BPES were screened for mutations in the FOXL2 gene and underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Indicators for ovarian reserve and ART outcomes were compared between patients with and without FOXL2 mutations. Additionally, ART outcomes were compared among patients with different subtypes of FOXL2 mutations. Results A total of 13 distinct heterozygous variants in the FOXL2 gene were identified in 80.95% of BPES women, including 4 novel mutations with plausible pathogenicity (c.173_175dup, c.481C>T, c.576del and c.675_714del). Compared to non-mutation group, patients with FOXL2 mutations had elevated levels of FSH (P=0.007), decreased AMH levels (P=0.012) and less AFC (P=0.015). They also had worse ART outcomes with large amount of Gn dosage (P=0.008), fewer oocytes (P=0.001), Day3 good quality embryos (P=0.001) and good quality blastocysts (P=0.037), and a higher cancellation rate (P=0.272). High heterogeneity of ART outcomes existed in BPES patients with different FOXL2 mutation types. Conclusions BPES patients with FOXL2 mutations had diminished ovarian reserve and adverse ART outcomes. The genotype-reproductive phenotype correlations were highly heterogeneous and cannot be generalized. Genetic counseling for fertility planning and preimplantation or prenatal genetic diagnosis to reduce offspring inheritance are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenzhe Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Rongrong Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xue Jiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Yu Y, Ji M, Xu W, Zhang L, Qi M, Shu J. Confrontment and solution to gonadotropin resistance and low oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization for type I BPES: a case series with review of literature. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:143. [PMID: 34711234 PMCID: PMC8555206 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background FOXL2 mutations in human cause Blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). While type II BPES solely features eyelid abnormality, type I BPES involves not only eyelid but also ovary, leading to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and female infertility. Current mainstream reproductive option for type I BPES is embryo or oocyte donation. Attempts on assisted reproductive technology (ART) aiming biological parenthood in this population were sparse and mostly unsuccessful. Case presentation Two Chinese type I BPES patients with low anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) presented with primary infertility in their early 30s. Genetic studies confirmed two heterozygous duplication mutations that were never reported previously in East Asian populations. They received in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and both exhibited resistance to gonadotropin and difficulty in retrieving oocytes in repeated cycles. Doubled to quadrupled total gonadotropin doses were required to awaken follicular response. Patient 1 delivered a baby girl with the same eyelid phenotype and patient 2 had ongoing live intrauterine pregnancy at the time of manuscript submission. Conclusions This is the second reported live birth of biological offspring in type I BPES patients, and first success using IVF techniques. It confirmed that ART is difficult but feasible in type I BPES. It further alerts clinicians and genetic counsellors to type female BPES patients with caution in view of the precious and potentially narrowed reproductive window. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-021-00900-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Yu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengxia Ji
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weihai Xu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Qi
- Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Shu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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The Role of Noncoding RNA in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179336. [PMID: 34502244 PMCID: PMC8430788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as a loss of ovarian function before the age of 40 years, with a prevalence rate estimated at approximately 1%. It causes infertility and is related to serious long-term health consequences, including reduced life expectancy, increased cardiovascular risk, decreased bone mineral density and neurological disorders. There is currently no effective therapy for POI that is widely available in clinical practice; therefore, the treatment of patients with POI is based on hormone replacement therapy. One of the recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of POI has been the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the disease. Moreover, intensive research on human folliculogenesis and reproductive biology has led to the development of novel promising therapeutic strategies with the use of exosomal miRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells to restore ovarian function in POI patients. This narrative review focuses on the new studies concerning the role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of POI, together with their potential as biomarkers of the disease and targets for therapy.
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Yang Q, Mumusoglu S, Qin Y, Sun Y, Hsueh AJ. A kaleidoscopic view of ovarian genes associated with premature ovarian insufficiency and senescence. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21753. [PMID: 34233068 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100756r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian infertility and subfertility presenting with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and diminished ovarian reserve are major issues facing the developed world due to the trend of delaying childbirth. Ovarian senescence and POI represent a continuum of physiological/pathophysiological changes in ovarian follicle functions. Based on advances in whole exome sequencing, evaluation of gene copy variants, together with family-based and genome-wide association studies, we discussed genes responsible for POI and ovarian senescence. We used a gene-centric approach to sort out literature deposited in the Ovarian Kaleidoscope database (http://okdb.appliedbioinfo.net) by sub-categorizing candidate genes as ligand-receptor signaling, meiosis and DNA repair, transcriptional factors, RNA metabolism, enzymes, and others. We discussed individual gene mutations found in POI patients and verification of gene functions in gene-deleted model organisms. Decreased expression of some of the POI genes could be responsible for ovarian senescence, especially those essential for DNA repair, meiosis and mitochondrial functions. We propose to set up a candidate gene panel for targeted sequencing in POI patients together with studies on mitochondria-associated genes in middle-aged subfertile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sezcan Mumusoglu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yingpu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Aaron J Hsueh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Li F, Chen H, Wang Y, Yang J, Zhou Y, Song X, Fan J. Functional Studies of Novel FOXL2 Variants in Chinese Families With Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome. Front Genet 2021; 12:616112. [PMID: 33796131 PMCID: PMC8007913 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.616112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare autosomal dominant disease mainly caused by FOXL2 variants. This genetic disorder is usually characterized by eyelid malformation and ovarian dysfunction. However, no reliable genotype/phenotype correlations have been established considering the ovarian phenotype. Here, we detected 15 FOXL2 variants including nine novel ones from 7 families and 8 sporadic cases, which expanded the spectrum of FOXL2 variants and identified a potential clinical cause. Functional studies, with respect to the effect of FOXL2 on the StAR promoter, showed that non-sense variants that lead to protein truncation before the polyalanine tract and missense variants [c.307C > T; p.(Arg103Cys), c.311A > C; p.(His104Pro), c.320G > A; p.(Ser107Asn), and c.335T > A; p.(Phe112Tyr)] within the central portion of the FOXL2 forkhead domain significantly affect its suppressor activity. Such changes may explain the mechanism underlying a more severe phenotype, more likely to result in BPES type I. Furthermore, the missenses variants c.307C > T; p.(Arg103Cys), c.311A > C; p.(His104Pro), and c.320G > A; p.(Ser107Asn) were not able to transactivate OSR2, which is consistent with the eyelid malformation in these patients. The results from our cohort have expanded the spectrum of FOXL2 variants and have provided insights into genotype/phenotype correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yefei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixiong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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Bermúdez-Guzmán L, Veitia RA. Insights into the pathogenicity of missense variants in the forkhead domain of FOX proteins underlying Mendelian disorders. Hum Genet 2021; 140:999-1010. [PMID: 33638707 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02267-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX) proteins are members of a conserved family of transcription factors. Pathogenic variants in FOX genes have been shown to be responsible for several human genetic diseases. Here, we have studied the molecular and structural features of germline pathogenic variants in seven FOX proteins involved in Mendelian disorders and compared them with those of variants present in the general population (gnomAD). Our study shows that the DNA-binding domain of FOX proteins is particularly sensitive to damaging variation, although some family members show greater mutational tolerance than others. Next, we set to demonstrate that this tolerance depends on the inheritance mode of FOX-linked disorders. Accordingly, genes whose variants underlie recessive conditions are supposed to have a greater tolerance to variation. This is what we found. As expected, variants responsible for disorders with a dominant inheritance pattern show a higher degree of pathogenicity compared to those segregating in the general population. Moreover, we show that pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants tend to affect mutually exclusive sites with respect to those reported in gnomAD. The former also tend to affect sites with lower solvent exposure and a higher degree of conservation. Our results show the value of using publicly available databases and bioinformatics to gain insights into the molecular and structural bases of disease-causing genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Bermúdez-Guzmán
- Section of Genetics and Biotechnology, School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Université de Paris, 75006, Paris, France. .,CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Université de Paris, 75006, Paris, France. .,Institut de Biologie F. Jacob, Commissariat À L'Energie Atomique, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay aux Roses, France.
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Hu J, Ke H, Luo W, Yang Y, Liu H, Li G, Qin Y, Ma J, Zhao S. A novel FOXL2 mutation in two infertile patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 37:223-229. [PMID: 31823134 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare, autosomal dominant disease. There are two clinical types of BPES: type I patients have eyelid abnormalities accompanied by infertility in affected females, while type II patients only display eyelid malformations. Previous studies have reported that the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene mutations cause BPES. PURPOSE To identify plausible FOXL2 mutation in a Chinese family with BPES and infertility METHODS: Mutational screening of FOXL2 was performed in the affected members and 223 controls. Functional characterization of the novel mutation identified was carried out in vitro by luciferase reporter assay and subcellular localization experiment. RESULTS A novel heterozygous mutation c.188 T > A (p.I63N) in FOXL2 was identified in two BPES patients in this family. The mutation abolished the transcriptional repression of FOXL2 on the promoters of CYP19A1 and CCND2 genes, as shown by luciferase reporter assays. However, no dominant-negative effect was observed for the mutation, and it did not impact FOXL2 protein nuclear localization and distribution. CONCLUSIONS The mutation c.188 T > A (p.I63N) in FOXL2 might be causative for BPES and infertility in this family and further amplified the spectrum of FOXL2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmei Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hanni Ke
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yajuan Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Guangyu Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jinlong Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shidou Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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11
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Wang Y, Liu X, Zhao J, Ouyang S, Li W, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhu X. Molecular cloning of ESR1, BMPR1B, and FOXL2 and differential expressions depend on maternal age and size during breeding season in cultured Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 232:108-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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12
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Bunyan DJ, Thomas NS. Screening of a large cohort of blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome patients reveals a very strong paternal inheritance bias and a wide spectrum of novel FOXL2 mutations. Eur J Med Genet 2019; 62:103668. [PMID: 31077882 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus inversus Syndrome (BPES) is caused by autosomal dominant mutations in FOXL2. There are two forms of BPES: type I (with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)) and type II (without POI). Data are presented from a large cohort of 177 BPES probands. Diagnostic testing identified a wide range of mutations in 119 mutation-positive patients (including 38 novel mutations). Although FOXL2 mutations are distributed throughout the gene, over 50% were frameshift mutations within a hotspot region of the gene that can be detected using a single primer pair to provide a cost-effective and rapid screening method. There was a significant proportion of de novo cases in this study, although in 7% there may be undetected parental mosaicism. There was an excess of female compared to male probands and a highly significant bias in the parental original of inherited mutations, with 20/21 found to be paternal in origin (95%). This could be because BPES in a female is more likely to come to clinical attention and because there is a generalised and more widespread clinical effect on fertility, in addition to the established association with POI. This study demonstrates the importance of cascade screening and provides new information on inheritance and parental mosaicism in BPES which will aid genetic counselling and accurate risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Bunyan
- Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK; Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - N Simon Thomas
- Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK; Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
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Chacón-Camacho OF, Salgado-Medina A, Alcaraz-Lares N, López-Moreno D, Barragán-Arévalo T, Nava-Castañeda A, Rodríguez-Uribe G, Lieberman E, Rodríguez-Cabrera L, González-Del Angel A, Borbolla AM, Fernández-Hernández L, Graue-Hernández EO, Zenteno JC. Clinical characterization and identification of five novel FOXL2 pathogenic variants in a cohort of 12 Mexican subjects with the syndrome of blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus. Gene 2019; 706:62-68. [PMID: 31048069 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.04.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is an autosomal dominant entity characterized by eyelid malformations and caused by mutations in the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene. Clinical and genetic analyses of large cohorts of BPES patients from different ethnic origins are important for a better characterization of FOXL2 mutational landscape. The purpose of this study is to describe the phenotypic features and the causal FOXL2 variants in a Mexican cohort of BPES patients. A total of 12 individuals with typical facial findings were included. Clinical evaluation included palpebral measurements and levator function assessment. The complete coding sequence of FOXL2 was amplified by PCR and subsequently analyzed by Sanger sequencing. A total of 11 distinct FOXL2 pathogenic variants were identified in our cohort (molecular diagnostic rate of 92%), including 5 novel mutations. Our results broaden the BPES-related mutational spectrum and supports considerable FOXL2 allelic heterogeneity in our population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar F Chacón-Camacho
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Acatzin Salgado-Medina
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nayeli Alcaraz-Lares
- Department of Orbit and Oculoplastics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel López-Moreno
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Angel Nava-Castañeda
- Department of Orbit and Oculoplastics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Esther Lieberman
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Rodríguez-Cabrera
- Department of Orbit and Oculoplastics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ariadna González-Del Angel
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana María Borbolla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Juan Carlos Zenteno
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
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14
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Li H, Gu Y. Genetic and Functional Analyses of Two Missense Mutations in the Transcription Factor FOXL2 in Two Chinese Families with Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2018; 22:585-592. [PMID: 30234390 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2018.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare autosomal-dominant inherited disease. This study was carried out to investigate the genetic and functional changes within the FOXL2 gene in two Chinese families with BPES. MATERIALS AND METHODS DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 26 persons from two different Chinese BPES families (13 of which were affected), as well as 200 cataract patients to act as normal controls. FOXL2 gene mutations were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing techniques. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to analyze the structures and functions of the mutant proteins. Wild-type and mutant FOXL2 genes were subcloned into pEGFP-N1 and pCDB vectors and then transfected into COS7 and HEK293T cell lines. We observed protein subcellular localization, and used quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR and western blots to assess regulation of the target OSR2 gene. RESULTS We detected two novel missense mutations, c.162G>T (p.Lys54Asn) and c.308G>A (p.Arg103His), in the FOXL2 gene; one in each of the study families. Bioinformatic analyses indicated no obvious differences between the wild-type and mutant protein structures. However, they did predict that the two mutations were likely damaging to protein function. We found that the two mutated proteins were both largely distributed within the nucleus and that there was little found in the cytoplasm. The OSR2 mRNA content decreased significantly when the plasmids carrying the c.162G>T and c.308G>A were transfected into COS7 and HEK293 cell lines, when compared to the empty and the wild-type FOXL2 carrier. Western blot analyses indicated, that after transfecting the c.162G>T mutation, the OSR2 protein level was relatively similar to the wild-type, but that the cells transfected with the c.308G>A mutation showed significantly decreased levels of the OSR2 protein. CONCLUSIONS Our study broadens the BPES gene mutation spectrum and suggests a possible mechanism of action. It also provides reference data for the further studies of BPES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
| | - Yangshun Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
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15
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Zhou L, Wang J, Wang T. Functional study on new FOXL2 mutations found in Chinese patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus syndrome. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 19:121. [PMID: 30029625 PMCID: PMC6053710 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-018-0631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare inheritable disease that mainly affects eyelid development associated with (type I) or without (type II) ovarian dysfunction, resulting in premature ovarian failure (POF). Mutations in the gene forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) have been shown to be responsible for BPES. The aim of this study was to determine and functionally validate the FOXL2 mutation in a Chinese BPES family. METHODS Twelve individuals including five BPES patients from a Chinese family were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of enrolled subjects. The coding region of the FOXL2 gene was amplified and mutations were determined by sequencing analyses. Functional analysis was carried out to study changes in expression and transcriptional activity of the mutant FOXL2 protein. RESULTS A novel mutation in the FOXL2 gene (c.931C > T) was detected in all five BPES patients, which converts a histidine residue into a tyrosine (p.H311Y) in the FOXL2 protein. Functional analysis revealed that this point mutation reduces FOXL2 protein expression, concomitant with decreased transcriptional activity on the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene promotor. CONCLUSIONS Our results expand the mutational spectrum of the FOXL2 gene and provide additional insights to the research on the molecular pathogenesis of FOXL2 in BPES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- The 3rd Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, No. 33, Beijing, 100041, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- The 3rd Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, No. 33, Beijing, 100041, China
| | - Tailing Wang
- The 3rd Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, No. 33, Beijing, 100041, China.
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16
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Belli M, Iwata N, Nakamura T, Iwase A, Stupack D, Shimasaki S. FOXL2C134W-Induced CYP19 Expression via Cooperation With SMAD3 in HGrC1 Cells. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1690-1703. [PMID: 29471425 PMCID: PMC6238151 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Germline knockout studies in female mice demonstrated an essential role for forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) in early follicle development, whereas an inducible granulosa cell (GC)-specific deletion of Foxl2 in adults has shown ovary-to-testis somatic sex reprogramming. In women, over 120 different germline mutations in the FOXL2 gene have been shown to cause blepharophimosis/ptosis/epicantus inversus syndrome associated with or without primary ovarian insufficiency. By contrast, a single somatic mutation (FOXL2C134W) accounts for almost all adult-type GC tumors (aGCTs). To test the hypothesis that FOXL2C134W differentially regulates the expression of aGCT markers, we investigated the effect of FOXL2C134W on inhibin B and P450 aromatase expression using a recently established human GC line (HGrC1), which we now show to bear two normal alleles of FOXL2. Neither FOXL2wt nor FOXL2C134W regulate INHBB messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. However, FOXL2C134W selectively displays a 50-fold induction of CYP19 mRNA expression dependent upon activin A. Mechanistically, the CYP19 promoter is activated in a similar way by FOXL2C134W interaction with SMAD3, but not by FOXL2wt. SMAD2 had no effect. Moreover, FOXL2C134W interactions with SMAD3 and with the FOX binding element located at -199 bp upstream of the ATG initiation codon of CYP19 are more sustainable than FOXL2wt. Thus, FOXL2C134W potentiates CYP19 expression in HGrC1 cells via enhanced recruitment of SMAD3 to a proximal FOX binding element. These findings may explain the pathophysiology of estrogen excess in patients with aGCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Belli
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Nahoko Iwata
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Tomoko Nakamura
- Center for Maternal-Perinatal Care, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Iwase
- Center for Maternal-Perinatal Care, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Dwayne Stupack
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Shunichi Shimasaki
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Correspondence: Shunichi Shimasaki, PhD, Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093. E-mail:
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17
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Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins with Pathogenic Repeat Expansions. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22122027. [PMID: 29186753 PMCID: PMC6149999 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122027] [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: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions have been shown to be highly prevalent in disease. Furthermore, disease-causing expansions of the regions containing tandem amino acid repeats often push repetitive proteins towards formation of irreversible aggregates. In fact, in disease-relevant proteins, the increased repeat length often positively correlates with the increased aggregation efficiency and the increased disease severity and penetrance, being negatively correlated with the age of disease onset. The major categories of repeat extensions involved in disease include poly-glutamine and poly-alanine homorepeats, which are often times located in the intrinsically disordered regions, as well as repeats in non-coding regions of genes typically encoding proteins with ordered structures. Repeats in such non-coding regions of genes can be expressed at the mRNA level. Although they can affect the expression levels of encoded proteins, they are not translated as parts of an affected protein and have no effect on its structure. However, in some cases, the repetitive mRNAs can be translated in a non-canonical manner, generating highly repetitive peptides of different length and amino acid composition. The repeat extension-caused aggregation of a repetitive protein may represent a pivotal step for its transformation into a proteotoxic entity that can lead to pathology. The goals of this article are to systematically analyze molecular mechanisms of the proteinopathies caused by the poly-glutamine and poly-alanine homorepeat expansion, as well as by the polypeptides generated as a result of the microsatellite expansions in non-coding gene regions and to examine the related proteins. We also present results of the analysis of the prevalence and functional roles of intrinsic disorder in proteins associated with pathological repeat expansions.
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18
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Lacrimal Gland Involvement in Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome. Ophthalmology 2017; 124:399-406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Estruch SB, Graham SA, Chinnappa SM, Deriziotis P, Fisher SE. Functional characterization of rare FOXP2 variants in neurodevelopmental disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:44. [PMID: 27933109 PMCID: PMC5126810 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous disruption of FOXP2 causes a rare form of speech and language impairment. Screens of the FOXP2 sequence in individuals with speech/language-related disorders have identified several rare protein-altering variants, but their phenotypic relevance is often unclear. FOXP2 encodes a transcription factor with a forkhead box DNA-binding domain, but little is known about the functions of protein regions outside this domain. Methods We performed detailed functional analyses of seven rare FOXP2 variants found in affected cases, including three which have not been previously characterized, testing intracellular localization, transcriptional regulation, dimerization, and interaction with other proteins. To shed further light on molecular functions of FOXP2, we characterized the interaction between this transcription factor and co-repressor proteins of the C-terminal binding protein (CTBP) family. Finally, we analysed the functional significance of the polyglutamine tracts in FOXP2, since tract length variations have been reported in cases of neurodevelopmental disorder. Results We confirmed etiological roles of multiple FOXP2 variants. Of three variants that have been suggested to cause speech/language disorder, but never before been characterized, only one showed functional effects. For the other two, we found no effects on protein function in any assays, suggesting that they are incidental to the phenotype. We identified a CTBP-binding region within the N-terminal portion of FOXP2. This region includes two amino acid substitutions that occurred on the human lineage following the split from chimpanzees. However, we did not observe any effects of these amino acid changes on CTBP binding or other core aspects of FOXP2 function. Finally, we found that FOXP2 variants with reduced polyglutamine tracts did not exhibit altered behaviour in cellular assays, indicating that such tracts are non-essential for core aspects of FOXP2 function, and that tract variation is unlikely to be a highly penetrant cause of speech/language disorder. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of functional characterization of novel rare variants in FOXP2 in assessing the contribution of such variants to speech/language disorder and provide further insights into the molecular function of the FOXP2 protein. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Estruch
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah A Graham
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Swathi M Chinnappa
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Pelagia Deriziotis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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20
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Elzaiat M, Todeschini AL, Caburet S, Veitia R. The genetic make-up of ovarian development and function: the focus on the transcription factor FOXL2. Clin Genet 2016; 91:173-182. [DOI: 10.1111/cge.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Elzaiat
- Molecular and Cellular Pathologies; Institut Jacques Monod; Paris France
- UFR Sciences du Vivant; Université Paris Diderot-Paris VII; Paris France
| | - A.-L. Todeschini
- Molecular and Cellular Pathologies; Institut Jacques Monod; Paris France
- UFR Sciences du Vivant; Université Paris Diderot-Paris VII; Paris France
| | - S. Caburet
- Molecular and Cellular Pathologies; Institut Jacques Monod; Paris France
- UFR Sciences du Vivant; Université Paris Diderot-Paris VII; Paris France
| | - R.A. Veitia
- Molecular and Cellular Pathologies; Institut Jacques Monod; Paris France
- UFR Sciences du Vivant; Université Paris Diderot-Paris VII; Paris France
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A novel FOXL2 gene mutation and BMP15 variants in a woman with primary ovarian insufficiency and blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. Menopause 2016; 22:1264-8. [PMID: 25988799 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to search for mutations in relevant genes in a woman with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). METHODS This study reports on the case of a woman with POI, BPES, and autoimmune endocrine disorder. Bidirectional sequencing of the coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of FOXL2 and BMP15 genes and hormonal assays for the measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, Δ4-androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were employed. RESULTS A novel de novo heterozygous deletion (p.K150Rfs*121) in the FOXL2 gene was identified to coexist with two BMP15 gene variants located in the same allele (c.-9C>G; p.N103S). CONCLUSIONS The novel, de novo FOXL2 gene mutation (p.K150Rfs*121) expands the spectrum of molecular defects identified in women with BPES. Coexisting gene variants in POI-related genes, such as BMP15, may act synergistically and explain the observed phenotypic variability in women with BPES (ie, BPES with or without POI). The concept of digenic inheritance suggested herein has been previously introduced for other nosologies such as hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Endocrine autoimmunity might also contribute to the POI phenotype.
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22
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Bertho S, Pasquier J, Pan Q, Le Trionnaire G, Bobe J, Postlethwait JH, Pailhoux E, Schartl M, Herpin A, Guiguen Y. Foxl2 and Its Relatives Are Evolutionary Conserved Players in Gonadal Sex Differentiation. Sex Dev 2016; 10:111-29. [PMID: 27441599 DOI: 10.1159/000447611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxl2 is a member of the large family of Forkhead Box (Fox) domain transcription factors. It emerged during the last 15 years as a key player in ovarian differentiation and oogenesis in vertebrates and especially mammals. This review focuses on Foxl2 genes in light of recent findings on their evolution, expression, and implication in sex differentiation in animals in general. Homologs of Foxl2 and its paralog Foxl3 are found in all metazoans, but their gene evolution is complex, with multiple gains and losses following successive whole genome duplication events in vertebrates. This review aims to decipher the evolutionary forces that drove Foxl2/3 gene specialization through sub- and neo-functionalization during evolution. Expression data in metazoans suggests that Foxl2/3 progressively acquired a role in both somatic and germ cell gonad differentiation and that a certain degree of sub-functionalization occurred after its duplication in vertebrates. This generated a scenario where Foxl2 is predominantly expressed in ovarian somatic cells and Foxl3 in male germ cells. To support this hypothesis, we provide original results showing that in the pea aphid (insects) foxl2/3 is predominantly expressed in sexual females and showing that in bovine ovaries FOXL2 is specifically expressed in granulosa cells. Overall, current results suggest that Foxl2 and Foxl3 are evolutionarily conserved players involved in somatic and germinal differentiation of gonadal sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Bertho
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, Rennes, France
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23
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Krepelova A, Simandlova M, Vlckova M, Kuthan P, Vincent AL, Liskova P. Analysis of FOXL2 detects three novel mutations and an atypical phenotype of blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2016; 44:757-762. [PMID: 27283035 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in FOXL2 are known to cause autosomal dominant blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), variably associated with premature ovarian failure. In this study, we report results of mutational screening in a Czech and Slovak patient population with BPES. DESIGN Case series. PARTICIPANTS Thirteen probands of Czech and one proband of Slovak origin with BPES and their available family members. METHODS Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in 14 probands with BPES. Targeted mutational screening in first-degree relatives. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Genetic characterization and phenotype evaluation in Czech and Slovak individuals with BPES and their family members. RESULTS Eight different mutations were detected including three novel ones: c.5T>G; p.(Met2Arg), c.197C>A; p.(Ala66Glu) and c.701_702insTGCAGCCGCAGCGGCTGCAGCAGCTGCGGCTGCAGCCGC; p.(Ala222_Ala234dup). In one family, the molecular genetic cause of disease was not identified by the methodology used. In 13 pedigrees, a negative family history suggested a de novo origin, which could be confirmed by targeted mutational screening in four families. One 62-year-old female with the c.663_692dup30 mutation had an atypical phenotype presenting as moderate ptosis compensated by frontalis muscle contraction, no epicanthus inversus and no premature ovarian failure. CONCLUSIONS The de novo mutation rate in FOXL2 is exceptionally high compared with other dominant disorders manifesting with an ocular phenotype. In cases reporting a negative family history, careful examination of both parents is important to exclude mild features of the BPES phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Krepelova
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Simandlova
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Vlckova
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kuthan
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea L Vincent
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Eye Department, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Kim SY. Insights into granulosa cell tumors using spontaneous or genetically engineered mouse models. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2016; 43:1-8. [PMID: 27104151 PMCID: PMC4838576 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2016.43.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare sex cord-stromal tumors that have been studied for decades. However, their infrequency has delayed efforts to research their etiology. Recently, mutations in human GCTs have been discovered, which has led to further research aimed at determining the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. Mouse models have been important tools for studying GCTs, and have provided means to develop and improve diagnostics and therapeutics. Thus far, several genetically modified mouse models, along with one spontaneous mouse model, have been reported. This review summarizes the phenotypes of these mouse models and their applicability in elucidating the mechanisms of granulosa cell tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Youn Kim
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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25
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Nuovo S, Passeri M, Di Benedetto E, Calanchini M, Meldolesi I, Di Giacomo MC, Petruzzi D, Piemontese MR, Zelante L, Sangiuolo F, Novelli G, Fabbri A, Brancati F. Characterization of endocrine features and genotype-phenotypes correlations in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome type 1. J Endocrinol Invest 2016; 39:227-33. [PMID: 26100530 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-015-0334-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Blepharophimosis syndrome (BPES) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition resulting from heterozygous mutations in the FOXL2 gene and clinically characterized by an eyelid malformation associated (type I) or not (type II) with premature ovarian failure. The distinction between the two forms is critical for female patients, as it may allow to predict fertility and to plan an appropriate therapy. Identifying an underlying causative mutation is not always predictive of the clinical type of BPES since genotype-phenotype correlations are not yet fully delineated. Here, we describe the clinical and hormonal phenotypes of three female patients with BPES type 1 from two novel families, correlate their phenotypes with identified mutations, and investigate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). METHODS Clinical, biochemical, and genetic evaluation were undertaken in all the patients and genotype-phenotype correlation was analyzed. The effects of substitutive hormonal therapy on secondary sexual characteristics development and induction of menarche were evaluated. RESULTS All patients presented with primary amenorrhea or other signs of ovarian dysfunction. Two distinct mutations, a missense p.H104R change and an in-frame p.A222_A231dup10 duplication in the FOXL2 gene were identified. Observed phenotypes were not in accordance with the prediction based on the current genotype-phenotype correlations. HRT significantly improved secondary sexual characteristics development, as well as the induction of menarche. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of early recognition of BPES and emphasizes the need of personalized therapy and follow-up in female patients carrying distinct FOXL2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nuovo
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - M Passeri
- Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Polo Ospedaliero Sant'Eugenio & CTO A. Alesini, Università Tor Vergata, 00145, Rome, Italy
| | - E Di Benedetto
- Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Polo Ospedaliero Sant'Eugenio & CTO A. Alesini, Università Tor Vergata, 00145, Rome, Italy
| | - M Calanchini
- Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Polo Ospedaliero Sant'Eugenio & CTO A. Alesini, Università Tor Vergata, 00145, Rome, Italy
| | - I Meldolesi
- Ginecologia, Consultorio Giovani, ASL RM/H, 00045, Rome, Italy
| | - M C Di Giacomo
- U.O.C Anatomia Patologica AOR Ospedale San Carlo, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - D Petruzzi
- U.O. Ostetricia e Ginecologia AOR Ospedale San Carlo, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - M R Piemontese
- Genetica Medica, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - L Zelante
- Genetica Medica, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - F Sangiuolo
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - G Novelli
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - A Fabbri
- Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Polo Ospedaliero Sant'Eugenio & CTO A. Alesini, Università Tor Vergata, 00145, Rome, Italy.
| | - F Brancati
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Orali e Biotecnologiche, Università D'Annunzio, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
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26
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Vanhalle M, Corneillie S, Smet M, Van Puyvelde P, Goderis B. Poly(alanine): Structure and Stability of the d and l-Enantiomers. Biomacromolecules 2015; 17:183-91. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Vanhalle
- Polymer
Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan
200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Stijn Corneillie
- Polymer
Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan
200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Mario Smet
- Polymer
Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan
200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Peter Van Puyvelde
- Soft
Matter, Applied Rheology and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Bart Goderis
- Polymer
Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan
200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
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27
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Xue M, Zheng J, Zhou Q, Hejtmancik JF, Wang Y, Li S. Novel FOXL2 mutations in two Chinese families with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2015; 16:73. [PMID: 26323275 PMCID: PMC4593235 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-015-0217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare autosomal dominant disease. Mutations in the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene cause two types of BPES distinguished by the presence (type I) and absence (type II) of premature ovarian failure (POF). The purpose of this study was to identify possible mutations in FOXL2 in two Chinese families with BPES. Methods Two large autosomal dominant Chinese BPES families were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was obtained from the leukocytes in peripheral venous blood. Four overlapping sets of primers were used to amplify the entire coding region and nearby intron sequences of the FOXL2 gene for mutations detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analyses. The sequencing results were analyzed using DNAstar software. Results All patients of the two families demonstrated typical features of BPES type II, including small palpebral fissures, ptosis, telecanthus, and epicanthus inversus without female infertility (POF). A novel FOXL2 heterozygous indel mutation c.675_690delinsT, including a 16-bp deletion and a 1-bp(T) insertion (p.Ala226_Ala230del), which would result in deletion of 5 alanine residues of a poly-alanine (poly-Ala) tract in the protein, was identified in all affected members of family A. A novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.223C > T, p.Leu75Phe) was identified in family B. Conclusions Two novel FOXL2 mutations were identified in Chinese families with BPES. Our results expand the spectrum of FOXL2 mutations and provide additional structure-function insights into the FOXL2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xue
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Anhui NO.2 Provincial people's hospital, Hefei, China.
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Qing Zhou
- National MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Resource Utilization for Important Genetic Disease, Anhui Key Laboratory of Genetic Research, Hefei, China.
| | - J Fielding Hejtmancik
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Yuan Wang
- National MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Resource Utilization for Important Genetic Disease, Anhui Key Laboratory of Genetic Research, Hefei, China.
| | - Shouling Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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28
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Laissue P. Aetiological coding sequence variants in non-syndromic premature ovarian failure: From genetic linkage analysis to next generation sequencing. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 411:243-57. [PMID: 25960166 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a frequent pathology affecting 1-1.5% of women under 40 years old. Despite advances in diagnosing and treating human infertility, POF is still classified as being idiopathic in 50-80% of cases, strongly suggesting a genetic origin for the disease. Different types of autosomal and X-linked genetic anomalies can originate the phenotype in syndromic and non-syndromic POF cases. Particular interest has been focused on research into non-syndromic POF causative coding variants during the past two decades. This has been based on the assumption that amino acid substitutions might modify the intrinsic physicochemical properties of functional proteins, thereby inducing pathological phenotypes. In this case, a restricted number of mutations might originate the disease. However, like other complex pathologies, POF might result from synergistic/compensatory effects caused by several low-to-mildly drastic mutations which have frequently been classified as non-functional SNPs. Indeed, reproductive phenotypes can be considered as quantitative traits resulting from the subtle interaction of many genes. Although numerous sequencing projects have involved candidate genes, only a few coding mutations explaining a low percentage of cases have been described. Such apparent failure to identify aetiological coding sequence variations might have been due to the inherent molecular complexity of mammalian reproduction and to the difficulty of simultaneously analysing large genomic regions by Sanger sequencing. The purpose of this review is to present the molecular and cellular effects caused by non-synonymous mutations which have been formally associated, by functional tests, with the aetiology of hypergonadotropic non-syndromic POF. Considerations have also been included regarding the polygenic nature of reproduction and POF, as well as future approaches for identifying novel aetiological genes based on next generation sequencing (NGS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Laissue
- Unidad de Genética, Grupo GENIUROS, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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29
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Jagadeesan S, Balasubramanian P, Panicker VV, Anjaneyan G, Thomas J. A Rare Association of Childhood Alopecia Areata and Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome: Successfully Treated with Diphenylcyclopropenone. Int J Trichology 2015; 7:77-9. [PMID: 26180454 PMCID: PMC4502480 DOI: 10.4103/0974-7753.160118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic background of alopecia areata has only recently begun to get unraveled. We report the association of a case of pediatric alopecia areata with a rare genetic syndrome-blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), which responded well to topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone. In the background of increasing evidence surfacing on the genetic basis of alopecia areata, this association may be of significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Jagadeesan
- Department of Dermatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Pradeep Balasubramanian
- Department of Dermatology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | | | - Jacob Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
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30
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Sanders DA, Gormally MV, Marsico G, Beraldi D, Tannahill D, Balasubramanian S. FOXM1 binds directly to non-consensus sequences in the human genome. Genome Biol 2015; 16:130. [PMID: 26100407 PMCID: PMC4492089 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0696-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Forkhead (FKH) transcription factor FOXM1 is a key regulator of the cell cycle and is overexpressed in most types of cancer. FOXM1, similar to other FKH factors, binds to a canonical FKH motif in vitro. However, genome-wide mapping studies in different cell lines have shown a lack of enrichment of the FKH motif, suggesting an alternative mode of chromatin recruitment. We have investigated the role of direct versus indirect DNA binding in FOXM1 recruitment by performing ChIP-seq with wild-type and DNA binding deficient FOXM1. Results An in vitro fluorescence polarization assay identified point mutations in the DNA binding domain of FOXM1 that inhibit binding to a FKH consensus sequence. Cell lines expressing either wild-type or DNA binding deficient GFP-tagged FOXM1 were used for genome-wide mapping studies comparing the distribution of the DNA binding deficient protein to the wild-type. This shows that interaction of the FOXM1 DNA binding domain with target DNA is essential for recruitment. Moreover, analysis of the protein interactome of wild-type versus DNA binding deficient FOXM1 shows that the reduced recruitment is not due to inhibition of protein-protein interactions. Conclusions A functional DNA binding domain is essential for FOXM1 chromatin recruitment. Even in FOXM1 mutants with almost complete loss of binding, the protein-protein interactions and pattern of phosphorylation are largely unaffected. These results strongly support a model whereby FOXM1 is specifically recruited to chromatin through co-factor interactions by binding directly to non-canonical DNA sequences. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0696-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Sanders
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK. .,Present address: Domainex, 162 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0GH, UK.
| | - Michael V Gormally
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - Giovanni Marsico
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - Dario Beraldi
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - David Tannahill
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - Shankar Balasubramanian
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK. .,School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
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31
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Involvement of non-polyalanine (polyA) residues in aggregation of polyA proteins: Clue for inhibition of aggregation. Comput Biol Chem 2014; 53PB:318-323. [PMID: 25462338 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2014.11.003] [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: 05/01/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Presence of polyalanine (polyA) stretches in some proteins is found to be associated with their aggregation, which causes disorders in various developmental processes. In this work, inherent propensities towards aggregation of some residues, which are not part of the polyA stretches, have been identified by using the primary sequences of seven polyA proteins with the help of Betascan, PASTA and Tango programs and explored unambiguously. This provides a basis for proposing molecular mechanism of this type of aggregation. Reported suppression of aggregation of polyA proteins by chaperones like HSP40 and HSP70 is substantiated through molecular docking. The hydrophobic residues of identified aggregating region are found to be interacting with hydrophobic surface of chaperones. This suggests a crucial clue for possible way to inhibit the aggregation of such proteins.
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Polyalanine tract disorders and neurocognitive phenotypes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 769:185-203. [PMID: 23560312 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5434-2_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Expansion of polyalanine tracts cause at least 9 inherited human diseases. Eight of these nine diseases are due to expansions in transcription factors and give rise to congenital disorders, many with neurocognitive phenotypes. Disease-causing expansions vary in length dependingupon the gene in question, with the severity of the associated clinical phenotype generally increasing with length of the polyalanine tract. The past decade has seen considerable progress in the understanding on how these mutations may arise and the functional effect of expanded polyalanine tracts on the resulting protein. Despite this progress, the pathogenic mechanism of expanded polyalanine tracts contributing to the associated disease states remains poorly understood. Gaining insights into the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of different expanded polyalanine tract mutations will be a necessary step on the path to the design of potential treatment strategies for the associated diseases.
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McTavish KJ, Nonis D, Hoang YD, Shimasaki S. Granulosa cell tumor mutant FOXL2C134W suppresses GDF-9 and activin A-induced follistatin transcription in primary granulosa cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 372:57-64. [PMID: 23567549 PMCID: PMC3669547 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A single somatic FOXL2 mutation (FOXL2(C134W)) was identified in almost all granulosa cell tumor (GCT) patients. In the pituitary, FOXL2 and Smad3 coordinately regulate activin stimulation of follistatin transcription. We explored whether a similar regulation occurs in the ovary, and whether FOXL2(C134W) has altered activity. We show that in primary granulosa cells, GDF-9 and activin increase Smad3-mediated follistatin transcription. In contrast to findings in the pituitary, FOXL2 negatively regulates GDF-9 and activin-stimulated follistatin transcription in the ovary. Knockdown of endogenous FOXL2 confirmed this inhibitory role. FOXL2(C134W) displayed enhanced inhibitory activity, completely ablating GDF-9 and activin-induced follistatin transcription. GDF-9 and activin activity was lost when either the smad binding element or the forkhead binding element were mutated, indicating that both sites are required for Smad3 actions. This study highlights that FOXL2 negatively regulates follistatin expression within the ovary, and that the pathogenesis of FOXL2(C134W) may involve an altered interaction with Smad3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten J McTavish
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, USA
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Bernard DJ, Tran S. Mechanisms of activin-stimulated FSH synthesis: the story of a pig and a FOX. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:78. [PMID: 23426431 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.107797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins were discovered and, in fact, named more than a quarter century ago based on their abilities to stimulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and secretion. However, it is only in the last decade that we have finally come to understand their underlying mechanisms of action in gonadotroph cells. In this minireview, we chronicle the research that led to the recent discovery of forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) as an essential mediator of activin-regulated FSH beta subunit (Fshb) transcription in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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35
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Fan J, Zhou Y, Huang X, Zhang L, Yao Y, Song X, Chen J, Hu J, Ge S, Song H, Fan X. The combination of polyalanine expansion mutation and a novel missense substitution in transcription factor FOXL2 leads to different ovarian phenotypes in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) patients. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:3347-57. [PMID: 22926839 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the implications of multiple alterations of the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) patients? SUMMARY ANSWER A multi-mutation of FOXL2, consisting of the expansion of the polyalanine tract from 14 to 24 residues (FOXL2-Ala24), an novel Y186C substitution from c.557A>G, and a synonymous variant (c.505G>A), had a cumulative effect on ovarian phenotypes in BPES patients. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Mutations in FOXL2, a gene encoding a forkhead transcription factor cause BPES. Overall, the expansion of the polyalanine tract of FOXL2 from 14 to 24 residues (FOXL2-Ala24) accounts for 30% of intragenic mutations. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION In this study, patients from seven BPES families and six sporadic cases were included. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We conducted an extensive clinical, hormonal and functional study in 20 patients carrying the expansion of the polyalanine tract of FOXL2 associated with BPES. A multi-mutation of FOXL2 was detected in one BPES family that showed more severe BPES symptoms. Subcellular localization and transactivation studies were performed for the constructs of FOXL2-Ala24, Y186C and FOXL2-Ala24-Y186C. MAIN RESULTS We described the first multi-mutation of FOXL2 (c. [672_701dup30; 557A>G]) that leads to the polyalanine expansion of +10 residues (FOXL2-Ala24) combined with an Y186C substitution and a synonymous variant in a Chinese BPES family. This multi-mutation genotype was associated with more serious BPES clinical manifestations and the development of esotropia in the right eye. In in vitro studies, the multi-mutation affected the function of FOKL2 on the StAR promoter and DK3, and induced more aggressive aggregation and mislocalization of FOXL2 protein. The synonymous variant, while not affecting amino acid coding, causes a change in the RNA stem-loop structure. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The multi-mutation of FOXL2 was detected in one BPES family and it needs to be validated further by more BPES subjects. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results of our study contribute new insights into the research field of BPES caused by the multi-mutation of FOXL2. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant number S30205) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Doctor Innovation Fund (Grant number 201131). The authors have no competing interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, P. R. China
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L'Hôte D, Georges A, Todeschini AL, Kim JH, Benayoun BA, Bae J, Veitia RA. Discovery of novel protein partners of the transcription factor FOXL2 provides insights into its physiopathological roles. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:3264-74. [PMID: 22544055 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXL2 transcription factor is responsible for the Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES), a genetic disease involving craniofacial malformations often associated with ovarian failure. Recently, a somatic FOXL2 mutation (p.C134W) has been reported in >95% of adult-type granulosa cell tumors. Here, we have identified 10 novel FOXL2 partners by yeast-two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation. Most BPES-inducing mutated FOXL2 proteins display aggregation in cultured cells. Here, we show that two of the partners (NR2C1 and GMEB1) can be sequestered in such aggregates. This co-aggregation can contribute to the pathogenesis of FOXL2 mutations. We have also measured the effects of FOXL2 interactants on the transcriptional regulation of a series of target promoters. Some of the partners (CXXC4, CXXC5, BANF1) were able to repress FOXL2 activity indistinctively of the promoter. Interestingly, CREM-τ2α, which acted as a repressor on most promoters, increased wild-type (WT) FOXL2 activity on two promoters (PTGS2 and CYP19A1), but was unable to increase the activity of the oncogenic mutant p.C134W. Conversely, GMEB1, which also acted as a repressor on most promoters and increased WT FOXL2 activity on the Per2 promoter, increased to a greater extent the activity of the p.C134W variant. Interestingly, partners with intrinsic pro-apoptotic effect were able to increase apoptosis induction by WT FOXL2, but not by the p.C134W mutant, whereas partners with an anti-apoptotic effect decreased apoptosis induction by both FOXL2 versions. Altogether, these results suggest that the p.C134W mutated form fails to integrate signals through protein-protein interactions to regulate target promoter subsets and in particular to induce cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L'Hôte
- Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris 75205, France
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37
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Baker PJ, Numata K. Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Poly(l-alanine) in Aqueous Environment. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:947-51. [PMID: 22380731 DOI: 10.1021/bm201862z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter James Baker
- Enzyme Research Team, RIKEN Biomass Engineering Program, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, 351-0198 Saitama,
Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Enzyme Research Team, RIKEN Biomass Engineering Program, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, 351-0198 Saitama,
Japan
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Georges A, Benayoun BA, Marongiu M, Dipietromaria A, L'Hôte D, Todeschini AL, Auer J, Crisponi L, Veitia RA. SUMOylation of the Forkhead transcription factor FOXL2 promotes its stabilization/activation through transient recruitment to PML bodies. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25463. [PMID: 22022399 PMCID: PMC3192040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background FOXL2 is a transcription factor essential for ovarian development and maintenance. It is mutated in the genetic condition called Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES) and in cases of isolated premature ovarian failure. We and others have previously shown that FOXL2 undergoes several post-translational modifications. Methods and Principal Findings Here, using cells in culture, we show that interference with FOXL2 SUMOylation leads to a robust inhibition of its transactivation ability, which correlates with a decreased stability. Interestingly, FOXL2 SUMOylation promotes its transient recruitment to subnuclear structures that we demonstrate to be PML (Promyelocytic Leukemia) Nuclear Bodies. Since PML bodies are known to be sites where post-translational modifications of nuclear factors take place, we used tandem mass spectrometry to identify new post-translational modifications of FOXL2. Specifically, we detected four phosphorylated, one sulfated and three acetylated sites. Conclusions By analogy with other transcription factors, we propose that PML Nuclear Bodies might transiently recruit FOXL2 to the vicinity of locally concentrated enzymes that could be involved in the post-translational maturation of FOXL2. FOXL2 acetylation, sulfation, phosphorylation as well as other modifications yet to be discovered might alter the transactivation capacity of FOXL2 and/or its stability, thus modulating its global intracellular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Georges
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bérénice A. Benayoun
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
| | - Mara Marongiu
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Aurélie Dipietromaria
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI, Orsay, France
| | - David L'Hôte
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Laure Todeschini
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
| | - Jana Auer
- Faculté de Médecine Cochin-Port-Royal, Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Paris, France
| | - Laura Crisponi
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Reiner A. Veitia
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592 CNRS-Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot/Paris VII, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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39
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Bernacki JP, Murphy RM. Length-dependent aggregation of uninterrupted polyalanine peptides. Biochemistry 2011; 50:9200-11. [PMID: 21932820 DOI: 10.1021/bi201155g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Polyalanine (polyA) is the third-most prevalent homopeptide repeat in eukaryotes, behind polyglutamine and polyasparagine. Abnormal expansion of the polyA repeat is linked to at least nine human diseases, and the disease mechanism likely involves enhanced length-dependent aggregation. Because of the simplicity of its side chain, polyA has been a favorite target of computational studies, and because of their tendency to fold into α-helix, peptides containing polyA-rich domains have been a popular experimental subject. However, experimental studies on uninterrupted polyA are very limited. We synthesized polyA peptides containing uninterrupted sequences of 7 to 25 alanines (A7 to A25) and characterized their length-dependent conformation and aggregation properties. The peptides were primarily disordered, with a modest component of α-helix that increased with increasing length. From measurements of mean distance spanned by the polyA segment, we concluded that physiological buffers are neutral solvents for shorter polyA peptides and poor solvents for longer peptides. At moderate concentration and near-physiological temperature, polyA assembled into soluble oligomers, with a sharp transition in oligomer physical properties between A19 and A25. With A19, oligomers were large, contained only a small fraction of the total peptide mass, and slowly grew into loose clusters, while A25 rapidly and completely assembled into small stable oligomers of ~7 nm radius. At high temperatures, A19 assembled into fibrils, but A25 precipitated as dense, micrometer-sized particles. A comparison of these results to those obtained with polyglutamine peptides of similar design sheds light on the role of the side chain in regulating conformation and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Bernacki
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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40
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Todeschini AL, Dipietromaria A, L'Hôte D, Boucham FZ, Georges AB, Pandaranayaka PE, Krishnaswamy S, Rivals I, Bazin C, Veitia RA. Mutational probing of the forkhead domain of the transcription factor FOXL2 provides insights into the pathogenicity of naturally occurring mutations. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:3376-85. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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41
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Pisarska MD, Barlow G, Kuo FT. Minireview: roles of the forkhead transcription factor FOXL2 in granulosa cell biology and pathology. Endocrinology 2011; 152:1199-208. [PMID: 21248146 PMCID: PMC3206711 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-1041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The forkhead transcription factor (FOXL2) is an essential transcription factor in the ovary. It is important in ovarian development and a key factor in female sex determination. In addition, FOXL2 plays a significant role in the postnatal ovary and follicle maintenance. The diverse transcriptional activities of FOXL2 are likely attributable to posttranslational modifications and binding to other key proteins involved in granulosa cell function. Mutations of FOXL2 lead to disorders of ovarian function ranging from premature follicle depletion and ovarian failure to unregulated granulosa cell proliferation leading to tumor formation. Thus, FOXL2 is a key regulator of granulosa cell function and a master transcription factor in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareta D Pisarska
- Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8635 West Third Street, Suite 160W, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.
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42
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McMurchy AN, Gillies J, Allan SE, Passerini L, Gambineri E, Roncarolo MG, Bacchetta R, Levings MK. Point mutants of forkhead box P3 that cause immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked have diverse abilities to reprogram T cells into regulatory T cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 126:1242-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2010] [Revised: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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43
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Fan JY, Han B, Qiao J, Liu BL, Ji YR, Ge SF, Song HD, Fan XQ. Functional study on a novel missense mutation of the transcription factor FOXL2 causes blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). Mutagenesis 2010; 26:283-9. [PMID: 21068205 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/geq086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by FOXL2 gene mutations. However, only one missense mutation has been found in family with BPES type I. Here, we report a novel missense mutation in the forkhead domain of the FOXL2 gene (c.340A > G, NM_023067) resulted in the replacement of lysine by glutamic acid at amino acid position 114 of the FOXL2 protein (p.K114E, NP_075555) that was identified in a Chinese family with BPES type I, members of which displayed clinical symptoms such as shortened palpebral fissures, drooping eyelids, a vertical skin fold arising from the lower eyelid, and premature ovarian failure (POF) in affected females. Based on the patients' clinical features and computational analysis of this missense mutation in a three-dimensional structural model, we hypothesised that the mutation might disturb the intermolecular contacts between FOXL2 and the StAR gene. The disturbance of this interaction might contribute to the POF observed in BPES type I patients. We performed subcellular localisation and functional studies and as expected, observed significant nuclear aggregation and cytoplasmic mislocalization of the mutant type protein and loss-of-function was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, transcriptional activity assays and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. This functional study on a novel missense mutation has important implications for the molecular analysis of this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
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Park M, Shin E, Won M, Kim JH, Go H, Kim HL, Ko JJ, Lee K, Bae J. FOXL2 interacts with steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) and represses SF-1-induced CYP17 transcription in granulosa cells. Mol Endocrinol 2010; 24:1024-36. [PMID: 20207836 DOI: 10.1210/me.2009-0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in FOXL2 are responsible for blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) type I, in which affected women exhibit premature ovarian failure. FOXL2-null mice showed defects in granulosa cell development during folliculogenesis. We screened a rat ovarian yeast two-hybrid cDNA library to identify FOXL2-interacting proteins and found steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1). Here, we show that human FOXL2 and SF-1 proteins interact in human granulosa cells and that FOXL2 negatively regulates the transcriptional activation of a steroidogenic enzyme, CYP17, by SF-1. Furthermore, FOXL2 mutants found in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome type I patients lost the ability to repress CYP17 induction mediated by SF-1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and EMSA results further revealed that FOXL2 inhibited the binding of SF-1 to the CYP17 promoter, whereas the FOXL2 mutants failed to block this interaction. Therefore, this study identifies a novel regulatory role for FOXL2 on a key steroidogenic enzyme and provides a possible mechanism by which mutations in FOXL2 disrupt normal ovarian follicle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 463-836, Korea
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45
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Fetterman CD, Mirzayans F, Walter MA. Characterization of a novel FOXC1 mutation, P297S, identified in two individuals with anterior segment dysgenesis. Clin Genet 2010; 76:296-9. [PMID: 19793056 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01210.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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46
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Benayoun BA, Caburet S, Dipietromaria A, Georges A, D'Haene B, Pandaranayaka PJE, L'Hôte D, Todeschini AL, Krishnaswamy S, Fellous M, De Baere E, Veitia RA. Functional exploration of the adult ovarian granulosa cell tumor-associated somatic FOXL2 mutation p.Cys134Trp (c.402C>G). PLoS One 2010; 5:e8789. [PMID: 20098707 PMCID: PMC2808356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The somatic mutation in the FOXL2 gene c.402C>G (p.Cys134Trp) has recently been identified in the vast majority of adult ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCTs) studied. In addition, this mutation seems to be specific to adult OGCTs and is likely to be a driver of malignant transformation. However, its pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. Methodology/Principal Findings We have sequenced the FOXL2 open reading frame in a panel of tumor cell lines (NCI-60, colorectal carcinoma cell lines, JEG-3, and KGN cells). We found the FOXL2 c.402C>G mutation in the adult OGCT-derived KGN cell line. All other cell lines analyzed were negative for the mutation. In order to gain insights into the pathogenic mechanism of the p.Cys134Trp mutation, the subcellular localization and mobility of the mutant protein were studied and found to be no different from those of the wild type (WT). Furthermore, its transactivation ability was in most cases similar to that of the WT protein, including in conditions of oxidative stress. A notable exception was an artificial promoter known to be coregulated by FOXL2 and Smad3, suggesting a potential modification of their interaction. We generated a 3D structural model of the p.Cys134Trp variant and our analysis suggests that homodimer formation might also be disturbed by the mutation. Conclusions/Significance Here, we confirm the specificity of the FOXL2 c.402C>G mutation in adult OGCTs and begin the exploration of its molecular significance. This is the first study demonstrating that the p.Cys134Trp mutant does not have a strong impact on FOXL2 localization, solubility, and transactivation abilities on a panel of proven target promoters, behaving neither as a dominant-negative nor as a loss-of-function mutation. Further studies are required to understand the specific molecular effects of this outstanding FOXL2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérénice A. Benayoun
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Caburet
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Dipietromaria
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
| | - Adrien Georges
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Barbara D'Haene
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - David L'Hôte
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Laure Todeschini
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
| | | | - Marc Fellous
- Département de Génétique et Développement, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Reiner A. Veitia
- Programme de Pathologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot/Paris 7, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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47
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The transcription factor FOXL2 in ovarian function and dysfunction. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010; 47:S43-9. [DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0062-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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48
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Schrader KA, Gorbatcheva B, Senz J, Heravi-Moussavi A, Melnyk N, Salamanca C, Maines-Bandiera S, Cooke SL, Leung P, Brenton JD, Gilks CB, Monahan J, Huntsman DG. The specificity of the FOXL2 c.402C>G somatic mutation: a survey of solid tumors. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7988. [PMID: 19956657 PMCID: PMC2777318 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A somatic mutation in the FOXL2 gene is reported to be present in almost all (97%; 86/89) morphologically defined, adult-type, granulosa-cell tumors (A-GCTs). This FOXL2 c.402C>G mutation changes a highly conserved cysteine residue to a tryptophan (p.C134W). It was also found in a minority of other ovarian malignant stromal tumors, but not in benign ovarian stromal tumors or unrelated ovarian tumors or breast cancers. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Herein we studied other cancers and cell lines for the presence of this mutation. We screened DNA from 752 tumors of epithelial and mesenchymal origin and 28 ovarian cancer cell lines and 52 other cancer cell lines of varied origin. We found the FOXL2 c.402C>G mutation in an unreported A-GCT case and the A-GCT-derived cell line KGN. All other tumors and cell lines analyzed were mutation negative. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In addition to proving that the KGN cell line is a useful model to study A-GCTs, these data show that the c.402C>G mutation in FOXL2 is not commonly found in a wide variety of other cancers and therefore it is likely pathognomonic for A-GCTs and closely related tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasmintan A. Schrader
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bella Gorbatcheva
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Janine Senz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alireza Heravi-Moussavi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nataliya Melnyk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Clara Salamanca
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Maines-Bandiera
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Susanna L. Cooke
- Cancer Research, Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James D. Brenton
- Cancer Research, Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - C. Blake Gilks
- Genetic Pathology and Evaluation Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John Monahan
- Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David G. Huntsman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Genetic Pathology and Evaluation Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Méduri G, Bachelot A, Duflos C, Bständig B, Poirot C, Genestie C, Veitia R, De Baere E, Touraine P. FOXL2 mutations lead to different ovarian phenotypes in BPES patients: Case Report. Hum Reprod 2009; 25:235-43. [PMID: 19819892 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXL2 mutations cause the autosomal dominant Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) that may be associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of FOXL2 actions in the human ovary. We conducted an extensive clinical, hormonal and ovarian histological study in two patients carrying a FOXL2 mutation associated with the typical eyelid malformations and infertility. This observational study was conducted at referral centres for POF. Histological and immunohistological studies were conducted on ovarian biopsies from two women with POF carrying a FOXL2 mutation resulting in putative polyalanine expansions of the protein. Abnormalities similar to those observed in mice with FOXL2 gene inactivation were present in the first patient's ovary, although the ovarian histology of the second patient was apparently normal. Different ovarian phenotypes, follicular defects and distribution of FOXL2 protein were observed in two patients carrying a FOXL2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géri Méduri
- Unité de Recherche, INSERM, U-693, Hôpital Bicêtre, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
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Xu Y, Lei H, Dong H, Zhang L, Qin Q, Gao J, Zou Y, Yan X. FOXL2 gene mutations and blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES): a novel mutation detected in a Chinese family and a statistic model for summarizing previous reported records. Mutagenesis 2009; 24:447-53. [PMID: 19592504 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/gep028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies found that the forkhead transcription factor 2 (FOXL2) gene mutations are responsible for both types of blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) but have not established any systematic statistic model for the complex and even contradictory results about genotype-phenotype correlations between them. This study is aimed to find possible mutations of FOXL2 gene in a Chinese family with type II BPES by using DNA sequencing and to further clarify genotype-phenotype correlations between FOXL2 mutations and BPES by using a systematic statistical method, namely Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR). A novel mutation (g.933_965dup) which could result in an expansion of the polyalanine (polyAla) tract was detected in all patients of this family. MDR analysis for intragenic mutations of FOXL2 gene reported in previous BPES studies indicated that the mutations which led to much stronger disturbance of amino acid sequence were responsible for more type I BPES, while other kinds of mutation were responsible for more type II BPES. In conclusion, the present study found a novel FOXL2 gene mutation in a Chinese BPES family and a new general genotype-phenotype correlation tendency between FOXL2 intragenic mutations and BPES, both of which expanded the knowledge about FOXL2 gene and BPES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Institute of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Kunhua Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College), Kunming 650032, People's Republic of China
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