1
|
Guvatova ZG, Borisov PV, Alekseev AA, Moskalev AA. Age-Related Changes in Extracellular Matrix. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:1535-1551. [PMID: 36717445 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922120112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an extracellular tissue structure that, in addition to mechanical support to the cell, is involved in regulation of many cellular processes, including chemical transport, growth, migration, differentiation, and cell senescence. Age-related changes in the structure and composition of the matrix and increase of ECM stiffness with age affect functioning of many tissues and contribute to the development of various pathological conditions. This review considers age-related changes of ECM in various tissues and organs, in particular, effect of ECM changes on aging is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zulfiia G Guvatova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 129226, Russia
| | - Pavel V Borisov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Alexey A Alekseev
- Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 129226, Russia
| | - Alexey A Moskalev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia. .,Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 129226, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lopez-Font I, Lennol MP, Iborra-Lazaro G, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Sáez-Valero J. Altered Balance of Reelin Proteolytic Fragments in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7522. [PMID: 35886870 PMCID: PMC9318932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Reelin binds to the apolipoprotein E receptor apoER2 to activate an intracellular signaling cascade. The proteolytic cleavage of reelin follows receptor binding but can also occur independently of its binding to receptors. This study assesses whether reelin proteolytic fragments are differentially affected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects. CSF reelin species were analyzed by Western blotting, employing antibodies against the N- and C-terminal domains. In AD patients, we found a decrease in the 420 kDa full-length reelin compared with controls. In these patients, we also found an increase in the N-terminal 310 kDa fragment resulting from the cleavage at the so-called C-t site, whereas the 180 kDa fragment originated from the N-t site remained unchanged. Regarding the C-terminal proteolytic fragments, the 100 kDa fragment resulting from the cleavage at the C-t site also displayed increased levels, whilst the one resulting from the N-t site, the 250 kDa fragment, decreased. We also detected the presence of an aberrant reelin species with a molecular mass of around 500 kDa present in AD samples (34 of 43 cases), while it was absent in the 14 control cases analyzed. These 500 kDa species were only immunoreactive to N-terminal antibodies. We validated the occurrence of these aberrant reelin species in an Aβ42-treated reelin-overexpressing cell model. When we compared the AD samples from APOE genotype subgroups, we only found minor differences in the levels of reelin fragments associated to the APOE genotype, but interestingly, the levels of fragments of apoER2 were lower in APOE ε4 carriers with regards to APOE ε3/ε3. The altered proportion of reelin/apoER2 fragments and the occurrence of reelin aberrant species suggest a complex regulation of the reelin signaling pathway, which results impaired in AD subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Lopez-Font
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain; (M.P.L.); (G.I.-L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Matthew P. Lennol
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain; (M.P.L.); (G.I.-L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Guillermo Iborra-Lazaro
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain; (M.P.L.); (G.I.-L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Mölndal, Sweden; (H.Z.); (K.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Mölndal, Sweden; (H.Z.); (K.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain; (M.P.L.); (G.I.-L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Leifeld J, Förster E, Reiss G, Hamad MIK. Considering the Role of Extracellular Matrix Molecules, in Particular Reelin, in Granule Cell Dispersion Related to Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:917575. [PMID: 35733853 PMCID: PMC9207388 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.917575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the nervous system can be considered as a dynamically adaptable compartment between neuronal cells, in particular neurons and glial cells, that participates in physiological functions of the nervous system. It is mainly composed of carbohydrates and proteins that are secreted by the different kinds of cell types found in the nervous system, in particular neurons and glial cells, but also other cell types, such as pericytes of capillaries, ependymocytes and meningeal cells. ECM molecules participate in developmental processes, synaptic plasticity, neurodegeneration and regenerative processes. As an example, the ECM of the hippocampal formation is involved in degenerative and adaptive processes related to epilepsy. The role of various components of the ECM has been explored extensively. In particular, the ECM protein reelin, well known for orchestrating the formation of neuronal layer formation in the cerebral cortex, is also considered as a player involved in the occurrence of postnatal granule cell dispersion (GCD), a morphologically peculiar feature frequently observed in hippocampal tissue from epileptic patients. Possible causes and consequences of GCD have been studied in various in vivo and in vitro models. The present review discusses different interpretations of GCD and different views on the role of ECM protein reelin in the formation of this morphological peculiarity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Leifeld
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry I—Receptor Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jennifer Leifeld, ; Eckart Förster,
| | - Eckart Förster
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jennifer Leifeld, ; Eckart Förster,
| | - Gebhard Reiss
- Institute for Anatomy and Clinical Morphology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/ Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Mohammad I. K. Hamad
- Institute for Anatomy and Clinical Morphology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/ Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Scala M, Grasso EA, Di Cara G, Riva A, Striano P, Verrotti A. The Pathophysiological Link Between Reelin and Autism: Overview and New Insights. Front Genet 2022; 13:869002. [PMID: 35422848 PMCID: PMC9002092 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.869002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a secreted extracellular matrix protein playing pivotal roles in neuronal migration and cortical stratification during embryonal brain development. In the adult brain, its activity is crucial for synaptic plasticity, memory processing, and cognition. Genetic alterations in RELN have been variably reported as possible contributors to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In particular, GCCs repeats in the 5′UTR, and single nucleotide polymorphysms (SNPs) in RELN have been suggested to affect brain development and predispose to autism. We reviewed pertinent literature on RELN expression and haplotypes transmission in children with ASD, critically analyzing available evidence in support of the pathophysiological association between Reelin deficiency and ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Di Cara
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang X, Fu Y, Ding Z, Zhu N, Zhao M, Song Y, Huang X, Chen S, Yang Y, Zhang C, Hu Q, Ni Y, Ding L. Functional Heterogeneity of Reelin in the Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:692390. [PMID: 34485127 PMCID: PMC8416082 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.692390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reelin, an extracellular glycoprotein, is expressed on neuronal cells and participates in neuronal migration during brain development. Recently, Reelin also has a vital role in carcinogenesis. However, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of Reelin in OSCC. Methods The expression of Reelin in cancer-associated fibroblasts (ReelinCAF) and tumor cells (ReelinTC) was analyzed by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the spatial pattern of Reelin in 75 OSCCs. The diagnostic and prognostic values of Reelin were evaluated and also verified by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Primary CAFs from 13 OSCC patients were isolated to confirm Reelin expression. Thirty-nine OSCC peripheral blood samples were used to analyze the change of immunocytes based on Reelin levels by flow cytometry. The relationship between Reelin and tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues was determined by TISIDB and the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database. Results In breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and rectal cancer, Reelin in CAFs was significantly upregulated compared with Reelin in TCs. The IHC results in OSCC also showed that Reelin levels were higher in CAFs. Upregulated ReelinTC was related to a decreased pN stage and distant metastasis. Strikingly, patients with enhanced ReelinCAF had a high risk of lymph node metastasis, poor worst pattern of invasion (WPOI), and distant metastasis, but showed comparable Ki-67 level in all OSCC patients, resulting in shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Unexpectedly, Reelin in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (ReelinTIL) was correlated with postoperative relapse. Patients with high ReelinTIL, but not ReelinTC and ReelinCAF, had poor cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells and higher ratio of CD4/CD8 in peripheral blood. However, Reelin was positively associated with tissue-resident B cells and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion Reelin has a versatile function in distinct cell types during the development of OSCC via governing tumor cell and stroma microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Zhang
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Fu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuang Ding
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nisha Zhu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengxiang Zhao
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxian Song
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Huang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Caihong Zhang
- Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingang Hu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhong Ni
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Ding
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li X, Fan W, Yao A, Song H, Ge Y, Yan M, Shan Y, Zhang C, Li P, Jia L. Downregulation of reelin predicts poor prognosis for glioma. Biomark Med 2020; 14:651-663. [PMID: 32613843 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: In the present study, we studied the relationship between RELN and prognosis in glioma. Materials & methods: Expression profiles and methylation data of RELN were obtained from bioinformatic datasets. Correlations between RELN and clinicopathological features and overall survival were respectively assessed using chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: RELN was downregulated in glioma, and its downregulation correlated well with glioma malignancy and overall survival. Meanwhile, hypermethylation of RELN was significantly correlated with low RELN expression. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that low expression of RELN correlated with many key cancer pathways, possibly highlighting the importance of RELN in carcinogenesis of brain. Conclusion: RELN may serve as a potential prognostic marker and promising target molecule for new therapy of glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Li
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Wange Fan
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Anhui Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, 988th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Huiling Song
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yunxiao Ge
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Mengyao Yan
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yubo Shan
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Chujie Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Pu Li
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Liyun Jia
- Department of Medical Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jossin Y. Reelin Functions, Mechanisms of Action and Signaling Pathways During Brain Development and Maturation. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060964. [PMID: 32604886 PMCID: PMC7355739 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development and adulthood, Reelin exerts several important functions in the brain including the regulation of neuronal migration, dendritic growth and branching, dendritic spine formation, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. As a consequence, the Reelin signaling pathway has been associated with several human brain disorders such as lissencephaly, autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, mental retardation, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. Several elements of the signaling pathway are known. Core components, such as the Reelin receptors very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), Src family kinases Src and Fyn, and the intracellular adaptor Disabled-1 (Dab1), are common to most but not all Reelin functions. Other downstream effectors are, on the other hand, more specific to defined tasks. Reelin is a large extracellular protein, and some aspects of the signal are regulated by its processing into smaller fragments. Rather than being inhibitory, the processing at two major sites seems to be fulfilling important physiological functions. In this review, I describe the various cellular events regulated by Reelin and attempt to explain the current knowledge on the mechanisms of action. After discussing the shared and distinct elements of the Reelin signaling pathway involved in neuronal migration, dendritic growth, spine development and synaptic plasticity, I briefly outline the data revealing the importance of Reelin in human brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yves Jossin
- Laboratory of Mammalian Development & Cell Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sturm L, van Elst LT, Fiebich B, Wolkewitz M, Hornig T. Intra-day variations of blood reelin levels in healthy individuals. Arch Med Sci 2019; 16:118-123. [PMID: 32051714 PMCID: PMC6963140 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2020.91288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reelin (RELN) is an extracellular glycoprotein best known to be crucial for neuronal migration during the embryonic period and regulation of synaptic plasticity in the adult brain, with recent studies pointing to reelin playing an important part in the organization of peripheral organs as well. Abnormalities in RELN function are associated with a variety of medical conditions in human beings. These alterations partly also reflect in RELN's blood levels, which gives it a clinical relevance as a potential biomarker. Requirement for a possible clinical use is a profound understanding of RELN's physiology. We hypothesized blood RELN levels could underlie time-dependent variations and therefore examined individuals' serum reelin concentrations in the course of one day. MATERIAL AND METHODS We obtained blood samples from healthy individuals (n = 10) at several times of measurement over a time period of 24 h. We subsequently determined the respective serum RELN concentrations utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and tested for intra- and interindividual variations in serum RELN concentrations over time. RESULTS All tested individuals' serum RELN levels displayed significant intraindividual variations in the course of 24 h. Test subjects' reelin day profiles showed substantial divergence among each other. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point to short-term fluctuations in blood RELN levels being part of physiological RELN homeostasis. This is of special interest with regard to a potential clinical use of RELN as a biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Sturm
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Fiebich
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Wolkewitz
- Department of Medical Biometrics and Medical Informatics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Hornig
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
The Reeler Mouse: A Translational Model of Human Neurological Conditions, or Simply a Good Tool for Better Understanding Neurodevelopment? J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122088. [PMID: 31805691 PMCID: PMC6947477 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The first description of the Reeler mutation in mouse dates to more than fifty years ago, and later, its causative gene (reln) was discovered in mouse, and its human orthologue (RELN) was demonstrated to be causative of lissencephaly 2 (LIS2) and about 20% of the cases of autosomal-dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). In both human and mice, the gene encodes for a glycoprotein referred to as reelin (Reln) that plays a primary function in neuronal migration during development and synaptic stabilization in adulthood. Besides LIS2 and ADLTE, RELN and/or other genes coding for the proteins of the Reln intracellular cascade have been associated substantially to other conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 and 37, VLDLR-associated cerebellar hypoplasia, PAFAH1B1-associated lissencephaly, autism, and schizophrenia. According to their modalities of inheritances and with significant differences among each other, these neuropsychiatric disorders can be modeled in the homozygous (reln−/−) or heterozygous (reln+/−) Reeler mouse. The worth of these mice as translational models is discussed, with focus on their construct and face validity. Description of face validity, i.e., the resemblance of phenotypes between the two species, centers onto the histological, neurochemical, and functional observations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of Reeler mice and their human counterparts.
Collapse
|
10
|
Menozzi E, Balint B, Latorre A, Valente EM, Rothwell JC, Bhatia KP. Twenty years on: Myoclonus-dystonia and ε-sarcoglycan - neurodevelopment, channel, and signaling dysfunction. Mov Disord 2019; 34:1588-1601. [PMID: 31449710 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus-dystonia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a typical childhood onset of myoclonic jerks and dystonia involving the neck, trunk, and upper limbs. Psychiatric symptomatology, namely, alcohol dependence and phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is also part of the clinical picture. Zonisamide has demonstrated effectiveness at reducing both myoclonus and dystonia, and deep brain stimulation seems to be an effective and long-lasting therapeutic option for medication-refractory cases. In a subset of patients, myoclonus-dystonia is associated with pathogenic variants in the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene, located on chromosome 7q21, and up to now, more than 100 different pathogenic variants of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene have been described. In a few families with a clinical phenotype resembling myoclonus-dystonia associated with distinct clinical features, variants have been identified in genes involved in novel pathways such as calcium channel regulation and neurodevelopment. Because of phenotypic similarities with epsilon-sarcoglycan gene-related myoclonus-dystonia, these conditions can be collectively classified as "myoclonus-dystonia syndromes." In the present article, we present myoclonus-dystonia caused by epsilon-sarcoglycan gene mutations, with a focus on genetics and underlying disease mechanisms. Second, we review those conditions falling within the spectrum of myoclonus-dystonia syndromes, highlighting their genetic background and involved pathways. Finally, we critically discuss the normal and pathological function of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene and its product, suggesting a role in the stabilization of the dopaminergic membrane via regulation of calcium homeostasis and in the neurodevelopmental process involving the cerebello-thalamo-pallido-cortical network. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Menozzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Bettina Balint
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Maria Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neurogenetics Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Castagna C, Merighi A, Lossi L. Decreased Expression of Synaptophysin 1 (SYP1 Major Synaptic Vesicle Protein p38) and Contactin 6 (CNTN6/NB3) in the Cerebellar Vermis of reln Haplodeficient Mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:833-856. [PMID: 31098770 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00683-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Reeler heterozygous mice (reln+/-) are seemingly normal but haplodeficient in reln, a gene implicated in autism. Structural/neurochemical alterations in the reln+/- brain are subtle and difficult to demonstrate. Therefore, the usefulness of these mice in translational research is still debated. As evidence implicated several synapse-related genes in autism and the cerebellar vermis is structurally altered in the condition, we have investigated the expression of synaptophysin 1 (SYP1) and contactin 6 (CNTN6) within the vermis of reln+/- mice. Semi-thin plastic sections of the vermis from adult mice of both sexes and different genotypes (reln+/- and reln+/+) were processed with an indirect immunofluorescence protocol. Immunofluorescence was quantified on binary images and statistically analyzed. Reln+/- males displayed a statistically significant reduction of 11.89% in the expression of SYP1 compared to sex-matched wild-type animals, whereas no differences were observed between reln+/+ and reln+/- females. In reln+/- male mice, reductions were particularly evident in the molecular layer: 10.23% less SYP1 than reln+/+ males and 5.84% < reln+/+ females. In reln+/- females, decrease was 9.84% versus reln+/+ males and 5.43% versus reln+/+ females. Both reln+/- males and females showed a stronger decrease in CNTN6 expression throughout all the three cortical layers of the vermis: 17-23% in the granular layer, 24-26% in the Purkinje cell layer, and 9-14% in the molecular layer. Altogether, decrease of vermian SYP1 and CNTN6 in reln+/- mice displayed patterns compatible with the structural modifications of the autistic cerebellum. Therefore, these mice may be a good model in translational studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Castagna
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Laura Lossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Devasenapathy S, Midha R, Naskar T, Mehta A, Prajapati B, Ummekulsum M, Sagar R, Singh NC, Sinha S. A pilot Indian family-based association study between dyslexia and Reelin pathway genes, DCDC2 and ROBO1, identifies modest association with a triallelic unit TAT in the gene RELN. Asian J Psychiatr 2018; 37:121-129. [PMID: 30199849 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests as a reading disability despite normal intelligence and adequate educational opportunity. Twin and family studies have indicated a genetic component, while genome-wide studies have implicated a number of susceptibility genes, most of which have direct or indirect roles in neuronal migration. Reelin (RELN) has important biological functions facilitating migration of neurons. Polymorphisms in RELN have been implicated in related disorders like autism and schizophrenia but have not been examined in dyslexia. We hypothesized that not only RELN, but its interactors in the neuronal migration pathway may play roles in the etiology of dyslexia. Twenty two functional variants across six RELN signalling genes (RELN, VLDLR, APOER2, DAB1, LIS1 and NDEL1) and two dyslexia candidate genes (DCDC2 and ROBO1) were analyzed for association in twenty six nuclear and three extended families with individuals affected with dyslexia. Univariate association analysis was suggestive of association (puncorrected = 0.01) with rs362746 in RELN which however did not withstand Bonferroni corrections (pcorrected = 0.21). Multimarker tests indicated significant association (p = 0.037), based on which we tested for haplotype associations. Although there were no significant haplotypic associations, we found that a three marker unit with rs3808039 and rs2072403 flanking and independently in linkage disequilibrium with rs362746 was significantly overtransmitted (risk allelic combination - TAT) to dyslexia affected individuals in the sample (p = 0.002). Our results suggest preliminary evidence for a new potential risk variant in the RELN locus for dyslexia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rashi Midha
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122051, India
| | - Teesta Naskar
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122051, India
| | - Anuradha Mehta
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122051, India
| | | | | | - Rajesh Sagar
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110026, India
| | - Nandini C Singh
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122051, India
| | - Subrata Sinha
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122051, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tan AP, Chong WK, Mankad K. Comprehensive genotype-phenotype correlation in lissencephaly. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2018; 8:673-693. [PMID: 30211035 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2018.08.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are a heterogenous group of disorders with diverse genotypic and phenotypic variations. Lissencephaly is a subtype of MCD caused by defect in neuronal migration, which occurs between 12 and 24 weeks of gestation. The continuous advancement in the field of molecular genetics in the last decade has led to identification of at least 19 lissencephaly-related genes, most of which are related to microtubule structural proteins (tubulin) or microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The aim of this review article is to bring together current knowledge of gene mutations associated with lissencephaly and to provide a comprehensive genotype-phenotype correlation. Illustrative cases will be presented to facilitate the understanding of the described genotype-phenotype correlation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ai Peng Tan
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Health System, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
| | - Wui Khean Chong
- Department of Neuroradiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kshitij Mankad
- Department of Neuroradiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang GF, Ye S, Gao L, Han Y, Guo X, Dong XP, Su YY, Zhang X. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the RELN gene and symptom-based and developmental deficits among children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders in the Tianjin, China. Behav Brain Res 2018; 350:1-5. [PMID: 29753726 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has revealed that genetic variants in Reelin (RELN) gene, especially single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), correlate with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) risk; however, no consensus have been reached. This study aimed to provide additional evidence for the association between two SNPs of RELN (i.e., rs736707, rs2229864) and ASD risk, as well as the relationship between RELN gene and symptom-based and developmental deficits of ASD patients in Chinese Han children and adolescents. 157 ASD subjects and 256 typical development (TD) controls were genotyped by TaqMan® genotyping assay. ASD patients were assessed by Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), and Early Childhood Development Questionnaire (ECDQ). We found that SNP rs2229864 was associated with the genetic predisposition of ASD, whereas a negative association between SNP rs2229864 and symptom-based and developmental features was detected. In contrast, RELN rs736707 correlated with the sensory subscale of the ABC, the relating subscale of the ABC and the total score of ABC, although we did not detect a significant association between SNP rs736707 and ASD risk. Furthermore, a significant rs736707-rs2229864 haplotype was detected. Individuals with a CC haplotype were more likely to have ASD, but individuals with a CT haplotype had more chance be TD controls. Further studies using more samples and including more gene variants in RELN are warranted to confirm our results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Fu Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Sheng Ye
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiao-Peng Dong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Su
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin 300070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen N, Bao Y, Xue Y, Sun Y, Hu D, Meng S, Lu L, Shi J. Meta-analyses of RELN variants in neuropsychiatric disorders. Behav Brain Res 2017; 332:110-119. [PMID: 28506622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is a critical extracellular matrix glycoprotein and implicated in neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders in animal model studies. The genetic polymorphism of RELN has also been reported to be associated with several psychiatric disorders, but the results remain controversial. Here, we conducted meta-analyses of RELN gene SNPs and related neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, autistic spectrum disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorders). A total of 12 SNPs (rs736707, rs362691, rs607755, rs2229864, rs7341475, rs262355, rs362719, rs11496125, g.-888G>C, rs2299356, rs528528, and rs4298437) in RELN gene were included into meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses based on ethnicity were performed. We found that RELN rs736707 was significantly related with psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) in Asian group (C vs T, OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.13-1.41, P<0.01, FDR<0.01), and rs7341475 was only significantly associated with reduced risk of schizophrenia in Caucasian (A vs G, OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.82-0.95, P<0.01, FDR<0.01). No association of other SNPs and psychiatric disorders is found. These findings suggest a role of RELN SNPs in psychiatric diseases, and indicate that further researches in populations with different genetic background and studies with larger sample size are of great value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Die Hu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqiu Meng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China; The State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Healthy, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Affiliation(s)
- R Douglas Fields
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institutes of Health, NICHD, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kontou PI, Pavlopoulou A, Dimou NL, Pavlopoulos GA, Bagos PG. Network analysis of genes and their association with diseases. Gene 2016; 590:68-78. [PMID: 27265032 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A plethora of network-based approaches within the Systems Biology universe have been applied, to date, to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of various human diseases. In the present study, we perform a bipartite, topological and clustering graph analysis in order to gain a better understanding of the relationships between human genetic diseases and the relationships between the genes that are implicated in them. For this purpose, disease-disease and gene-gene networks were constructed from combined gene-disease association networks. The latter, were created by collecting and integrating data from three diverse resources, each one with different content covering from rare monogenic disorders to common complex diseases. This data pluralism enabled us to uncover important associations between diseases with unrelated phenotypic manifestations but with common genetic origin. For our analysis, the topological attributes and the functional implications of the individual networks were taken into account and are shortly discussed. We believe that some observations of this study could advance our understanding regarding the etiology of a disease with distinct pathological manifestations, and simultaneously provide the springboard for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies and its underlying genetic mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota I Kontou
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Greece
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Greece
| | - Niki L Dimou
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Greece
| | - Georgios A Pavlopoulos
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Joint Genome Institute, United States Department of Energy, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Pantelis G Bagos
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ranaivoson FM, von Daake S, Comoletti D. Structural Insights into Reelin Function: Present and Future. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:137. [PMID: 27303268 PMCID: PMC4882317 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is a neuronal glycoprotein secreted by the Cajal-Retzius cells in marginal regions of the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus where it plays important roles in the control of neuronal migration and the formation of cellular layers during brain development. This 3461 residue-long protein is composed of a signal peptide, an F-spondin-like domain, eight Reelin repeats (RR1-8), and a positively charged sequence at the C-terminus. Biochemical data indicate that the central region of Reelin binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptors apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) and the very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), leading to the phosphorylation of the intracellular adaptor protein Dab1. After secretion, Reelin is rapidly degraded in three major fragments, but the functional significance of this degradation is poorly understood. Probably due to its large mass and the complexity of its architecture, the high-resolution, three-dimensional structure of Reelin has never been determined. However, the crystal structures of some of the RRs have been solved, providing important insights into their fold and the interaction with the ApoER2 receptor. This review discusses the current findings on the structure of Reelin and its binding to the ApoER2 and VLDLR receptors, and we discuss some areas where proteomics and structural biology can help understanding Reelin function in brain development and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanomezana M Ranaivoson
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Sventja von Daake
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Davide Comoletti
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Identification of RELN variation p.Thr3192Ser in a Chinese family with schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24327. [PMID: 27071546 PMCID: PMC4829830 DOI: 10.1038/srep24327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a serious psychiatric disease with strong heritability. Its complexity is reflected by extensive genetic heterogeneity and much of the genetic liability remains unaccounted for. We applied a combined strategy involving detection of copy number variants (CNVs), whole-genome mapping, and exome sequencing to identify the genetic basis of autosomal-dominant SCZ in a Chinese family. To rule out pathogenic CNVs, we first performed Illumina single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis on samples from two patients and one psychiatrically healthy family member, but no pathogenic CNVs were detected. In order to further narrow down the susceptible region, we conducted genome-wide linkage analysis and mapped the disease locus to chromosome 7q21.13-22.3, with a maximum multipoint logarithm of odds score of 2.144. Whole-exome sequencing was then carried out with samples from three affected individuals and one unaffected individual in the family. A missense variation c.9575 C > G (p.Thr3192Ser) was identified in RELN, which is known as a risk gene for SCZ, located on chromosome 7q22, in the pedigree. This rare variant, as a highly penetrant risk variant, co-segregated with the phenotype. Our results provide genetic evidence that RELN may be one of pathogenic gene in SCZ.
Collapse
|
20
|
Lammert DB, Howell BW. RELN Mutations in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:84. [PMID: 27064498 PMCID: PMC4814460 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RELN encodes a large, secreted glycoprotein integral to proper neuronal positioning during development and regulation of synaptic function postnatally. Rare, homozygous, null mutations lead to lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia (LCH), accompanied by developmental delay and epilepsy. Until recently, little was known about the frequency or consequences of heterozygous mutations. Several lines of evidence from multiple studies now implicate heterozygous mutations in RELN in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). RELN maps to the AUTS1 locus on 7q22, and at this time over 40 distinct mutations have been identified that would alter the protein sequence, four of which are de novo. The RELN mutations that are most clearly consequential are those that are predicted to inactivate the signaling function of the encoded protein and those that fall in a highly conserved RXR motif found at the core of the 16 Reelin subrepeats. Despite the growing evidence of RELN dysfunction in ASD, it appears that these mutations in isolation are insufficient and that secondary genetic or environmental factors are likely required for a diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawn B Lammert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical School Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Brian W Howell
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical School Syracuse, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Magliaro C, Cocito C, Bagatella S, Merighi A, Ahluwalia A, Lossi L. The number of Purkinje neurons and their topology in the cerebellar vermis of normal and reln haplodeficient mouse. Ann Anat 2016; 207:68-75. [PMID: 26996540 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Reeler heterozygous mice (reln(+/-)) are haplodeficient in the gene (reln) encoding for the reelin glycoprotein (RELN) and display reductions in brain/peripheral RELN similar to autistic or schizophrenic patients. Cytoarchitectonic alterations of the reln(+/-) brain may be subtle, and are difficult to demonstrate by current histological approaches. We analyzed the number and topological organization of the Purkinje neurons (PNs) in five vermal lobules - central (II-III), culmen (IV-V), tuber (VIIb), uvula (IX), and nodulus (X) - that process different types of afferent functional inputs in reln(+/+) and reln(+/-) adult mice (P60) of both sexes (n=24). Animals were crossed with L7GFP mice so that the GFP-tagged PNs could be directly identified in cryosections. Digital images from these sections were processed with different open source software for quantitative topological and statistical analyses. Diversity indices calculated were: maximum caliper, density, area of soma, dispersion along the XZ axis, and dispersion along the YZ axis. We demonstrate: i. reduction in density of PNs in reln(+/-) males (14.37%) and reln(+/-) females (17.73%) compared to reln(+/+) males; ii. that reln(+/-) males have larger PNs than other genotypes, and females (irrespective of the reln genetic background) have smaller PNs than reln(+/+) males; iii. PNs are more chaotically arranged along the YZ axis in reln(+/-) males than in reln(+/+) males and, except in central lobulus, reln(+/-) females. Therefore, image processing and statistics reveal previously unforeseen gender and genotype-related structural differences in cerebellum that may be clues for the definition of novel biomarkers in human psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Magliaro
- University of Pisa, Research Center E. Piaggio, Faculty of Engineering, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carolina Cocito
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Bagatella
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Turin, Italy
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Turin, Italy
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- University of Pisa, Research Center E. Piaggio, Faculty of Engineering, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Lossi
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Turin, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Negrón-Oyarzo I, Lara-Vásquez A, Palacios-García I, Fuentealba P, Aboitiz F. Schizophrenia and reelin: a model based on prenatal stress to study epigenetics, brain development and behavior. Biol Res 2016; 49:16. [PMID: 26968981 PMCID: PMC4787713 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-016-0076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that results in a significant disability for the patient. The disorder is characterized by impairment of the adaptive orchestration of actions, a cognitive function that is mainly dependent on the prefrontal cortex. This behavioral deficit, together with cellular and neurophysiological alterations in the prefrontal cortex, as well as reduced density of GABAergic cells and aberrant oscillatory activity, all indicate structural and functional deficits of the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Among the several risk factors for the development of schizophrenia, stress during the prenatal period has been identified as crucial. Thus, it is proposed that prenatal stress induces neurodevelopmental alterations in the prefrontal cortex that are expressed as cognitive impairment observed in schizophrenia. However, the precise mechanisms that link prenatal stress with the impairment of prefrontal cortex function is largely unknown. Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein involved in the development of cortical neural connectivity at embryonic stages, and in synaptic plasticity at postnatal stages. Interestingly, down-regulation of reelin expression has been associated with epigenetic changes in the reelin gene of the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients. We recently showed that, similar to schizophrenic patients, prenatal stress induces down-expression of reelin associated with the methylation of its promoter in the rodent prefrontal cortex. These alterations were paralleled with altered prefrontal cortex functional connectivity and impairment in prefrontal cortex-dependent behavioral tasks. Therefore, considering molecular, cellular, physiological and behavioral evidence, we propose a unifying framework that links prenatal stress and prefrontal malfunction through epigenetic alterations of the reelin gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Negrón-Oyarzo
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ariel Lara-Vásquez
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ismael Palacios-García
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Fuentealba
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Aboitiz
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kwon HJ, Jang WC, Lim MH. Association between RELN Gene Polymorphisms and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Korean Children. Psychiatry Investig 2016; 13:210-6. [PMID: 27081382 PMCID: PMC4823197 DOI: 10.4306/pi.2016.13.2.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common disorder of the school-age population. ADHD is familial and genetic studies estimate heritability at 80-90%. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the genetic type and alleles for RELNgene (rs736707, rs2229864, rs362746, rs362726, rs362691, rs1062831, rs607755, and rs2072403) in Korean children with ADHD. METHODS The sample consisted of 180 ADHD children and 159 control children. We diagnosed ADHD according to DSM-IV. ADHD symptoms were evaluated with Conners' Parent Rating Scales and Dupaul Parent ADHD Rating Scales. Blood samples were taken from the 339 subjects, DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes, and PCR was performed for RELN Polymorphism. Alleles and genotype frequencies were compared using the chi-square test. We compared the allele and genotype frequencies of RELN gene polymorphism in the ADHD and control groups. RESULTS This study showed that there was a significant correlation among the frequencies of the rs736707 (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.03-1.90, p=0.031) of alleles of RELN, but the final conclusions are not definite. CONCLUSION Follow up studies with larger patient or pure subgroups are expected. These results suggested that RELN might be related to ADHD symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho Jang Kwon
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Cheol Jang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Ho Lim
- Environmental Health Center, Dankook Medical Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychology, College of Public Welfare, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
D Potdar P, U Shetti A. Molecular Biomarkers for Diagnosis & Therapies of Alzheimer’s Disease. AIMS Neurosci 2016. [DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2016.4.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
25
|
da Silva VAM, Dantas MDS, Silva LADC, Carneiro JG, Schamber-Reis BLF. Testosterone Depletion Induces Demethylation of Murine Reelin Promoter CpG Dinucleotides: A Preliminary Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:286369. [PMID: 26526966 PMCID: PMC4615860 DOI: 10.1155/2015/286369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by psychotic events, abnormal social behavior, false beliefs, and auditory hallucinations. Hypermethylation of the promoter region of reelin (RELN), a gene involved in regulation of neuronal positioning during telencephalic development, is strongly associated with low protein expression in several cortical structures and promoter hypermethylation in brain from postmortem SZ subjects. Recent experimental data suggests that testosterone is able to promote RELN demethylation, although no direct evidence of hormonal influence on reelin promoter methylation was obtained. We investigated if reduced levels of plasma testosterone in adult male mice lead to Reln promoter demethylation. Animals were administered with flutamide, an antiandrogenic compound, and reelin promoter methylation was assessed using methylationspecific PCR using bisulfite DNA from cerebellum. We found that flutamide was able to significantly lower plasma testosterone when compared to control mice, and treatment did not influence animal survival and body weight. We also show that low plasma testosterone was associated with demethylation of a cytosine residue located at -860 in reelin promoter region. These preliminary data suggest that androgenic hormones can influence cerebral reelin demethylation. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental approach directly linking testosterone depletion and RELN promoter methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Augusto Moraes da Silva
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, CESED/FCM, Avenida Senador Argemiro De Figueiredo 1901, Itararé, 58411-020 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Marília de Souza Dantas
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, CESED/FCM, Avenida Senador Argemiro De Figueiredo 1901, Itararé, 58411-020 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Agostinho de Castro Silva
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, CESED/FCM, Avenida Senador Argemiro De Figueiredo 1901, Itararé, 58411-020 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Juliana Garcia Carneiro
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, CESED/FCM, Avenida Senador Argemiro De Figueiredo 1901, Itararé, 58411-020 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Bruno Luiz Fonseca Schamber-Reis
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, CESED/FCM, Avenida Senador Argemiro De Figueiredo 1901, Itararé, 58411-020 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fry AE, Cushion TD, Pilz DT. The genetics of lissencephaly. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2014; 166C:198-210. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
27
|
The need for a comprehensive molecular characterization of autism spectrum disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:651-73. [PMID: 24229490 DOI: 10.1017/s146114571300117x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders which have complex behavioural phenotypes. Although ASD is a highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder, genetic research alone has not provided a profound understanding of the underlying causes. Recent developments using biochemical tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics and cellular models, will pave the way to gain new insights into the underlying pathological pathways. This review addresses the state-of-the-art in the search for molecular biomarkers for ASD. In particular, the most important findings in the biochemical field are highlighted and the need for establishing streamlined interaction between behavioural studies, genetics and proteomics is stressed. Eventually, these approaches will lead to suitable translational ASD models and, therefore, a better disease understanding which may facilitate novel drug discovery efforts in this challenging field.
Collapse
|
28
|
Reelin in the Years: Controlling Neuronal Migration and Maturation in the Mammalian Brain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/597395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular protein Reelin was initially identified as an essential factor in the control of neuronal migration and layer formation in the developing mammalian brain. In the years following its discovery, however, it became clear that Reelin is a multifunctional protein that controls not only the positioning of neurons in the developing brain, but also their growth, maturation, and synaptic activity in the adult brain. In this review, we will highlight the major discoveries of the biological activities of Reelin and the underlying molecular mechanisms that affect the development and function of the mammalian brain, from embryonic ages to adulthood.
Collapse
|
29
|
Suárez-Vega A, Gutiérrez-Gil B, Cuchillo-Ibáñez I, Sáez-Valero J, Pérez V, García-Gámez E, Benavides J, Arranz JJ. Identification of a 31-bp deletion in the RELN gene causing lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia in sheep. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81072. [PMID: 24260534 PMCID: PMC3834269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lissencephaly is an inherited developmental disorder in which neuronal migration is impaired. A type of lissencephaly associated with cerebellar hypoplasia (LCH) was diagnosed in a commercial flock of Spanish Churra sheep. The genotyping of 7 affected animals and 33 controls with the OvineSNP50 BeadChip enabled the localization of the causative mutation for ovine LCH to a 4.8-Mb interval on sheep chromosome 4 using genome-wide association and homozygosity mapping. The RELN gene, which is located within this interval, was considered a strong positional and functional candidate because it plays critical roles in neuronal migration and layer formation. By performing a sequencing analysis of this gene’s specific mRNA in a control lamb, we obtained the complete CDS of the ovine RELN gene. The cDNA sequence from an LCH-affected lamb revealed a deletion of 31 bp (c.5410_5440del) in predicted exon 36 of RELN, resulting in a premature termination codon. A functional analysis of this mutation revealed decreased levels of RELN mRNA and a lack of reelin protein in the brain cortex and blood of affected lambs. This mutation showed a complete concordance with the Mendelian recessive pattern of inheritance observed for the disease. The identification of the causal mutation of LCH in Churra sheep will facilitate the implementation of gene-assisted selection to detect heterozygous mutants, which will help breeders avoid at-risk matings in their flocks. Moreover, the identification of this naturally occurring RELN mutation provides an opportunity to use Churra sheep as a genetically characterized large animal model for the study of reelin functions in the developing and mature brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Inmaculada Cuchillo-Ibáñez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, CSIC, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, CSIC, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Dpto. de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de León, León, León, Spain
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, Universidad de León CSIC, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | | | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, Universidad de León CSIC, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Juan Jose Arranz
- Dpto. Producción Animal, Universidad de León, León, León, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Keuschnigg J, Karinen S, Auvinen K, Irjala H, Mpindi JP, Kallioniemi O, Hautaniemi S, Jalkanen S, Salmi M. Plasticity of blood- and lymphatic endothelial cells and marker identification. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74293. [PMID: 24058540 PMCID: PMC3769239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The distinction between lymphatic and blood vessels is biologically fundamental. Here we wanted to rigorously analyze the universal applicability of vascular markers and characteristics of the two widely used vascular model systems human microvascular endothelial cell line-1 (HMEC-1) and telomerase-immortalized microvascular endothelial cell line (TIME). Therefore we studied the protein expression and functional properties of the endothelial cell lines HMEC-1 and TIME by flow cytometry and in vitro flow assays. We then performed microarray analyses of the gene expression in these two cell lines and compared them to primary endothelial cells. Using bioinformatics we then defined 39 new, more universal, endothelial-type specific markers from 47 primary endothelial microarray datasets and validated them using immunohistochemistry with normal and pathological tissues. We surprisingly found that both HMEC-1 and TIME are hybrid blood- and lymphatic cells. In addition, we discovered great discrepancies in the previous identifications of blood- and lymphatic endothelium-specific genes. Hence we identified and validated new, universally applicable vascular markers. Summarizing, the hybrid blood-lymphatic endothelial phenotype of HMEC-1 and TIME is indicative of plasticity in the gene expression of immortalized endothelial cell lines. Moreover, we identified new, stable, vessel-type specific markers for blood- and lymphatic endothelium, useful for basic research and clinical diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Keuschnigg
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Doctoral Program of Biomedical Sciences, Turku, Finland
| | - Sirkku Karinen
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, and Institute of Biomedicine, Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaisa Auvinen
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- National Institute of Public Health and Welfare, Turku, Finland
| | - Heikki Irjala
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - John-Patrick Mpindi
- FIMM, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Kallioniemi
- FIMM, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, and Institute of Biomedicine, Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sirpa Jalkanen
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- National Institute of Public Health and Welfare, Turku, Finland
| | - Marko Salmi
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- National Institute of Public Health and Welfare, Turku, Finland
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Li J, Liu J, Zhao L, Ma Y, Jia M, Lu T, Ruan Y, Li Q, Yue W, Zhang D, Wang L. Association study between genes in Reelin signaling pathway and autism identifies DAB1 as a susceptibility gene in a Chinese Han population. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 44:226-32. [PMID: 23333377 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in early childhood. The genetic factors might play an important role in its pathogenesis. Previous studies revealed that Reelin (RELN) polymorphisms were associated with autism. However, the roles of genes in Reelin signaling pathway for autism are largely unknown. As several knockout mice models in which the Reelin pathway genes (i.e. DAB1, VLDLR/APOER2, FYN/SRC and CRK/CRKL) are deficient have the similar phenotype as the reeler mice (Reelin(-/-)), we hypothesized that the Reelin signaling pathway genes might play roles in the etiology of autism. Therefore, we conducted a family-based association study. Sixty-two tagged single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering 15 genes in Reelin pathway were genotyped in 239 trios, and 14 significant SNPs were further investigated in the additional 188 trios. In the total 427 trios, we found significant genetic association between autism and four SNPs in DAB1 (rs12035887 G: p=0.0006; rs3738556 G: p=0.0044; rs1202773 A: p=0.0048; rs12740765 T: p=0.0196). After the Bonferroni correction, SNP rs12035887 remained significant. Furthermore, the haplotype constructed with rs1202773 and rs12023109 in DAB1 showed significant excess transmission in both individual and global haplotype analyses (p=0.0052 and 0.0279, respectively). Our findings suggested that variations in DAB1 involved in the Reelin signaling pathway might contribute to genetic susceptibility to autism with Chinese Han decent, supporting the defect in the Reelin signaling pathway as a predisposition factor for autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Folsom TD, Fatemi SH. The involvement of Reelin in neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology 2013; 68:122-35. [PMID: 22981949 PMCID: PMC3632377 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is a glycoprotein that serves important roles both during development (regulation of neuronal migration and brain lamination) and in adulthood (maintenance of synaptic function). A number of neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, Alzheimer's disease and lissencephaly share a common feature of abnormal Reelin expression in the brain. Altered Reelin expression has been hypothesized to impair neuronal connectivity and synaptic plasticity, leading ultimately to the cognitive deficits present in these disorders. The mechanisms for abnormal Reelin expression in some of these disorders are currently unknown although possible explanations include early developmental insults, mutations, hypermethylation of the promoter for the Reelin gene (RELN), miRNA silencing of Reelin mRNA, FMRP underexpression and Reelin processing abnormalities. Increasing Reelin expression through pharmacological therapies may help ameliorate symptoms resulting from Reelin deficits. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neurodevelopmental Disorders'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D. Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - S. Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Li M, Luo XJ, Xiao X, Shi L, Liu XY, Yin LD, Ma XY, Yang SY, Pu XF, Yu J, Diao HB, Shi H, Su B. Analysis of common genetic variants identifies RELN as a risk gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population. World J Biol Psychiatry 2013; 14:91-9. [PMID: 21745129 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2011.587891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Abstract Objectives. Several lines of evidence have shown that both RELN mRNA and protein are possibly down-regulated in the brain of schizophrenia patients. Recent association studies in European populations suggested RELN as a risk gene for schizophrenia. In this study, we test if RELN contributes to the risk of schizophrenia in Chinese population. Methods. We conducted case-control association analysis of 19 representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire region of RELN in two independent Han Chinese samples from southwestern China (the Kunming sample and the Yuxi sample). Results. We identified six SNPs significantly associated with schizophrenia in the Kunming sample and four of them remained significant in the combined samples (the P values range from 0.006 to 4.0 × 10(-5)). Haplotype analysis also suggested significant associations for the haplotypes incorporating the six significant SNPs (global P < 1.0 × 10(-5)). Additionally, we also observed several other haplotypes (defined by a different set of SNPs) significantly associated with schizophrenia in the Kunming sample. However, the reported association of rs7341475 in Ashkenazi Jews was not significant in Han Chinese. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that RELN is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population, and it is likely a common risk gene for schizophrenia in major populations worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sonmez FM, Gleeson JG, Celep F, Kul S. The very low density lipoprotein receptor-associated pontocerebellar hypoplasia and dysmorphic features in three Turkish patients. J Child Neurol 2013; 28:379-83. [PMID: 22532556 PMCID: PMC4442636 DOI: 10.1177/0883073812441065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pontocerebellar hypoplasia consists of a rare heterogeneous group of congenital neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by hypoplasia and atrophy of the cerebellar cortex, dentate and pontine nuclei, and inferior olives. The very low density lipoprotein receptor protein is an integral part of the reelin signaling pathway, which guides neuroblast migration in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Mutations in this receptor cause nonprogressive cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation, and cerebellar hypoplasia. In this report, we present 3 patients from 2 different families displaying very low density lipoprotein receptor-associated pontocerebellar hypoplasia, cortical dysplasia, mental retardation, and bipedal gait. One of the siblings has also displayed dysmorphic features, as we previously reported before the identification of the genetic defect in this family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Mujgan Sonmez
- Department of Child Neurology, Fatih University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Joseph G. Gleeson
- Department Neurosciences and Pediatrics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Figen Celep
- Department of Medical Biology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Sibel Kul
- Department of Radiology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
HOWELL MARK, GREEN RYAN, KILLEEN ALEXIS, WEDDERBURN LAMAR, PICASCIO VINCENT, RABIONET ALEJANDRO, PENG ZHENLING, LARINA MAYA, XUE BIN, KURGAN LUKASZ, UVERSKY VLADIMIRN. NOT THAT RIGID MIDGETS AND NOT SO FLEXIBLE GIANTS: ON THE ABUNDANCE AND ROLES OF INTRINSIC DISORDER IN SHORT AND LONG PROTEINS. J BIOL SYST 2013. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339012400086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins or proteins with disordered regions are very common in nature. These proteins have numerous biological functions which are complementary to the biological activities of traditional ordered proteins. A noticeable difference in the amino acid sequences encoding long and short disordered regions was found and this difference was used in the development of length-dependent predictors of intrinsic disorder. In this study, we analyze the scaling of intrinsic disorder in eukaryotic proteins and investigate the presence of length-dependent functions attributed to proteins containing long disordered regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- MARK HOWELL
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - RYAN GREEN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - ALEXIS KILLEEN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - LAMAR WEDDERBURN
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - VINCENT PICASCIO
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - ALEJANDRO RABIONET
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - ZHENLING PENG
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V4, Canada
| | - MAYA LARINA
- Department of Mathematics and Informatics, College of Medical Biochemistry, Volgograd State Medical University, 400131 Volgograd, Russia
| | - BIN XUE
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - LUKASZ KURGAN
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V4, Canada
| | - VLADIMIR N. UVERSKY
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ziegeler M, Cevec M, Richter C, Schwalbe H. NMR Studies of HAR1 RNA Secondary Structures Reveal Conformational Dynamics in the Human RNA. Chembiochem 2012; 13:2100-12. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201200401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
37
|
Reelin and its complex involvement in brain development and function. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 44:1501-4. [PMID: 22705982 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is a neuroprotein with crucial role during neurodevelopment and also in postnatal period. It regulates neuronal migration and positioning in developing neocortex and cerebellar cortex. Postnatally it participates in regulation of dendritic and axonal growth, synaptogenesis, neurotransmission and it contribute to synaptic plasticity necessary for learning and memory functions. Role of Reelin seems to be rather complex, profound research gradually uncovers its further functions. Deficits of Reelin were detected in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. Pathogenesis of these disorders is far from being clearly understood. Reelin contribution to these diseases seems to be vital, since genetic variants of Reelin were associated with these diseases and often influence symptom severity. Reelin is a promising candidate molecule with potential future use in diagnostics and therapy, however further detailed research is essential.
Collapse
|
38
|
Csomor P, Sziklai I, Karosi T. Controversies in RELN/reelin expression in otosclerosis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 269:431-40. [DOI: 10.1007/s00405-011-1653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
39
|
Wedenoja J, Tuulio-Henriksson A, Suvisaari J, Loukola A, Paunio T, Partonen T, Varilo T, Lönnqvist J, Peltonen L. Replication of association between working memory and Reelin, a potential modifier gene in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2010; 67:983-91. [PMID: 19922905 PMCID: PMC3083525 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Revised: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The challenges in gene identification for psychiatric disorders have awakened interest toward quantitative traits and endophenotypes that are potentially more closely related to the underlying biology and provide more power in the linkage and association analyses. Previously, we successfully replicated schizophrenia linkage on chromosome 7q21-32 in Finnish families and demonstrated that an intragenic short tandem repeat (STR) allele of the regional Reelin (RELN) gene is associated with multiple cognitive traits representing central cognitive functions regarded as valid endophenotypes for schizophrenia. METHODS Here, we used an extended sample of 290 Finnish families with schizophrenia and 375 control subjects in an association analysis between 96 SNPs and three STRs in RELN and diagnostic categories, clinical disorder features, as well as central cognitive functions impaired in schizophrenia. RESULTS We replicated the original association between RELN intragenic STR allele and working memory in individuals (n = 342) not overlapping with the previous study. This risk allele remained central in the whole study sample by being associated with impaired cognitive functioning and more severe positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (p = .0005-.00002). Additionally, multiple SNPs indicated association with the severity of positive symptoms of schizophrenia and together showed potential additive effect on the severity of the symptoms (p = .0000001). However, no significant associations with clinical diagnostic categories emerged. CONCLUSIONS The strongest effects on cognitive functions were detected among the affected individuals. We thus propose a particular role for RELN as a modifier gene of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juho Wedenoja
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki and National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Costa E, Chen Y, Dong E, Grayson DR, Kundakovic M, Maloku E, Ruzicka W, Satta R, Veldic M, Zhubi A, Guidotti A. GABAergic promoter hypermethylation as a model to study the neurochemistry of schizophrenia vulnerability. Expert Rev Neurother 2009; 9:87-98. [PMID: 19102671 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.9.1.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal GABAergic mechanisms that mediate the symptomatic beneficial effects elicited by a combination of antipsychotics with valproate (a histone deacetylase inhibitor) in the treatment of psychosis (expressed by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder patients) are unknown. This prompted us to investigate whether the beneficial action of this combination results from a modification of histone tail covalent esterification or is secondary to specific chromatin remodeling. The results suggest that clozapine, or sulpiride associated with valproate, by increasing DNA demethylation with an unknown mechanism, causes a chromatin remodeling that brings about a beneficial change in the epigenetic GABAergic dysfunction typical of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erminio Costa
- Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kono T, Moriyama N, Tanaka R, Iwasaki N, Arai JI. Tigroid pattern of the white matter: a previously unrecognized MR finding in lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia. Pediatr Radiol 2008; 38:1105-8. [PMID: 18521588 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-008-0909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2007] [Revised: 03/29/2008] [Accepted: 05/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brain MR images of a 14-month-old boy with lissencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia showed numerous radiating linear structures in the white matter. This finding was identical to the tigroid or leopard-skin pattern that is seen in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease or metachromatic leukodystrophy and represents the perivascular white matter spared from demyelination. We speculate that mutations of the reelin gene, expressed both in the cortex and in the white matter, may play an important role in its development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Kono
- Department of Radiology, Dokkyo University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Laviola G, Ognibene E, Romano E, Adriani W, Keller F. Gene-environment interaction during early development in the heterozygous reeler mouse: clues for modelling of major neurobehavioral syndromes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2008; 33:560-72. [PMID: 18845182 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/16/2008] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism and schizophrenia are multifactorial disorders with increasing prevalence in the young population. Among candidate molecules, reelin (RELN) is a protein of the extracellular matrix playing a key role in brain development and synaptic plasticity. The heterozygous (HZ) reeler mouse provides a model for studying the role of reelin deficiency for the onset of these syndromes. We investigated whether early indices of neurobehavioral disorders can be identified in the infant reeler, and whether the consequences of ontogenetic adverse experiences may question or support the suitability of this model. A first study focused on the link between early exposure to Chlorpyryfos and its enduring neurobehavioral consequences. Our data are interesting in view of recently discovered cholinergic abnormalities in autism and schizophrenia, and may suggest new avenues for early pharmacological intervention. In a second study, we analyzed the consequences of repeated maternal separation early in ontogeny. The results provide evidence of how unusual stress early in development are converted into altered behavior in some, but not all, individuals depending on gender and genetic background. A third study aimed to verify the reliability of the model at critical age windows. Data suggest reduced anxiety, increased impulsivity and disinhibition, and altered pain threshold in response to morphine for HZ, supporting a differential organization of brain dopaminergic, serotonergic and opioid systems in this genotype. In conclusion, HZ exhibited a complex behavioral and psycho-pharmacological phenotype, and differential responsivity to ontogenetic adverse conditions. HZ may be used to disentangle interactions between genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. Such an approach could help to model the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental psychiatric diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Laviola
- Sect. Behavioral Neuroscience, Dept. Cell Biology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, I-00161 Roma, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Reelin is overexpressed in the liver and plasma of bile duct ligated rats and its levels and glycosylation are altered in plasma of humans with cirrhosis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2008; 40:766-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
44
|
Grayson DR, Chen Y, Costa E, Dong E, Guidotti A, Kundakovic M, Sharma RP. The human reelin gene: Transcription factors (+), repressors (−) and the methylation switch (+/−) in schizophrenia. Pharmacol Ther 2006; 111:272-86. [PMID: 16574235 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2005.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2005] [Accepted: 01/27/2005] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A recent report suggests that the down-regulation of reelin and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD(67)) mRNAs represents 2 of the more consistent findings thus far described in post-mortem material from schizophrenia (SZ) patients [reviewed in. Neurochemical markers for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder amd major depression in postmortem brains. Biol Psychiatry 57, 252-260]. To study mechanisms responsible for this down-regulation, we have analyzed the promoter of the human reelin gene. Collectively, our studies suggest that SZ is characterized by a gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic neuron pathology presumably mediated by promoter hypermethylation facilitated by the over-expression of the methylating enzyme DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) 1. Using transient expression assays, promoter deletions and co-transfection assays with various transcription factors, we have shown a clear synergistic action that is a critical component of the mechanism of the trans-activation process. Equally important is the observation that the reelin promoter is more heavily methylated in brain regions in patients diagnosed with SZ as compared to non-psychiatric control subjects [Grayson, D. R., Jia, X., Chen, Y., Sharma, R. P., Mitchell, C. P., & Guidotti, A., et al. (2005). Reelin promoter hypermethylation in schizophrenia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102, 9341-9346]. The combination of studies in cell lines and in animal models of SZ, coupled with data obtained from post-mortem human material provides compelling evidence that aberrant methylation may be part of a core dysfunction in this psychiatric disease. More interestingly, the hypermethylation concept provides a coherent mechanism that establishes a plausible link between the epigenetic misregulation of multiple genes that are affected in SZ and that collectively contribute to the associated symptomatology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Grayson
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., 60612, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Huang CH, Chen CH. Absence of association of a polymorphic GGC repeat at the 5' untranslated region of the reelin gene with schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2006; 142:89-92. [PMID: 16556465 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2005.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2003] [Revised: 04/07/2004] [Accepted: 08/18/2005] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays an important role in guiding neuronal migration, lamination and connection during embryonic brain development. Several reports suggest that reduced reelin expression is associated with human mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, mood disorders and autism. Human reelin cDNA has been cloned and contains a polymorphic GGC repeat at the 5' untranslated region. In view of the possible regulation of reelin gene expression by this GGC polymorphism, we investigated the association of the polymorphic GGC repeat with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population from Taiwan. We found no differences of allelic and genotypic distributions of the polymorphic GGC triplets between 162 schizophrenic patients and 176 controls in this study. Our findings do not support the involvement of the polymorphic GGC triplets of the reelin gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in the population studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsing Huang
- Graduate Institute of Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien City, 970 Taiwan
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Fatemi SH. Reelin glycoprotein in autism and schizophrenia. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2006; 71:179-87. [PMID: 16512351 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7742(05)71008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
D'Arcangelo G. Reelin mouse mutants as models of cortical development disorders. Epilepsy Behav 2006; 8:81-90. [PMID: 16266828 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2005] [Revised: 09/09/2005] [Accepted: 09/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Developmental defects in neuronal positioning and synaptic connectivity are commonly found in neurological diseases, and they are believed to underlie many cognitive and affective disorders. Several mouse mutants are currently available that model at least some aspects of human developmental brain disorders. With the identification of the genes mutated in these animals and the study of the cellular basis of the phenotypes, we have taken significant strides toward an understanding of the mechanisms controlling proper brain development and the consequences of their dysfunction. In particular, mouse mutants deficient in the Reelin gene have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of cortical development. Absence of Reelin expression in the spontaneous mutant mouse reeler leads to extensive defects in neuronal position and dendrite development. In humans, loss of Reelin results in a type of lissencephaly with severe cortical and cerebellar malformation. Genetic and biochemical studies using mouse mutants suggest that the Lis1 protein may participate in the Reelin signaling pathway controlling cortical development. Reduced levels of Reelin are also present in postmortem brains of patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a possible link with this cognitive disorder. The regulation of the Reelin gene may thus provide insights into the mechanisms of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella D'Arcangelo
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Goldberger C, Gourion D, Leroy S, Schürhoff F, Bourdel MC, Leboyer M, Krebs MO. Population-based and family-based association study of 5'UTR polymorphism of the reelin gene and schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2005; 137B:51-5. [PMID: 15965968 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reelin is a glycoprotein involved in the migration and positioning of proliferating neurons and synaptic connectivity during neurodevelopment. It may also modulate neuronal plasticity throughout life. Therefore, the reelin gene is a candidate gene for schizophrenia. We examined the association of the CGG repeat polymorphism in the 5'-untranslated region of the reelin gene with schizophrenia in 266 unrelated French Caucasian patients, 156 of their parents, and 103 controls. We found no difference in the allele distribution between patients and controls although there was a significant higher prevalence of the genotype 8-8 in controls (CLUMP T3: chi(2) = 6.3, P = 0.035). There was no significant transmission disequilibrium in intrafamilial analysis. To refine our phenotypic characterization and in accordance with converging evidence suggesting that treatment resistance is associated with indices of abnormal neurodevelopment, we studied the association between reelin gene polymorphism and response to antipsychotics. Patients who responded to antipsychotics had a higher frequency of both the (CGG)(10) allele and (CGG)(10)-containing genotypes (P = 0.02; P = 0.006, respectively), with an odd ratio for genotypes of 4.2 (CI = [1.4;12.4]). Our results weakly support an association of reelin gene variants with schizophrenia as a whole, yet suggest that reelin could be associated with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Goldberger
- INSERM E117, Université de Paris 5, CH Sainte-Anne, 2ter rue d'Alesia, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Bonioli E, Hennekam RC, Spena G, Morcaldi G, Di Stefano A, Serra G, Bellini C. Aplasia cutis congenita, skull defect, brain heterotopia, and intestinal lymphangiectasia. Am J Med Genet A 2005; 132A:202-5. [PMID: 15578573 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We describe a female infant with a previously unreported combination of manifestations characterized by aplasia cutis, skull defect, brain heterotopia, mild congenital lymphedema, and intestinal lymphangiectasia. The association of intestinal lymphangiectasia and aplasia cutis, and the association of intestinal lymphangiectasia with brain heterotopia in the lymphedema-lymphangiectasia-mental retardation syndrome have been described in single reports. In one family, the association of cortical dysplasia and congenital lymphedema have been related to mutations in the RELN gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Bonioli
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università di Genova, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova, Italia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abdolmaleky HM, Cheng KH, Russo A, Smith CL, Faraone SV, Wilcox M, Shafa R, Glatt SJ, Nguyen G, Ponte JF, Thiagalingam S, Tsuang MT. Hypermethylation of the reelin (RELN) promoter in the brain of schizophrenic patients: a preliminary report. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2005; 134B:60-6. [PMID: 15717292 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation changes could provide a mechanism for DNA plasticity and dynamism for short-term adaptation, enabling a type of cell memory to register cellular history under different environmental conditions. Some environmental insults may also result in pathological methylation with corresponding alteration of gene expression patterns. Evidence from several studies has suggested that in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, mRNA of the reelin gene (RELN), which encodes a protein necessary for neuronal migration, axonal branching, synaptogenesis, and cell signaling, is severely reduced in post-mortem brains. Therefore, we investigated the methylation status of the RELN promoter region in schizophrenic patients and normal controls as a potential mechanism for down regulation of its expression. Ten post-mortem frontal lobe brain samples from male schizophrenic patients and normal controls were obtained from the Harvard Brain Tissue Resources Center. DNA was extracted using a standard phenol-chloroform DNA extraction protocol. To evaluate differences between patients and controls, we applied methylation specific PCR (MSP) using primers localized to CpG islands flanking a potential cyclic AMP response element (CRE) and a stimulating protein-1 (SP1) binding site located in the promoter region. For each sample, DNA extraction, bisulfite treatment, and MSP were independently repeated at least four times to accurately determine the methylation status of the target region. Forty-three PCR trials were performed on the test and control samples. MSP analysis of the RELN promoter revealed an unmethylated signal in all reactions (43 of 43) using DNA from the frontal brain tissue, derived from either the schizophrenic patients or normal controls indicating that this region of the RELN promoter is predominantly unmethylated. However, we observed a distinct methylated signal in 73% of the trials (16 of 22) in schizophrenic patients compared with 24% (5 of 21) of controls. Thus, the hypermethylation of the CpG islands flanking a CRE and SP1 binding site observed at a significantly higher level (t = -5.07, P = 0.001) may provide a mechanism for the decreased RELN expression, frequently observed in post-mortem brains of schizophrenic patients. We also found an inverse relationship between the level of DNA methylation using MSP analysis and the expression of the RELN gene using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Despite the small sample size, these studies indicate that promoter hypermethylation of the RELN gene could be a significant contributor in effecting epigenetic alterations and provides a molecular basis for the RELN gene hypoactivity in schizophrenia. Further studies with a larger sample set would be required to validate these preliminary observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|