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Duan X, Peng X, Jia X, Tan S, Guo H, Tan J, Hu Z. CELF2 Deficiency Demonstrates Autism-Like Behaviors and Interferes with Late Development of Cortical Neurons in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04250-0. [PMID: 38829512 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04250-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
CELF2 variants have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We generated Celf2 Nestin-Cre knockout mice.Our findings revealed that Celf2 Nestin-Cre heterozygous knockout mice exhibited social impairment and anxiety, an autism-like behavior, though no manifestations of repetitive stereotyped behavior, learning cognitive impairment, or depression were observed. Immunofluorescence assay showed an underdeveloped cerebral cortex with significantly reduced cortical thickness, albeit without abnormal cell density. Further in vitro neuronal culture demonstrated a significant reduction in dendritic spine density and affected synaptic maturation in Celf2 deficient mice, with no notable abnormalities in total neurite and axon length. RNA-seq and RIP-seq analysis of the cerebral cortex revealed differentially expressed genes post Celf2 gene knockout compared with the control group. Enrichment analysis highlighted significant enrichment in dendrite and synapse-related biological processes and pathways. Our study delineated the behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes of Celf2, suggesting its potential involvement in autism through the regulation of target genes associated with dendritic spines and synapse development. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Duan
- Department of Pediatrics, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xiaoxia Peng
- Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangbin Jia
- Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Senwei Tan
- Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Jieqiong Tan
- Center for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhangxue Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
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Jiraanont P, Zafarullah M, Sulaiman N, Espinal GM, Randol JL, Durbin-Johnson B, Schneider A, Hagerman RJ, Hagerman PJ, Tassone F. FMR1 Protein Expression Correlates with Intelligence Quotient in Both Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Fibroblasts from Individuals with an FMR1 Mutation. J Mol Diagn 2024; 26:498-509. [PMID: 38522837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable form of intellectual disability and is caused by CGG repeat expansions exceeding 200 (full mutation). Such expansions lead to hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. As a consequence, little or no FMR1 protein (FMRP) is produced; absence of the protein, which normally is responsible for neuronal development and maintenance, causes the syndrome. Previous studies have demonstrated the causal relationship between FMRP levels and cognitive abilities in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and dermal fibroblast cell lines of patients with FXS. However, it is arguable whether PBMCs or fibroblasts would be the preferred surrogate for measuring molecular markers, particularly FMRP, to represent the cognitive impairment, a core symptom of FXS. To address this concern, CGG repeats, methylation status, FMR1 mRNA, and FMRP levels were measured in both PBMCs and fibroblasts derived from 66 individuals. The findings indicated a strong association between FMR1 mRNA expression levels and CGG repeat numbers in PBMCs of premutation males after correcting for methylation status. Moreover, FMRP expression levels from both PBMCs and fibroblasts of male participants with a hypermethylated full mutation and with mosaicism demonstrated significant association between the intelligence quotient levels and FMRP levels, suggesting that PBMCs may be preferable for FXS clinical studies, because of their greater accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonnada Jiraanont
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Noor Sulaiman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Glenda M Espinal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Jamie L Randol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Division of Biostatistics, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California; UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California; UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Paul J Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California; UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California; UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California.
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Yheskel M, Hatch HAM, Pedrosa E, Terry BK, Siebels AA, Zheng XY, Blok LER, Fencková M, Sidoli S, Schenck A, Zheng D, Lachman HM, Secombe J. KDM5-mediated transcriptional activation of ribosomal protein genes alters translation efficiency to regulate mitochondrial metabolism in neurons. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae261. [PMID: 38597673 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding the KDM5 family of transcriptional regulators are disrupted in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). To understand the link between KDM5 and ID, we characterized five Drosophila strains harboring missense alleles analogous to those observed in patients. These alleles disrupted neuroanatomical development, cognition and other behaviors, and displayed a transcriptional signature characterized by the downregulation of many ribosomal protein genes. A similar transcriptional profile was observed in KDM5C knockout iPSC-induced human glutamatergic neurons, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role for KDM5 proteins in regulating this class of gene. In Drosophila, reducing KDM5 changed neuronal ribosome composition, lowered the translation efficiency of mRNAs required for mitochondrial function, and altered mitochondrial metabolism. These data highlight the cellular consequences of altered KDM5-regulated transcriptional programs that could contribute to cognitive and behavioral phenotypes. Moreover, they suggest that KDM5 may be part of a broader network of proteins that influence cognition by regulating protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matanel Yheskel
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Hayden A M Hatch
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Erika Pedrosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Bethany K Terry
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Aubrey A Siebels
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xiang Yu Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Laura E R Blok
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, GA, The Netherlands
| | - Michaela Fencková
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 370 05, Czechia
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, GA, The Netherlands
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Herbert M Lachman
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Julie Secombe
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Kuruppath P, Xue L, Pouille F, Jones ST, Schoppa NE. Hyperexcitability in the Olfactory Bulb and Impaired Fine Odor Discrimination in the Fmr1 KO Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8243-8258. [PMID: 37788940 PMCID: PMC10697393 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0584-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the single most common monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in humans. FXS is caused by loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein encoded on the X chromosome involved in suppressing protein translation. Sensory processing deficits have been a major focus of studies of FXS in both humans and rodent models of FXS, but olfactory deficits remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted experiments in wild-type (WT) and Fmr1 knock-out (KO; Fmr1-/y ) mice (males) that lack expression of the gene encoding FMRP to assess olfactory circuit and behavioral abnormalities. In patch-clamp recordings conducted in slices of the olfactory bulb, output mitral cells (MCs) in Fmr1 KO mice displayed greatly enhanced excitation under baseline conditions, as evidenced by a much higher rate of occurrence of spontaneous network-level events known as long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs). The higher probability of spontaneous LLDs (sLLDs), which appeared to be because of a decrease in GABAergic synaptic inhibition in glomeruli leading to more feedforward excitation, caused a reduction in the reliability of stimulation-evoked responses in MCs. In addition, in a go/no-go operant discrimination paradigm, we found that Fmr1 KO mice displayed impaired discrimination of odors in difficult tasks that involved odor mixtures but not altered discrimination of monomolecular odors. We suggest that the Fmr1 KO-induced reduction in MC response reliability is one plausible mechanism for the impaired fine odor discrimination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in humans is associated with a range of debilitating deficits including aberrant sensory processing. One sensory system that has received comparatively little attention in studies in animal models of FXS is olfaction. Here, we report the first comprehensive physiological analysis of circuit defects in the olfactory bulb in the commonly-used Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model of FXS. Our studies indicate that Fmr1 KO alters the local excitation/inhibition balance in the bulb, similar to what Fmr1 KO does in other brain circuits, but through a novel mechanism that involves enhanced feedforward excitation. Furthermore, Fmr1 KO mice display behavioral impairments in fine odor discrimination, an effect that may be explained by changes in neural response reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kuruppath
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Lin Xue
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Frederic Pouille
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Shelly T Jones
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Nathan E Schoppa
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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Hou F, Mao A, Shan S, Li Y, Meng W, Zhan J, Nie W, Jin H. Evaluating the clinical utility of a long-read sequencing-based approach in genetic testing of fragile-X syndrome. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 551:117614. [PMID: 38375623 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) arises from the FMR1 CGG expansion. Comprehensive genetic testing for FMR1 CGG expansions, AGG interruptions, and microdeletions is essential to provide genetic counseling for females carrying premutation alleles. However, conventional PCR-based FMR1 assays mainly focus on CGG repeats, and could detect AGG interruption only in males. METHODS The clinical utility of a long-read sequencing-based assay termed comprehensive analysis of FXS (CAFXS) was evaluated in 238 high-risk samples by comparing to conventional PCR assays. RESULTS PCR assays identified five premuation and three full mutation categories alleles in all the samples, and CAFXS successfully called all the FMR1 CGG expansion. CAFXS identified 24-bp microdeletions upstream to the trinucleotide region with 30 CGG repeats, which was miscalled by the length-based PCR methods. CAFXS also identified a 187-bp deletion in about 1/7 of the sequencing reads in a male patient with mosaic full mutation alleles. CAFXS allowed for precise constructing the FMR1 CGG repeat and AGG interruption pattern in all the samples, and identified a novel and alternative CGA interruption in one normal female sample. CONCLUSIONS CAFXS represents a more comprehensive and accurate approach for FXS genetic testing that potentially enables more informed genetic counseling compared to PCR-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Hou
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan 250001, Shandong Province, China
| | - Aiping Mao
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing 102200, China
| | - Shan Shan
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan 250001, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan 250001, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wanli Meng
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing 102200, China
| | - Jiahan Zhan
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing 102200, China
| | - Wenying Nie
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan 250001, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hua Jin
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan 250001, Shandong Province, China.
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Osman A, Mervosh NL, Strat AN, Euston TJ, Zipursky G, Pollak RM, Meckel KR, Tyler SR, Chan KL, Buxbaum Grice A, Drapeau E, Litichevskiy L, Gill J, Zeldin SM, Thaiss CA, Buxbaum JD, Breen MS, Kiraly DD. Acetate supplementation rescues social deficits and alters transcriptional regulation in prefrontal cortex of Shank3 deficient mice. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 114:311-324. [PMID: 37657643 PMCID: PMC10955506 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves genetic and environmental factors. Mounting evidence demonstrates a role for the gut microbiome in ASD, with signaling via short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) as one mechanism. Here, we utilize mice carrying deletion to exons 4-22 of Shank3 (Shank3KO) to model gene by microbiome interactions in ASD. We identify SCFA acetate as a mediator of gut-brain interactions and show acetate supplementation reverses social deficits concomitant with alterations to medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) transcriptional regulation independent of microbiome status. METHODS Shank3KO and wild-type (Wt) littermates were divided into control, Antibiotic (Abx), Acetate and Abx + Acetate groups upon weaning. After six weeks, animals underwent behavioral testing. Molecular analysis including 16S and metagenomic sequencing, metabolomic and transcriptional profiling were conducted. Additionally, targeted serum metabolomic data from Phelan McDermid Syndrome (PMS) patients (who are heterozygous for the Shank3 gene) were leveraged to assess levels of SCFA's relative to ASD clinical measures. RESULTS Shank3KO mice were found to display social deficits, dysregulated gut microbiome and decreased cecal levels of acetate - effects exacerbated by Abx treatment. RNA-sequencing of mPFC showed unique gene expression signature induced by microbiome depletion in the Shank3KO mice. Oral treatment with acetate reverses social deficits and results in marked changes in gene expression enriched for synaptic signaling, pathways among others, even in Abx treated mice. Clinical data showed sex specific correlations between levels of acetate and hyperactivity scores. CONCLUSION These results suggest a key role for the gut microbiome and the neuroactive metabolite acetate in regulating ASD-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Osman
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Nicholas L Mervosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Ana N Strat
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Tanner J Euston
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Gillian Zipursky
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Rebecca M Pollak
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Katherine R Meckel
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Scott R Tyler
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Kenny L Chan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Ariela Buxbaum Grice
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Lev Litichevskiy
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jasleen Gill
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sharon M Zeldin
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Christoph A Thaiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute of Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Michael S Breen
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Drew D Kiraly
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States.
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Luo YF, Lu L, Song HY, Xu H, Zheng ZW, Wu ZY, Jiang CC, Tong C, Yuan HY, Liu XX, Chen X, Sun ML, Tang YM, Fan HY, Han F, Lu YM. Divergent projections of the prelimbic cortex mediate autism- and anxiety-like behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2343-2354. [PMID: 36690791 PMCID: PMC10611563 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01954-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder and anxiety is common, but the underlying circuitry is poorly understood. Here, Tmem74-/- mice showed autism- and anxiety-like behaviors along with increased excitability of pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the prelimbic cortex (PL), which were reversed by Tmem74 re-expression and chemogenetic inhibition in PNs of the PL. To determine the underlying circuitry, we performed conditional deletion of Tmem74 in the PNs of PL of mice, and we found that alterations in the PL projections to fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) in the dorsal striatum (dSTR) (PLPNs-dSTRFSIs) mediated the hyperexcitability of FSIs and autism-like behaviors and that alterations in the PL projections to the PNs of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (BLA) (PLPNs-BLAPNs) mediated the hyperexcitability of PNs and anxiety-like behaviors. However, the two populations of PNs in the PL had different spatial locations, optogenetic manipulations revealed that alterations in the activity in the PL-dSTR or PL-BLA circuits led to autism- or anxiety-like behaviors, respectively. Collectively, these findings highlight that the hyperactivity of the two populations of PNs in the PL mediates autism and anxiety comorbidity through the PL-dSTR and PL-BLA circuits, which may lead to the development of new therapeutics for the autism and anxiety comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Luo
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lu Lu
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Heng-Yi Song
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Han Xu
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhou-Yue Wu
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chen-Chen Jiang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chu Tong
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hao-Yang Yuan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Liu
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mei-Ling Sun
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ya-Min Tang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Feng Han
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Institute of Brain Science, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Institute of Brain Science, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Kuruppath P, Xue L, Pouille F, Jones ST, Schoppa NE. Hyperexcitability in the olfactory bulb and impaired fine odor discrimination in the Fmr1 KO mouse model of fragile X syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.10.536251. [PMID: 37090519 PMCID: PMC10120685 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.10.536251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the single most common monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorders in humans. FXS is caused by loss of expression of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein encoded on the X chromosome involved in suppressing protein translation. Sensory processing deficits have been a major focus of studies of FXS in both humans and rodent models of FXS, but olfactory deficits remain poorly understood. Here we conducted experiments in wild-type and Fmr1 KO ( Fmr1 -/y ) mice (males) that lack expression of the gene encoding FMRP to assess olfactory circuit and behavioral abnormalities. In patch-clamp recordings conducted in slices of the olfactory bulb, output mitral cells (MCs) in Fmr1 KO mice displayed greatly enhanced excitation, as evidenced by a much higher rate of occurrence of spontaneous network-level events known as long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs). The higher probability of LLDs did not appear to reflect changes in inhibitory connections onto MCs but rather enhanced spontaneous excitation of external tufted cells (eTCs) that provide feedforward excitation onto MCs within glomeruli. In addition, in a go/no-go operant discrimination paradigm, we found that Fmr1 KO mice displayed impaired discrimination of odors in difficult tasks that involved odor mixtures but not altered discrimination of monomolecular odors. We suggest that the higher excitability of MCs in Fmr1 KO mice may impair fine odor discrimination by broadening odor tuning curves of MCs and/or altering synchronized oscillations through changes in transient inhibition. Significance Statement Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in humans is associated with a range of debilitating deficits including aberrant sensory processing. One sensory system that has received comparatively little attention in studies in animal models of FXS is olfaction. Here, we report the first comprehensive physiological analysis of circuit defects in the olfactory bulb in the commonly-used Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS. Our studies indicate that Fmr1 KO alters the local excitation/inhibition balance in the bulb - similar to what Fmr1 KO does in other brain circuits - but through a novel mechanism that involves enhanced feedforward excitatory drive. Furthermore, Fmr1 KO mice display behavioral impairments in fine odor discrimination, an effect that may be explained by enhanced neural excitability.
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Zafarullah M, Li J, Tseng E, Tassone F. Structure and Alternative Splicing of the Antisense FMR1 (ASFMR1) Gene. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2051-2061. [PMID: 36598648 PMCID: PMC10461537 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03176-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of 55-200 CGG repeats (premutation) in the 5'-UTR of the FMR1 gene. Bidirectional transcription at FMR1 locus has been demonstrated and specific alternative splicing of the Antisense FMR1 (ASFMR1) gene has been proposed to have a contributing role in the pathogenesis of FXTAS. The structure of ASFMR1 gene is still uncharacterized and it is currently unknown how many isoforms of the gene are expressed and at what level in premutation carriers (PM) and if they may contribute to the premutation pathology. In this study, we characterized the ASFMR1 gene structure and the transcriptional landscape by using PacBio SMRT sequencing with target enrichment (IDT customized probe panel). We identified 45 ASFMR1 isoforms ranging in sizes from 523 bp to 6 Kb, spanning approximately 59 kb of genomic DNA. Multiplexing and sequencing of six human brain samples from PM samples and normal control (HC) were carried out on the PacBio Sequel platform. We validated the presence of these isoforms by qRT-PCR and Sanger sequencing and characterized the acceptor and donor splicing site consensus sequences. Consistent with previous studies conducted in other tissue types, we found a high expression of ASFMR1 isoform Iso131bp in brain samples of PM as compared to HC, while no differences in expression levels were observed for the newly identified isoforms IsoAS1 and IsoAS2. We investigated the role of the splicing regulatory protein Sam68 which we did not observe in the alternative splicing of the ASFMR1 gene. Our study provides a useful insight into the structure of ASFMR1 gene and transcriptional landscape along with the expression pattern of various newly identified novel isoforms and on their potential role in premutation pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | | | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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10
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Mei L, Hu C, Li D, Wang Y, Li H, Zhang K, Zhou B, Zhu R, Hagerman RJ, Xu X, Xu Q. The incidence and clinical characteristics of fragile X syndrome in China. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1064104. [PMID: 36861076 PMCID: PMC9969088 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1064104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). This study aims to investigate the incidence of FXS in Chinese children and analyze the comprehensive clinical characteristics of these FXS children. Methods Children diagnosed with idiopathic NDD were recruited between 2016 and 2021 from the department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. We combined tetraplet-primed PCR-capillary electrophoresis and whole exome sequencing (WES)/panel or array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) to identify the size of the CGG repeats and the mutations or copy number variations (CNVs) in the genome and in FMR1. The clinical features of FXS children were analyzed according to pediatricians' recording, parental questionnaires, the results of examinations and follow-up. Results The incidence of FXS in Chinese children with idiopathic NDD was 2.4% (42/1753) and in those with FXS, 2.38% had a deletion (1/42). Here, we present the clinical characteristics of 36 children with FXS. Overweight was observed in two boys. The average intelligence quotient (IQ)/development quotient (DQ) of all FXS patients was 48. The average ages of meaningful words and walking alone were 2 years and 10 months and 1 year and 7 months, respectively. The most frequent repetitive behavior was stimulated by hyperarousal to sensory stimulation. On social aspects, social withdrawal, social anxiety, and shyness accounted for 75%, 58%, and 56% of the total number of children, respectively. Approximately 60% of FXS children in this cohort were emotionally labile and prone to temper tantrums. Self-injury and aggression toward others could also be observed, at 19% and 28%, respectively. The most frequent behavioral problem was attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seen in 64% and the most common facial features were a narrow and elongated face and large or prominent ears in 92% of patients. Discussion Screening of FMR1 full mutation provides the possibility for patients' further medical supports and the clinical features of FXS children obtained in this study will increase the understanding and diagnosis of FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianni Mei
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunchun Hu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongyun Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaifeng Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingrui Zhou
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoping Zhu
- Department of Child Health Care, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- The MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Xiu Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A Stuenkel
- From the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla (C.A.S.); Unite de Gynecologie Medicale, Port Royal-Cochin, Universite de Paris Cité, Paris (A.G.)
| | - Anne Gompel
- From the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla (C.A.S.); Unite de Gynecologie Medicale, Port Royal-Cochin, Universite de Paris Cité, Paris (A.G.)
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12
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Dwivedi Y, Shelton RC. Genomics in Treatment Development. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:363-385. [PMID: 36928858 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The Human Genome Project mapped the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome, which ushered in a new generation of genomically focused treatment development. While this has been very successful in other areas, neuroscience has been largely devoid of such developments. This is in large part because there are very few neurological or mental health conditions that are related to single-gene variants. While developments in pharmacogenomics have been somewhat successful, the use of genetic information in practice has to do with drug metabolism and adverse reactions. Studies of drug metabolism related to genetic variations are an important part of drug development. However, outside of cancer biology, the actual translation of genomic information into novel therapies has been limited. Epigenetics, which relates in part to the effects of the environment on DNA, is a promising newer area of relevance to CNS disorders. The environment can induce chemical modifications of DNA (e.g., cytosine methylation), which can be induced by the environment and may represent either shorter- or longer-term changes. Given the importance of environmental influences on CNS disorders, epigenetics may identify important treatment targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Richard C Shelton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Hatch HAM, Secombe J. Molecular and cellular events linking variants in the histone demethylase KDM5C to the intellectual disability disorder Claes-Jensen syndrome. FEBS J 2022; 289:7776-7787. [PMID: 34536985 PMCID: PMC8930784 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The widespread availability of genetic testing for those with neurodevelopmental disorders has highlighted the importance of many genes necessary for the proper development and function of the nervous system. One gene found to be genetically altered in the X-linked intellectual disability disorder Claes-Jensen syndrome is KDM5C, which encodes a histone demethylase that regulates transcription by altering chromatin. While the genetic link between KDM5C and cognitive (dys)function is clear, how KDM5C functions to control transcriptional programs within neurons to impact their growth and activity remains the subject of ongoing research. Here, we review our current knowledge of Claes-Jensen syndrome and discuss important new data using model organisms that have revealed the importance of KDM5C in regulating aspects of neuronal development and function. Continued research into the molecular and cellular activities regulated by KDM5C is expected to provide critical etiological insights into Claes-Jensen syndrome and highlight potential targets for developing therapies to improve the quality of life of those affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden A M Hatch
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Julie Secombe
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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FMR1 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer cell by stabilizing EGFR mRNA in an m 6A-dependent manner. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:941. [PMID: 36347844 PMCID: PMC9643526 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05391-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
FMR1, a new m6A reader, is known to be involved in the regulation of cancer progression. However, its role, regulatory mechanism, and clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) are elusive. Here, we showed that FMR1 was upregulated in CRC, and it promoted proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, FMR1 recognized the m6A-modification site in EGFR mRNA, a key molecule in cancer occurrence and targeted therapy, sustained its stability and maintained its expression in an m6A-dependent manner, thereby promoting the tumorigenesis and metastasis of CRC. And the effect of FMR1 knockdown in CRC cells could be abolished by METTL3. Furthermore, FMR1 shRNA plasmid carried by attenuated Salmonella has an effective anti-tumor effect in vivo. Collectively, we identified the METTL3/FMR1/EGFR axis in the progression of CRC. This novel mechanism indicated that the METTL3/FMR1/EGFR axis is a potential target for early therapeutic intervention in CRC progression.
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15
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Couto RR, Kubaski F, Siebert M, Félix TM, Brusius-Facchin AC, Leistner-Segal S. Increased Serum Levels of miR-125b and miR-132 in Fragile X Syndrome: A Preliminary Study. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e200024. [PMID: 36313066 PMCID: PMC9608387 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, identified as the most common cause of hereditary intellectual disability and monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein, a regulator of translation that plays an important role in neurodevelopment, and its loss causes cognitive and behavioral deficits. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules that regulate gene expression in diverse biological processes. Previous studies found that the interaction of FMRP with miR-125b and miR-132 regulates the maturation and synaptic plasticity in animal models and miRNA dysregulation plays a role in the pathophysiology of FXS. The present study aimed to analyze the expression of miR-125b-5p and miR-132-3p in the serum of patients with FXS. Methods The expressions of circulating miRNAs were studied in the serum of 10 patients with FXS and 20 controls using the real-time quantitative retrotranscribed method analyzed by relative quantification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were generated to assess the diagnostic values of the miRNAs. Results We found that both miR-125b and miR-132 were increased in the serum of patients with FXS compared with controls and likely involved with FMRP loss. The AUC (95% confidence interval) of miR-125b and miR-132 was 0.94 (0.86–1.0) and 0.89 (0.77–1.0), respectively. Databases allowed for the identification of possible target genes for miR-125b and miR-132, whose products play an important role in the homeostasis of the nervous system. Discussion Our results indicate that serum miR-125b and miR-132 may serve as potential biomarkers for FXS. The increased expression of circulating miR-125b and miR-132 seems to be associated with the genotype of FXS. Predicted gene targets of the differentially regulated miRNAs are involved in cognitive performance and ASD phenotype. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class III evidence that miR-125b and miR-132 distinguish men with FXS from normal controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena Rubim Couto
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Francyne Kubaski
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marina Siebert
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Têmis Maria Félix
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Brusius-Facchin
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sandra Leistner-Segal
- Medical Genetics Service (R.R.C., F.K., M.S., T.M.F., A.C.B.-F., S.L.-S.), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-HCPA; Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Child and Adolescent Health (R.R.C., T.M.F., S.L.-S.), UFRGS; and Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (F.K.), PPGMB, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Hong J, Dembo RS, DaWalt LS, Brilliant M, Berry-Kravis EM, Mailick M. The effect of college degree attainment on neurodegenerative symptoms in genetically at-risk women. SSM Popul Health 2022; 19:101262. [PMID: 36238818 PMCID: PMC9550653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Using longitudinal data, the present study examined the association between college degree attainment and the manifestation of neurodegenerative symptoms among women (n = 93) at elevated genetic risk. The neurodegenerative symptoms investigated in this study are due to FXTAS (Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome), a condition with onset after age 50. Those at risk for FXTAS have a mutation of a single gene found on the X chromosome. FXTAS is characterized by intention tremor, gait ataxia, executive function deficits, memory issues, and neuropathy. College degree attainment has been shown to provide neuroprotective effects in the general population, delaying the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. For this reason, college degree attainment is a potentially salient resource for those at risk of FXTAS. The results of the present research indicated significantly more severe FXTAS symptoms in women who did not attain a college degree as compared with those who were college graduates, although the two groups were similar in age, genetic risk, household income, health behaviors, and general health problems. Furthermore, symptoms in those who did not attain a college degree worsened over the 9-year study period at a significantly faster rate than the college graduates. The association between college degree attainment and FXTAS symptoms was significantly mediated by depression, which was lower among the graduates than those who did not attain a college degree. Thus, the present research is an example of how a sociodemographic factor can mitigate neurodegenerative conditions in genetically at-risk adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinkuk Hong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA,Corresponding author. Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave. Room 555, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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Yousuf A, Ahmed N, Qurashi A. Non-canonical DNA/RNA structures associated with the pathogenesis of Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:866021. [PMID: 36110216 PMCID: PMC9468596 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.866021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and fragile X syndrome (FXS) are primary examples of fragile X-related disorders (FXDs) caused by abnormal expansion of CGG repeats above a certain threshold in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene. Both diseases have distinct clinical manifestations and molecular pathogenesis. FXTAS is a late-adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a premutation (PM) allele (CGG expansion of 55–200 repeats), resulting in FMR1 gene hyperexpression. On the other hand, FXS is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from a full mutation (FM) allele (CGG expansions of ≥200 repeats) leading to heterochromatization and transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene. The main challenge is to determine how CGG repeat expansion affects the fundamentally distinct nature of FMR1 expression in FM and PM ranges. Abnormal CGG repeat expansions form a variety of non-canonical DNA and RNA structures that can disrupt various cellular processes and cause distinct effects in PM and FM alleles. Here, we review these structures and how they are related to underlying mutations and disease pathology in FXS and FXTAS. Finally, as new CGG expansions within the genome have been identified, it will be interesting to determine their implications in disease pathology and treatment.
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Schober AL, Wicki-Stordeur LE, Murai KK, Swayne LA. Foundations and implications of astrocyte heterogeneity during brain development and disease. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:692-703. [PMID: 35879116 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play crucial roles in regulating brain circuit formation and physiology. Recent technological advances have revealed unprecedented levels of astrocyte diversity encompassing molecular, morphological, and functional differences. This diversification is initiated during embryonic specification events and (in rodents) continues into the early postnatal period where it overlaps with peak synapse development and circuit refinement. In fact, several lines of evidence suggest astrocyte diversity both influences and is a consequence of molecular crosstalk among developing astrocytes and other cell types, notably neurons and their synapses. Neurological disease states exhibit additional layers of astrocyte heterogeneity, which could help shed light on these cells' key pathological roles. This review highlights recent advances in clarifying astrocyte heterogeneity and molecular/cellular crosstalk and identifies key outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Schober
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Keith K Murai
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Quantitative Life Sciences Graduate Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Leigh Anne Swayne
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Chen H, Qiao D, Wang C, Zhang B, Wang Z, Tang L, Wang Y, Zhang R, Zhang Y, Song L, Zuo H, Guo F, Wang X, Li S, Cui H. Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein Mediates the Effects of Androgen on Hippocampal PSD95 Expression and Dendritic Spines Density/Morphology and Autism-Like Behaviors Through miR-125a. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:872347. [PMID: 35530178 PMCID: PMC9074813 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.872347] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated synaptic plasticity is a key feature of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. This study investigated whether Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a selective RNA-binding protein that regulates synaptic protein expression by interacting with miRNAs, mediates the effects of androgens that play an important role in regulating the synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Experiments using mouse hippocampal neuron HT22 cells demonstrated that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) by inhibiting FMRP expression. Administration of miR-125a inhibitor upregulated the PSD95 expression and significantly increased the DHT-induced upregulation of PSD95. FMRP knockdown in HT22 cells reduced the expression of miR-125a. Moreover, miR-125a inhibitor upregulated the PSD95 expression in the DHT-treated HT22 cells with FMRP knockdown. Subsequently, the effects of androgen-mediated via FMRP in regulating neural behaviors and PSD95 expression and dendritic spines density/morphology were investigated using Fmr1 knockout (KO) and wild-type littermate (WT) mice. The castration of WT mice reduced the androgen levels, aggravated anxiety and depression, and impaired learning and memory and sociability of mice. DHT supplementation post-castration reversed the alterations in density and maturity of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons and behavioral disorders in WT mice; however, it did not reveal such effects in Fmr1 KO mice. Further, immunohistochemical staining and western blotting analyses after knocking down miR-125a revealed similar effects of castration and post-castration DHT supplementation on PSD95 protein expression. These findings clarified that FMRP mediated the effects of DHT through miR-125a in regulating the expression of hippocampal synaptic protein PSD95. This study provides evidence for the neuroprotective mechanism of androgen in PSD95 expression and dendritic spines density/morphology and suggests that treatment interventions with androgen could be helpful for the management of synaptic plasticity disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dan Qiao
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bohan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Longmei Tang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- Clinical Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Clinical Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yizhou Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Leigang Song
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongchun Zuo
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fangzhen Guo
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Child Health (Psychological Behavior), Children's Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sha Li
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Department of Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Shijiazhuang, China
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20
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Men Y, Zhai Y, Wu L, Liu L, Zhang W, Jiang W, Bi N, Song Y, Hui Z, Wang L. MiR-323a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor by suppressing FMR1 and predicts better esophageal squamous cell carcinoma outcome. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:140. [PMID: 35351128 PMCID: PMC8966287 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02541-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has unfavorable outcomes with the highest incidence seen in China. Accordingly, exploring effective molecular biomarkers is of great value. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression and modulate numerous biological processes in tumors. Our study aimed to identify prognostic miRNAs and investigate their role in ESCC. Methods Prognosis-related plasma miRNAs were detected by miRNA microarray and qRT-PCR. Functional assays and molecular mechanism studies were used to investigate the role of miRNA in ESCC. Results Over-expression of miR-323a-3p was associated with a favorable prognosis. MiR-323a-3p negatively regulated proliferation, migration, and invasion. Through biological predictions, the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) was found to be a potential target of miR-323a-3p. Further investigation revealed that miR-323a-3p directly targeted and suppressed FMR1. MiR-323a-3p and FMR1 mRNA, as well as miR-323a-3p and the FMR1-encoded protein FMRP, showed negative correlations. Luciferase activity of FMR1-3′-UTR, but not mutant counterparts, was decreased by mimic compared with that of the control. The compromised cell proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by transfection with miR-323a-3p mimic were rescued by transfection with a FMR1 expression plasmid. Tumors induced by miR-323a-3p overexpressed ESCC cells grew significantly slower in vivo and resulted in smaller tumor masses. Metastatic lung colonization was also inhibited by miR-323a-3p overexpression. Conclusions MiR-323a-3p was significantly associated with survival and acted as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion via the regulation of FMR1. MiR-323a-3p is a promising biomarker and may be a potential therapeutic target. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02541-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Men
- Department of VIP Medical Services & Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yirui Zhai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lihong Wu
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lipin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjue Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, Guangdong, China
| | - Nan Bi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongmei Song
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouguang Hui
- Department of VIP Medical Services & Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Luhua Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, Guangdong, China.
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21
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Stuenkel CA, Gompel A, Davis SR, Pinkerton JV, Lumsden MA, Santen RJ. Approach to the Patient With New-Onset Secondary Amenorrhea: Is This Primary Ovarian Insufficiency? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:825-835. [PMID: 34693971 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Menstrual cyclicity is a marker of health for reproductively mature women. Absent menses, or amenorrhea, is often the initial sign of pregnancy-an indication that the system is functioning appropriately and capable of generating the intended evolutionary outcome. Perturbations of menstrual regularity in the absence of pregnancy provide a marker for physiological or pathological disruption of this well-orchestrated process. New-onset amenorrhea with duration of 3 to 6 months should be promptly evaluated. Secondary amenorrhea can reflect structural or functional disturbances occurring from higher centers in the hypothalamus to the pituitary, the ovary, and finally, the uterus. Amenorrhea can also be a manifestation of systemic disorders resulting in compensatory inhibition of reproduction. Identifying the point of the breakdown is essential to restoring reproductive homeostasis to maintain future fertility and reestablish reproductive hormonal integrity. Among the most challenging disorders contributing to secondary amenorrhea is primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). This diagnosis stems from a number of possible etiologies, including autoimmune, genetic, metabolic, toxic, iatrogenic, and idiopathic, each with associated conditions and attendant medical concerns. The dual assaults of unanticipated compromised fertility concurrently with depletion of the normal reproductive hormonal milieu yield multiple management challenges. Fertility restoration is an area of active research, while optimal management of estrogen deficiency symptoms and the anticipated preventive benefits of hormone replacement for bone, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive health remain understudied. The state of the evidence for an optimal, individualized, clinical management approach to women with POI is discussed along with priorities for additional research in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A Stuenkel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anne Gompel
- Unite de Gynecologie Medicale, l'Universite de Paris Descartes, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Susan R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 3004 Melbourne, Australia
| | - JoAnn V Pinkerton
- Division Director of Midlife Health, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mary Ann Lumsden
- University of Glasgow School of Medicine, CEO, International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
| | - Richard J Santen
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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22
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Girardi ACDS, van Opstal Takahashi VN, Vadasz E, Costa CIS, Zachi EC, Vianna-Morgante AM, Passos-Bueno MR. FMR1 premutation in children with autism spectrum disorders: Should additional diagnostic tests be performed? Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:1334-1337. [PMID: 34981645 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina De Sanctis Girardi
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Naomi van Opstal Takahashi
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estevão Vadasz
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Ismania Samogi Costa
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Cristina Zachi
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Psicologia Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela M Vianna-Morgante
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-tronco, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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23
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Parrott JM, Oster T, Lee HY. Altered inflammatory response in FMRP-deficient microglia. iScience 2021; 24:103293. [PMID: 34820601 PMCID: PMC8602000 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited intellectual disability with a high risk for comorbid autism spectrum disorders. Since FXS is a genetic disease, patients are more susceptible to environmental factors aggravating symptomatology. However, this confounding interaction between FXS environmental and genetic risk factors is under-investigated. Here, Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice and the immune stimulus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to explore this interaction between FXS development and inflammation in microglia, the brain’s primary immune cell. Our results demonstrate that Fmr1 KO and wild-type (WT) microglia are not different in inflammatory outcomes without LPS. However, Fmr1 KO microglia produces an elevated pro-inflammatory and phagocytic response following LPS treatment when compared to WT microglia. Our experiments also revealed baseline differences in mitochondrial function and morphology between WT and Fmr1 KO microglia, which LPS treatment exaggerated. Our data suggest an altered inflammatory mechanism in Fmr1 KO microglia implicating a gene and environment interaction. Fmr1 KO microglia display elevated LPS-induced pro-inflammatory gene expressions Fmr1 KO microglia display elevated LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine releases Fmr1 KO microglia demonstrate increased LPS-induced phagocytic responses Fmr1 KO microglial mitochondria have altered properties and LPS-stimulated responses
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Parrott
- The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Oster
- The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hye Young Lee
- The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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24
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McGlacken-Byrne SM, Conway GS. Premature ovarian insufficiency. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2021; 81:98-110. [PMID: 34924261 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The natural lifespan of the ovary is occasionally interrupted by pathological processes; some are known, but many are unknown. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) can be a devastating diagnosis for an adolescent or for someone who has yet to start a family. Common causes of POI include genetic and chromosomal defects, autoimmune damage, and cancer treatments. Knowledge of the pathogenesis of this condition and an awareness of contemporary hormone replacement and fertility options are required to design a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach comprising reproductive medicine, endocrinology, clinical psychology, and assisted fertility expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard S Conway
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
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25
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Du X, Glass JE, Balow S, Dyer LM, Rathbun PA, Guan Q, Liu J, Wu Y, Dawson DB, Walters-Sen L, Smolarek TA, Zhang W. Genetic Testing in Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Experience of 511 Patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4828-4842. [PMID: 34773222 PMCID: PMC9556427 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05337-6] [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] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Our institution developed and continuously improved a Neurodevelopmental Reflex (NDR) algorithm to help physicians with genetic test ordering for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). To assess its performance, we performed a retrospective study of 511 patients tested through NDR from 2018 to 2019. SNP Microarray identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic copy number variations in 27/511 cases (5.28%). Among the 484 patients tested for Fragile X FMR1 CGG repeats, a diagnosis (0.20%) was established for one male mosaic for a full mutation, a premutation, and a one-CGG allele. Within the 101 normocephalic female patients tested for MECP2, two patients were found to carry pathogenic variants (1.98%). This retrospective study suggested the NDR algorithm effectively established diagnoses for patients with NDDs with a yield of 5.87%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Du
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Jennifer Elaine Glass
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Stephanie Balow
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lisa M Dyer
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Pamela A Rathbun
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Qiaoning Guan
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yaning Wu
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - D Brian Dawson
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lauren Walters-Sen
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Teresa A Smolarek
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Wenying Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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26
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Rogoyski O, Gerber AP. RNA-binding proteins modulate drug sensitivity of cancer cells. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:681-685. [PMID: 34328175 PMCID: PMC8726047 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As our understanding of the complex network of regulatory pathways for gene expression continues to grow, avenues of investigation for how these new findings can be utilised in therapeutics are emerging. The recent growth of interest in the RNA binding protein (RBP) interactome has revealed it to be rich in targets linked to, and causative of diseases. While this is, in and of itself, very interesting, evidence is also beginning to arise for how the RBP interactome can act to modulate the response of diseases to existing therapeutic treatments, especially in cancers. Here we highlight this topic, providing examples of work that exemplifies such modulation of chemotherapeutic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Rogoyski
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - André P. Gerber
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, U.K
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27
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FMRP Levels in Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Correlates with Intellectual Disability. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11101780. [PMID: 34679478 PMCID: PMC8534530 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability. FXS is an X-linked, neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the Fragile X Mental Retardation gene, FMR1. Greater than 200 CGG repeats results in epigenetic silencing of the gene leading to the deficiency or absence of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The loss of FMRP is considered the root cause of FXS. The relationship between neurological function and FMRP expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has not been well established. Assays to detect and measure FMR1 and FMRP have been described; however, none are sufficiently sensitive, precise, or quantitative to properly characterize the relationships between cognitive ability and CGG repeat number, FMR1 mRNA expression, or FMRP expression measured in PBMCs. To address these limitations, two novel immunoassays were developed and optimized, an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay and a multiparameter flow cytometry assay. Both assays were performed on PMBCs isolated from 27 study participants with FMR1 CGG repeats ranging from normal to full mutation. After correcting for methylation, a significant positive correlation between CGG repeat number and FMR1 mRNA expression levels and a significant negative correlation between FMRP levels and CGG repeat expansion was observed. Importantly, a high positive correlation was observed between intellectual quotient (IQ) and FMRP expression measured in PBMCs.
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28
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Rajan-Babu IS, Peng JJ, Chiu R, Li C, Mohajeri A, Dolzhenko E, Eberle MA, Birol I, Friedman JM. Genome-wide sequencing as a first-tier screening test for short tandem repeat expansions. Genome Med 2021; 13:126. [PMID: 34372915 PMCID: PMC8351082 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00932-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Screening for short tandem repeat (STR) expansions in next-generation sequencing data can enable diagnosis, optimal clinical management/treatment, and accurate genetic counseling of patients with repeat expansion disorders. We aimed to develop an efficient computational workflow for reliable detection of STR expansions in next-generation sequencing data and demonstrate its clinical utility. Methods We characterized the performance of eight STR analysis methods (lobSTR, HipSTR, RepeatSeq, ExpansionHunter, TREDPARSE, GangSTR, STRetch, and exSTRa) on next-generation sequencing datasets of samples with known disease-causing full-mutation STR expansions and genomes simulated to harbor repeat expansions at selected loci and optimized their sensitivity. We then used a machine learning decision tree classifier to identify an optimal combination of methods for full-mutation detection. In Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA)-aligned genomes, the ensemble approach of using ExpansionHunter, STRetch, and exSTRa performed the best (precision = 82%, recall = 100%, F1-score = 90%). We applied this pipeline to screen 301 families of children with suspected genetic disorders. Results We identified 10 individuals with full-mutations in the AR, ATXN1, ATXN8, DMPK, FXN, or HTT disease STR locus in the analyzed families. Additional candidates identified in our analysis include two probands with borderline ATXN2 expansions between the established repeat size range for reduced-penetrance and full-penetrance full-mutation and seven individuals with FMR1 CGG repeats in the intermediate/premutation repeat size range. In 67 probands with a prior negative clinical PCR test for the FMR1, FXN, or DMPK disease STR locus, or the spinocerebellar ataxia disease STR panel, our pipeline did not falsely identify aberrant expansion. We performed clinical PCR tests on seven (out of 10) full-mutation samples identified by our pipeline and confirmed the expansion status in all, showing absolute concordance between our bioinformatics and molecular findings. Conclusions We have successfully demonstrated the application of a well-optimized bioinformatics pipeline that promotes the utility of genome-wide sequencing as a first-tier screening test to detect expansions of known disease STRs. Interrogating clinical next-generation sequencing data for pathogenic STR expansions using our ensemble pipeline can improve diagnostic yield and enhance clinical outcomes for patients with repeat expansion disorders. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13073-021-00932-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indhu-Shree Rajan-Babu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada. .,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Junran J Peng
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
| | - Readman Chiu
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada
| | | | | | - Chenkai Li
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada.,Bioinformatics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Arezoo Mohajeri
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
| | | | | | - Inanc Birol
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada.,Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada
| | - Jan M Friedman
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
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Molecular Pathogenesis and Peripheral Monitoring of Adult Fragile X-Associated Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168368. [PMID: 34445074 PMCID: PMC8395059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal trinucleotide expansions cause rare disorders that compromise quality of life and, in some cases, lifespan. In particular, the expansions of the CGG-repeats stretch at the 5’-UTR of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene have pleiotropic effects that lead to a variety of Fragile X-associated syndromes: the neurodevelopmental Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in children, the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder Fragile X-associated tremor-ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) that mainly affects adult men, the Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in adult women, and a variety of psychiatric and affective disorders that are under the term of Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND). In this review, we will describe the pathological mechanisms of the adult “gain-of-function” syndromes that are mainly caused by the toxic actions of CGG RNA and FMRpolyG peptide. There have been intensive attempts to identify reliable peripheral biomarkers to assess disease progression and onset of specific pathological traits. Mitochondrial dysfunction, altered miRNA expression, endocrine system failure, and impairment of the GABAergic transmission are some of the affectations that are susceptible to be tracked using peripheral blood for monitoring of the motor, cognitive, psychiatric and reproductive impairment of the CGG-expansion carriers. We provided some illustrative examples from our own cohort. Understanding the association between molecular pathogenesis and biomarkers dynamics will improve effective prognosis and clinical management of CGG-expansion carriers.
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30
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Molecular Drivers of Developmental Arrest in the Human Preimplantation Embryo: A Systematic Review and Critical Analysis Leading to Mapping Future Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158353. [PMID: 34361119 PMCID: PMC8347543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest of the preimplantation embryo is a multifactorial condition, characterized by lack of cellular division for at least 24 hours, hindering the in vitro fertilization cycle outcome. This systematic review aims to present the molecular drivers of developmental arrest, focusing on embryonic and parental factors. A systematic search in PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane-Central-Database was performed in January 2021. A total of 76 studies were included. The identified embryonic factors associated with arrest included gene variations, mitochondrial DNA copy number, methylation patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic profile and morphological features. Parental factors included, gene variation, protein expression levels and infertility etiology. A valuable conclusion emerging through critical analysis indicated that genetic origins of developmental arrest analyzed from the perspective of parental infertility etiology and the embryo itself, share common ground. This is a unique and long-overdue contribution to literature that for the first time presents an all-inclusive methodological report on the molecular drivers leading to preimplantation embryos’ arrested development. The variety and heterogeneity of developmental arrest drivers, along with their inevitable intertwining relationships does not allow for prioritization on the factors playing a more definitive role in arrested development. This systematic review provides the basis for further research in the field.
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31
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Hurley MJ, Deacon RMJ, Chan AWE, Baker D, Selwood DL, Cogram P. Reversal of behavioural phenotype by the cannabinoid-like compound VSN16R in fragile X syndrome mice. Brain 2021; 145:76-82. [PMID: 34196695 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome is the most common inherited intellectual disability and mono-genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition occurring due to a CGG trinucleotide expansion in the FMR1 gene. Polymorphisms and variants in large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels are increasingly linked to intellectual disability and loss of FMR protein caused reduced large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity leading to abnormalities in synapse function. Using the cannabinoid-like large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activator VSN16R we rescued behavioural deficits such as repetitive behaviour, hippocampal dependent tests of daily living, hyperactivity and memory in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. VSN16R has been shown to be safe in a phase 1 study in healthy volunteers and in a phase 2 study in people with Multiple Sclerosis with high oral bioavailability and no serious adverse effects reported. VSN16R could therefore be directly utilised in a fragile X syndrome clinical study. Moreover, VSN16R showed no evidence of tolerance, which strongly suggests that chronic VSN16R may have great therapeutic value for fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. This study provides new insight into the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome and identifies a new pathway for drug intervention for this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Hurley
- Neuroimmunology, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Robert M J Deacon
- Biomedicine Division, Fraunhofer Research Institute, Center for System Biotechnology, Santiago, Chile
| | - A W Edith Chan
- Drug Discovery, UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - David Baker
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - David L Selwood
- Drug Discovery, UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Patricia Cogram
- Biomedicine Division, Fraunhofer Research Institute, Center for System Biotechnology, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Ecological Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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32
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Di Lazzaro G, Magrinelli F, Estevez-Fraga C, Valente EM, Pisani A, Bhatia KP. X-Linked Parkinsonism: Phenotypic and Genetic Heterogeneity. Mov Disord 2021; 36:1511-1525. [PMID: 33960519 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked parkinsonism encompasses rare heterogeneous disorders mainly inherited as a recessive trait, therefore being more prevalent in males. Recent developments have revealed a complex underlying panorama, including a spectrum of disorders in which parkinsonism is variably associated with additional neurological and non-neurological signs. In particular, a childhood-onset encephalopathy with epilepsy and/or cognitive disability is the most common feature. Their genetic basis is also heterogeneous, with many causative genes and different mutation types ranging from "classical" coding variants to intronic repeat expansions. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of the most relevant X-linked parkinsonian syndromes, namely X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP, Lubag disease), fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN, NBIA/PARK-WDR45), Fabry disease, Waisman syndrome, methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) spectrum disorder, phosphoglycerate kinase-1 deficiency syndrome (PGK1) and X-linked parkinsonism and spasticity (XPDS). All clinical and radiological features reported in the literature have been reviewed. Epilepsy occasionally represents the symptom of onset, predating parkinsonism even by a few years; action tremor is another common feature along with akinetic-rigid parkinsonism. A focus on the genetic background and its pathophysiological implications is provided. The pathogenesis of these disorders ranges from well-defined metabolic alterations (PGK1) to non-specific lysosomal dysfunctions (XPDS) and vesicular trafficking alterations (Waisman syndrome). However, in other cases it still remains poorly defined. Recognition of the phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of X-linked parkinsonism has important implications for diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Magrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carlos Estevez-Fraga
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Enza M Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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33
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Guo Q, Chang YY, Huang CH, Hsiao YS, Hsiao YC, Chiu IF, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Ko TM. Population-based carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis of fragile X syndrome in East Asian populations. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:1104-1110. [PMID: 34412977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Identification of carriers of fragile X syndrome (FXS) with the subsequent prenatal diagnosis and knowledge of FXS-associated genetic profiles are essential for intervention in specific populations. We report the results of carrier screening of 39,458 East Asian adult women and prenatal diagnosis from 87 FXS carriers. The prevalence of FXS carriers and full mutation fetuses was estimated to be 1/581 and 1/3124 in East Asian populations, respectively. We confirmed the validity of the current threshold of CGG trinucleotide repeats for FMR1 categorization; the integral risks of full mutation expansion were approximately 6.0%, 43.8%, and 100% for premutation alleles with 55-74, 75-89, and ≥90 CGG repeats, respectively. The protective effect of AGG (adenine-guanine-guanine nucleotides) interruption in East Asian populations was validated, which is important in protecting premutation alleles with 75-89 CGG repeats from full mutation expansion. Finally, family history was shown not an effective indicator for FXS carrier screening in East Asian populations, and population-based screening was more cost-effective. This study provides an insight into the largest carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for FXS in East Asian populations to date. The FXS-associated genetic profiles of East Asian populations are delineated, and population-based carrier screening is shown to be promising for FXS intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Guo
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
| | - Yih-Yuan Chang
- Genephile Bioscience Laboratory, Ko's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei 100, Taiwan, China
| | - Chien-Hao Huang
- Genephile Bioscience Laboratory, Ko's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei 100, Taiwan, China
| | - Yu-Shan Hsiao
- Genephile Bioscience Laboratory, Ko's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei 100, Taiwan, China
| | - Yu-Chiao Hsiao
- Biofast Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - I-Fan Chiu
- Biofast Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Tsang-Ming Ko
- Genephile Bioscience Laboratory, Ko's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei 100, Taiwan, China.
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Nucleocytoplasmic transport of the RNA-binding protein CELF2 regulates neural stem cell fates. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109226. [PMID: 34107259 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the cerebral cortex requires balanced expansion and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs), which rely on precise regulation of gene expression. Because NPCs often exhibit transcriptional priming of cell-fate-determination genes, the ultimate output of these genes for fate decisions must be carefully controlled in a timely fashion at the post-transcriptional level, but how that is achieved is poorly understood. Here, we report that de novo missense variants in an RNA-binding protein CELF2 cause human cortical malformations and perturb NPC fate decisions in mice by disrupting CELF2 nucleocytoplasmic transport. In self-renewing NPCs, CELF2 resides in the cytoplasm, where it represses mRNAs encoding cell fate regulators and neurodevelopmental disorder-related factors. The translocation of CELF2 into the nucleus releases mRNA for translation and thereby triggers NPC differentiation. Our results reveal that CELF2 translocation between subcellular compartments orchestrates mRNA at the translational level to instruct cell fates in cortical development.
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35
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Hodges SL, Womble PD, Kwok EM, Darner AM, Senger SS, Binder MS, Faust AM, Condon SM, Nolan SO, Quintero SI, Lugo JN. Rapamycin, but not minocycline, significantly alters ultrasonic vocalization behavior in C57BL/6J pups in a flurothyl seizure model. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113317. [PMID: 33910029 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with individuals having an increased susceptibility of seizures in the first few years of life, making children at risk of developing a multitude of cognitive and behavioral comorbidities throughout development. The present study examined the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity and neuroinflammatory signaling in the development of autistic-like behavior following seizures in the neonatal period. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were administered 3 flurothyl seizures on postnatal (PD) 10, followed by administration of minocycline, the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, or a combined treatment of both therapeutics. On PD12, isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of mice were examined to determine the impact of seizures and treatment on communicative behaviors, a component of the autistic-like phenotype. Seizures on PD10 increased the quantity of USVs in female mice and reduced the amount of complex call types emitted in males compared to controls. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin significantly reduced the quantity and duration of USVs in both sexes. Changes in USVs were associated with increases in mTOR and astrocyte levels in male mice, however, three PD10 seizures did not result in enhanced proinflammatory cytokine expression in either sex. Beyond inhibition of mTOR activity by rapamycin, both therapeutics did not demonstrate beneficial effects. These findings emphasize the importance of differences that may exist across preclinical seizure models, as three flurothyl seizures did not induce as drastic of changes in mTOR activity or inflammation as observed in other rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Hodges
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
| | - Paige D Womble
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Eliesse M Kwok
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Alyssa M Darner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Savannah S Senger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Matthew S Binder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Amanda M Faust
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Siena M Condon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Saul I Quintero
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
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36
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Ajjugal Y, Kolimi N, Rathinavelan T. Secondary structural choice of DNA and RNA associated with CGG/CCG trinucleotide repeat expansion rationalizes the RNA misprocessing in FXTAS. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8163. [PMID: 33854084 PMCID: PMC8046799 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87097-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
CGG tandem repeat expansion in the 5'-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation-1 (FMR1) gene leads to unusual nucleic acid conformations, hence causing genetic instabilities. We show that the number of G…G (in CGG repeat) or C…C (in CCG repeat) mismatches (other than A…T, T…A, C…G and G…C canonical base pairs) dictates the secondary structural choice of the sense and antisense strands of the FMR1 gene and their corresponding transcripts in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The circular dichroism (CD) spectra and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) reveal that CGG DNA (sense strand of the FMR1 gene) and its transcript favor a quadruplex structure. CD, EMSA and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations also show that more than four C…C mismatches cannot be accommodated in the RNA duplex consisting of the CCG repeat (antisense transcript); instead, it favors an i-motif conformational intermediate. Such a preference for unusual secondary structures provides a convincing justification for the RNA foci formation due to the sequestration of RNA-binding proteins to the bidirectional transcripts and the repeat-associated non-AUG translation that are observed in FXTAS. The results presented here also suggest that small molecule modulators that can destabilize FMR1 CGG DNA and RNA quadruplex structures could be promising candidates for treating FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogeeshwar Ajjugal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana State, 502285, India
| | - Narendar Kolimi
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana State, 502285, India
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37
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Indumathy J, Pruitt A, Gautier NM, Crane K, Glasscock E. Kv1.1 deficiency alters repetitive and social behaviors in mice and rescues autistic-like behaviors due to Scn2a haploinsufficiency. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02041. [PMID: 33484493 PMCID: PMC8035482 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are highly comorbid, suggesting potential overlap in genetic etiology, pathophysiology, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities; however, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. This work investigated how two ion channel mutations, one associated with autism (Scn2a-null) and one with epilepsy (Kcna1-null), interact to modify genotype-phenotype relationships in the context of autism. Previous studies have shown that Scn2a+/- ameliorates epilepsy in Kcna1-/- mice, improving survival, seizure characteristics, and brain-heart dynamics. Here, we tested the converse, whether Kcna1 deletion modifies ASD-like repetitive and social behaviors in Scn2a+/- mice. METHODS Mice were bred with various combinations of Kcna1 and Scn2a knockout alleles. Animals were assessed for repetitive behaviors using marble burying, grooming, and nestlet shredding tests and for social behaviors using sociability and social novelty preference tests. RESULTS Behavioral testing revealed drastic reductions in all repetitive behaviors in epileptic Kcna1-/- mice, but relatively normal social interactions. In contrast, mice with partial Kcna1 deletion (Kcna1+/- ) exhibited increased self-grooming and decreased sociability suggestive of ASD-like features similar to those observed in Scn2a+/- mice. In double-mutant Scn2a+/- ; Kcna1+/- mice, the two mutations interacted to partially normalize ASD-like behaviors associated with each mutation independently. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings suggest that Kv1.1 subunits are important in pathways and neural networks underlying ASD and that Kcna1 may be a therapeutic target for treatment of Scn2a-associated ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagadeeswaran Indumathy
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Methodist UniversityDallasTXUSA
| | - April Pruitt
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Nicole M. Gautier
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Kaitlin Crane
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Edward Glasscock
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Methodist UniversityDallasTXUSA
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38
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Bhat SA, Yousuf A, Mushtaq Z, Kumar V, Qurashi A. Fragile X Premutation rCGG Repeats Impair Synaptic Growth and Synaptic Transmission at Drosophila larval Neuromuscular Junction. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1677-1692. [PMID: 33772546 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease that develops in some premutation (PM) carriers of the FMR1 gene with alleles bearing 55-200 CGG repeats. The discovery of a broad spectrum of clinical and cell developmental abnormalities among PM carriers with or without FXTAS and in model systems suggests that neurodegeneration seen in FXTAS could be the inevitable end-result of pathophysiological processes set during early development. Hence, it is imperative to trace early PM-induced pathological abnormalities. Previous studies have shown that transgenic Drosophila carrying PM-length CGG repeats are sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. Here, we used the same transgenic model to understand the effect of CGG repeats on the structure and function of the developing nervous system. We show that presynaptic expression of CGG repeats restricts synaptic growth, reduces the number of synaptic boutons, leads to aberrant presynaptic varicosities, and impairs synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junctions. The postsynaptic analysis shows that both glutamate receptors and subsynaptic reticulum proteins were normal. However, a high percentage of boutons show a reduced density of Bruchpilot protein, a key component of presynaptic active zones required for vesicle release. The electrophysiological analysis shows a significant reduction in quantal content, a measure of total synaptic vesicles released per excitation potential. Together, these findings suggest that synapse perturbation caused by rCGG repeats mediates presynaptically during larval NMJ development. We also suggest that the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase protein Basket and CIDE-N protein Drep-2 positively mediate Bruchpilot active zone defects caused by rCGG repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad A Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Aadil Yousuf
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Zeeshan Mushtaq
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Vimlesh Kumar
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Abrar Qurashi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
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Liu L, Wang H, Xu GL, Liu L. Tet1 Deficiency Leads to Premature Ovarian Failure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:644135. [PMID: 33834024 PMCID: PMC8021788 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.644135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tet enzymes participate in DNA demethylation and play critical roles in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. DNA methylation alters with age. We find that Tet1 deficiency reduces fertility and leads to accelerated reproductive failure with age. Noticeably, Tet1-deficient mice at young age exhibit dramatically reduced follicle reserve and the follicle reserve further decreases with age, phenomenon consistent with premature ovarian failure (POF) syndrome. Consequently, Tet1-deficient mice become infertile by reproductive middle age, while age matched wild-type mice still robustly reproduce. Moreover, by single cell transcriptome analysis of oocytes, Tet1 deficiency elevates organelle fission, associated with defects in ubiquitination and declined autophagy, and also upregulates signaling pathways for Alzheimer's diseases, but down-regulates X-chromosome linked genes, such as Fmr1, which is known to be implicated in POF. Additionally, Line1 is aberrantly upregulated and endogenous retroviruses also are altered in Tet1-deficient oocytes. These molecular changes are consistent with oocyte senescence and follicle atresia and depletion found in premature ovarian failure or insufficiency. Our data suggest that Tet1 enzyme plays roles in maintaining oocyte quality as well as oocyte number and follicle reserve and its deficiency can lead to POF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huasong Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guo Liang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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40
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Saldarriaga-Gil W, Cabal-Herrera AM, Fandiño-Losada A, Vásquez A, Hagerman R, Tassone F. Inequities in diagnosis of Fragile X syndrome in Colombia. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2021; 34:830-839. [PMID: 33538083 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In Colombia, there are no screening or testing protocols established for the diagnosis of FXS. In this study, we aimed to describe the diagnostic trends of FXS in Colombia. METHODS Data were included on 1322 individuals obtained based on data from the only 2 databases available. Sociodemographic information and data related to the diagnostic process were obtained and included in this study. RESULTS The average age at the time of diagnosis for individuals with the full mutation (FM) was of 26.9 ± 2.57 years and was strongly dependent on sex and socioeconomic status. Most individuals with a molecular diagnosis were from the main cities. CONCLUSION The overall age of diagnosis of FXS is later in life than reports from other countries. Restricted access to molecular testing through the national health system might explain this discrepancy in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilmar Saldarriaga-Gil
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ana Maria Cabal-Herrera
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Andrés Fandiño-Losada
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Andrés Vásquez
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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41
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Quach TT, Stratton HJ, Khanna R, Kolattukudy PE, Honnorat J, Meyer K, Duchemin AM. Intellectual disability: dendritic anomalies and emerging genetic perspectives. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:139-158. [PMID: 33226471 PMCID: PMC7855540 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) corresponds to several neurodevelopmental disorders of heterogeneous origin in which cognitive deficits are commonly associated with abnormalities of dendrites and dendritic spines. These histological changes in the brain serve as a proxy for underlying deficits in neuronal network connectivity, mostly a result of genetic factors. Historically, chromosomal abnormalities have been reported by conventional karyotyping, targeted fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and chromosomal microarray analysis. More recently, cytogenomic mapping, whole-exome sequencing, and bioinformatic mining have led to the identification of novel candidate genes, including genes involved in neuritogenesis, dendrite maintenance, and synaptic plasticity. Greater understanding of the roles of these putative ID genes and their functional interactions might boost investigations into determining the plausible link between cellular and behavioral alterations as well as the mechanisms contributing to the cognitive impairment observed in ID. Genetic data combined with histological abnormalities, clinical presentation, and transgenic animal models provide support for the primacy of dysregulation in dendrite structure and function as the basis for the cognitive deficits observed in ID. In this review, we highlight the importance of dendrite pathophysiology in the etiologies of four prototypical ID syndromes, namely Down Syndrome (DS), Rett Syndrome (RTT), Digeorge Syndrome (DGS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Clinical characteristics of ID have also been reported in individuals with deletions in the long arm of chromosome 10 (the q26.2/q26.3), a region containing the gene for the collapsin response mediator protein 3 (CRMP3), also known as dihydropyrimidinase-related protein-4 (DRP-4, DPYSL4), which is involved in dendritogenesis. Following a discussion of clinical and genetic findings in these syndromes and their preclinical animal models, we lionize CRMP3/DPYSL4 as a novel candidate gene for ID that may be ripe for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam T Quach
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- INSERM U1217/CNRS, UMR5310, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | | | - Jérome Honnorat
- INSERM U1217/CNRS, UMR5310, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- French Reference Center on Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Autoimmune Encephalitis, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- SynatAc Team, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Lyon, France
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- The Research Institute of Nationwide Children Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatric, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Duchemin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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42
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Elias-Mas A, Alvarez-Mora MI, Caro-Benito C, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Neuroimaging Insight Into Fragile X-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Literature Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:728952. [PMID: 34721105 PMCID: PMC8554234 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.728952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
FMR1 premutation is defined by 55-200 CGG repeats in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. FMR1 premutation carriers are at risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease called fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in adulthood. In the last years an increasingly board spectrum of clinical manifestations including psychiatric disorders have been described as occurring at a greater frequency among FMR1 premutation carriers. Herein, we reviewed the neuroimaging findings reported in relation with psychiatric symptomatology in adult FMR1 premutation carriers. A structured electronic literature search was conducted on FMR1 premutation and neuroimaging yielding a total of 3,229 articles examined. Of these, 7 articles were analyzed and are included in this review. The results showed that the main radiological findings among adult FMR1 premutation carriers presenting neuropsychiatric disorders were found on the amygdala and hippocampus, being the functional abnormalities more consistent and the volumetric changes more inconsistent among studies. From a molecular perspective, CGG repeat size, FMR1 mRNA and FMRP levels have been investigated in relation with the neuroimaging findings. Based on the published results, FMRP might play a key role in the pathophysiology of the psychiatric symptoms described among FMR1 premutation carriers. However, additional studies including further probes of brain function and a broader scope of psychiatric symptom measurement are required in order to obtain a comprehensive landscape of the neuropsychiatric phenotype associated with the FMR1 premutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Elias-Mas
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain.,Institute for Research and Innovation Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain.,Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Alvarez-Mora
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Laia Rodriguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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43
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Nguyen U, Tinsley B, Sen Y, Stein J, Palacios Y, Ceballos A, Welch C, Nzenkue K, Penn A, Murphy L, Leodones K, Casiquin J, Ivory I, Ghenta K, Danziger K, Widman E, Newman J, Triplehorn M, Hindi Z, Mulligan K. Exposure to bisphenol A differentially impacts neurodevelopment and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster from distinct genetic backgrounds. Neurotoxicology 2020; 82:146-157. [PMID: 33309840 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental chemical that has been linked to behavioral differences in children and shown to impact critical neurodevelopmental processes in animal models. Though data is emerging, we still have an incomplete picture of how BPA disrupts neurodevelopment; in particular, how its impacts may vary across different genetic backgrounds. Given the genetic tractability of Drosophila melanogaster, they present a valuable model to address this question. Fruit flies are increasingly being used for assessment of neurotoxicants because of their relatively simple brain structure and variety of measurable behaviors. Here we investigated the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPA across two genetic strains of Drosophila-w1118 (control) and the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) model-by examining both behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. We show that BPA induces hyperactivity in larvae, increases repetitive grooming behavior in adults, reduces courtship behavior, impairs axon guidance in the mushroom body, and disrupts neural stem cell development in the w1118 genetic strain. Remarkably, for every behavioral and neuronal phenotype examined, the impact of BPA in FXS flies was either insignificant or contrasted with the phenotypes observed in the w1118 strain. This data indicates that the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPA can vary widely depending on genetic background and suggests BPA may elicit a gene-environment interaction with Drosophila fragile X mental retardation 1 (dFmr1)-the ortholog of human FMR1, which causes Fragile X Syndrome and is associated with autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - B Tinsley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Y Sen
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Y Palacios
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - A Ceballos
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - C Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Nzenkue
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - A Penn
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - L Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Leodones
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Casiquin
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - I Ivory
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Ghenta
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Danziger
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - E Widman
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - J Newman
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - M Triplehorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - Z Hindi
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States
| | - K Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, United States.
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44
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Rodrigues B, Vale-Fernandes E, Maia N, Santos F, Marques I, Santos R, Nogueira AJA, Jorge P. Development and Validation of a Mathematical Model to Predict the Complexity of FMR1 Allele Combinations. Front Genet 2020; 11:557147. [PMID: 33281866 PMCID: PMC7691586 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.557147] [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: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The polymorphic trinucleotide repetitive region in the FMR1 gene 5'UTR contains AGG interspersions, particularly in normal-sized alleles (CGG < 45). In this range repetitive stretches are typically interrupted once or twice, although alleles without or with three or more AGG interspersions can also be observed. AGG interspersions together with the total length of the repetitive region confer stability and hinder expansion to pathogenic ranges: either premutation (55 < CGG < 200) or full mutation (CGG > 200). The AGG interspersions have long been identified as one of the most important features of FMR1 repeat stability, being particularly important to determine expansion risk estimates in female premutation carriers. We sought to compute the combined AGG interspersion numbers and patterns, aiming to define FMR1 repetitive tract complexity combinations. A mathematical model, the first to compute this cumulative effect, was developed and validated using data from 131 young and healthy females. Plotting of their allelic complexity enabled the identification of two statistically distinct groups - equivalent and dissimilar allelic combinations. The outcome, a numerical parameter designated allelic score, depicts the repeat substructure of each allele, measuring the allelic complexity of the FMR1 gene including the AGGs burden, thus allowing new behavioral scrutiny of normal-sized alleles in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Rodrigues
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Emídio Vale-Fernandes
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Medically Assisted Procreation/Public Gamete Bank, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Dr. Albino Aroso (CMIN), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Maia
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Flávia Santos
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Marques
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosário Santos
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António J. A. Nogueira
- Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paula Jorge
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Centro de Genética Médica Dr. Jacinto Magalhães (CGMJM), Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Porto, Portugal
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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45
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Grozdanov PN, Masoumzadeh E, Kalscheuer VM, Bienvenu T, Billuart P, Delrue MA, Latham MP, MacDonald CC. A missense mutation in the CSTF2 gene that impairs the function of the RNA recognition motif and causes defects in 3' end processing is associated with intellectual disability in humans. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9804-9821. [PMID: 32816001 PMCID: PMC7515730 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
CSTF2 encodes an RNA-binding protein that is essential for mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation (C/P). No disease-associated mutations have been described for this gene. Here, we report a mutation in the RNA recognition motif (RRM) of CSTF2 that changes an aspartic acid at position 50 to alanine (p.D50A), resulting in intellectual disability in male patients. In mice, this mutation was sufficient to alter polyadenylation sites in over 1300 genes critical for brain development. Using a reporter gene assay, we demonstrated that C/P efficiency of CSTF2D50A was lower than wild type. To account for this, we determined that p.D50A changed locations of amino acid side chains altering RNA binding sites in the RRM. The changes modified the electrostatic potential of the RRM leading to a greater affinity for RNA. These results highlight the significance of 3′ end mRNA processing in expression of genes important for brain plasticity and neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar N Grozdanov
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6540, USA
| | - Elahe Masoumzadeh
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1061, USA
| | - Vera M Kalscheuer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Research Group Development and Disease, Ihnestr. 63-73, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, 102 rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Billuart
- Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, 102 rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Ange Delrue
- Département de Génétique Médicale, CHU Sainte Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - Michael P Latham
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1061, USA
| | - Clinton C MacDonald
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6540, USA
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46
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Cao Y, Peng Y, Kong HE, Allen EG, Jin P. Metabolic Alterations in FMR1 Premutation Carriers. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:571092. [PMID: 33195417 PMCID: PMC7531624 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.571092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
FMR1 gene premutation carriers are at risk of developing Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in adulthood. Currently the development of biomarkers and effective treatments in FMR1 premutations is still in its infancy. Recent metabolic studies have shown novel findings in asymptomatic FMR1 premutation carriers and FXTAS, which provide promising insight through identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic pathways. Here we review the latest advancements of the metabolic alterations found in asymptomatic FMR1 premutation carriers and FXTAS, along with our perspective for future studies in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqu Cao
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yun Peng
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ha Eun Kong
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Emily G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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47
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Subramaniam K, Prasad HK. An Unusual Case of Fragile X Associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2020; 24:373-374. [PMID: 33088763 PMCID: PMC7540829 DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_290_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hemanth K. Prasad
- Scientific Applications and Support, Neuberg Anand Reference Laboratory, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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48
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Gazy I, Miller CJ, Kim GY, Usdin K. CGG Repeat Expansion, and Elevated Fmr1 Transcription and Mitochondrial Copy Number in a New Fragile X PM Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:482. [PMID: 32695777 PMCID: PMC7338602 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fragile-X related disorders (FXDs) are Repeat Expansion Diseases (REDs) that result from expansion of a CGG-repeat tract located at the 5′ end of the FMR1 gene. While expansion affects transmission risk and can also affect disease risk and severity, the underlying molecular mechanism responsible is unknown. Despite the fact that expanded alleles can be seen both in humans and mouse models in vivo, existing patient-derived cells do not show significant repeat expansions even after extended periods in culture. In order to develop a good tissue culture model for studying expansions we tested whether mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) carrying an expanded CGG repeat tract in the endogenous Fmr1 gene are permissive for expansion. We show here that these mESCs have a very high frequency of expansion that allows changes in the repeat number to be seen within a matter of days. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of these cells suggests that this may be due in part to the fact that non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), which is able to protect against expansions in some cell types, is not effective in mESCs. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing also shows that these expansions are MSH2-dependent, consistent with those seen in vivo. While comparable human Genome Wide Association (GWA) studies are not available for the FXDs, such studies have implicated MSH2 in expansion in other REDs. The shared unusual requirement for MSH2 for this type of microsatellite instability suggests that this new cell-based system is relevant for understanding the mechanism responsible for this peculiar type of mutation in humans. The high frequency of expansions and the ease of gene editing these cells should expedite the identification of factors that affect expansion risk. Additionally, we found that, as with cells from human premutation (PM) carriers, these cell lines have elevated mitochondrial copy numbers and Fmr1 hyperexpression, that we show here is O2-sensitive. Thus, this new stem cell model should facilitate studies of both repeat expansion and the consequences of expansion during early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Gazy
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Carson J Miller
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Geum-Yi Kim
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Karen Usdin
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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49
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Baranova J, Dragunas G, Botellho MCS, Ayub ALP, Bueno-Alves R, Alencar RR, Papaiz DD, Sogayar MC, Ulrich H, Correa RG. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Signaling Pathways and Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:619-649. [PMID: 32468442 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00882-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) consists of a prevalent and heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental diseases representing a severe burden to affected individuals and their caretakers. Despite substantial improvement towards understanding of ASD etiology and pathogenesis, as well as increased social awareness and more intensive research, no effective drugs have been successfully developed to resolve the main and most cumbersome ASD symptoms. Hence, finding better treatments, which may act as "disease-modifying" agents, and novel biomarkers for earlier ASD diagnosis and disease stage determination are needed. Diverse mutations of core components and consequent malfunctions of several cell signaling pathways have already been found in ASD by a series of experimental platforms, including genetic associations analyses and studies utilizing pre-clinical animal models and patient samples. These signaling cascades govern a broad range of neurological features such as neuronal development, neurotransmission, metabolism, and homeostasis, as well as immune regulation and inflammation. Here, we review the current knowledge on signaling pathways which are commonly disrupted in ASD and autism-related conditions. As such, we further propose ways to translate these findings into the development of genetic and biochemical clinical tests for early autism detection. Moreover, we highlight some putative druggable targets along these pathways, which, upon further research efforts, may evolve into novel therapeutic interventions for certain ASD conditions. Lastly, we also refer to the crosstalk among these major signaling cascades as well as their putative implications in therapeutics. Based on this collective information, we believe that a timely and accurate modulation of these prominent pathways may shape the neurodevelopment and neuro-immune regulation of homeostatic patterns and, hopefully, rescue some (if not all) ASD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Baranova
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Dragunas
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Mayara C S Botellho
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Luisa P Ayub
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Rebeca Bueno-Alves
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rebeca R Alencar
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Debora D Papaiz
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Mari C Sogayar
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.,Cell and Molecular Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Rua Pangaré 100 (Edifício NUCEL), Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ricardo G Correa
- NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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50
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Clinical experience with carrier screening in a general population: support for a comprehensive pan-ethnic approach. Genet Med 2020; 22:1320-1328. [PMID: 32366966 PMCID: PMC7394882 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0807-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To present results from a large cohort of individuals receiving
expanded carrier screening (CS) in the United States. Methods Single-gene disorder carrier status for 381,014 individuals was
determined using next-generation sequencing (NGS) based CS for up to 274 genes.
Detection rates were compared with literature-reported values derived from
disease prevalence and carrier frequencies. Combined theoretical affected
pregnancy rates for the 274 screened disorders were calculated. Results For Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) diseases, 81.6% (4434/5435) of carriers
identified did not report AJ ancestry. For cystic fibrosis, 44.0% (6260/14,229)
of carriers identified had a variant not on the standard genotyping panel.
Individuals at risk of being a silent spinal muscular atrophy carrier, not
detectable by standard screening, comprised 1/39 (8763/344,407) individuals. For
fragile X syndrome, compared with standard premutation screening, AGG
interruption analysis modified risk in 83.2% (1128/1356) premutation carriers.
Assuming random pairing across the study population, approximately 1/175
pregnancies would be affected by a disorder in the 274-gene screening
panel. Conclusion Compared with standard screening, NGS-based CS provides additional
information that may impact reproductive choices. Pan-ethnic CS leads to
substantially increased identification of at-risk couples. These data support
offering NGS-based CS to all reproductive-aged women.
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