1
|
Pengo M, Squitieri F. Beyond CAG Repeats: The Multifaceted Role of Genetics in Huntington Disease. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:807. [PMID: 38927742 PMCID: PMC11203031 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060807] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion on the huntingtin (HTT) gene and is characterized by progressive motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric decline. Recently, new genetic factors besides CAG repeats have been implicated in the disease pathogenesis. Most genetic modifiers are involved in DNA repair pathways and, as the cause of the loss of CAA interruption in the HTT gene, they exert their main influence through somatic expansion. However, this mechanism might not be the only driver of HD pathogenesis, and future studies are warranted in this field. The aim of the present review is to dissect the many faces of genetics in HD pathogenesis, from cis- and trans-acting genetic modifiers to RNA toxicity, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and epigenetics factors. Exploring genetic modifiers of HD onset and progression appears crucial to elucidate not only disease pathogenesis, but also to improve disease prediction and prevention, develop biomarkers of disease progression and response to therapies, and recognize new therapeutic opportunities. Since the same genetic mechanisms are also described in other repeat expansion diseases, their implications might encompass the whole spectrum of these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pengo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Squitieri
- Centre for Neurological Rare Diseases (CMNR), Fondazione Lega Italiana Ricerca Huntington (LIRH), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Le Poulennec T, Dubreuil S, Grynberg M, Chabbert-Buffet N, Sermondade N, Fourati S, Siffroi JP, Héron D, Bachelot A. Ovarian reserve in patients with FMR1 gene premutation and the role of fertility preservation. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2024:S0003-4266(24)00052-0. [PMID: 38702011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women with premutation (PM) of the FMR1 gene may suffer from reduced ovarian reserve or even premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). We studied hormonal and ultrasound ovarian reserve, fertility and fertility preservation outcomes in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD Retrospective cohort study of 63 female FMR1 premutation carriers. RESULTS Sixty-three female patients bearing an FMR1 premutation were included. Median age was 30 years [26.5-35]. Median number of CGG triplets was 83 [77.2-92]. Before diagnosis of PM, 19 women (30%) had had in all 35 pregnancies, resulting in 20 births, including 7 affected children. After diagnosis of PM, 17 women (26.1%) had in all 23 pregnancies, at a median age of 34.5 years [32.2-36.0]: 2 after pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, 3 after oocyte donation, 18 spontaneously, and 5 ending in medical termination for fragile X syndrome. Thirty-three patients (52.4%) had POI diagnosis (median age, 30 years [27-34]) with median FSH level 84 IU/L [50.5-110] and median AMH level 0.08ng/mL [0.01-0.19]. After POI diagnosis, 8 women had in all 9 pregnancies: 3 following oocyte donation, and 6 spontaneous in 5 women (15.1%). Eight of the 9 pregnancies resulted in a live birth (including 2 affected children) and 1 in medical termination for trisomy 13. The median age of the 30 patients without POI was 31 years [25.2-35.0]. Thirteen women (20.6%) underwent fertility preservation, at a median age of 29 years [24-33]: FSH 7.7 IU/L [6.8-9.9], AMH 1.1ng/mL [0.95-2.1], antral follicle count 9.5 [7.7-14.7]. A median 15 oocytes [10-26] were cryopreserved in a median 2 cycles [1-3]. At the time of writing, no oocytes had yet been thawed for in-vitro fertilization. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the importance of early fertility preservation after diagnosis of FMR1 premutation in women, due to early deterioration of ovarian reserve. Genetic counseling is essential in these patients, as spontaneous pregnancies are not uncommon, even in cases of impaired ovarian reserve, and can lead to birth of affected children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Le Poulennec
- Departement of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, centre de référence des maladies endocriniennes rares de la croissance et du développement, centre de référence des pathologies gynécologiques rares, IE3M, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France; Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Sophie Dubreuil
- Departement of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, centre de référence des maladies endocriniennes rares de la croissance et du développement, centre de référence des pathologies gynécologiques rares, IE3M, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France; Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Michael Grynberg
- Departement of Reproductive Medicine Clamart, hôpital Béclère, AP-HP, France; Hôpital Béclère, 157, rue de la Porte-de-Trivaux, 92140 Clamart, France
| | - Nathalie Chabbert-Buffet
- Departement of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France; Hôpital Tenon, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Sermondade
- Hôpital Tenon, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Departement of Reproductive Biology, hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France
| | - Salma Fourati
- Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France; Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Departement of Endocrine Biochemistry and oncology, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles-Foix, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Siffroi
- Genetics Departement, Inserm UMR_S_933, hôpital Armand-Trousseau, AP-HP, Paris, France; Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, 26, avenue du Dr Arnold-Netter, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Héron
- Genetics Department, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Anne Bachelot
- Departement of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, centre de référence des maladies endocriniennes rares de la croissance et du développement, centre de référence des pathologies gynécologiques rares, IE3M, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Sorbonne université médecine, Paris, France; Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tassone F, Protic D, Allen EG, Archibald AD, Baud A, Brown TW, Budimirovic DB, Cohen J, Dufour B, Eiges R, Elvassore N, Gabis LV, Grudzien SJ, Hall DA, Hessl D, Hogan A, Hunter JE, Jin P, Jiraanont P, Klusek J, Kooy RF, Kraan CM, Laterza C, Lee A, Lipworth K, Losh M, Loesch D, Lozano R, Mailick MR, Manolopoulos A, Martinez-Cerdeno V, McLennan Y, Miller RM, Montanaro FAM, Mosconi MW, Potter SN, Raspa M, Rivera SM, Shelly K, Todd PK, Tutak K, Wang JY, Wheeler A, Winarni TI, Zafarullah M, Hagerman RJ. Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on FMR1 Premutation. Cells 2023; 12:2330. [PMID: 37759552 PMCID: PMC10529056 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of FMR1 mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, FMR1 mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death. Clinically, premutation carriers may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and phenotypes. Any of the problems associated with the premutation can appropriately be called FXPAC. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) can fall under FXPAC. Understanding the molecular and clinical aspects of the premutation of the FMR1 gene is crucial for the accurate diagnosis, genetic counseling, and appropriate management of affected individuals and families. This paper summarizes all the known problems associated with the premutation and documents the presentations and discussions that occurred at the International Premutation Conference, which took place in New Zealand in 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emily Graves Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Alison D. Archibald
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Genomics in Society Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Ted W. Brown
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Melbourne, VIC 3161, Australia;
| | - Brett Dufour
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lidia V. Gabis
- Keshet Autism Center Maccabi Wolfson, Holon 5822012, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Abigail Hogan
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jessica Ezzell Hunter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Claudine M. Kraan
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Diagnosis and Development, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lee
- Fragile X New Zealand, Nelson 7040, New Zealand;
| | - Karen Lipworth
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA;
| | - Danuta Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Marsha R. Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Apostolos Manolopoulos
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Yingratana McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | | | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson Potter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Katharine Shelly
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA;
| | - Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 502754, Central Java, Indonesia;
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Orsucci D, Lorenzetti L, Baldinotti F, Rossi A, Vitolo E, Gheri FL, Napolitano A, Tintori G, Vista M. Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS): A Gender Perspective. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11041002. [PMID: 35207276 PMCID: PMC8876035 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11041002] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although larger trinucleotide expansions give rise to a neurodevelopmental disorder called fragile X syndrome, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a “premutation” (55–200 CGG repeats) in the FMR1 gene. FXTAS is one of the more common single-gene forms of late-onset ataxia and tremor that may have a more complex development in women, with atypical presentations. After a brief presentation of the atypical case of an Italian woman with FXTAS, who had several paroxysmal episodes suggestive of acute cerebellar and/or brainstem dysfunction, this article will revise the phenotype of FXTAS in women. Especially in females, FXTAS has a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from relatively severe diseases in mid-adulthood to mild cases beginning in later life. Female FXTAS and male FXTAS have a different symptomatic spectrum, and studies on the fragile X premutation should be conducted separately on women or men. Hopefully, a better understanding of the molecular processes involved in the polymorphic features of FXTAS will lead to more specific and effective therapies for this complex disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Orsucci
- Unit of Neurology, San Luca Hospital, Via Lippi-Francesconi, 55100 Lucca, Italy;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Lucia Lorenzetti
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Santa Croce Hospital, 55032 Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Lucca, Italy; (L.L.); (E.V.); (F.L.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Fulvia Baldinotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland;
| | - Edoardo Vitolo
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Santa Croce Hospital, 55032 Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Lucca, Italy; (L.L.); (E.V.); (F.L.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Fabio Luigi Gheri
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Santa Croce Hospital, 55032 Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Lucca, Italy; (L.L.); (E.V.); (F.L.G.); (G.T.)
| | | | - Giancarlo Tintori
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Santa Croce Hospital, 55032 Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Lucca, Italy; (L.L.); (E.V.); (F.L.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Marco Vista
- Unit of Neurology, San Luca Hospital, Via Lippi-Francesconi, 55100 Lucca, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alvarez-Mora MI, Podlesniy P, Riazuelo T, Molina-Porcel L, Gelpi E, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Reduced mtDNA Copy Number in the Prefrontal Cortex of C9ORF72 Patients. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1230-1237. [PMID: 34978044 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02673-7] [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: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9ALS/FTD). Loss of C9ORF72 protein function and a toxic gain-of-function directly by the RNA or RAN translation have been proposed as triggering pathological mechanisms, along with the accumulation of TDP-43 protein. In addition, mitochondrial defects have been described to be a major driver of disease initiation. Mitochondrial DNA copy number has been proposed as a useful biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of mtDNA copy number alterations in C9ALS/FTD patients. Therefore, we assessed mtDNA copy number in postmortem prefrontal cortex from 18 C9ORF72 brain donors and 9 controls using digital droplet PCR. A statistically significant decrease of 50% was obtained when comparing C9ORF72 samples and controls. This decrease was independent of age and sex. The reduction of mtDNA copy number was found to be higher in patients' samples presenting abundant TDP-43 protein inclusions. A growing number of studies demonstrated the influence of mtDNA copy number reduction on neurodegeneration. Our results provide new insights into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of C9ALS/FTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Alvarez-Mora
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, C/Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Petar Podlesniy
- CIBER of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Riazuelo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, C/Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Molina-Porcel
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laia Rodriguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, C/Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
|
7
|
Loesch DZ, Kemp BE, Bui MQ, Fisher PR, Allan CY, Sanislav O, Ngoei KRW, Atkinson A, Tassone F, Annesley SJ, Storey E. Cellular Bioenergetics and AMPK and TORC1 Signalling in Blood Lymphoblasts Are Biomarkers of Clinical Status in FMR1 Premutation Carriers. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:747268. [PMID: 34880790 PMCID: PMC8645580 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.747268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting carriers of premutation alleles (PM) of the X-linked FMR1 gene, which contain CGG repeat expansions of 55-200 range in a non-coding region. This late-onset disorder is characterised by the presence of tremor/ataxia and cognitive decline, associated with the white matter lesions throughout the brain, especially involving the middle cerebellar peduncles. Nearly half of older male and ~ 20% of female PM carriers develop FXTAS. While there is evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in neural and some peripheral tissues from FXTAS patients (though less obvious in the non-FXTAS PM carriers), the results from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are still controversial. Motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric impairments were correlated with measures of mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial respiratory activity, AMPK, and TORC1 cellular stress-sensing protein kinases, and CGG repeat size, in a sample of adult FXTAS male and female carriers. Moreover, the levels of these cellular measures, all derived from Epstein- Barr virus (EBV)- transformed and easily accessible blood lymphoblasts, were compared between the FXTAS (N = 23) and non-FXTAS (n = 30) subgroups, and with baseline data from 33 healthy non-carriers. A significant hyperactivity of cellular bioenergetics components as compared with the baseline data, more marked in the non-FXTAS PMs, was negatively correlated with repeat numbers at the lower end of the CGG-PM distribution. Significant associations of these components with motor impairment measures, including tremor-ataxia and parkinsonism, and neuropsychiatric changes, were prevalent in the FXTAS subgroup. Moreover, a striking elevation of AMPK activity, and a decrease in TORC1 levels, especially in the non-FXTAS carriers, were related to the size of CGG expansion. The bioenergetics changes in blood lymphoblasts are biomarkers of the clinical status of FMR1 carriers. The relationship between these changes and neurological involvement in the affected carriers suggests that brain bioenergetic alterations are reflected in this peripheral tissue. A possible neuroprotective role of stress sensing kinase, AMPK, in PM carriers, should be addressed in future longitudinal studies. A decreased level of TORC1-the mechanistic target of the rapamycin complex, suggests a possible future approach to therapy in FXTAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Z Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Bruce E Kemp
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VA, Australia.,St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VA, Australia
| | - Minh Q Bui
- Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic, Epidemiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VA, Australia
| | - Paul R Fisher
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Claire Y Allan
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Oana Sanislav
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Kevin R W Ngoei
- St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VA, Australia
| | - Anna Atkinson
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Sarah J Annesley
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VA, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- Department of Medicine (Neuroscience), Monash University, Alfred Hospital Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang C, Just A, Heiss J, Coull BA, Hou L, Zheng Y, Sparrow D, Vokonas PS, Baccarelli A, Schwartz J. Biomarkers of aging and lung function in the normative aging study. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:11942-11966. [PMID: 32561690 PMCID: PMC7343502 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Elderly individuals who are never smokers but have the same height and chronological age can have substantial differences in lung function. The underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. To evaluate the associations of different biomarkers of aging (BoA) and lung function, we performed a repeated-measures analysis in the Normative Aging Study using linear mixed-effect models. We generated GrimAgeAccel, PhenoAgeAccel, extrinsic and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration using a publically available online calculator. We calculated Zhang's DNAmRiskScore based on 10 CpGs. We measured telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A pulmonary function test was performed measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 second / forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), FEV1, and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Epigenetic-based BoA were associated with lower lung function. For example, a one-year increase in GrimAgeAccel was associated with a 13.64 mL [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.11 to 22.16] decline in FEV1; a 0.2 increase in Zhang's DNAmRiskScore was associated with a 0.009 L/s (0.005 to 0.013) reduction in MMEF. No association was found between TL/mtDNA-CN and lung function. Overall, this paper shows that epigenetics might be a potential mechanism underlying pulmonary dysfunction in the elderly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Allan Just
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jonathan Heiss
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lifang Hou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yinan Zheng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David Sparrow
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Pantel S Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Orexin-A exacerbates Alzheimer's disease by inducing mitochondrial impairment. Neurosci Lett 2020; 718:134741. [PMID: 31927055 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). Orexin-A is a neuropeptide which has been reported to participate in the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, we aimed to investigate the possible mechanism by which Orexin-A acts in AD. APP/PS1 transgenic mice, an animal model of AD, were intracerebroventricularly injected with Orexin-A. Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y cells were used as a cell model of AD and treated with Orexin-A. The Morris water maze test, fluorescence microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), electron microscopy, real-time PCR, and other biochemical assays were conducted. The Morris water maze test showed that Orexin-A aggravated cognitive deficit in APP/PS1 mice. Using thioflavine-S staining and ELISA, we found that Orexin-A promoted Aβ accumulation in APP/PS1 mice. By evaluating mitochondrial morphology, cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP level, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and reactive oxygen species, we found that Orexin-A aggravated mitochondrial impairment in APP/PS1 mice and Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate that Orexin-A exacerbates AD by inducing mitochondrial impairment. This is a new mechanism that explains how Orexin-A participates in the pathogenesis of AD.
Collapse
|
11
|
Li M, Meng Y, Chu B, Shen Y, Liu X, Ding M, Song C, Cao X, Wang P, Xu L, Wang Y, Xu S, Bi J, Xie Z. Orexin-A aggravates cytotoxicity and mitochondrial impairment in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with APPswe via p38 MAPK pathway. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:5. [PMID: 32055596 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.11.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ). Orexin-A is a neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. However, its underlying mechanism and signaling pathway remains unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of Orexin-A on AD, and to explore its potential mechanism and signaling pathway. Methods SH-SY5Y cells that were stably transfected with the Swedish mutant amyloid precursor protein (APPswe), a cell model of AD with excessive Aβ production, were used in this study. Cells were treated with Orexin-A, and with or without SB203580, an inhibitor of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, one of the key MAPK pathways associated with cell death. Following treatment, cells were collected and analyzed by western blotting, ELISA, electron microscopy, real-time PCR, fluorescence microscopy, and other biochemical assays. Results Orexin-A increased the level of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 in the cell medium, and activated the p38 MAPK pathway. As evidenced by the CCK-8 and ELISA BrdU assays, Orexin-A decreased cell viability and cell proliferation. Electron microscopic analysis used to observe the morphology of mitochondria, showed that Orexin-A increased the percentage of abnormal mitochondria. Further, decreased activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), level of ATP, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number following Orexin-A treatment showed that Orexin-A exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is mainly generated in mitochondria and reflects mitochondrial dysfunction, was also increased by Orexin-A. SB203580 blocked the cytotoxicity and mitochondrial impairment aggravated by Orexin-A. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that Orexin-A aggravates cytotoxicity and mitochondrial impairment in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with APPswe through the p38 MAPK pathway, and suggest that Orexin-A participates in the pathogenesis of AD, which may provide a new treatment target in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maoyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Yao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Bingcong Chu
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Xiangtian Liu
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Mao Ding
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Chaoyuan Song
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Xi Cao
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Linlin Xu
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Shunliang Xu
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Jianzhong Bi
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Zhaohong Xie
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| |
Collapse
|