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Vacca M, Della Ragione F, Scalabrì F, D'Esposito M. X inactivation and reactivation in X-linked diseases. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 56:78-87. [PMID: 26994527 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the phenomenon by which mammals compensate for dosage of X-linked genes in females (XX) versus males (XY). XCI patterns can be random or show extreme skewing, and can modify the mode of inheritance of X-driven phenotypes, which contributes to the variability of human pathologies. Recent findings have shown reversibility of the XCI process, which has opened new avenues in the approaches used for the treatment of X-linked diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Vacca
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Floriana Della Ragione
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131, Naples, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio D'Esposito
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131, Naples, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
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2
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Liu X, Solehdin F, Cohen IL, Gonzalez MG, Jenkins EC, Lewis MES, Holden JJA. Population- and Family-Based Studies Associate the MTHFR Gene with Idiopathic Autism in Simplex Families. J Autism Dev Disord 2010; 41:938-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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3
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Xinhua Bao, Shengling Jiang, Fuying Song, Hong Pan, Meirong Li, Wu XR. X chromosome inactivation in Rett Syndrome and its correlations with MECP2 mutations and phenotype. J Child Neurol 2008; 23:22-5. [PMID: 18184939 DOI: 10.1177/0883073807307077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopment disorder, which is mainly caused by gene mutation of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). The correlations between genotype, X chromosome inactivation (XCI), and phenotype have been studied, but the results are conflicting. In the present study, XCI patterns in patients and their mothers, parental origin of skewed X chromosome in patients, and the correlations between XCI, genotype, and phenotype were analyzed in 52 cases of RTT with MECP2 mutations, 50 RTT mothers, and 48 normal female controls. The results showed XCI and genotype had limitations in explaining all the phenotypic manifestations of RTT. Other genomic factors have to be considered to explain the phenotypic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Bao
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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4
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Weaving LS, Ellaway CJ, Gécz J, Christodoulou J. Rett syndrome: clinical review and genetic update. J Med Genet 2006; 42:1-7. [PMID: 15635068 PMCID: PMC1735910 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2004.027730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that contributes significantly to severe intellectual disability in females worldwide. It is caused by mutations in MECP2 in the majority of cases, but a proportion of atypical cases may result from mutations in CDKL5, particularly the early onset seizure variant. The relationship between MECP2 and CDKL5, and whether they cause RS through the same or different mechanisms is unknown, but is worthy of investigation. Mutations in MECP2 appear to give a growth disadvantage to both neuronal and lymphoblast cells, often resulting in skewing of X inactivation that may contribute to the large degree of phenotypic variation. MeCP2 was originally thought to be a global transcriptional repressor, but recent evidence suggests that it may have a role in regulating neuronal activity dependent expression of specific genes such as Hairy2a in Xenopus and Bdnf in mouse and rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Weaving
- Program in Developmental Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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5
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Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked gene encoding the methyl-CpG binding protein MeCP2 are the primary cause of classic and atypical Rett syndrome and have recently been shown to contribute to other neurodevelopmental disorders of varying severity. To determine whether there are molecular correlates to the phenotypic heterogeneity, numerous groups have performed genotype-phenotype correlation studies. These studies have yielded conflicting results, in part because they used different criteria for determining severity and classifying mutations. Evolution of the phenotype with age and variable expressivity arising from individual variability in X-chromosome inactivation patterns are among other reasons the findings varied. Nonetheless, evidence of differences in the phenotypic consequences of specific types of mutations is emerging. This review analyzes the available literature and makes recommendations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Ham
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
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6
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Hammer S, Dorrani N, Hartiala J, Stein S, Schanen NC. Rett syndrome in a 47,XXX patient with a de novo MECP2 mutation. Am J Med Genet A 2003; 122A:223-6. [PMID: 12966522 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.20320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is caused by mutation in MECP2, a gene located on Xq28 and subject to X-inactivation. MECP2 encodes methyl CpG-binding protein 2, a widely expressed transcriptional repressor of methylated DNA. Mutations in MECP2 are primarily de novo events in the male germ line and thus lead to an excess of affected females. Here we report the identification of a unique 47,XXX girl with relatively mild atypical Rett syndrome leading initially to a diagnosis of infantile autism with regression. Mutation analysis of the MECP2 gene identified a de novo MECP2 mutation, L100V. Examination of a panel of X-linked microsatellite markers indicated that her supernumerary X chromosome is maternally derived. X-inactivation patterns were determined by analysis of methylation of the androgen receptor locus, and indicated preferential inactivation of her paternal allele. The parental origin of her MECP2 mutation could not be determined because she was uninformative for intronic polymorphisms flanking her mutation. This is the first reported case of sex chromosome trisomy and MECP2 mutation in a female, and it illustrates the importance of allele dosage on the severity of Rett syndrome phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hammer
- Department of Human Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
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7
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Weaving LS, Williamson SL, Bennetts B, Davis M, Ellaway CJ, Leonard H, Thong MK, Delatycki M, Thompson EM, Laing N, Christodoulou J. Effects of MECP2 mutation type, location and X-inactivation in modulating Rett syndrome phenotype. Am J Med Genet A 2003; 118A:103-14. [PMID: 12655490 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.10053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a clinically defined disorder that describes a subset of patients with mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene. However, there is a high degree of variability in the clinical phenotypes produced by mutations in MECP2, even amongst classical RTT patients. In a large-scale screening project, this variability has been examined by looking at the effects of mutation type, functional domain affected and X-inactivation. Mutations have been identified in 60% of RTT patients in this study (25% of whom were atypical), including 23 novel mutations and polymorphisms. More mutations were found in classical patients (63%) compared to atypical patients (44%). All of the pathogenic mutations were de novo in patients for whom parent DNA was available for screening. A composite phenotype score was developed, based on the recommendations for reporting clinical features in RTT of an international collaborative group. This score proved useful for summarising phenotypic severity, but did not correlate with mutation type, domain affected or X-inactivation, probably due to complex interactions between all three. Other correlations suggested that truncating mutations and mutations affecting the methyl-CpG-binding domain tend to lead to a more severe phenotype. Skewed X-inactivation was found in a large proportion (43%) of our patients, particularly in those with truncating mutations and mutations affecting the MBD. It is therefore likely that X-inactivation does modulate the phenotype in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda S Weaving
- Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
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Hammer S, Dorrani N, Dragich J, Kudo S, Schanen C. The phenotypic consequences of MECP2 mutations extend beyond Rett syndrome. MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEWS 2002; 8:94-8. [PMID: 12112734 DOI: 10.1002/mrdd.10023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Although MECP2 was initially identified as the causative gene in classic Rett syndrome (RTT), the gene has now been implicated in several phenotypes that extend well beyond the clinically defined disorder. MECP2 mutations have been found in people with various disorders, including neonatal onset encephalopathy, X-linked recessive mental retardation (MRX), classic and atypical RTT, autism, and Angelman syndrome, as well as mildly affected females and normal carrier females. To make matters more complex, in approximately 20% of classic sporadic RTT cases and more than 50% of affected sister pairs, no mutation in MECP2 has been found. X-chromosome inactivation patterns can clearly affect the phenotypic expression in females, while the effect of the type and position of the mutation is more apparent in the broader phenotype than in RTT. Both males and females are at risk, although an excess of paternally derived mutations are found in most cases of classic RTT. Thus, because of the range of disparate phenotypes, the gene may account for a relatively large portion of mental retardation in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hammer
- Departments of Human Genetics, Mental Retardation Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Chales Young Drive South, Los Angeles California, USA
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Kotzot D. Review and meta-analysis of systematic searches for uniparental disomy (UPD) other than UPD 15. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 2002; 111:366-75. [PMID: 12210294 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.10569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All systematic searches for uniparental disomy (UPD) so far published and comprising clinically defined populations (Silver-Russell syndrome/primordial growth retardation (SRS/PGR) (n = 14), multiple malformations (n = 2), or rare syndromes (n = 12)) or situations at risk (confined placental mosaicism (CPM) (n = 13), spontaneous abortions (n = 6), additional marker chromosomes (n = 15), balanced non-Robertsonian translocations (n = 3), or balanced Robertsonian translocations (n = 15)) were reviewed. In many studies clinical and/or cytogenetic information on fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) results was very scarce. Meta-analysis concerning an adequate number of cases was possible for SRS/PGR, CPM, additional marker chromosomes, and balanced Robertsonian translocations only. As expected, the highest risk for UPD was found in cases with translocations between homologous acrocentric chromosomes (11 cases with UPD of 15 investigated) and in CPM due to a meiotic error (25 of 51 cases). In prenatal investigations or in cases with a normal phenotype, translocations between nonhomologous acrocentric chromosomes implied a risk for UPD of less than 0.5%. The risks for maternal UPD 7 in cases with SRS/PGR, for UPD 15 in cases with an additional inv dup(15) marker chromosome, and for UPD of any chromosome in cases with multiple malformation/mental retardation were approximately 5.5%, and approximately 1.3%, respectively. Searches for UPD in well-defined syndromes (Brachmann-De Lange syndrome, Sotos syndrome, Rett syndrome, Weaver syndrome, or XX true hermaphroditism) were disappointing. Not a single case was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Kotzot
- Institute for Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
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Abstract
Human monozygotic (MZ) twins estimated to occur once in 250 live births, result from an errant decision by embryonic cell(s) to develop as separate embryos. They are considered genetically identical and any phenotypic discordance between them has been used to implicate the role of environment. More recent literature, however, has questioned these assumptions but the frequency and the nature of any genetic discordance between MZ twins remains poorly understood. We will review published cases of phenotypic and genetic discordance between monozygotic twins to argue that not all discordance between such twins is due to differences in environment. The causes of reduced concordance between MZ twins remains poorly understood. They represent among the challenging aspects of the genetics of complex multi-factorial traits and diseases. A number of questions regarding the published results on MZ twins merit a re-assessment in the light of modern molecular insight of the human genome. Such an assessment is needed in directing future studies on MZ twins. In particular, we will deal with the origin, development, genetic and epigenetic factors that may have implications in discordance of the MZ twin pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Singh
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology and Division of Medical Genetics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Yurov YB, Vorsanova SG, Kolotii AD, Iourov IY. Molecular-cytogenetic investigation of skewed chromosome X inactivation in Rett syndrome. Brain Dev 2001; 23 Suppl 1:S214-7. [PMID: 11738875 DOI: 10.1016/s0387-7604(01)00370-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have developed an approach to differentiate homologous X chromosomes in metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei by a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with chromosome X-specific alpha-satellite DNA probe. FISH analysis of metaphase chromosomes in a cohort of 33 girls with Rett syndrome (RTT) allowed us to detect eight girls with structurally different X chromosomes, one X chromosome with a large and another one with a small centromeric heterochromatin (so-called chromosomal heteromorphism). Step-wise application of differential replication staining and the FISH technique to identify the inactivation status of paternal and maternal chromosome X in RTT girls was applied. Skewed X inactivation in seven RTT girls with preferential inactivation of one X chromosome over the other X chromosome was detected in 62-93% of cells. Therefore, non-random or skewed X inactivation with variable penetrance in blood cells could take place in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y B Yurov
- National Centre of Mental Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 113152, Zagorodnoe sh. 2, Moscow, Russia.
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- T Webb
- Section of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Nielsen JB, Henriksen KF, Hansen C, Silahtaroglu A, Schwartz M, Tommerup N. MECP2 mutations in Danish patients with Rett syndrome: high frequency of mutations but no consistent correlations with clinical severity or with the X chromosome inactivation pattern. Eur J Hum Genet 2001; 9:178-84. [PMID: 11313756 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2000] [Revised: 10/12/2000] [Accepted: 10/20/2000] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which almost exclusively affects girls, who, after an initial period of apparently normal development, display gradual loss of speech and purposeful hand use, gait abnormalities and stereotypical hand movements. In the year 2000, mutations in the gene for the methyl CpG binding protein 2, MECP2, have been identified in 35-80% of the patients in three different studies. We have identified 15 different MECP2 mutations in 26 of 30 Danish RTT patients. The mutations included five novel mutations (one point mutation, three smaller deletions involving identical regions in the gene, and one duplication). In contrast to the point mutations and the duplication, which all affect the methyl binding domain or the transcriptional repressing domain, the three overlapping deletions are clustered in the 3' end of the gene. We found no consistent correlation between the type of mutation and the clinical presentation of the patient or the X-inactivation pattern in peripheral blood. Our high mutation detection rate, compared to two of the previous studies, underscores the importance of the inclusion criteria of the patients and supports that MECP2 is the most important, if not the only, gene responsible for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 females worldwide. Apparently normal at birth, girls with Rett syndrome undergo developmental regression and acquire a neurologic and behavioral profile that has been used to define diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Neurochemical and anatomic alterations indicate that Rett syndrome appears to result from an arrest of normal neuronal maturation. Although Rett syndrome generally occurs sporadically, rare familial recurrences indicate a genetic basis for the disorder. Data from familial recurrences are consistent with an X-linked dominant locus causing the classic phenotype in female patients and a distinct, more severe phenotype in hemizygous male patients. Exclusion mapping data from rare kindreds with recurrent Rett syndrome localize the gene to the distal long arm of the X chromosome (Xq27.3-Xqter).
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Schanen
- Department of Human Genetics and Pediatrics and the Mental Retardation Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, 90095-7088, USA.
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Salomão Schwartzman J, Zatz M, dos Reis Vasquez L, Ribeiro Gomes R, Koiffmann CP, Fridman C, Guimarães Otto P. Rett syndrome in a boy with a 47,XXY karyotype. Am J Hum Genet 1999; 64:1781-5. [PMID: 10330367 PMCID: PMC1377923 DOI: 10.1086/302424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Webb T, Clarke A, Hanefeld F, Pereira JL, Rosenbloom L, Woods CG. Linkage analysis in Rett syndrome families suggests that there may be a critical region at Xq28. J Med Genet 1998; 35:997-1003. [PMID: 9863596 PMCID: PMC1051511 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.35.12.997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A whole X chromosome study of families in which Rett syndrome had been diagnosed in more than one member indicated that the region between Xq27 and Xqter was the most likely region to harbour a gene which may be involved in the aetiology of the disease. Further, more detailed studies of Xq28 detected weak linkage and a higher than expected sharing of maternally inherited alleles. It is suggested that there may be more than one gene involved in the aetiology of this syndrome, particularly as the very rare families in which more than one girl is affected often show variable clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Webb
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Birmingham Maternity Hospital, UK
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