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Frye RE, Rincon N, McCarty PJ, Brister D, Scheck AC, Rossignol DA. Biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 197:106520. [PMID: 38703861 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106520] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 36 children and is associated with physiological abnormalities, most notably mitochondrial dysfunction, at least in a subset of individuals. This systematic review and meta-analysis discovered 204 relevant articles which evaluated biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD individuals. Significant elevations (all p < 0.01) in the prevalence of lactate (17%), pyruvate (41%), alanine (15%) and creatine kinase (9%) were found in ASD. Individuals with ASD had significant differences (all p < 0.01) with moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen's d' ≥ 0.6) compared to controls in mean pyruvate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio, ATP, and creatine kinase. Some studies found abnormal TCA cycle metabolites associated with ASD. Thirteen controlled studies reported mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions or variations in the ASD group in blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, leucocytes, granulocytes, and brain. Meta-analyses discovered significant differences (p < 0.01) in copy number of mtDNA overall and in ND1, ND4 and CytB genes. Four studies linked specific mtDNA haplogroups to ASD. A series of studies found a subgroup of ASD with elevated mitochondrial respiration which was associated with increased sensitivity of the mitochondria to physiological stressors and neurodevelopmental regression. Lactate, pyruvate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio, carnitine, and acyl-carnitines were associated with clinical features such as delays in language, social interaction, cognition, motor skills, and with repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms, although not all studies found an association. Lactate, carnitine, acyl-carnitines, ATP, CoQ10, as well as mtDNA variants, heteroplasmy, haplogroups and copy number were associated with ASD severity. Variability was found across biomarker studies primarily due to differences in collection and processing techniques as well as the intrinsic heterogeneity of the ASD population. Several studies reported alterations in mitochondrial metabolism in mothers of children with ASD and in neonates who develop ASD. Treatments targeting mitochondria, particularly carnitine and ubiquinol, appear beneficial in ASD. The link between mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD and common physiological abnormalities in individuals with ASD including gastrointestinal disorders, oxidative stress, and immune dysfunction is outlined. Several subtypes of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD are discussed, including one related to neurodevelopmental regression, another related to alterations in microbiome metabolites, and another related to elevations in acyl-carnitines. Mechanisms linking abnormal mitochondrial function with alterations in prenatal brain development and postnatal brain function are outlined. Given the multisystem complexity of some individuals with ASD, this review presents evidence for the mitochondria being central to ASD by contributing to abnormalities in brain development, cognition, and comorbidities such as immune and gastrointestinal dysfunction as well as neurodevelopmental regression. A diagnostic approach to identify mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD is outlined. From this evidence, it is clear that many individuals with ASD have alterations in mitochondrial function which may need to be addressed in order to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. The fact that alterations in mitochondrial metabolism may be found during pregnancy and early in the life of individuals who eventually develop ASD provides promise for early life predictive biomarkers of ASD. Further studies may improve the understanding of the role of the mitochondria in ASD by better defining subgroups and understanding the molecular mechanisms driving some of the unique changes found in mitochondrial function in those with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rossignol Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | | | - Patrick J McCarty
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70113, United States of America.
| | | | - Adrienne C Scheck
- Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America.
| | - Daniel A Rossignol
- Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rossignol Medical Center, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
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2
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Anitha A, Thanseem I, Iype M, Thomas SV. Mitochondrial dysfunction in cognitive neurodevelopmental disorders: Cause or effect? Mitochondrion 2023; 69:18-32. [PMID: 36621534 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.01.002] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria have a crucial role in brain development and neurogenesis, both in embryonic and adult brains. Since the brain is the highest energy consuming organ, it is highly vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction. This has been implicated in a range of brain disorders including, neurodevelopmental conditions, psychiatric illnesses, and neurodegenerative diseases. Genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and nuclear DNA encoding mitochondrial proteins, have been associated with several cognitive disorders. However, it is not yet clear whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a primary cause of these conditions or a secondary effect. Our review article deals with this topic, and brings out recent advances in mitochondria-oriented therapies. Mitochondrial dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of a subset of disorders involving cognitive impairment. In these patients, mitochondrial dysfunction could be the cause of the condition, rather than the consequence. There are vast areas in this topic that remains to be explored and elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyappan Anitha
- Dept. of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India.
| | - Ismail Thanseem
- Dept. of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India
| | - Mary Iype
- Dept. of Pediatric Neurology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram 695 011, Kerala, India; Dept. of Neurology, ICCONS, Thiruvananthapuram 695 033, Kerala, India
| | - Sanjeev V Thomas
- Dept. of Neurology, ICCONS, Thiruvananthapuram 695 033, Kerala, India
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3
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Nabi SU, Rehman MU, Arafah A, Taifa S, Khan IS, Khan A, Rashid S, Jan F, Wani HA, Ahmad SF. Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders by Mitochondrial-targeted Drug: Future of Neurological Diseases Therapeutics. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1042-1064. [PMID: 36411568 PMCID: PMC10286588 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221121095618] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology that might involve environmental and genetic variables. Recently, some epidemiological studies conducted in various parts of the world have estimated a significant increase in the prevalence of autism, with 1 in every 59 children having some degree of autism. Since autism has been associated with other clinical abnormalities, there is every possibility that a sub-cellular component may be involved in the progression of autism. The organelle remains a focus based on mitochondria's functionality and metabolic role in cells. Furthermore, the mitochondrial genome is inherited maternally and has its DNA and organelle that remain actively involved during embryonic development; these characteristics have linked mitochondrial dysfunction to autism. Although rapid stride has been made in autism research, there are limited studies that have made particular emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction and autism. Accumulating evidence from studies conducted at cellular and sub-cellular levels has indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction's role in autism is more than expected. The present review has attempted to describe the risk factors of autism, the role of mitochondria in the progression of the disease, oxidative damage as a trigger point to initiate mitochondrial damage, genetic determinants of the disease, possible pathogenic pathways and therapeutic regimen in vogue and the developmental stage. Furthermore, in the present review, an attempt has been made to include the novel therapeutic regimens under investigation at different clinical trial stages and their potential possibility to emerge as promising drugs against ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Showkat Ul Nabi
- Large Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar J&K, 190006, India
| | - Muneeb U. Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azher Arafah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Taifa
- Large Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar J&K, 190006, India
| | - Iqra Shafi Khan
- Large Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar J&K, 190006, India
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Summya Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Jan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CT University, Ludhiana, Ferozepur Road, Punjab, 142024, India
| | - Hilal Ahmad Wani
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Degree College Sumbal, Bandipora, J&K, India
| | - Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Khacho M, Harris R, Slack RS. Mitochondria as central regulators of neural stem cell fate and cognitive function. Nat Rev Neurosci 2019; 20:34-48. [PMID: 30464208 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-018-0091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence now indicates that mitochondria are central regulators of neural stem cell (NSC) fate decisions and are crucial for both neurodevelopment and adult neurogenesis, which in turn contribute to cognitive processes in the mature brain. Inherited mutations and accumulated damage to mitochondria over the course of ageing serve as key factors underlying cognitive defects in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, respectively. In this Review, we explore the recent findings that implicate mitochondria as crucial regulators of NSC function and cognition. In this respect, mitochondria may serve as targets for stem-cell-based therapies and interventions for cognitive defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Khacho
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Harris
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth S Slack
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Bordbar F, Jensen J, Zhu B, Wang Z, Xu L, Chang T, Xu L, Du M, Zhang L, Gao H, Xu L, Li J. Identification of muscle-specific candidate genes in Simmental beef cattle using imputed next generation sequencing. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223671. [PMID: 31600309 PMCID: PMC6786524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have commonly been used to identify candidate genes that control economically important traits in livestock. Our objective was to detect potential candidate genes associated mainly with muscle development traits related to dimension of hindquarter in cattle. A next generation sequencing (NGS) dataset to imputed to 12 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (from 1252 Simmental beef cattle) were used to search for genes affecting hindquarter traits using a linear, mixed model approach. We also used haplotype and linkage disequilibrium blocks to further support our identifications. We identified 202 significant SNPs in the bovine BTA4 chromosome region associated with width of hind leg, based on a stringent statistical threshold (p = 0.05/ effective number of SNPs identified). After exploring the region around these SNPs, we found candidate genes that were potentially related to the associated markers. More importantly, we identified a region of approximately 280 Kb on the BTA4 chromosome that harbored several muscle specific candidate genes, genes to be in a potential region for muscle development. However, we also found candidate gene SLC13A1 on BTA4, which seems to be associated with bone disorders (such as chondrodysplasia) in Simmental beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Bordbar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Just Jensen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bo Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zezhao Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianpeng Chang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Du
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington Center for Muscle Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Lupei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huijiang Gao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyang Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JYL); (LYX)
| | - Junya Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JYL); (LYX)
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Wang T, Zhu W, Zhang H, Wen X, Yin S, Jia Y. Integrated analysis of proteomics and metabolomics reveals the potential sex determination mechanism in Odontobutis potamophila. J Proteomics 2019; 208:103482. [PMID: 31401171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Odontobutis potamophila is a valuable species for aquaculture in China, which shows asexually dimorphic growth pattern. In this study, the integrated proteomics and metabolomics were used to analyze the sex determination mechanism. A total of 2781 significantly different regulated proteins were identified by proteomics and 2693 significantly different expressed metabolites were identified by metabolomics. Among them, 2560 proteins and 1701 metabolites were significantly up-regulated in testes, whereas 221 proteins and 992 metabolites were significantly up-regulated in ovaries. Venn diagram analysis showed 513 proteins were differentially regulated at both protein and metabolite levels. Correlation analysis of differentially-regulated proteins and metabolites were identified by Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. The results showed lipid metabolism plays an important role in sex determination. The metabolites decanoyl-CoA, leukotriene, 3-dehydrosphinganine, and arachidonate were the biomarkers in testes, whereas estrone and taurocholate were the biomarkers in ovaries. Interaction networks of the significant differentially co-regulated proteins and metabolites in the process of lipid metabolism showed arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis were the most important pathways in sex determination. The findings of this study provide valuable information for selective breeding of O. potamophila. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: The male O. potamophila grows substantially larger and at a quicker rate than the female. Thus, males have greater economic value than females. However, limited research was done to analyze the sex determination mechanism of O. potamophila, which seriously hindered the development of whole-male O. potamophila breeding. In this study, four key proteins (Ctnnb1, Piwil1, Hsd17b1, and Dnali1), six most important biomarkers (decanoyl-CoA, leukotriene, 3-dehydrosphinganine, arachidonate, estrone, and taurocholate) and two key pathways (arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis) in sex determination of O. potamophila were found by integrated application of iTRAQ and LC-MS techniques. The results give valuable information for molecular breeding of O. potamophila in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China
| | - Wenxu Zhu
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China
| | - Xin Wen
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China
| | - Shaowu Yin
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China.
| | - Yongyi Jia
- Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, China.
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7
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Nie H, Yu X, He H, Zhou L, Li Q, Song C, Wang D, Ren T, Chen Z, Huang H, Dai X, Zhou Y. Hepatocyte miR-33a mediates mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatosteatosis by suppressing NDUFA5. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:6285-6293. [PMID: 30324697 PMCID: PMC6237601 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for metabolic haemostasis of liver tissues. Among them, miR‐33a is supposed to modulate the cholesterol export and fatty acid oxidation, but whether miR‐33a involves in the process of fatty liver disease is unclear. To disclose the hypothesis, we utilized miR‐33a mimic and antisense to explore their effects in primary hepatocytes or high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice. Treatment with palmitic acid (PA) or HFD significantly increased the expression of miR‐33a in hepatocytes or liver tissues. In primary hepatocytes, miR‐33a mimic decreased mitochondrial function, including reduction of ATP production and oxygen consumption, whereas miR‐33a inhibition protected PA‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, miR‐33a selectively suppressed mitochondrial complex I activity and protein expression, but not other complexes. Through bioinformatics prediction, we found miR‐33a directly targeted on the 3′‐UTR of NDUFA5. Dual‐luciferase reporter analysis further confirmed the direct suppression of miR‐33a on NDUFA5 expression. More importantly, administration of miR‐33a antisense could effectively restore HFD‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction through up‐regulation of NDUFA5 levels. Mice treated with miR‐33a antisense also exhibited improved liver function and structural disorders under obese status. Taken together, miR‐33a was an important mediator of hepatocyte mitochondrial function, and the therapeutic benefits implied miR‐33a antisense had the potential clinical application in combating the fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hezhongrong Nie
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaohong Yu
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haihong He
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lintao Zhou
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Li
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunli Song
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Damin Wang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingyu Ren
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zeyan Chen
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hanlian Huang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dai
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiwen Zhou
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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8
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Rose S, Niyazov DM, Rossignol DA, Goldenthal M, Kahler SG, Frye RE. Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mol Diagn Ther 2018; 22:571-593. [PMID: 30039193 PMCID: PMC6132446 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0352-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects ~ 2% of children in the United States. The etiology of ASD likely involves environmental factors triggering physiological abnormalities in genetically sensitive individuals. One of these major physiological abnormalities is mitochondrial dysfunction, which may affect a significant subset of children with ASD. Here we systematically review the literature on human studies of mitochondrial dysfunction related to ASD. Clinical aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD include unusual neurodevelopmental regression, especially if triggered by an inflammatory event, gastrointestinal symptoms, seizures, motor delays, fatigue and lethargy. Traditional biomarkers of mitochondrial disease are widely reported to be abnormal in ASD, but appear non-specific. Newer biomarkers include buccal cell enzymology, biomarkers of fatty acid metabolism, non-mitochondrial enzyme function, apoptosis markers and mitochondrial antibodies. Many genetic abnormalities are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD, including chromosomal abnormalities, mitochondrial DNA mutations and large-scale deletions, and mutations in both mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial nuclear genes. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been described in immune and buccal cells, fibroblasts, muscle and gastrointestinal tissue and the brains of individuals with ASD. Several environmental factors, including toxicants, microbiome metabolites and an oxidized microenvironment are shown to modulate mitochondrial function in ASD tissues. Investigations of treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD are promising but preliminary. The etiology of mitochondrial dysfunction and how to define it in ASD is currently unclear. However, preliminary evidence suggests that the mitochondria may be a fruitful target for treatment and prevention of ASD. Further research is needed to better understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Dmitriy M Niyazov
- Section of Medical Genetics, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Michael Goldenthal
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Section, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen G Kahler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Richard E Frye
- Division of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas St, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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9
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Kim C, Potluri P, Khalil A, Gaut D, McManus M, Compton S, Wallace DC, Yadava N. An X-chromosome linked mouse model (Ndufa1 S55A) for systemic partial Complex I deficiency for studying predisposition to neurodegeneration and other diseases. Neurochem Int 2017; 109:78-93. [PMID: 28506826 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory chain Complex I deficiencies are the most common cause of mitochondrial diseases. Complex I biogenesis is controlled by 58 genes and at least 47 of these cause mitochondrial disease in humans. Two of these are X-chromosome linked nuclear (nDNA) genes (NDUFA1 and NDUFB11), and 7 are mitochondrial (mtDNA, MT-ND1-6, -4L) genes, which may be responsible for sex-dependent variation in the presentation of mitochondrial diseases. In this study, we describe an X-chromosome linked mouse model (Ndufa1S55A) for systemic partial Complex I deficiency. By homologous recombination, a point mutation T > G within 55th codon of the Ndufa1 gene was introduced. The resulting allele Ndufa1S55A introduced systemic serine-55-alanine (S55A) mutation within the MWFE protein, which is essential for Complex I assembly and stability. The S55A mutation caused systemic partial Complex I deficiency of ∼50% in both sexes. The mutant males (Ndufa1S55A/Y) displayed reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and produced less body heat. They were also hypoactive and ate less. They showed age-dependent Purkinje neurons degeneration. Metabolic profiling of brain, liver and serum from males showed reduced heme levels in mutants, which correlated with altered expressions of Fech and Hmox1 mRNAs in tissues. This is the first genuine X-chromosome linked mouse model for systemic partial Complex I deficiency, which shows age-dependent neurodegeneration. The effect of Complex I deficiency on survival patterns of males vs. females was different. We believe this model will be very useful for studying sex-dependent predisposition to both spontaneous and stress-induced neurodegeneration, cancer, diabetes and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul Kim
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Prasanth Potluri
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ahmed Khalil
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Daria Gaut
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meagan McManus
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shannon Compton
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nagendra Yadava
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, MA 01199, USA.
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10
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Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism: Biochemical Links, Genetic-Based Associations, and Non-Energy-Related Mechanisms. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017. [PMID: 28630658 PMCID: PMC5467355 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4314025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, represents a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. The underlying cause of autism is unknown and therapy is currently limited to targeting behavioral abnormalities. Emerging studies suggest a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and ASD. Here, we review the evidence demonstrating this potential connection. We focus specifically on biochemical links, genetic-based associations, non-energy related mechanisms, and novel therapeutic strategies.
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11
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Huang YP, Chang NW. PPARα modulates gene expression profiles of mitochondrial energy metabolism in oral tumorigenesis. Biomedicine (Taipei) 2016; 6:3. [PMID: 26869356 PMCID: PMC4751096 DOI: 10.7603/s40681-016-0003-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming plays a crucial role in the development of cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of fenofibrate, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), on gene expression profiles of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Our results showed that PPARα expression was negatively correlated with tumor progression in an oral cancer mouse model. Activation of PPARα through fenofibrate suppressed migration of oral cancer cells. Differential protein profiling demonstrated that expressions of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism were either up-regulated (Atp5g3, Cyc1, Ndufa5, Ndufa10, and Sdhd) or down-regulated (Cox5b, Ndufa1, Ndufb7, and Uqcrh) through PPARα activation and response. Our results indicate that PPARα exhibits a great potential for anti-oral cancer therapies by modulating cancer cell mitochondrial energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ping Huang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Nai Wen Chang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine,, China Medical University, 404, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Jeong JC, Chen X. A New Semantic Functional Similarity over Gene Ontology. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2015; 12:322-334. [PMID: 26357220 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2014.2343963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Identifying functionally similar or closely related genes and gene products has significant impacts on biological and clinical studies as well as drug discovery. In this paper, we propose an effective and practically useful method measuring both gene and gene product similarity by integrating the topology of gene ontology, known functional domains and their functional annotations. The proposed method is comprehensively evaluated through statistical analysis of the similarities derived from sequence, structure and phylogenetic profiles, and clustering analysis of disease genes clusters. Our results show that the proposed method clearly outperforms other conventional methods. Furthermore, literature analysis also reveals that the proposed method is both statistically and biologically promising for identifying functionally similar genes or gene products. In particular, we demonstrate that the proposed functional similarity metric is capable of discoverying new disease related genes or gene products.
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Bozek K, Wei Y, Yan Z, Liu X, Xiong J, Sugimoto M, Tomita M, Pääbo S, Sherwood CC, Hof PR, Ely JJ, Li Y, Steinhauser D, Willmitzer L, Giavalisco P, Khaitovich P. Organization and evolution of brain lipidome revealed by large-scale analysis of human, chimpanzee, macaque, and mouse tissues. Neuron 2015; 85:695-702. [PMID: 25661180 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipids are prominent components of the nervous system. Here we performed a large-scale mass spectrometry-based analysis of the lipid composition of three brain regions as well as kidney and skeletal muscle of humans, chimpanzees, rhesus macaques, and mice. The human brain shows the most distinct lipid composition: 76% of 5,713 lipid compounds examined in our study are either enriched or depleted in the human brain. Concentration levels of lipids enriched in the brain evolve approximately four times faster among primates compared with lipids characteristic of non-neural tissues and show further acceleration of change in human neocortical regions but not in the cerebellum. Human-specific concentration changes are supported by human-specific expression changes for corresponding enzymes. These results provide the first insights into the role of lipids in human brain evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bozek
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yuning Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiling Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jieyi Xiong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 997-0035 Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 997-0035 Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Svante Pääbo
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - John J Ely
- Alamogordo Primate Facility, Holloman AFB, Alamogordo, NM 88330, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinhauser
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lothar Willmitzer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Patrick Giavalisco
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Philipp Khaitovich
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Skoltech Center for Computational and Systems Biology, Skolkovo Institute for Science and Technology, Skolkovo 143025, Russia.
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Using extended pedigrees to identify novel autism spectrum disorder (ASD) candidate genes. Hum Genet 2014; 134:191-201. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-014-1513-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Common DNA methylation alterations in multiple brain regions in autism. Mol Psychiatry 2014; 19:862-71. [PMID: 23999529 PMCID: PMC4184909 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorders defined clinically by a triad of features including impairment in social interaction, impairment in communication in social situations and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests, with considerable phenotypic heterogeneity among individuals. Although heritability estimates for ASD are high, conventional genetic-based efforts to identify genes involved in ASD have yielded only few reproducible candidate genes that account for only a small proportion of ASDs. There is mounting evidence to suggest environmental and epigenetic factors play a stronger role in the etiology of ASD than previously thought. To begin to understand the contribution of epigenetics to ASD, we have examined DNA methylation (DNAm) in a pilot study of postmortem brain tissue from 19 autism cases and 21 unrelated controls, among three brain regions including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, temporal cortex and cerebellum. We measured over 485,000 CpG loci across a diverse set of functionally relevant genomic regions using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip and identified four genome-wide significant differentially methylated regions (DMRs) using a bump hunting approach and a permutation-based multiple testing correction method. We replicated 3/4 DMRs identified in our genome-wide screen in a different set of samples and across different brain regions. The DMRs identified in this study represent suggestive evidence for commonly altered methylation sites in ASD and provide several promising new candidate genes.
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Abstract
Mitochondrial complex I has a molecular mass of almost 1 MDa and comprises more than 40 polypeptides. Fourteen central subunits harbour the bioenergetic core functions. We are only beginning to understand the significance of the numerous accessory subunits. The present review addresses the role of accessory subunits for assembly, stability and regulation of complex I and for cellular functions not directly associated with redox-linked proton translocation.
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Abstract
Using data of the current prevalence of autism as 200:10,000 and a 1:2000 incidence of definite mitochondrial (mt) disease, if there was no linkage of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and mt disease, it would be expected that 1 in 110 subjects with mt disease would have ASD and 1 in 2000 individuals with ASD would have mt disease. The co-occurrence of autism and mt disease is much higher than these figures, suggesting a possible pathogenetic relationship. Such hypothesis was initially suggested by the presence of biochemical markers of abnormal mt metabolic function in patients with ASD, including elevation of lactate, pyruvate, or alanine levels in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or brain; carnitine level in plasma; and level of organic acids in urine, and by demonstrating impaired mt fatty acid β-oxidation. More recently, mtDNA genetic mutations or deletions or mutations of nuclear genes regulating mt function have been associated with ASD in patients or in neuropathologic studies on the brains of patients with autism. In addition, the presence of dysfunction of the complexes of the mt respiratory chain or electron transport chain, indicating abnormal oxidative phosphorylation, has been reported in patients with ASD and in the autopsy samples of brains. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms linking mt dysfunction and ASD include mt activation of the immune system, abnormal mt Ca(2+) handling, and mt-induced oxidative stress. Genetic and epigenetic regulation of brain development may also be disrupted by mt dysfunction, including mt-induced oxidative stress. The role of the purinergic system linking mt dysfunction and ASD is currently under investigation. In summary, there is genetic and biochemical evidence for a mitochondria (mt) role in the pathogenesis of ASD in a subset of children. To determine the prevalence and type of genetic and biochemical mt defects in ASD, there is a need for further research using the latest genetic technology such as next-generation sequencing, microarrays, bioinformatics, and biochemical assays. Because of the availability of potential therapeutic options for mt disease, successful research results could translate into better treatment and outcome for patients with mt-associated ASD. This requires a high index of suspicion of mt disease in children with autism who are diagnosed early.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Legido
- Section of Neurology, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
| | - Reena Jethva
- Section of Neurology, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Michael J Goldenthal
- Section of Neurology, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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Essa MM, Subash S, Braidy N, Al-Adawi S, Lim CK, Manivasagam T, Guillemin GJ. Role of NAD(+), Oxidative Stress, and Tryptophan Metabolism in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Tryptophan Res 2013; 6:15-28. [PMID: 23922500 PMCID: PMC3729335 DOI: 10.4137/ijtr.s11355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neuro-developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced/absent verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior during early childhood. The etiology of this developmental disorder is poorly understood, and no biomarkers have been identified. Identification of novel biochemical markers related to autism would be advantageous for earlier clinical diagnosis and intervention. Studies suggest that oxidative stress-induced mechanisms and reduced antioxidant defense, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energy metabolism (NAD(+), NADH, ATP, pyruvate, and lactate), are major causes of ASD. This review provides renewed insight regarding current autism research related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered tryptophan metabolism in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- Dept of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. ; School of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia
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Guo T, Wang W, Liu B, Chen H, Yang C. Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism and risk of autism spectrum disorders. J Int Med Res 2013; 41:725-34. [PMID: 23613504 DOI: 10.1177/0300060513479871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a family of childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders with complex genetic mechanisms underlying their aetiology. The aim of this case–control study was to evaluate the effect of the catechol-O-methyltransferase ( COMT) gene Val158Met polymorphism on ASD risk in a Chinese Han population. Methods The COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism in children (≤18 years old) with ASD and healthy control subjects. Results The frequency of the Val158/Val158 genotype in children with ASD (22/186; 11.8%) was significantly lower than in controls (38/186; 20.4%). When stratifying by select-item scores on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised protocol, it was found that children with ‘current overactivity’ and ‘ever overactivity’ had a significantly lower frequency of the Val158/Val158 genotype than those without. There were no significant associations between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and ASD subtypes. Conclusions The COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism may be a biomarker for phenotypic variation in ASD, but these preliminary findings remain tentative, pending replication in larger, independent samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyou Guo
- Department of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weiqian Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of WenZhou Medical College, WenZhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Psychology, WenZhou Medical College, WenZhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of WenZhou Medical College, WenZhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chuang Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of WenZhou Medical College, WenZhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Anitha A, Nakamura K, Thanseem I, Matsuzaki H, Miyachi T, Tsujii M, Iwata Y, Suzuki K, Sugiyama T, Mori N. Downregulation of the expression of mitochondrial electron transport complex genes in autism brains. Brain Pathol 2012; 23:294-302. [PMID: 23088660 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) and abnormal brain bioenergetics have been implicated in autism, suggesting possible candidate genes in the electron transport chain (ETC). We compared the expression of 84 ETC genes in the post-mortem brains of autism patients and controls. Brain tissues from the anterior cingulate gyrus, motor cortex, and thalamus of autism patients (n = 8) and controls (n = 10) were obtained from Autism Tissue Program, USA. Quantitative real-time PCR arrays were used to quantify gene expression. We observed reduced expression of several ETC genes in autism brains compared to controls. Eleven genes of Complex I, five genes each of Complex III and Complex IV, and seven genes of Complex V showed brain region-specific reduced expression in autism. ATP5A1 (Complex V), ATP5G3 (Complex V) and NDUFA5 (Complex I) showed consistently reduced expression in all the brain regions of autism patients. Upon silencing ATP5A1, the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 13 (MAPK13), a p38 MAPK responsive to stress stimuli, was upregulated in HEK 293 cells. This could have been induced by oxidative stress due to impaired ATP synthesis. We report new candidate genes involved in abnormal brain bioenergetics in autism, supporting the hypothesis that mitochondria, critical for neurodevelopment, may play a role in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyappan Anitha
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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