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Serrano-Juárez CA, Prieto-Corona B, Rodríguez-Camacho M, Sandoval-Lira L, Villalva-Sánchez ÁF, Yáñez-Téllez MG, López MFR. Neuropsychological Genotype-Phenotype in Patients with Williams Syndrome with Atypical Deletions: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2023; 33:891-911. [PMID: 36520254 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09571-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion in the q11.23 region of chromosome 7. Recent case series reports and clinical case studies have suggested that the cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social profile in WS could depend on the genes involved in the deletion. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesize the variability of the cognitive and behavioral profile of WS with atypical deletion and its probable relationship with the affected genes. The medical subject headings searched were "Williams syndrome," "genotype," "phenotype," "cognitive profile," and "atypical deletion." The studies included were in English or Spanish, with children and adults, and published between January 2000 and October 2022. Twenty-three studies are reported. The characteristics of the participants, the genes involved, the neuropsychological domains and instruments, and the prevalence of the WS cognitive profile criteria were used for the genotype-phenotype analysis. The genes with a major impact on the cognitive profile of WS were (a) LIMK1 and those belonging to the GTF2I family, the former with a greater influence on visuospatial abilities; (b) GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I, which have an impact on intellectual capacity as well as on visuospatial and social skills; (c) FZD9, BAZ1B, STX1A, and CLIP2, which influence the cognitive profile if other genes are also effected; and (d) GTF2IRD2, which is related to the severity of the effect on visuospatial and social skills, producing a behavioral phenotype like that of the autism spectrum. The review revealed four neuropsychological phenotypes, depending on the genes involved, and established the need for more comprehensive study of the neuropsychological profile of these patients. Based on the results found, we propose a model for the investigation of and clinical approach to the WS neuropsychological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Serrano-Juárez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Belén Prieto-Corona
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México.
| | - Mario Rodríguez-Camacho
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Lucero Sandoval-Lira
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Ángel Fernando Villalva-Sánchez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
| | - Ma Guillermina Yáñez-Téllez
- Neuroscience Group. Laboratorio de Neurometría, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios #1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, CP 54090, México
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2
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Nygaard KR, Maloney SE, Swift RG, McCullough KB, Wagner RE, Fass SB, Garbett K, Mirnics K, Veenstra‐VanderWeele J, Dougherty JD. Extensive characterization of a Williams syndrome murine model shows Gtf2ird1-mediated rescue of select sensorimotor tasks, but no effect on enhanced social behavior. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12853. [PMID: 37370259 PMCID: PMC10393419 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder exhibiting cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, including increased social motivation, risk of anxiety and specific phobias along with perturbed motor function. Williams syndrome is caused by a microdeletion of 26-28 genes on chromosome 7, including GTF2IRD1, which encodes a transcription factor suggested to play a role in the behavioral profile of Williams syndrome. Duplications of the full region also lead to frequent autism diagnosis, social phobias and language delay. Thus, genes in the region appear to regulate social motivation in a dose-sensitive manner. A "complete deletion" mouse, heterozygously eliminating the syntenic Williams syndrome region, has been deeply characterized for cardiac phenotypes, but direct measures of social motivation have not been assessed. Furthermore, the role of Gtf2ird1 in these behaviors has not been addressed in a relevant genetic context. Here, we have generated a mouse overexpressing Gtf2ird1, which can be used both to model duplication of this gene alone and to rescue Gtf2ird1 expression in the complete deletion mice. Using a comprehensive behavioral pipeline and direct measures of social motivation, we provide evidence that the Williams syndrome critical region regulates social motivation along with motor and anxiety phenotypes, but that Gtf2ird1 complementation is not sufficient to rescue most of these traits, and duplication does not decrease social motivation. However, Gtf2ird1 complementation does rescue light-aversive behavior and performance on select sensorimotor tasks, perhaps indicating a role for this gene in sensory processing or integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla R. Nygaard
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Susan E. Maloney
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research CenterWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Raylynn G. Swift
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Katherine B. McCullough
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Rachael E. Wagner
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Stuart B. Fass
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Karoly Mirnics
- Psychiatry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, Munroe‐Meyer Institute for Genetics and RehabilitationUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra‐VanderWeele
- Departments of Psychiatry and PediatricsColumbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York‐Presbyterian HospitalNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research CenterWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
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3
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Cummings CT, Starr LJ. Biallelic GTF2IRD1 variants in brothers with profound neurodevelopmental disorder: A possible novel disorder involving a critical gene for Williams syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:332-337. [PMID: 36308390 PMCID: PMC10091947 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63021] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
GTF2IRD1, a gene on chromosome 7 which encodes a transcription factor, is of significant clinical interest due to its heterozygous loss as part of the classical deletion associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). However, biallelic variants in GTF2IRD1 alone as part of an autosomal recessive disease have not been previously reported. Here, we present two full brothers with variants in trans of GTF2IRD1 at c.1231C > T (p.Arg411Trp) and c.2632C > G (p.Leu878Val). A detailed clinical phenotype is described, which includes severe neurodevelopmental disability, facial dysmorphology, and pectus excavatum. Importantly, out of eight full siblings, only these two brothers harboring both variants in trans present with the profound described phenotype. We present the possibility that these brothers represent the identification of a new syndrome characterized by biallelic variants in GTF2IRD1, which may also have important implications for the molecular etiology of WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Thomas Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Lois Janelle Starr
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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4
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Nygaard KR, Maloney SE, Swift RG, McCullough KB, Wagner RE, Fass SB, Garbett K, Mirnics K, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Dougherty JD. Extensive characterization of a Williams Syndrome murine model shows Gtf2ird1 -mediated rescue of select sensorimotor tasks, but no effect on enhanced social behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.18.523029. [PMID: 36711815 PMCID: PMC9882309 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.18.523029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder exhibiting cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, including increased social motivation, risk of anxiety and specific phobias along with perturbed motor function. Williams Syndrome is caused by a microdeletion of 26-28 genes on chromosome 7, including GTF2IRD1 , which encodes a transcription factor suggested to play a role in the behavioral profile of Williams Syndrome. Duplications of the full region also lead to frequent autism diagnosis, social phobias, and language delay. Thus, genes in the region appear to regulate social motivation in a dose-sensitive manner. A 'Complete Deletion' mouse, heterozygously eliminating the syntenic Williams Syndrome region, has been deeply characterized for cardiac phenotypes, but direct measures of social motivation have not been assessed. Furthermore, the role of Gtf2ird1 in these behaviors has not been addressed in a relevant genetic context. Here, we have generated a mouse overexpressing Gtf2ird1 , which can be used both to model duplication of this gene alone and to rescue Gtf2ird1 expression in the Complete Deletion mice. Using a comprehensive behavioral pipeline and direct measures of social motivation, we provide evidence that the Williams Syndrome Critical Region regulates social motivation along with motor and anxiety phenotypes, but that Gtf2ird1 complementation is not sufficient to rescue most of these traits, and duplication does not decrease social motivation. However, Gtf2ird1 complementation does rescue light-aversive behavior and performance on select sensorimotor tasks, perhaps indicating a role for this gene in sensory processing or integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla R. Nygaard
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan E. Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Raylynn G. Swift
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Katherine B. McCullough
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Rachael E. Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Stuart B. Fass
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Karoly Mirnics
- Psychiatry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-5450
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute; and Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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5
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Davenport CM, Teubner BJW, Han SB, Patton MH, Eom TY, Garic D, Lansdell BJ, Shirinifard A, Chang TC, Klein J, Pruett-Miller SM, Blundon JA, Zakharenko SS. Innate frequency-discrimination hyperacuity in Williams-Beuren syndrome mice. Cell 2022; 185:3877-3895.e21. [PMID: 36152627 PMCID: PMC9588278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare disorder caused by hemizygous microdeletion of ∼27 contiguous genes. Despite neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits, individuals with WBS have spared or enhanced musical and auditory abilities, potentially offering an insight into the genetic basis of auditory perception. Here, we report that the mouse models of WBS have innately enhanced frequency-discrimination acuity and improved frequency coding in the auditory cortex (ACx). Chemogenetic rescue showed frequency-discrimination hyperacuity is caused by hyperexcitable interneurons in the ACx. Haploinsufficiency of one WBS gene, Gtf2ird1, replicated WBS phenotypes by downregulating the neuropeptide receptor VIPR1. VIPR1 is reduced in the ACx of individuals with WBS and in the cerebral organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells with the WBS microdeletion. Vipr1 deletion or overexpression in ACx interneurons mimicked or reversed, respectively, the cellular and behavioral phenotypes of WBS mice. Thus, the Gtf2ird1-Vipr1 mechanism in ACx interneurons may underlie the superior auditory acuity in WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Davenport
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brett J W Teubner
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Seung Baek Han
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mary H Patton
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Tae-Yeon Eom
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Dusan Garic
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Benjamin J Lansdell
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Abbas Shirinifard
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ti-Cheng Chang
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jonathon Klein
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jay A Blundon
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stanislav S Zakharenko
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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6
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Thudium S, Palozola K, L'Her É, Korb E. Identification of a transcriptional signature found in multiple models of ASD and related disorders. Genome Res 2022; 32:1642-1654. [PMID: 36104286 PMCID: PMC9528985 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276591.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, many such disorders are the result of mutations in genes that encode chromatin-modifying proteins. However, although these disorders share many features, it is unclear whether they also share gene expression disruptions resulting from the aberrant regulation of chromatin. We examined five chromatin modifiers that are all linked to ASD despite their different roles in regulating chromatin. Specifically, we depleted ASH1L, CHD8, CREBBP, EHMT1, and NSD1 in parallel in a highly controlled neuronal culture system. We then identified sets of shared genes, or transcriptional signatures, that are differentially expressed following loss of multiple ASD-linked chromatin modifiers. We examined the functions of genes within the transcriptional signatures and found an enrichment in many neurotransmitter transport genes and activity-dependent genes. In addition, these genes are enriched for specific chromatin features such as bivalent domains that allow for highly dynamic regulation of gene expression. The down-regulated transcriptional signature is also observed within multiple mouse models of NDDs that result in ASD, but not those only associated with intellectual disability. Finally, the down-regulated transcriptional signature can distinguish between control and idiopathic ASD patient iPSC-derived neurons as well as postmortem tissue, demonstrating that this gene set is relevant to the human disorder. This work identifies a transcriptional signature that is found within many neurodevelopmental syndromes, helping to elucidate the link between epigenetic regulation and the underlying cellular mechanisms that result in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Thudium
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Katherine Palozola
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Éloïse L'Her
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Erica Korb
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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7
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Lu Y, Shi C, Jin X, He J, Yin Z. Domestication of farmed fish via the attenuation of stress responses mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-inter-renal endocrine axis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:923475. [PMID: 35937837 PMCID: PMC9353172 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.923475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-directed domestication of terrestrial animals traditionally requires thousands of years for breeding. The most prominent behavioral features of domesticated animals include reduced aggression and enhanced tameness relative to their wild forebears, and such behaviors improve the social tolerance of domestic animals toward both humans and crowds of their own species. These behavioral responses are primarily mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (inter-renal in fish) (HPA/I) endocrine axis, which is involved in the rapid conversion of neuronal-derived perceptual information into hormonal signals. Over recent decades, growing evidence implicating the attenuation of the HPA/I axis during the domestication of animals have been identified through comprehensive genomic analyses of the paleogenomic datasets of wild progenitors and their domestic congeners. Compared with that of terrestrial animals, domestication of most farmed fish species remains at early stages. The present review focuses on the application of HPI signaling attenuation to accelerate the domestication and genetic breeding of farmed fish. We anticipate that deeper understanding of HPI signaling and its implementation in the domestication of farmed fish will benefit genetic breeding to meet the global demands of the aquaculture industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
- *Correspondence: Zhan Yin,
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8
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Kopp ND, Nygaard KR, Liu Y, McCullough KB, Maloney SE, Gabel HW, Dougherty JD. Functions of Gtf2i and Gtf2ird1 in the developing brain: transcription, DNA binding and long-term behavioral consequences. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1498-1519. [PMID: 32313931 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gtf2ird1 and Gtf2i are two transcription factors (TFs) among the 28 genes deleted in Williams syndrome, and prior mouse models of each TF show behavioral phenotypes. Here we identify their genomic binding sites in the developing brain and test for additive effects of their mutation on transcription and behavior. GTF2IRD1 binding targets were enriched for transcriptional and chromatin regulators and mediators of ubiquitination. GTF2I targets were enriched for signal transduction proteins, including regulators of phosphorylation and WNT. Both TFs are highly enriched at promoters, strongly overlap CTCF binding and topological associating domain boundaries and moderately overlap each other, suggesting epistatic effects. Shared TF targets are enriched for reactive oxygen species-responsive genes, synaptic proteins and transcription regulators such as chromatin modifiers, including a significant number of highly constrained genes and known ASD genes. We next used single and double mutants to test whether mutating both TFs will modify transcriptional and behavioral phenotypes of single Gtf2ird1 mutants, though with the caveat that our Gtf2ird1 mutants, like others previously reported, do produce low levels of a truncated protein product. Despite little difference in DNA binding and transcriptome-wide expression, homozygous Gtf2ird1 mutation caused balance, marble burying and conditioned fear phenotypes. However, mutating Gtf2i in addition to Gtf2ird1 did not further modify transcriptomic or most behavioral phenotypes, suggesting Gtf2ird1 mutation alone was sufficient for the observed phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Kopp
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kayla R Nygaard
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yating Liu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Katherine B McCullough
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Harrison W Gabel
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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9
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López ME, Cádiz MI, Rondeau EB, Koop BF, Yáñez JM. Detection of selection signatures in farmed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) using dense genome-wide information. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9685. [PMID: 33958603 PMCID: PMC8102513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86154-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal domestication and artificial selection give rise to gradual changes at the genomic level in populations. Subsequent footprints of selection, known as selection signatures or selective sweeps, have been traced in the genomes of many animal livestock species by exploiting variation in linkage disequilibrium patterns and/or reduction of genetic diversity. Domestication of most aquatic species is recent in comparison with land animals, and salmonids are one of the most important fish species in aquaculture. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), cultivated primarily in Chile, has been subjected to breeding programs to improve growth, disease resistance traits, and flesh color. This study aimed to identify selection signatures that may be involved in adaptation to culture conditions and traits of productive interest. To do so, individuals of two domestic populations cultured in Chile were genotyped with 200 thousand SNPs, and analyses were conducted using iHS, XP-EHH and CLR. Several signatures of selection on different chromosomal regions were detected across both populations. Some of the identified regions under selection contained genes such anapc2, alad, chp2 and myn, which have been previously associated with body weight in Atlantic salmon, or sec24d and robo1, which have been associated with resistance to Piscirickettsia salmonis in coho salmon. Findings in our study can contribute to an integrated genome-wide map of selection signatures, to help identify the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic diversity in coho salmon.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E López
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Drottningholm, Sweden
| | - M I Cádiz
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - E B Rondeau
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - B F Koop
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - J M Yáñez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, Chile.
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10
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Šimić G, Vukić V, Kopić J, Krsnik Ž, Hof PR. Molecules, Mechanisms, and Disorders of Self-Domestication: Keys for Understanding Emotional and Social Communication from an Evolutionary Perspective. Biomolecules 2020; 11:E2. [PMID: 33375093 PMCID: PMC7822183 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest hypothesis states that the phenotypic features of the domestication syndrome are due to a reduced number or disruption of neural crest cells (NCCs) migration, as these cells differentiate at their final destinations and proliferate into different tissues whose activity is reduced by domestication. Comparing the phenotypic characteristics of modern and prehistoric man, it is clear that during their recent evolutionary past, humans also went through a process of self-domestication with a simultaneous prolongation of the period of socialization. This has led to the development of social abilities and skills, especially language, as well as neoteny. Disorders of neural crest cell development and migration lead to many different conditions such as Waardenburg syndrome, Hirschsprung disease, fetal alcohol syndrome, DiGeorge and Treacher-Collins syndrome, for which the mechanisms are already relatively well-known. However, for others, such as Williams-Beuren syndrome and schizophrenia that have the characteristics of hyperdomestication, and autism spectrum disorders, and 7dupASD syndrome that have the characteristics of hypodomestication, much less is known. Thus, deciphering the biological determinants of disordered self-domestication has great potential for elucidating the normal and disturbed ontogenesis of humans, as well as for the understanding of evolution of mammals in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Vana Vukić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Janja Kopić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Željka Krsnik
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (V.V.); (J.K.); (Ž.K.)
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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11
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Cavallo F, Troglio F, Fagà G, Fancelli D, Shyti R, Trattaro S, Zanella M, D'Agostino G, Hughes JM, Cera MR, Pasi M, Gabriele M, Lazzarin M, Mihailovich M, Kooy F, Rosa A, Mercurio C, Varasi M, Testa G. High-throughput screening identifies histone deacetylase inhibitors that modulate GTF2I expression in 7q11.23 microduplication autism spectrum disorder patient-derived cortical neurons. Mol Autism 2020; 11:88. [PMID: 33208191 PMCID: PMC7677843 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00387-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting almost 1% of children, and represents a major unmet medical need with no effective drug treatment available. Duplication at 7q11.23 (7Dup), encompassing 26–28 genes, is one of the best characterized ASD-causing copy number variations and offers unique translational opportunities, because the hemideletion of the same interval causes Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS), a condition defined by hypersociability and language strengths, thereby providing a unique reference to validate treatments for the ASD symptoms. In the above-indicated interval at 7q11.23, defined as WBS critical region, several genes, such as GTF2I, BAZ1B, CLIP2 and EIF4H, emerged as critical for their role in the pathogenesis of WBS and 7Dup both from mouse models and human studies. Methods We performed a high-throughput screening of 1478 compounds, including central nervous system agents, epigenetic modulators and experimental substances, on patient-derived cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from our cohort of induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSCs), monitoring the transcriptional modulation of WBS interval genes, with a special focus on GTF2I, in light of its overriding pathogenic role. The hits identified were validated by measuring gene expression by qRT-PCR and the results were confirmed by western blotting. Results We identified and selected three histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) that decreased the abnormal expression level of GTF2I in 7Dup cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from four genetically different iPSC lines. We confirmed this effect also at the protein level. Limitations In this study, we did not address the molecular mechanisms whereby HDAC inhibitors act on GTF2I. The lead compounds identified will now need to be advanced to further testing in additional models, including patient-derived brain organoids and mouse models recapitulating the gene imbalances of the 7q11.23 microduplication, in order to validate their efficacy in rescuing phenotypes across multiple functional layers within a translational pipeline towards clinical use. Conclusions These results represent a unique opportunity for the development of a specific class of compounds for treating 7Dup and other forms of intellectual disability and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cavallo
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Troglio
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fagà
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Fancelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Reinald Shyti
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Zanella
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Evotec SE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giuseppe D'Agostino
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - James M Hughes
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo Cancer Institute, SP 142 Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Cera
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pasi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Gabriele
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Maddalena Lazzarin
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marija Mihailovich
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Mercurio
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Varasi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy. .,Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso, 171, 20157, Milan, Italy.
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12
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Saitow F, Takumi T, Suzuki H. Upregulated 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated currents in the prefrontal cortex layer 5 neurons in the 15q11-13 duplication mouse model of autism. Mol Brain 2020; 13:115. [PMID: 32831117 PMCID: PMC7444243 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00655-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a well-known modulator of behavioral, physiological, and emotional functions of the forebrain region. We recently discovered alterations of serotonergic synaptic modulations in both, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the somatosensory cortex, in the 15q dup mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To further understand the roles of the 5-HT system implicated in developmental disorders such as ASD, comparison with model animals exhibiting different phenotypes may be useful. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sociability and the magnitude of 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) activation-induced outward currents from layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the PFC, because a mouse model of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS; another developmental disorder exhibiting low innate anxiety and high sociability) reportedly showed larger 5-HT-induced currents. To investigate whether the 5-HT1AR activation-induced outward currents are involved in the endophenotype determination of social behavior, we examined 15q dup mice with a phenotype opposite to WBS. We found 5-HT elicited significantly larger outward currents in 15q dup mice than in WT controls, regardless of sociability. In contrast, baclofen-induced GABAB receptor-mediated outward currents were not significantly different between genotypes, although GABAB receptor was coupled to Gi/o as well as 5-HT1A. Further, we found the larger 5-HT1AR-mediated currents in 15q dup mice did not affect the magnitude of inhibitory action of NMDA receptor functions. Taken together, our results provide a potential physiological hallmark for developmental disorders that may involve the imbalance of the neuronal circuity in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Saitow
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hidenori Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
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13
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Gorlova A, Ortega G, Waider J, Bazhenova N, Veniaminova E, Proshin A, Kalueff AV, Anthony DC, Lesch KP, Strekalova T. Stress-induced aggression in heterozygous TPH2 mutant mice is associated with alterations in serotonin turnover and expression of 5-HT6 and AMPA subunit 2A receptors. J Affect Disord 2020; 272:440-451. [PMID: 32553388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contribution of gene-environment interactions that lead to excessive aggression is poorly understood. Environmental stressors and mutations of the gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) are known to influence aggression. For example, TPH2 null mutant mice (Tph2-/-) are naturally highly aggressive, while heterozygous mice (Tph2+/-) lack a behavioral phenotype and are considered endophenotypically normal. Here we sought to discover whether an environmental stressor would affect the phenotype of the genetically 'susceptible' heterozygous mice (Tph2+/-). METHODS Tph2+/- male mice or Tph2+/+ controls were subjected to a five-day long rat exposure stress paradigm. Brain serotonin metabolism and the expression of selected genes encoding serotonin receptors, AMPA receptors, and stress markers were studied. RESULTS Stressed Tph2+/- mice displayed increased levels of aggression and social dominance, whereas Tph2+/+ animals became less aggressive and less dominant. Brain tissue concentrations of serotonin, its precursor hydroxytryptophan and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly altered in all groups in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, hippocampus and dorsal raphe after stress. Compared to non-stressed animals, the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptophan was elevated in the amygdala though decreased in the other brain structures. The overexpression of the AMPA receptor subunit, GluA2, and downregulation of 5-HT6 receptor, as well as overexpression of c-fos and glycogen-synthase-kinase-3β (GSK3-β), were found in most structures of the stressed Tph2+/- mice. LIMITATIONS Rescue experiments would help to verify causal relationships of reported changes. CONCLUSIONS The interaction of a partial TPH2 gene deficit with stress results in pathological aggression and molecular changes, and suggests that the presence of genetic susceptibility can augment aggression in seemingly resistant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gorlova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriela Ortega
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Bazhenova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Veniaminova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrey Proshin
- PK Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China with Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University and Almazov Medical Research Center, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg Russia
| | - Daniel C Anthony
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia.
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14
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Kopp N, McCullough K, Maloney SE, Dougherty JD. Gtf2i and Gtf2ird1 mutation do not account for the full phenotypic effect of the Williams syndrome critical region in mouse models. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3443-3465. [PMID: 31418010 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a 1.5-1.8 Mbp deletion on chromosome 7q11.23, affecting the copy number of 26-28 genes. Phenotypes of WS include cardiovascular problems, craniofacial dysmorphology, deficits in visual-spatial cognition and a characteristic hypersocial personality. There are still no genes in the region that have been consistently linked to the cognitive and behavioral phenotypes, although human studies and mouse models have led to the current hypothesis that the general transcription factor 2 I family of genes, GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, are responsible. Here we test the hypothesis that these two transcription factors are sufficient to reproduce the phenotypes that are caused by deletion of the WS critical region (WSCR). We compare a new mouse model with loss of function mutations in both Gtf2i and Gtf2ird1 to an established mouse model lacking the complete WSCR. We show that the complete deletion (CD) model has deficits across several behavioral domains including social communication, motor functioning and conditioned fear that are not explained by loss of function mutations in Gtf2i and Gtf2ird1. Furthermore, transcriptome profiling of the hippocampus shows changes in synaptic genes in the CD model that are not seen in the double mutants. Thus, we have thoroughly defined a set of molecular and behavioral consequences of complete WSCR deletion and shown that genes or combinations of genes beyond Gtf2i and Gtf2ird1 are necessary to produce these phenotypic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Kopp
- Department of Genetics.,Department of Psychiatry
| | | | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics.,Department of Psychiatry.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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15
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Lew CH, Groeniger KM, Hanson KL, Cuevas D, Greiner DMZ, Hrvoj-Mihic B, Bellugi U, Schumann CM, Semendeferi K. Serotonergic innervation of the amygdala is increased in autism spectrum disorder and decreased in Williams syndrome. Mol Autism 2020; 11:12. [PMID: 32024554 PMCID: PMC7003328 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that demonstrate overlapping genetic associations, dichotomous sociobehavioral phenotypes, and dichotomous pathological differences in neuronal distribution in key social brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. The serotonergic system is critical to many processes underlying neurodevelopment and is additionally an important neuromodulator associated with behavioral variation. The amygdala is heavily innervated by serotonergic projections, suggesting that the serotonergic system is a significant mediator of neuronal activity. Disruptions to the serotonergic system, and atypical structure and function of the amygdala, are implicated in both WS and ASD. METHODS We quantified the serotonergic axon density in the four major subdivisions of the amygdala in the postmortem brains of individuals diagnosed with ASD and WS and neurotypical (NT) brains. RESULTS We found opposing directions of change in serotonergic innervation in the two disorders, with ASD displaying an increase in serotonergic axons compared to NT and WS displaying a decrease. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between WS and ASD data sets across multiple amygdala nuclei. LIMITATIONS This study is limited by the availability of human postmortem tissue. Small sample size is an unavoidable limitation of most postmortem human brain research and particularly postmortem research in rare disorders. CONCLUSIONS Differential alterations to serotonergic innervation of the amygdala may contribute to differences in sociobehavioral phenotype in WS and ASD. These findings will inform future work identifying targets for future therapeutics in these and other disorders characterized by atypical social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Lew
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - K M Groeniger
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - K L Hanson
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - D Cuevas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - D M Z Greiner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - B Hrvoj-Mihic
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - U Bellugi
- Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, San Diego, USA
| | - C M Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, the MIND Institute, Sacramento, USA
| | - K Semendeferi
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, USA.
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16
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Niego A, Benítez-Burraco A. Williams Syndrome, Human Self-Domestication, and Language Evolution. Front Psychol 2019; 10:521. [PMID: 30936846 PMCID: PMC6431629 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Language evolution resulted from changes in our biology, behavior, and culture. One source of these changes might be human self-domestication. Williams syndrome (WS) is a clinical condition with a clearly defined genetic basis which results in a distinctive behavioral and cognitive profile, including enhanced sociability. In this paper we show evidence that the WS phenotype can be satisfactorily construed as a hyper-domesticated human phenotype, plausibly resulting from the effect of the WS hemideletion on selected candidates for domestication and neural crest (NC) function. Specifically, we show that genes involved in animal domestication and NC development and function are significantly dysregulated in the blood of subjects with WS. We also discuss the consequences of this link between domestication and WS for our current understanding of language evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Niego
- Ph.D. Program, Faculty of Humanities, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Antonio Benítez-Burraco
- Department of Spanish, Linguistics, and Theory of Literature, Faculty of Philology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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17
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Lahtinen A, Puttonen S, Vanttola P, Viitasalo K, Sulkava S, Pervjakova N, Joensuu A, Salo P, Toivola A, Härmä M, Milani L, Perola M, Paunio T. A distinctive DNA methylation pattern in insufficient sleep. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1193. [PMID: 30718923 PMCID: PMC6362278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Short sleep duration or insomnia may lead to an increased risk of various psychiatric and cardio-metabolic conditions. Since DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, studies of differentially methylated positions (DMPs) might be valuable for understanding the mechanisms underlying insomnia. We performed a cross-sectional genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in relation to self-reported insufficient sleep in individuals from a community-based sample (79 men, aged 39.3 ± 7.3), and in relation to shift work disorder in an occupational cohort (26 men, aged 44.9 ± 9.0). The analysis of DNA methylation data revealed that genes corresponding to selected DMPs form a distinctive pathway: "Nervous System Development" (FDR P value < 0.05). We found that 78% of the DMPs were hypomethylated in cases in both cohorts, suggesting that insufficient sleep may be associated with loss of DNA methylation. A karyoplot revealed clusters of DMPs at various chromosomal regions, including 12 DMPs on chromosome 17, previously associated with Smith-Magenis syndrome, a rare condition comprising disturbed sleep and inverse circadian rhythm. Our findings give novel insights into the DNA methylation patterns associated with sleep loss, possibly modifying processes related to neuroplasticity and neurodegeneration. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the observed associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lahtinen
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 590, FIN-00029, HUS, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sampsa Puttonen
- Work Ability and Working Career, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 40, FI-00032, Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Vanttola
- Work Ability and Working Career, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 40, FI-00032, Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Sonja Sulkava
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 590, FIN-00029, HUS, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Natalia Pervjakova
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
| | - Anni Joensuu
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Program, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Perttu Salo
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Auli Toivola
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Härmä
- Work Ability and Working Career, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 40, FI-00032, Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lili Milani
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
| | - Markus Perola
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Program, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Paunio
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, PO Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 590, FIN-00029, HUS, Helsinki, Finland.
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18
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Bastounes ER, Rando HM, Johnson JL, Trut LN, Sacks BN, Driscoll CA, vonHoldt B, Kukekova AV. Four structural variants associated with human-directed sociability in dogs are not found in tame red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Anim Genet 2018; 50:116-118. [PMID: 30537086 DOI: 10.1111/age.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Estelle R Bastounes
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Halie M Rando
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.,Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Jennifer L Johnson
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Lyudmila N Trut
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Benjamin N Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Carlos A Driscoll
- Laboratory of Comparative Behavioral Genomics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9412, USA
| | - Bridgett vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544-2016, USA
| | - Anna V Kukekova
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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19
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Cognitive, Behavioral, and Adaptive Profiles in Williams Syndrome With and Without Loss of GTF2IRD2. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2018; 24:896-904. [PMID: 30375319 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617718000711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from a heterozygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23. Most of the time, the affected region contains ~1.5 Mb of sequence encoding approximately 24 genes. Some 5-8% of patients with WS have a deletion exceeding 1.8 Mb, thereby affecting two additional genes, including GTF2IRD2. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the implications of GTF2IRD2 loss for the neuropsychological phenotype of WS patients. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to identify the role of GTF2IRD2 in the cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive profile of WS patients. METHODS Twelve patients diagnosed with WS participated, four with GTF2IRD2 deletion (atypical WS group), and eight without this deletion (typical WS group). The age range of both groups was 7-18 years old. Each patient's 7q11.23 deletion scope was determined by chromosomal microarray analysis. Cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive abilities were assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS Compared with the typical WS group, the atypical WS patients with GTF2IRD2 deletion had more impaired visuospatial abilities and more significant behavioral problems, mainly related to the construct of social cognition. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new evidence regarding the influence of the GTF2IRD2 gene on the severity of behavioral symptoms of WS related to social cognition and certain visuospatial abilities. (JINS, 2018, 24, 896-904).
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20
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Toth M. The other side of the coin: Hypersociability. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12512. [PMID: 30101538 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Affiliative social motivation and behavior, that is, sociability that includes attachment, prosocial behavior (sharing, caring and helping) and empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others), has high variability in the human population, with a portion of people outside of the normal range. While psychiatric disorders and autism spectrum disorders are typically associated with a deficit in social behavior, the opposite trait of hypersociability and indiscriminate friendliness are exhibited by individual with specific neurodevelopmental disorders and following early adverse care. Here we discuss both genetic and environmental factors that cause or increase the risk for developing pathological hypersociability from human to rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklos Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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21
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Kopp ND, Parrish PCR, Lugo M, Dougherty JD, Kozel BA. Exome sequencing of 85 Williams-Beuren syndrome cases rules out coding variation as a major contributor to remaining variance in social behavior. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018; 6:749-765. [PMID: 30008175 PMCID: PMC6160704 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large, multigenic deletions at chromosome 7q11.23 result in a highly penetrant constellation of physical and behavioral symptoms known as Williams-Beuren syndrome (WS). Of particular interest is the unusual social-cognitive profile evidenced by deficits in social cognition and communication reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that are juxtaposed with normal or even relatively enhanced social motivation. Interestingly, duplications in the same region also result in ASD-like phenotypes as well as social phobias. Thus, the region clearly regulates human social motivation and behavior, yet the relevant gene(s) have not been definitively identified. METHOD Here, we deeply phenotyped 85 individuals with WS and used exome sequencing to analyze common and rare variation for association with the remaining variance in social behavior as assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale. RESULTS We replicated the previously reported unusual juxtaposition of behavioral symptoms in this new patient collection, but we did not find any new alleles of large effect in the targeted analysis of the remaining copy of genes in the Williams syndrome critical region. However, we report on two nominally significant SNPs in two genes that have been implicated in the cognitive and social phenotypes of Williams syndrome, BAZ1B and GTF2IRD1. Secondary discovery driven explorations focusing on known ASD genes and an exome wide scan do not highlight any variants of a large effect. CONCLUSIONS Whole exome sequencing of 85 individuals with WS did not support the hypothesis that there are variants of large effect within the remaining Williams syndrome critical region that contribute to the social phenotype. This deeply phenotyped and genotyped patient cohort with a defined mutation provides the opportunity for similar analyses focusing on noncoding variation and/or other phenotypic domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Kopp
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
| | - Phoebe C. R. Parrish
- National Heart Lung and Blood InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland
| | - Michael Lugo
- National Heart Lung and Blood InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland
- Department of PediatricsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
- Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
| | - Beth A. Kozel
- National Heart Lung and Blood InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland
- Department of PediatricsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
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22
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Jager A, Maas DA, Fricke K, de Vries RB, Poelmans G, Glennon JC. Aggressive behavior in transgenic animal models: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 91:198-217. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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Fan CC, Schork AJ, Brown TT, Spencer BE, Akshoomoff N, Chen CH, Kuperman JM, Hagler DJ, Steen VM, Le Hellard S, Håberg AK, Espeseth T, Andreassen OA, Dale AM, Jernigan TL, Halgren E. Williams Syndrome neuroanatomical score associates with GTF2IRD1 in large-scale magnetic resonance imaging cohorts: a proof of concept for multivariate endophenotypes. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:114. [PMID: 29884845 PMCID: PMC5993783 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0166-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great interest in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for studying the effects of genes on brain structure in humans, current approaches have focused almost entirely on predefined regions of interest and had limited success. Here, we used multivariate methods to define a single neuroanatomical score of how William's Syndrome (WS) brains deviate structurally from controls. The score is trained and validated on measures of T1 structural brain imaging in two WS cohorts (training, n = 38; validating, n = 60). We then associated this score with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the WS hemi-deleted region in five cohorts of neurologically and psychiatrically typical individuals (healthy European descendants, n = 1863). Among 110 SNPs within the 7q11.23 WS chromosomal region, we found one associated locus (p = 5e-5) located at GTF2IRD1, which has been implicated in animal models of WS. Furthermore, the genetic signals of neuroanatomical scores are highly enriched locally in the 7q11.23 compared with summary statistics based on regions of interest, such as hippocampal volumes (n = 12,596), and also globally (SNP-heritability = 0.82, se = 0.25, p = 5e-4). The role of genetic variability in GTF2IRD1 during neurodevelopment extends to healthy subjects. Our approach of learning MRI-derived phenotypes from clinical populations with well-established brain abnormalities characterized by known genetic lesions may be a powerful alternative to traditional region of interest-based studies for identifying genetic variants regulating typical brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chieh Fan
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Andrew J Schork
- Institute for Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Sct. Hans, Capital Region of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Timothy T Brown
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Center for Human Development, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Barbara E Spencer
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Natacha Akshoomoff
- Center for Human Development, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Chi-Hua Chen
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Joshua M Kuperman
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vidar M Steen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Dr. E. Martens Research Group of Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephanie Le Hellard
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Dr. E. Martens Research Group of Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Asta Kristine Håberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Radiology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thomas Espeseth
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Terry L Jernigan
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Human Development, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Eric Halgren
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Center for Human Brain Activity Mapping, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 3510 Dunhill Street, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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24
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Hasegawa Y, Ikeda K, Chen Y, Alba DL, Stifler D, Shinoda K, Hosono T, Maretich P, Yang Y, Ishigaki Y, Chi J, Cohen P, Koliwad SK, Kajimura S. Repression of Adipose Tissue Fibrosis through a PRDM16-GTF2IRD1 Complex Improves Systemic Glucose Homeostasis. Cell Metab 2018; 27:180-194.e6. [PMID: 29320702 PMCID: PMC5765755 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Adipose tissue fibrosis is a hallmark of malfunction that is linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes; however, what regulates this process remains unclear. Here we show that the PRDM16 transcriptional complex, a dominant activator of brown/beige adipocyte development, potently represses adipose tissue fibrosis in an uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-independent manner. By purifying the PRDM16 complex, we identified GTF2IRD1, a member of the TFII-I family of DNA-binding proteins, as a cold-inducible transcription factor that mediates the repressive action of the PRDM16 complex on fibrosis. Adipocyte-selective expression of GTF2IRD1 represses adipose tissue fibrosis and improves systemic glucose homeostasis independent of body-weight loss, while deleting GTF2IRD1 promotes fibrosis in a cell-autonomous manner. GTF2IRD1 represses the transcription of transforming growth factor β-dependent pro-fibrosis genes by recruiting PRDM16 and EHMT1 onto their promoter/enhancer regions. These results suggest a mechanism by which repression of obesity-associated adipose tissue fibrosis through the PRDM16 complex leads to an improvement in systemic glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Hasegawa
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Uchimaru, Japan
| | - Kenji Ikeda
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yong Chen
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diana L Alba
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Stifler
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kosaku Shinoda
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Takashi Hosono
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Life Science, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pema Maretich
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yangyu Yang
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yasushi Ishigaki
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Uchimaru, Japan
| | - Jingyi Chi
- The Rockefeller University, Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Cohen
- The Rockefeller University, Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suneil K Koliwad
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Shingo Kajimura
- UCSF Diabetes Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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25
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Crespi BJ, Procyshyn TL. Williams syndrome deletions and duplications: Genetic windows to understanding anxiety, sociality, autism, and schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 79:14-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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26
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vonHoldt BM, Shuldiner E, Koch IJ, Kartzinel RY, Hogan A, Brubaker L, Wanser S, Stahler D, Wynne CDL, Ostrander EA, Sinsheimer JS, Udell MAR. Structural variants in genes associated with human Williams-Beuren syndrome underlie stereotypical hypersociability in domestic dogs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1700398. [PMID: 28776031 PMCID: PMC5517105 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1700398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the genetic basis of morphologic traits (for example, body size and coat color) in dogs and wolves, the genetic basis of their behavioral divergence is poorly understood. An integrative approach using both behavioral and genetic data is required to understand the molecular underpinnings of the various behavioral characteristics associated with domestication. We analyze a 5-Mb genomic region on chromosome 6 previously found to be under positive selection in domestic dog breeds. Deletion of this region in humans is linked to Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a multisystem congenital disorder characterized by hypersocial behavior. We associate quantitative data on behavioral phenotypes symptomatic of WBS in humans with structural changes in the WBS locus in dogs. We find that hypersociability, a central feature of WBS, is also a core element of domestication that distinguishes dogs from wolves. We provide evidence that structural variants in GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, genes previously implicated in the behavioral phenotype of patients with WBS and contained within the WBS locus, contribute to extreme sociability in dogs. This finding suggests that there are commonalities in the genetic architecture of WBS and canine tameness and that directional selection may have targeted a unique set of linked behavioral genes of large phenotypic effect, allowing for rapid behavioral divergence of dogs and wolves, facilitating coexistence with humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgett M. vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Emily Shuldiner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ilana Janowitz Koch
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rebecca Y. Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Andrew Hogan
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lauren Brubaker
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, OR 97331, USA
| | - Shelby Wanser
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, OR 97331, USA
| | - Daniel Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
| | - Clive D. L. Wynne
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Elaine A. Ostrander
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Janet S. Sinsheimer
- Departments of Human Genetics and Biomathematics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Monique A. R. Udell
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, OR 97331, USA
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27
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Schwartzer JJ, Careaga M, Coburn MA, Rose DR, Hughes HK, Ashwood P. Behavioral impact of maternal allergic-asthma in two genetically distinct mouse strains. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:99-107. [PMID: 27622677 PMCID: PMC5346064 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent population-based studies of expecting mothers identified a unique profile of immune markers that are associated with an increased risk of having a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This immune profile, including increased levels of maternal and placental interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, is consistent with an immune response found in an allergic-asthma phenotype. Allergies and asthma reflect an imbalance in immune responses including polarization towards T-helper type 2 (TH2) responses, with both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors affecting this T-cell polarization. Mouse strains provide a known and controlled source of genetic diversity to explore the role of genetic predisposition on environmental factors. In particular, the FVB background exhibits a skew towards TH2-mediated allergic-asthma response in traditional models of asthma whereas the C57 strain exhibits a more blunted TH2 polarized phenotype resulting in an attenuated allergic-asthma response. C57BL/6J (C57) and the sighted FVB.129P2-Pde6b(+) Tyr(c-ch)/Ant (FVB/Ant) lines were selected based on their characteristic high sociability and differing sensitivity to TH2-mediated stimuli. Based on the distinct allergy-sensitive immune responses of these two strains, we hypothesized that unique developmental consequences would occur in offspring following maternal allergy-asthma exposure. Female C57 and FVB/Ant dams were primed/sensitized with an exposure to ovalbumin (OVA) before pregnancy, then exposed to either aerosolized OVA or PBS-vehicle throughout gestation. Sera from pregnant dams were analyzed for changes in cytokine profiles using multiplex-arrays and offspring were assessed for changes in autism-like behavioral responses. Analysis of maternal sera revealed elevated IL-4 and IL-5 in OVA-treated dams of both strains but only C57 mice expressed increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and IL-17. Behavioral assessments revealed strain-dependent changes in juvenile reciprocal social interaction in offspring of maternal allergic asthma dams. Moreover, mice of both strains showed decreased repetitive grooming and increased marble burying behavior when born to OVA-exposed dams. Together, these findings support the important role genetic predisposition plays in the effects of maternal immune activation and underscore differences in ASD-like behavioral outcomes across mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J. Schwartzer
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
| | - Milo Careaga
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Morgan A. Coburn
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
| | - Destanie R. Rose
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Heather K. Hughes
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Paul Ashwood
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
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28
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Fan CC, Brown TT, Bartsch H, Kuperman JM, Hagler DJ, Schork A, Searcy Y, Bellugi U, Halgren E, Dale AM. Williams syndrome-specific neuroanatomical profile and its associations with behavioral features. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 15:343-347. [PMID: 28560159 PMCID: PMC5443907 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder with unique behavioral features. Yet the rareness of WS has limited the number and type of studies that can be conducted in which inferences are made about how neuroanatomical abnormalities mediate behaviors. In this study, we extracted a WS-specific neuroanatomical profile from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and tested its association with behavioral features of WS. Using a WS adult cohort (22 WS, 16 healthy controls), we modeled a sparse representation of a WS-specific neuroanatomical profile. The predictive performances are robust within the training cohort (10-fold cross-validation, AUC = 1.0) and accurately identify all WS individuals in an independent child WS cohort (seven WS, 59 children with diverse developmental status, AUC = 1.0). The WS-specific neuroanatomical profile includes measurements in the orbitofrontal cortex, superior parietal cortex, Sylvian fissures, and basal ganglia, and variability within these areas related to the underlying size of hemizygous deletion in patients with partial deletions. The profile intensity mediated the overall cognitive impairment as well as personality features related to hypersociability. Our results imply that the unique behaviors in WS were mediated through the constellation of abnormalities in cortical-subcortical circuitry consistent in child WS and adult WS. The robustness of the derived WS-specific neuroanatomical profile also demonstrates the potential utility of our approach in both clinical and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chieh Fan
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Timothy T Brown
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Center for Human Development, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hauke Bartsch
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joshua M Kuperman
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Andrew Schork
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yvonne Searcy
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ursula Bellugi
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eric Halgren
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Center for Human Brain Activity Mapping, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 3510 Dunhill Street, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Abstract
Although serotonin neurotransmission has been implicated in several neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, the factors that drive dysfunction of the serotonin system are poorly understood. Current research regarding the serotonin system revolves around its dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders, but there is no database collating genetic mutations that result in serotonin abnormalities. To bridge this gap, we developed a list of genes in mice that, when perturbed, result in altered levels of serotonin either in brain or blood. Due to the intrinsic limitations of search, the current list should be considered a preliminary subset of all relevant cases. Nevertheless, it offered an opportunity to gain insight into what types of genes have the potential to impact serotonin by using gene ontology (GO). This analysis found that genes associated with monoamine metabolism were more often associated with increases in brain serotonin than decreases. Speculatively, this could be because several pathways (and therefore many genes) are responsible for the clearance and metabolism of serotonin whereas only one pathway (and therefore fewer genes) is directly involved in the synthesis of serotonin. Another contributor could be cross talk between monoamine systems such as dopamine. In contrast, genes that were associated with decreases in brain serotonin were more likely linked to a developmental process. Sensitivity of serotonin neurons to developmental perturbations could be due to their complicated neuroanatomy or possibly they may be negatively regulated by dysfunction of their innervation targets. Thus, these observations suggest hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability of brain serotonin neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Tenpenny
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kathryn G. Commons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain
Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Anesthesia,
Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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30
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Chailangkarn T, Muotri AR. Modeling Williams syndrome with induced pluripotent stem cells. NEUROGENESIS (AUSTIN, TEX.) 2017; 4:e1283187. [PMID: 28229087 PMCID: PMC5305168 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2017.1283187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) like never before has opened novel opportunity to study diseases in relevant cell types. In our recent study, Williams syndrome (WS), a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, that is caused by hemizygous deletion of 25-28 genes on chromosome 7, is of interest because of its unique cognitive and social profiles. Little is known about haploinsufficiency effect of those deleted genes on molecular and cellular phenotypes at the neural level due to the lack of relevant human cellular model. Using the cellular reprogramming approach, we reported that WS iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) has increased apoptosis and therefore increased doubling time, which could be rescued by complementation of frizzled 9, one of the genes typically deleted in WS. Moreover, WS iPSC-derived CTIP2-positive pyramidal neurons exhibit morphologic alterations including longer total dendrites and increasing dendritic spine number. In addition, WS iPSC-derived neurons show an increase in calcium transient frequency and synchronized activity likely due to increased number of dendritic spines and synapses. Our work integrated cross-level data from genetics to behavior of WS individuals and revealed altered cellular phenotypes in WS human NPCs and neurons that could be validated in other model systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in live subjects and postmortem brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanathom Chailangkarn
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, USA
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), La Jolla, CA, USA
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31
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Lew CH, Brown C, Bellugi U, Semendeferi K. Neuron density is decreased in the prefrontal cortex in Williams syndrome. Autism Res 2016; 10:99-112. [PMID: 27520580 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome (WS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a hemideletion in chromosome 7, which manifests a distinct behavioral phenotype characterized by a hyperaffiliative social drive, in striking contrast to the social avoidance behaviors that are common in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). MRI studies have observed structural and functional abnormalities in WS cortex, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region implicated in social cognition. This study utilizes the Bellugi Williams Syndrome Brain Collection, a unique resource that comprises the largest WS postmortem brain collection in existence, and is the first to quantitatively examine WS PFC cytoarchitecture. We measured neuron density in layers II/III and V/VI of five cortical areas: PFC areas BA 10 and BA 11, primary motor BA 4, primary somatosensory BA 3, and visual area BA 18 in six matched pairs of WS and typically developing (TD) controls. Neuron density in PFC was lower in WS relative to TD, with layers V/VI demonstrating the largest decrease in density, reaching statistical significance in BA 10. In contrast, BA 3 and BA 18 demonstrated a higher density in WS compared to TD, although this difference was not statistically significant. Neuron density in BA 4 was similar in WS and TD. While other cortical areas were altered in WS, prefrontal areas appeared to be most affected. Neuron density is also altered in the PFC of individuals with ASD. Together these findings suggest that the PFC is targeted in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with sociobehavioral alterations. Autism Res 2017, 10: 99-112. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Horton Lew
- Department of Anthropology, Social Sciences Building Rm. 210, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093
| | - Chelsea Brown
- Department of Anthropology, Social Sciences Building Rm. 210, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Building 251, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106
| | - Ursula Bellugi
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N, Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037
| | - Katerina Semendeferi
- Department of Anthropology, Social Sciences Building Rm. 210, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093
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32
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Herring A, Münster Y, Akkaya T, Moghaddam S, Deinsberger K, Meyer J, Zahel J, Sanchez-Mendoza E, Wang Y, Hermann DM, Arzberger T, Teuber-Hanselmann S, Keyvani K. Kallikrein-8 inhibition attenuates Alzheimer's disease pathology in mice. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 12:1273-1287. [PMID: 27327541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Memory loss and increased anxiety are clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kallikrein-8 is a protease implicated in memory acquisition and anxiety, and its mRNA is known to be up-regulated in AD-affected human hippocampus. Therefore, an involvement of Kallikrein-8 in Alzheimer's pathogenesis is conceivable but remains to be proved. METHODS We determined the cerebral expression of Kallikrein-8 mRNA and protein during the course of AD in patients and in transgenic mice and tested the impact of Kallikrein-8 inhibition on AD-related pathology in mice and in primary glial cells. RESULTS Kallikrein-8 mRNA and protein were up-regulated in both species at incipient stages of AD. Kallikrein-8 inhibition impeded amyloidogenic amyloid-precursor-protein processing, facilitated amyloid β (Aβ) clearance across the blood-brain-barrier, boosted autophagy, reduced Aβ load and tau pathology, enhanced neuroplasticity, reversed molecular signatures of anxiety, and ultimately improved memory and reduced fear. DISCUSSION Kallikrein-8 is a promising new therapeutic target against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Herring
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Yvonne Münster
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tamer Akkaya
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sahar Moghaddam
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Meyer
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julia Zahel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Yachao Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk M Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Arzberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Kathy Keyvani
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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33
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Corley SM, Canales CP, Carmona-Mora P, Mendoza-Reinosa V, Beverdam A, Hardeman EC, Wilkins MR, Palmer SJ. RNA-Seq analysis of Gtf2ird1 knockout epidermal tissue provides potential insights into molecular mechanisms underpinning Williams-Beuren syndrome. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:450. [PMID: 27295951 PMCID: PMC4907016 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2801-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a genetic disorder associated with multisystemic abnormalities, including craniofacial dysmorphology and cognitive defects. It is caused by a hemizygous microdeletion involving up to 28 genes in chromosome 7q11.23. Genotype/phenotype analysis of atypical microdeletions implicates two evolutionary-related transcription factors, GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, as prime candidates for the cause of the facial dysmorphology. RESULTS Using a targeted Gtf2ird1 knockout mouse, we employed massively-parallel sequencing of mRNA (RNA-Seq) to understand changes in the transcriptional landscape associated with inactivation of Gtf2ird1 in lip tissue. We found widespread dysregulation of genes including differential expression of 78 transcription factors or coactivators, several involved in organ development including Hey1, Myf6, Myog, Dlx2, Gli1, Gli2, Lhx2, Pou3f3, Sox2, Foxp3. We also found that the absence of GTF2IRD1 is associated with increased expression of genes involved in cellular proliferation, including growth factors consistent with the observed phenotype of extreme thickening of the epidermis. At the same time, there was a decrease in the expression of genes involved in other signalling mechanisms, including the Wnt pathway, indicating dysregulation in the complex networks necessary for epidermal differentiation and facial skin patterning. Several of the differentially expressed genes have known roles in both tissue development and neurological function, such as the transcription factor Lhx2 which regulates several genes involved in both skin and brain development. CONCLUSIONS Gtf2ird1 inactivation results in widespread gene dysregulation, some of which may be due to the secondary consequences of gene regulatory network disruptions involving several transcription factors and signalling molecules. Genes involved in growth factor signalling and cell cycle progression were identified as particularly important for explaining the skin dysmorphology observed in this mouse model. We have noted that a number of the dysregulated genes have known roles in brain development as well as epidermal differentiation and maintenance. Therefore, this study provides clues as to the underlying mechanisms that may be involved in the broader profile of WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Corley
- Systems Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Cesar P Canales
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paulina Carmona-Mora
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Edna C Hardeman
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- Systems Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen J Palmer
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Muller CL, Anacker AMJ, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. The serotonin system in autism spectrum disorder: From biomarker to animal models. Neuroscience 2016; 321:24-41. [PMID: 26577932 PMCID: PMC4824539 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Elevated whole blood serotonin, or hyperserotonemia, was the first biomarker identified in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is present in more than 25% of affected children. The serotonin system is a logical candidate for involvement in ASD due to its pleiotropic role across multiple brain systems both dynamically and across development. Tantalizing clues connect this peripheral biomarker with changes in brain and behavior in ASD, but the contribution of the serotonin system to ASD pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Studies of whole blood serotonin levels in ASD and in a large founder population indicate greater heritability than for the disorder itself and suggest an association with recurrence risk. Emerging data from both neuroimaging and postmortem samples also indicate changes in the brain serotonin system in ASD. Genetic linkage and association studies of both whole blood serotonin levels and of ASD risk point to the chromosomal region containing the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene in males but not in females. In ASD families with evidence of linkage to this region, multiple rare SERT amino acid variants lead to a convergent increase in serotonin uptake in cell models. A knock-in mouse model of one of these variants, SERT Gly56Ala, recapitulates the hyperserotonemia biomarker and shows increased brain serotonin clearance, increased serotonin receptor sensitivity, and altered social, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Data from other rodent models also suggest an important role for the serotonin system in social behavior, in cognitive flexibility, and in sensory development. Recent work indicates that reciprocal interactions between serotonin and other systems, such as oxytocin, may be particularly important for social behavior. Collectively, these data point to the serotonin system as a prime candidate for treatment development in a subgroup of children defined by a robust, heritable biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Muller
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - A M J Anacker
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - J Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York Presbyterian Hospital; New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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35
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Beunders G, van de Kamp J, Vasudevan P, Morton J, Smets K, Kleefstra T, de Munnik SA, Schuurs-Hoeijmakers J, Ceulemans B, Zollino M, Hoffjan S, Wieczorek S, So J, Mercer L, Walker T, Velsher L, Parker MJ, Magee AC, Elffers B, Kooy RF, Yntema HG, Meijers-Heijboer EJ, Sistermans EA. A detailed clinical analysis of 13 patients with AUTS2 syndrome further delineates the phenotypic spectrum and underscores the behavioural phenotype. J Med Genet 2016; 53:523-32. [DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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36
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Carmona-Mora P, Widagdo J, Tomasetig F, Canales CP, Cha Y, Lee W, Alshawaf A, Dottori M, Whan RM, Hardeman EC, Palmer SJ. The nuclear localization pattern and interaction partners of GTF2IRD1 demonstrate a role in chromatin regulation. Hum Genet 2015; 134:1099-115. [PMID: 26275350 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-015-1591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
GTF2IRD1 is one of the three members of the GTF2I gene family, clustered on chromosome 7 within a 1.8 Mb region that is prone to duplications and deletions in humans. Hemizygous deletions cause Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) and duplications cause WBS duplication syndrome. These copy number variations disturb a variety of developmental systems and neurological functions. Human mapping data and analyses of knockout mice show that GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I underpin the craniofacial abnormalities, mental retardation, visuospatial deficits and hypersociability of WBS. However, the cellular role of the GTF2IRD1 protein is poorly understood due to its very low abundance and a paucity of reagents. Here, for the first time, we show that endogenous GTF2IRD1 has a punctate pattern in the nuclei of cultured human cell lines and neurons. To probe the functional relationships of GTF2IRD1 in an unbiased manner, yeast two-hybrid libraries were screened, isolating 38 novel interaction partners, which were validated in mammalian cell lines. These relationships illustrate GTF2IRD1 function, as the isolated partners are mostly involved in chromatin modification and transcriptional regulation, whilst others indicate an unexpected role in connection with the primary cilium. Mapping of the sites of protein interaction also indicates key features regarding the evolution of the GTF2IRD1 protein. These data provide a visual and molecular basis for GTF2IRD1 nuclear function that will lead to an understanding of its role in brain, behaviour and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Carmona-Mora
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Widagdo
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Florence Tomasetig
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Cesar P Canales
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Yeojoon Cha
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Wei Lee
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Abdullah Alshawaf
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Renee M Whan
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Edna C Hardeman
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Stephen J Palmer
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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37
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Disruption of Src Is Associated with Phenotypes Related to Williams-Beuren Syndrome and Altered Cellular Localization of TFII-I. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-NWR-0016-14. [PMID: 26464974 PMCID: PMC4596087 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0016-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Src is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase that is expressed widely throughout the central nervous system and is involved in diverse biological functions. Mice homozygous for a spontaneous mutation in Src (Src (thl/thl) ) exhibited hypersociability and hyperactivity along with impairments in visuospatial, amygdala-dependent, and motor learning as well as an increased startle response to loud tones. The phenotype of Src (thl/thl) mice showed significant overlap with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a disorder caused by the deletion of several genes, including General Transcription Factor 2-I (GTF2I). Src phosphorylation regulates the movement of GTF2I protein (TFII-I) between the nucleus, where it is a transcriptional activator, and the cytoplasm, where it regulates trafficking of transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 3 (TRPC3) subunits to the plasma membrane. Here, we demonstrate altered cellular localization of both TFII-I and TRPC3 in the Src mutants, suggesting that disruption of Src can phenocopy behavioral phenotypes observed in WBS through its regulation of TFII-I.
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38
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Crespi BJ, Hurd PL. Cognitive-behavioral phenotypes of Williams syndrome are associated with genetic variation in the GTF2I gene, in a healthy population. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:127. [PMID: 25429715 PMCID: PMC4247780 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-014-0127-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Williams syndrome, a neurogenetic condition caused by deletion of a set of genes at chromosomal location 7q11.23, exhibit a remarkable suite of traits including hypersociality with high, nonselective friendliness and low social anxiety, expressive language relatively well-developed but under-developed social-communication skills overall, and reduced visual-spatial abilities. Deletions and duplications of the Williams-syndrome region have also been associated with autism, and with schizophrenia, two disorders centrally involving social cognition. Several lines of evidence have linked the gene GTF2I (General Transcription Factor IIi) with the social phenotypes of Williams syndrome, but a role for this gene in sociality within healthy populations has yet to be investigated. Results We genotyped a large set of healthy individuals for two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the GTF2I gene that have recently been significantly associated with autism, and thus apparently exhibit functional effects on autism-related social phenotypes. GTF2I genotypes for these SNPs showed highly significant association with low social anxiety combined with reduced social-communication abilities, which represents a metric of the Williams-syndrome cognitive profile as described from previous studies. Conclusions These findings implicate the GTF2I gene in the neurogenetic basis of social communication and social anxiety, both in Williams syndrome and among individuals in healthy populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A 1S6, , BC, Canada.
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39
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Canales CP, Wong ACY, Gunning PW, Housley GD, Hardeman EC, Palmer SJ. The role of GTF2IRD1 in the auditory pathology of Williams-Beuren Syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:774-80. [PMID: 25248400 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic condition caused by a hemizygous deletion involving up to 28 genes within chromosome 7q11.23. Among the spectrum of physical and neurological defects in WBS, it is common to find a distinctive response to sound stimuli that includes extreme adverse reactions to loud, or sudden sounds and a fascination with certain sounds that may manifest as strengths in musical ability. However, hearing tests indicate that sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is frequently found in WBS patients. The functional and genetic basis of this unusual auditory phenotype is currently unknown. Here, we investigated the potential involvement of GTF2IRD1, a transcription factor encoded by a gene located within the WBS deletion that has been implicated as a contributor to the WBS assorted neurocognitive profile and craniofacial abnormalities. Using Gtf2ird1 knockout mice, we have analysed the expression of the gene in the inner ear and examined hearing capacity by evaluating the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and the distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Our results show that Gtf2ird1 is expressed in a number of cell types within the cochlea, and Gtf2ird1 null mice showed higher auditory thresholds (hypoacusis) in both ABR and DPOAE hearing assessments. These data indicate that the principal hearing deficit in the mice can be traced to impairments in the amplification process mediated by the outer hair cells and suggests that similar mechanisms may underpin the SNHL experienced by WBS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar P Canales
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann C Y Wong
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NWS, Australia
| | - Peter W Gunning
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NWS, Australia
| | - Edna C Hardeman
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen J Palmer
- Cellular and Genetic Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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40
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Oksenberg N, Haliburton GDE, Eckalbar WL, Oren I, Nishizaki S, Murphy K, Pollard KS, Birnbaum RY, Ahituv N. Genome-wide distribution of Auts2 binding localizes with active neurodevelopmental genes. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e431. [PMID: 25180570 PMCID: PMC4199417 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The autism susceptibility candidate 2 gene (AUTS2) has been associated with multiple neurological diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previous studies showed that AUTS2 has an important neurodevelopmental function and is a suspected master regulator of genes implicated in ASD-related pathways. However, the regulatory role and targets of Auts2 are not well known. Here, by using ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing) and RNA-seq on mouse embryonic day 16.5 forebrains, we elucidated the gene regulatory networks of Auts2. We find that the majority of promoters bound by Auts2 belong to genes highly expressed in the developing forebrain, suggesting that Auts2 is involved in transcriptional activation. Auts2 non-promoter-bound regions significantly overlap developing brain-associated enhancer marks and are located near genes involved in neurodevelopment. Auts2-marked sequences are enriched for binding site motifs of neurodevelopmental transcription factors, including Pitx3 and TCF3. In addition, we characterized two functional brain enhancers marked by Auts2 near NRXN1 and ATP2B2, both ASD-implicated genes. Our results implicate Auts2 as an active regulator of important neurodevelopmental genes and pathways and identify novel genomic regions that could be associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Oksenberg
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - G D E Haliburton
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Gladstone Institutes, San
Francisco, CA, USA
| | - W L Eckalbar
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - I Oren
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of
the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - S Nishizaki
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K Murphy
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K S Pollard
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Gladstone Institutes, San
Francisco, CA, USA,Division of Biostatistics, University of California
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Y Birnbaum
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of
the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of
California San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, Rock Hall, RH584C, San Francisco,
CA
94158, USA. E-mails: or
| | - N Ahituv
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic
Sciences, University of California San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute for Human Genetics, University of
California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of
California San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, Rock Hall, RH584C, San Francisco,
CA
94158, USA. E-mails: or
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41
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Mapping genetically controlled neural circuits of social behavior and visuo-motor integration by a preliminary examination of atypical deletions with Williams syndrome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104088. [PMID: 25105779 PMCID: PMC4126723 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study of eight rare atypical deletion cases with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WS; also known as 7q11.23 deletion syndrome) consisting of three different patterns of deletions, compared to typical WS and typically developing (TD) individuals, we show preliminary evidence of dissociable genetic contributions to brain structure and human cognition. Univariate and multivariate pattern classification results of morphometric brain patterns complemented by behavior implicate a possible role for the chromosomal region that includes: 1) GTF2I/GTF2IRD1 in visuo-spatial/motor integration, intraparietal as well as overall gray matter structures, 2) the region spanning ABHD11 through RFC2 including LIMK1, in social cognition, in particular approachability, as well as orbitofrontal, amygdala and fusiform anatomy, and 3) the regions including STX1A, and/or CYLN2 in overall white matter structure. This knowledge contributes to our understanding of the role of genetics on human brain structure, cognition and pathophysiology of altered cognition in WS. The current study builds on ongoing research designed to characterize the impact of multiple genes, gene-gene interactions and changes in gene expression on the human brain.
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42
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Broadbent H, Farran EK, Chin E, Metcalfe K, Tassabehji M, Turnpenny P, Sansbury F, Meaburn E, Karmiloff-Smith A. Genetic contributions to visuospatial cognition in Williams syndrome: insights from two contrasting partial deletion patients. J Neurodev Disord 2014; 6:18. [PMID: 25057328 PMCID: PMC4107613 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-6-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder arising from a hemizygotic deletion of approximately 27 genes on chromosome 7, at locus 7q11.23. WS is characterised by an uneven cognitive profile, with serious deficits in visuospatial tasks in comparison to relatively proficient performance in some other cognitive domains such as language and face processing. Individuals with partial genetic deletions within the WS critical region (WSCR) have provided insights into the contribution of specific genes to this complex phenotype. However, the combinatorial effects of different genes remain elusive. Methods We report on visuospatial cognition in two individuals with contrasting partial deletions in the WSCR: one female (HR), aged 11 years 9 months, with haploinsufficiency for 24 of the WS genes (up to GTF2IRD1), and one male (JB), aged 14 years 2 months, with the three most telomeric genes within the WSCR deleted, or partially deleted. Results Our in-depth phenotyping of the visuospatial domain from table-top psychometric, and small- and large-scale experimental tasks reveal a profile in HR in line with typically developing controls, albeit with some atypical features. These data are contrasted with patient JB’s atypical profile of strengths and weaknesses across the visuospatial domain, as well as with more substantial visuospatial deficits in individuals with the full WS deletion. Conclusions Our findings point to the contribution of specific genes to spatial processing difficulties associated with WS, highlighting the multifaceted nature of spatial cognition and the divergent effects of genetic deletions within the WSCR on different components of visuospatial ability. The importance of general transcription factors at the telomeric end of the WSCR, and their combinatorial effects on the WS visuospatial phenotype are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily K Farran
- Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK
| | - Esther Chin
- Birkbeck Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London, London, UK
| | - Kay Metcalfe
- Genetic Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Peter Turnpenny
- Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK ; Penninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK
| | - Francis Sansbury
- Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK ; Penninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK
| | - Emma Meaburn
- Birkbeck Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, University of London, London, UK
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43
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Campos R, Martínez-Castilla P, Sotillo M. Cognición social en el síndrome de Williams. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1174/021347413807719139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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44
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Oksenberg N, Ahituv N. The role of AUTS2 in neurodevelopment and human evolution. Trends Genet 2013; 29:600-8. [PMID: 24008202 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene is associated with multiple neurological diseases, including autism, and has been implicated as an important gene in human-specific evolution. Recent functional analysis of this gene has revealed a potential role in neuronal development. Here, we review the literature regarding AUTS2, including its discovery, expression, association with autism and other neurological and non-neurological traits, implication in human evolution, function, regulation, and genetic pathways. Through progress in clinical genomic analysis, the medical importance of this gene is becoming more apparent, as highlighted in this review, but more work needs to be done to discover the precise function and the genetic pathways associated with AUTS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Oksenberg
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 1550 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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45
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Soares I, Belsky J, Mesquita AR, Osório A, Sampaio A. Why Do Only Some Institutionalized Children Become Indiscriminately Friendly? Insights From the Study of Williams Syndrome. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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46
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Delgado LM, Gutierrez M, Augello B, Fusco C, Micale L, Merla G, Pastene EA. A 1.3-mb 7q11.23 atypical deletion identified in a cohort of patients with williams-beuren syndrome. Mol Syndromol 2013; 4:143-7. [PMID: 23653586 DOI: 10.1159/000347167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome is a rare multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a 1.55-1.84-Mb hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23. The classical phenotype consists of characteristic facial features, supravalvular aortic stenosis, intellectual disability, overfriendliness, and visuospatial impairment. So far, 26-28 genes have been shown to contribute to the multisystem phenotype associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Among them, haploinsufficiency of the ELN gene has been shown to cause the cardiovascular anomalies. Identification of patients with atypical deletions has provided valuable information for genotype-phenotype correlation, in which other genes such as LIMK1,CLIP2, GTF2IRD1, or GTF2I have been correlated with specific cognitive profiles or craniofacial features. Here, we report the clinical and molecular characteristics of a patient with an atypical deletion that does not include the GTF2I gene and only partially includes the GTF2IRD1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Delgado
- Department of Experimental Genetics, Centro Nacional de Genética Médica (CENAGEM), ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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47
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Widagdo J, Taylor KM, Gunning PW, Hardeman EC, Palmer SJ. SUMOylation of GTF2IRD1 regulates protein partner interactions and ubiquitin-mediated degradation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49283. [PMID: 23145142 PMCID: PMC3493543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
GTF2IRD1 is one of the genes implicated in Williams-Beuren syndrome, a disease caused by haploinsufficiency of certain dosage-sensitive genes within a hemizygous microdeletion of chromosome 7. GTF2IRD1 is a prime candidate for some of the major features of the disease, presumably caused by abnormally reduced abundance of this putative transcriptional repressor protein. GTF2IRD1 has been shown to interact with the E3 SUMO ligase PIASxβ, but the significance of this relationship is largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that GTF2IRD1 can be SUMOylated by the SUMO E2 ligase UBC9 and the level of SUMOylation is enhanced by PIASxβ. A major SUMOylation site was mapped to lysine 495 within a conserved SUMO consensus motif. SUMOylation of GTF2IRD1 alters the affinity of the protein for binding partners that contain SUMO-interacting motifs, including a novel family member of the HDAC repressor complex, ZMYM5, and PIASxβ itself. In addition, we show that GTF2IRD1 is targeted for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Cross regulation by SUMOylation modulates this process, thus potentially regulating the level of GTF2IRD1 protein in the cell. These findings, concerning post-translational control over the activity and stability of GTF2IRD1, together with previous work showing how GTF2IRD1 directly regulates its own transcription levels suggest an evolutionary requirement for fine control over GTF2IRD1 activity in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Widagdo
- Neuromuscular and Regenerative Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kylie M. Taylor
- Neuromuscular and Regenerative Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter W. Gunning
- Oncology Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edna C. Hardeman
- Neuromuscular and Regenerative Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Palmer
- Neuromuscular and Regenerative Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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48
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Martens MA, Seyfer DL, Andridge RR, Foster JEA, Chowdhury M, McClure KE, Coury DL. Parent report of antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic medication use in individuals with Williams syndrome: effectiveness and adverse effects. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2012; 33:2106-2121. [PMID: 22776821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder characterized in part by anxiety and behavioral difficulties. We examine the effectiveness and adverse effects of antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic medications in individuals with WS. A total of 513 parents/caregivers completed a survey of psychotropic medication usage regarding their child or adult with WS. Twenty-four percent (24%) of the individuals had been prescribed an SSRI medication, while 12% had been prescribed another type of antidepressant or anxiolytic. Overall, 81% of respondents indicated that SSRI medications were either "Helpful" or "Somewhat Helpful", with paroxetine reported to be the least helpful. Sixty-four percent (64%) of survey participants reported that non-SSRI antidepressants and anxiolytics were either "Helpful" or "Somewhat Helpful" in treating symptoms of anxiety. Side effects for the antidepressants and anxiolytics were typically neurological in nature. Ten percent (10%) of the survey participants reported taking an antipsychotic medication, with risperidone and quetiapine described as more helpful than aripiprazole. Medication effectiveness may be related to the impact on serotonin levels. These findings call for further studies of medication usage in WS in order to improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilee A Martens
- The Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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49
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Porter MA, Dobson-Stone C, Kwok JBJ, Schofield PR, Beckett W, Tassabehji M. A role for transcription factor GTF2IRD2 in executive function in Williams-Beuren syndrome. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47457. [PMID: 23118870 PMCID: PMC3485271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Executive functions are amongst the most heritable cognitive traits with twin studies indicating a strong genetic origin. However genes associated with this domain are unknown. Our research into the neurodevelopmental disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) has identified a gene within the causative recurrent 1.5/1.6 Mb heterozygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23, which may be involved in executive functioning. Comparative genome array screening of 55 WBS patients revealed a larger ∼1.8 Mb microdeletion in 18% of cases, which results in the loss of an additional gene, the transcription factor GTF2IRD2. The GTF gene family of transcription factors (GTF2I, GTF2IRD1 and GTF2IRD2) are all highly expressed in the brain, and GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 are involved in the pathogenesis of the cognitive and behavioural phenotypes associated with WBS. A multi-level analysis of cognitive, behavioural and psychological functioning in WBS patients showed that those with slightly larger deletions encompassing GTF2IRD2 were significantly more cognitively impaired in the areas of spatial functioning, social reasoning, and cognitive flexibility (a form of executive functioning). They also displayed significantly more obsessions and externalizing behaviours, a likely manifestation of poor cognitive flexibility and executive dysfunction. We provide the first evidence for a role for GTF2IRD2 in higher-level (executive functioning) abilities and highlight the importance of integrating detailed molecular characterisation of patients with comprehensive neuropsychological profiling to uncover additional genotype-phenotype correlations. The identification of specific genes which contribute to executive function has important neuropsychological implications in the treatment of patients with conditions like WBS, and will allow further studies into their mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol Dobson-Stone
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John B. J. Kwok
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter R. Schofield
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - William Beckett
- Genetic Medicine, University of Manchester & St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - May Tassabehji
- Genetic Medicine, University of Manchester & St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
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50
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Palmer SJ, Taylor KM, Santucci N, Widagdo J, Chan YKA, Yeo JL, Adams M, Gunning PW, Hardeman EC. GTF2IRD2 from the Williams-Beuren critical region encodes a mobile-element-derived fusion protein that antagonizes the action of its related family members. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:5040-50. [PMID: 22899722 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.102798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
GTF2IRD2 belongs to a family of transcriptional regulators (including TFII-I and GTF2IRD1) that are responsible for many of the key features of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). Sequence evidence suggests that GTF2IRD2 arose in eutherian mammals by duplication and divergence from the gene encoding TFII-I. However, in GTF2IRD2, most of the C-terminal domain has been lost and replaced by the domesticated remnant of an in-frame hAT-transposon mobile element. In this first experimental analysis of function, we show that transgenic expression of each of the three family members in skeletal muscle causes significant fiber type shifts, but the GTF2IRD2 protein causes an extreme shift in the opposite direction to the two other family members. Mating of GTF2IRD1 and GTF2IRD2 mice restores the fiber type balance, indicating an antagonistic relationship between these two paralogs. In cells, GTF2IRD2 localizes to cytoplasmic microtubules and discrete speckles in the nuclear periphery. We show that it can interact directly with TFII-Iβ and GTF2IRD1, and upon co-transfection changes the normal distribution of these two proteins into a punctate nuclear pattern typical of GTF2IRD2. These data suggest that GTF2IRD2 has evolved as a regulator of GTF2IRD1 and TFII-I; inhibiting their function by direct interaction and sequestration into inactive nuclear zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Palmer
- Neuromuscular and Regenerative Medicine Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
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