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Heimdörfer D, Vorleuter A, Eschlböck A, Spathopoulou A, Suarez-Cubero M, Farhan H, Reiterer V, Spanjaard M, Schaaf CP, Huber LA, Kremser L, Sarg B, Edenhofer F, Geley S, de Araujo MEG, Huettenhofer A. Truncated variants of MAGEL2 are involved in the etiologies of the Schaaf-Yang and Prader-Willi syndromes. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1383-1404. [PMID: 38908375 PMCID: PMC11267527 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental disorders Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) both arise from genomic alterations within human chromosome 15q11-q13. A deletion of the SNORD116 cluster, encoding small nucleolar RNAs, or frameshift mutations within MAGEL2 result in closely related phenotypes in individuals with PWS or SYS, respectively. By investigation of their subcellular localization, we observed that in contrast to a predominant cytoplasmic localization of wild-type (WT) MAGEL2, a truncated MAGEL2 mutant was evenly distributed between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. To elucidate regulatory pathways that may underlie both diseases, we identified protein interaction partners for WT or mutant MAGEL2, in particular the survival motor neuron protein (SMN), involved in spinal muscular atrophy, and the fragile-X-messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), involved in autism spectrum disorders. The interactome of the non-coding RNA SNORD116 was also investigated by RNA-CoIP. We show that WT and truncated MAGEL2 were both involved in RNA metabolism, while regulation of transcription was mainly observed for WT MAGEL2. Hence, we investigated the influence of MAGEL2 mutations on the expression of genes from the PWS locus, including the SNORD116 cluster. Thereby, we provide evidence for MAGEL2 mutants decreasing the expression of SNORD116, SNORD115, and SNORD109A, as well as protein-coding genes MKRN3 and SNRPN, thus bridging the gap between PWS and SYS.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Heimdörfer
- Institute of Genomics and RNomics, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Alexander Vorleuter
- Institute of Genomics and RNomics, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Eschlböck
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Group, University of Innsbruck and CMBI, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Angeliki Spathopoulou
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Group, University of Innsbruck and CMBI, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marta Suarez-Cubero
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Group, University of Innsbruck and CMBI, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hesso Farhan
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Veronika Reiterer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Melanie Spanjaard
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian P Schaaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas A Huber
- Institute of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Leopold Kremser
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Protein Core Facility, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Sarg
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Protein Core Facility, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Group, University of Innsbruck and CMBI, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stephan Geley
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana E G de Araujo
- Institute of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Alexander Huettenhofer
- Institute of Genomics and RNomics, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Schubert T, Schaaf CP. MAGEL2 (patho-)physiology and Schaaf-Yang syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38950199 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by autism spectrum disorder, joint contractures, and profound hypothalamic dysfunction. SYS is caused by variants in MAGEL2, a gene within the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) locus on chromosome 15. In this review, we consolidate decades of research on MAGEL2 to elucidate its physiological functions. Moreover, we synthesize current knowledge on SYS, suggesting that while MAGEL2 loss-of-function seems to underlie several SYS and PWS phenotypes, additional pathomechanisms probably contribute to the distinct and severe phenotype observed in SYS. In addition, we highlight recent therapeutic advances and identify promising avenues for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Schubert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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BenDavid E, Ramezanian S, Lu Y, Rousseau J, Schroeder A, Lavertu M, Tremblay JP. Emerging Perspectives on Prime Editor Delivery to the Brain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:763. [PMID: 38931430 PMCID: PMC11206523 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060763] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Prime editing shows potential as a precision genome editing technology, as well as the potential to advance the development of next-generation nanomedicine for addressing neurological disorders. However, turning in prime editors (PEs), which are macromolecular complexes composed of CRISPR/Cas9 nickase fused with a reverse transcriptase and a prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA), to the brain remains a considerable challenge due to physiological obstacles, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This review article offers an up-to-date overview and perspective on the latest technologies and strategies for the precision delivery of PEs to the brain and passage through blood barriers. Furthermore, it delves into the scientific significance and possible therapeutic applications of prime editing in conditions related to neurological diseases. It is targeted at clinicians and clinical researchers working on advancing precision nanomedicine for neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli BenDavid
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada;
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Laboratory of Nanopharmacology and Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Sina Ramezanian
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Yaoyao Lu
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Joël Rousseau
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Avi Schroeder
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
| | - Marc Lavertu
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada;
| | - Jacques P. Tremblay
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Dromard Y, Borie AM, Chakraborty P, Muscatelli F, Guillon G, Desarménien MG, Jeanneteau F. Disengagement of somatostatin neurons from lateral septum circuitry by oxytocin and vasopressin restores social-fear extinction and suppresses aggression outbursts in Prader-Willi syndrome model. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:785-799. [PMID: 38952926 PMCID: PMC11216544 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Responding to social signals by expressing the correct behavior is not only challenged in autism, but also in diseases with high prevalence of autism, like Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Clinical evidence suggests aberrant pro-social behavior in patients can be regulated by intranasal oxytocin (OXT) or vasopressin (AVP). However, what neuronal mechanisms underlie impaired behavioral responses in a socially-aversive context, and how can they be corrected, remains largely unknown. Methods Using the Magel2 knocked-out (KO) mouse model of PWS (crossed with CRE-dependent transgenic lines), we devised optogenetic, physiological and pharmacological strategies in a social-fear-conditioning paradigm. Pathway specific roles of OXT and AVP signaling were investigated converging on the lateral septum (LS), a region which receives dense hypothalamic inputs. Results OXT and AVP signaling promoted inhibitory synaptic transmission in the LS, which failure in Magel2KO mice disinhibited somatostatin (SST) neurons and disrupted social-fear extinction. The source of OXT and AVP deficits mapped specifically in the supraoptic nucleus→LS pathway of Magel2KO mice disrupting social-fear extinction, which could be corrected by optogenetic or pharmacological inhibition of SST-neurons in the LS. Interestingly, LS SST-neurons also gated the expression of aggressive behavior, possibly as part of functional units operating beyond local septal circuits. Conclusions SST cells in the LS play a crucial role in integration and expression of disrupted neuropeptide signals in autism, thereby altering the balance in expression of safety versus fear. Our results uncover novel mechanisms underlying dysfunction in a socially-aversive context, and provides a new framework for future treatments in autism-spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Dromard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Amélie M. Borie
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Prabahan Chakraborty
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, INSERM, University of Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Gilles Guillon
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Michel G. Desarménien
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Freddy Jeanneteau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
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Correa-da-Silva F, Carter J, Wang XY, Sun R, Pathak E, Kuhn JMM, Schriever SC, Maya-Monteiro CM, Jiao H, Kalsbeek MJ, Moraes-Vieira PMM, Gille JJP, Sinnema M, Stumpel CTRM, Curfs LMG, Stenvers DJ, Pfluger PT, Lutter D, Pereira AM, Kalsbeek A, Fliers E, Swaab DF, Wilkinson L, Gao Y, Yi CX. Microglial phagolysosome dysfunction and altered neural communication amplify phenotypic severity in Prader-Willi Syndrome with larger deletion. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:64. [PMID: 38556574 PMCID: PMC10982101 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic etiology, characterized by paternal deletion of genes located at chromosome 15 in 70% of cases. Two distinct genetic subtypes of PWS deletions are characterized, where type I (PWS T1) carries four extra haploinsufficient genes compared to type II (PWS T2). PWS T1 individuals display more pronounced physiological and cognitive abnormalities than PWS T2, yet the exact neuropathological mechanisms behind these differences remain unclear. Our study employed postmortem hypothalamic tissues from PWS T1 and T2 individuals, conducting transcriptomic analyses and cell-specific protein profiling in white matter, neurons, and glial cells to unravel the cellular and molecular basis of phenotypic severity in PWS sub-genotypes. In PWS T1, key pathways for cell structure, integrity, and neuronal communication are notably diminished, while glymphatic system activity is heightened compared to PWS T2. The microglial defect in PWS T1 appears to stem from gene haploinsufficiency, as global and myeloid-specific Cyfip1 haploinsufficiency in murine models demonstrated. Our findings emphasize microglial phagolysosome dysfunction and altered neural communication as crucial contributors to the severity of PWS T1's phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Correa-da-Silva
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jenny Carter
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetic and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Xin-Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ekta Pathak
- Computational Discovery Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Research Unit NeuroBiology of Diabetes, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - José Manuel Monroy Kuhn
- Computational Discovery Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sonja C Schriever
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Research Unit NeuroBiology of Diabetes, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Clarissa M Maya-Monteiro
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Han Jiao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin J Kalsbeek
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pedro M M Moraes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Immunometabolism, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Johan J P Gille
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUMC. University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margje Sinnema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Constance T R M Stumpel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Leopold M G Curfs
- Governor Kremers Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan Stenvers
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul T Pfluger
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Research Unit NeuroBiology of Diabetes, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Neurobiology of Diabetes, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Lutter
- Computational Discovery Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andries Kalsbeek
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lawrence Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetic and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Yuanqing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun-Xia Yi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC. University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Rohm D, Black JB, McCutcheon SR, Barrera A, Morone DJ, Nuttle X, de Esch CE, Tai DJ, Talkowski ME, Iglesias N, Gersbach CA. Activation of the imprinted Prader-Willi Syndrome locus by CRISPR-based epigenome editing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.03.583177. [PMID: 38496583 PMCID: PMC10942373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.03.583177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Epigenome editing with DNA-targeting technologies such as CRISPR-dCas9 can be used to dissect gene regulatory mechanisms and potentially treat associated disorders. For example, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is caused by loss of paternally expressed imprinted genes on chromosome 15q11.2-q13.3, although the maternal allele is intact but epigenetically silenced. Using CRISPR repression and activation screens in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we identified genomic elements that control expression of the PWS gene SNRPN from the paternal and maternal chromosomes. We showed that either targeted transcriptional activation or DNA demethylation can activate the silenced maternal SNRPN and downstream PWS transcripts. However, these two approaches function at unique regions, preferentially activating different transcript variants and involving distinct epigenetic reprogramming mechanisms. Remarkably, transient expression of the targeted demethylase leads to stable, long-term maternal SNRPN expression in PWS iPSCs. This work uncovers targeted epigenetic manipulations to reprogram a disease-associated imprinted locus and suggests possible therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahlia Rohm
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Joshua B. Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sean R. McCutcheon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Daniel J. Morone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Xander Nuttle
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Celine E. de Esch
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Derek J.C. Tai
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael E. Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nahid Iglesias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Charles A. Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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7
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Loh YP, Xiao L, Park JJ. Trafficking of hormones and trophic factors to secretory and extracellular vesicles: a historical perspective and new hypothesis. EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES AND CIRCULATING NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 4:568-587. [PMID: 38435713 PMCID: PMC10906782 DOI: 10.20517/evcna.2023.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
It is well known that peptide hormones and neurotrophic factors are intercellular messengers that are packaged into secretory vesicles in endocrine cells and neurons and released by exocytosis upon the stimulation of the cells in a calcium-dependent manner. These secreted molecules bind to membrane receptors, which then activate signal transduction pathways to mediate various endocrine/trophic functions. Recently, there is evidence that these molecules are also in extracellular vesicles, including small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which appear to be taken up by recipient cells. This finding raised the hypothesis that they may have functions differentiated from their classical secretory hormone/neurotrophic factor actions. In this article, the historical perspective and updated mechanisms for the sorting and packaging of hormones and neurotrophic factors into secretory vesicles and their transport in these organelles for release at the plasma membrane are reviewed. In contrast, little is known about the packaging of hormones and neurotrophic factors into extracellular vesicles. One proposal is that these molecules could be sorted at the trans-Golgi network, which then buds to form Golgi-derived vesicles that can fuse to endosomes and subsequently form intraluminal vesicles. They are then taken up by multivesicular bodies to form extracellular vesicles, which are subsequently released. Other possible mechanisms for packaging RSP proteins into sEVs are discussed. We highlight some studies in the literature that suggest the dual vesicular pathways for the release of hormones and neurotrophic factors from the cell may have some physiological significance in intercellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lan Xiao
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joshua J. Park
- Scientific Review Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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8
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Zhang Y, Sui Z, Zhang Z, Wang C, Li X, Xing F. Analysis of the Imprinting Status and Expression of the MAGEL2 Gene During Initiation at Puberty in the Dolang Sheep. DNA Cell Biol 2023; 42:689-696. [PMID: 37843913 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting refers to the expression of parent-specific genes in diploid mammalian cells. MAGEL2 gene is a maternally imprinted gene that has been identified in mice and humans and is associated with the onset of puberty. The purpose of this study was to investigate its imprinting status and its relationship with the onset of puberty in Dolang sheep. The sequence of 3734 bp cDNA of MAGEL2 in Dolang sheep was obtained by cloning and sequencing, encoding 1173 amino acids. The results of the nucleotide and amino acid similarity analysis showed that it was highly conserved among different mammalian species. The MAGEL2 gene was expressed monoallelically in the tissues of adult and neonatal umbilical cords, and the expressed allele was paternally inherited. Real Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results showed that the MAGEL2 gene was highly expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, increased significantly from prepuberty to puberty, and decreased significantly after puberty. This study suggests that MAGEL2 is a paternally expressed and maternally imprinted gene in Dolang sheep, which may be involved in the initiation of puberty in Dolang sheep. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the mechanism of the imprinted gene MAGEL2 regulating the onset of puberty in sheep, and provides a new idea for the future research on the mechanism of onset of puberty in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
| | - Zhiyuan Sui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
| | - Zhishuai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
| | - Chenguang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
| | - Xiaojun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
| | - Feng Xing
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar, China
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9
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Higgs MJ, Webberley AE, Allan AJ, Talat M, John RM, Isles AR. The parenting hub of the hypothalamus is a focus of imprinted gene action. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010961. [PMID: 37856383 PMCID: PMC10586610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are subject to germline epigenetic modification resulting in parental-specific allelic silencing. Although genomic imprinting is thought to be important for maternal behaviour, this idea is based on serendipitous findings from a small number of imprinted genes. Here, we undertook an unbiased systems biology approach, taking advantage of the recent delineation of specific neuronal populations responsible for controlling parental care, to test whether imprinted genes significantly converge to regulate parenting behaviour. Using single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we identified a specific enrichment of imprinted gene expression in a recognised "parenting hub", the galanin-expressing neurons of the preoptic area. We tested the validity of linking enriched expression in these neurons to function by focusing on MAGE family member L2 (Magel2), an imprinted gene not previously linked to parenting behaviour. We confirmed expression of Magel2 in the preoptic area galanin expressing neurons. We then examined the parenting behaviour of Magel2-null(+/p) mice. Magel2-null mothers, fathers and virgin females demonstrated deficits in pup retrieval, nest building and pup-directed motivation, identifying a central role for this gene in parenting. Finally, we show that Magel2-null mothers and fathers have a significant reduction in POA galanin expressing cells, which in turn contributes to a reduced c-Fos response in the POA upon exposure to pups. Our findings identify a novel imprinted gene that impacts parenting behaviour and, moreover, demonstrates the utility of using single-cell RNA sequencing data to predict gene function from expression and in doing so here, have identified a purposeful role for genomic imprinting in mediating parental behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Higgs
- Behavioural Genetics Group, Centre for Neuropsychiatric, Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Anna E. Webberley
- Behavioural Genetics Group, Centre for Neuropsychiatric, Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Moaz Talat
- The Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalind M. John
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony R. Isles
- Behavioural Genetics Group, Centre for Neuropsychiatric, Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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10
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Štepihar D, Florke Gee RR, Hoyos Sanchez MC, Fon Tacer K. Cell-specific secretory granule sorting mechanisms: the role of MAGEL2 and retromer in hypothalamic regulated secretion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1243038. [PMID: 37799273 PMCID: PMC10548473 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1243038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular protein trafficking and sorting are extremely arduous in endocrine and neuroendocrine cells, which synthesize and secrete on-demand substantial quantities of proteins. To ensure that neuroendocrine secretion operates correctly, each step in the secretion pathways is tightly regulated and coordinated both spatially and temporally. At the trans-Golgi network (TGN), intrinsic structural features of proteins and several sorting mechanisms and distinct signals direct newly synthesized proteins into proper membrane vesicles that enter either constitutive or regulated secretion pathways. Furthermore, this anterograde transport is counterbalanced by retrograde transport, which not only maintains membrane homeostasis but also recycles various proteins that function in the sorting of secretory cargo, formation of transport intermediates, or retrieval of resident proteins of secretory organelles. The retromer complex recycles proteins from the endocytic pathway back to the plasma membrane or TGN and was recently identified as a critical player in regulated secretion in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, melanoma antigen protein L2 (MAGEL2) was discovered to act as a tissue-specific regulator of the retromer-dependent endosomal protein recycling pathway and, by doing so, ensures proper secretory granule formation and maturation. MAGEL2 is a mammalian-specific and maternally imprinted gene implicated in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang neurodevelopmental syndromes. In this review, we will briefly discuss the current understanding of the regulated secretion pathway, encompassing anterograde and retrograde traffic. Although our understanding of the retrograde trafficking and sorting in regulated secretion is not yet complete, we will review recent insights into the molecular role of MAGEL2 in hypothalamic neuroendocrine secretion and how its dysregulation contributes to the symptoms of Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang patients. Given that the activation of many secreted proteins occurs after they enter secretory granules, modulation of the sorting efficiency in a tissue-specific manner may represent an evolutionary adaptation to environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Štepihar
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, United States
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX, United States
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rebecca R. Florke Gee
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, United States
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX, United States
| | - Maria Camila Hoyos Sanchez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, United States
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX, United States
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, United States
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX, United States
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11
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Hoyos Sanchez MC, Bayat T, Gee RRF, Fon Tacer K. Hormonal Imbalances in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang Syndromes Imply the Evolution of Specific Regulation of Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Function in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13109. [PMID: 37685915 PMCID: PMC10487939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus regulates fundamental aspects of physiological homeostasis and behavior, including stress response, reproduction, growth, sleep, and feeding, several of which are affected in patients with Prader-Willi (PWS) and Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS). PWS is caused by paternal deletion, maternal uniparental disomy, or imprinting defects that lead to loss of expression of a maternally imprinted region of chromosome 15 encompassing non-coding RNAs and five protein-coding genes; SYS patients have a mutation in one of them, MAGEL2. Throughout life, PWS and SYS patients suffer from musculoskeletal deficiencies, intellectual disabilities, and hormonal abnormalities, which lead to compulsive behaviors like hyperphagia and temper outbursts. Management of PWS and SYS is mostly symptomatic and cures for these debilitating disorders do not exist, highlighting a clear, unmet medical need. Research over several decades into the molecular and cellular roles of PWS genes has uncovered that several impinge on the neuroendocrine system. In this review, we will discuss the expression and molecular functions of PWS genes, connecting them with hormonal imbalances in patients and animal models. Besides the observed hormonal imbalances, we will describe the recent findings about how the loss of individual genes, particularly MAGEL2, affects the molecular mechanisms of hormone secretion. These results suggest that MAGEL2 evolved as a mammalian-specific regulator of hypothalamic neuroendocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Hoyos Sanchez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Tara Bayat
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Rebecca R. Florke Gee
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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12
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Huang Z, Lu W, Zhang P, Lu Y, Chen L, Kang W, Yang L, Li G, Zhu J, Wu B, Zhou W, Wang H. Early onset critically ill infants with Schaaf-Yang syndrome: a retrospective study from the China neonatal genomes project and literature review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:312. [PMID: 37404980 PMCID: PMC10316094 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-4396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) is a recently identified rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulty, joint contractures, autism spectrum disorder and development delay/intellectual disability. It is mainly caused by truncating variants in maternally imprinted gene MAGEL2 within the Prader-Willi syndrome critical region 15q11-q13. Clinical diagnosis of SYS is difficult for clinicians due to its rarity and highly variable phenotypes, while unique inheritance patterns also complicate genetic diagnosis. To date, no published papers have analyzed the clinical consequences and molecular changes in Chinese patients. Methods In this study, we retrospectively investigated the mutation spectrums and phenotypic features of 12 SYS infants. The data were from a cohort of critically ill infants from the China neonatal genomes project (CNGP), sponsored by Children's Hospital of Fudan University. We also reviewed relevant literature. Results Six previously reported mutations and six novel pathogenic variations of MAGEL2 were identified in 12 unrelated infants. Neonatal respiratory problems were the major complaint for hospitalization, which occurred in 91.7% (11/12) cases. All babies displayed feeding difficulties and a poor suck postnatally, and neonatal dystonia was present in 11 of the cases; joint contractures and multiple congenital defects were also observed. Interestingly, we found that 42.5% (57/134) of the reported SYS patients, including ours carried variants in the c.1996 site, particularly the c.1996dupC variant. The mortality rate was 17.2% (23/134), with the median age of death between 24 gestational weeks in fetuses and 1-month-old in infants. Respiratory failure was the leading cause of death in live-born patients (58.8%, 10/17), especially during the neonatal period. Conclusions Our findings expanded the genotype and phenotype spectrum of neonatal SYS patients. The results demonstrated that respiratory dysfunction was a typical characteristic among Chinese SYS neonates that should attract physicians' attention. The early identification of such disorders allows early intervention and can further provide genetic counseling as well as reproductive options for the affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwen Huang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases1, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulan Lu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Jiangxi Provincial Children’s Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenqing Kang
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases1, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Li
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jitao Zhu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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13
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Victor AK, Hedgecock T, Donaldson M, Johnson D, Rand CM, Weese-Mayer DE, Reiter LT. Analysis and comparisons of gene expression changes in patient- derived neurons from ROHHAD, CCHS, and PWS. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1090084. [PMID: 37234859 PMCID: PMC10206321 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1090084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome is an ultra-rare neurocristopathy with no known genetic or environmental etiology. Rapid-onset obesity over a 3-12 month period with onset between ages 1.5-7 years of age is followed by an unfolding constellation of symptoms including severe hypoventilation that can lead to cardiorespiratory arrest in previously healthy children if not identified early and intervention provided. Congenital Central Hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have overlapping clinical features with ROHHAD and known genetic etiologies. Here we compare patient neurons from three pediatric syndromes (ROHHAD, CCHS, and PWS) and neurotypical control subjects to identify molecular overlap that may explain the clinical similarities. Methods Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from neurotypical control, ROHHAD, and CCHS subjects were differentiated into neuronal cultures for RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Differential expression analysis identified transcripts variably regulated in ROHHAD and CCHS vs. neurotypical control neurons. In addition, we used previously published PWS transcript data to compare both groups to PWS patient-derived DPSC neurons. Enrichment analysis was performed on RNAseq data and downstream protein expression analysis was performed using immunoblotting. Results We identified three transcripts differentially regulated in all three syndromes vs. neurotypical control subjects. Gene ontology analysis on the ROHHAD dataset revealed enrichments in several molecular pathways that may contribute to disease pathology. Importantly, we found 58 transcripts differentially expressed in both ROHHAD and CCHS patient neurons vs. control neurons. Finally, we validated transcript level changes in expression of ADORA2A, a gene encoding for an adenosine receptor, at the protein level in CCHS neurons and found variable, although significant, changes in ROHHAD neurons. Conclusions The molecular overlap between CCHS and ROHHAD neurons suggests that the clinical phenotypes in these syndromes likely arise from or affect similar transcriptional pathways. Further, gene ontology analysis identified enrichments in ATPase transmembrane transporters, acetylglucosaminyltransferases, and phagocytic vesicle membrane proteins that may contribute to the ROHHAD phenotype. Finally, our data imply that the rapid-onset obesity seen in both ROHHAD and PWS likely arise from different molecular mechanisms. The data presented here describes important preliminary findings that warrant further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Kaitlyn Victor
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Tayler Hedgecock
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Martin Donaldson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Casey M. Rand
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Debra E. Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lawrence T. Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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14
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Castilla-Vallmanya L, Centeno-Pla M, Serrano M, Franco-Valls H, Martínez-Cabrera R, Prat-Planas A, Rojano E, Ranea JAG, Seoane P, Oliva C, Paredes-Fuentes AJ, Marfany G, Artuch R, Grinberg D, Rabionet R, Balcells S, Urreizti R. Advancing in Schaaf-Yang syndrome pathophysiology: from bedside to subcellular analyses of truncated MAGEL2. J Med Genet 2023; 60:406-415. [PMID: 36243518 PMCID: PMC10086475 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108690] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) is caused by truncating mutations in MAGEL2, mapping to the Prader-Willi region (15q11-q13), with an observed phenotype partially overlapping that of Prader-Willi syndrome. MAGEL2 plays a role in retrograde transport and protein recycling regulation. Our aim is to contribute to the characterisation of SYS pathophysiology at clinical, genetic and molecular levels. METHODS We performed an extensive phenotypic and mutational revision of previously reported patients with SYS. We analysed the secretion levels of amyloid-β 1-40 peptide (Aβ1-40) and performed targeted metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in fibroblasts of patients with SYS (n=7) compared with controls (n=11). We also transfected cell lines with vectors encoding wild-type (WT) or mutated MAGEL2 to assess stability and subcellular localisation of the truncated protein. RESULTS Functional studies show significantly decreased levels of secreted Aβ1-40 and intracellular glutamine in SYS fibroblasts compared with WT. We also identified 132 differentially expressed genes, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as HOTAIR, and many of them related to developmental processes and mitotic mechanisms. The truncated form of MAGEL2 displayed a stability similar to the WT but it was significantly switched to the nucleus, compared with a mainly cytoplasmic distribution of the WT MAGEL2. Based on the updated knowledge, we offer guidelines for the clinical management of patients with SYS. CONCLUSION A truncated MAGEL2 protein is stable and localises mainly in the nucleus, where it might exert a pathogenic neomorphic effect. Aβ1-40 secretion levels and HOTAIR mRNA levels might be promising biomarkers for SYS. Our findings may improve SYS understanding and clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Castilla-Vallmanya
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Centeno-Pla
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercedes Serrano
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Héctor Franco-Valls
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl Martínez-Cabrera
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aina Prat-Planas
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Rojano
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Institute of Biomedical Research in Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan A G Ranea
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Institute of Biomedical Research in Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Pedro Seoane
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Institute of Biomedical Research in Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Clara Oliva
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abraham J Paredes-Fuentes
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Marfany
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Artuch
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Grinberg
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Rabionet
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susanna Balcells
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, IBUB, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Urreizti
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Espluques de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instiuto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Koppes EA, Johnson MA, Moresco JJ, Luppi P, Lewis DW, Stolz DB, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Wek RC, Watkins SC, Gollin SM, Park HJ, Drain P, Nicholls RD. Insulin secretion deficits in a Prader-Willi syndrome β-cell model are associated with a concerted downregulation of multiple endoplasmic reticulum chaperones. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010710. [PMID: 37068109 PMCID: PMC10138222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystem disorder with neurobehavioral, metabolic, and hormonal phenotypes, caused by loss of expression of a paternally-expressed imprinted gene cluster. Prior evidence from a PWS mouse model identified abnormal pancreatic islet development with retention of aged insulin and deficient insulin secretion. To determine the collective roles of PWS genes in β-cell biology, we used genome-editing to generate isogenic, clonal INS-1 insulinoma lines having 3.16 Mb deletions of the silent, maternal- (control) and active, paternal-allele (PWS). PWS β-cells demonstrated a significant cell autonomous reduction in basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Further, proteomic analyses revealed reduced levels of cellular and secreted hormones, including all insulin peptides and amylin, concomitant with reduction of at least ten endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, including GRP78 and GRP94. Critically, differentially expressed genes identified by whole transcriptome studies included reductions in levels of mRNAs encoding these secreted peptides and the group of ER chaperones. In contrast to the dosage compensation previously seen for ER chaperones in Grp78 or Grp94 gene knockouts or knockdown, compensation is precluded by the stress-independent deficiency of ER chaperones in PWS β-cells. Consistent with reduced ER chaperones levels, PWS INS-1 β-cells are more sensitive to ER stress, leading to earlier activation of all three arms of the unfolded protein response. Combined, the findings suggest that a chronic shortage of ER chaperones in PWS β-cells leads to a deficiency of protein folding and/or delay in ER transit of insulin and other cargo. In summary, our results illuminate the pathophysiological basis of pancreatic β-cell hormone deficits in PWS, with evolutionary implications for the multigenic PWS-domain, and indicate that PWS-imprinted genes coordinate concerted regulation of ER chaperone biosynthesis and β-cell secretory pathway function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A Koppes
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Marie A Johnson
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James J Moresco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Patrizia Luppi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dale W Lewis
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Donna B Stolz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Susanne M Gollin
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hyun Jung Park
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Peter Drain
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert D Nicholls
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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16
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Kounoupa Z, Tivodar S, Theodorakis K, Kyriakis D, Denaxa M, Karagogeos D. Rac1 and Rac3 GTPases and TPC2 are required for axonal outgrowth and migration of cortical interneurons. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286920. [PMID: 36744839 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260373] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases, among them Rac1 and Rac3, are major transducers of extracellular signals and are involved in multiple cellular processes. In cortical interneurons, the neurons that control the balance between excitation and inhibition of cortical circuits, Rac1 and Rac3 are essential for their development. Ablation of both leads to a severe reduction in the numbers of mature interneurons found in the murine cortex, which is partially due to abnormal cell cycle progression of interneuron precursors and defective formation of growth cones in young neurons. Here, we present new evidence that upon Rac1 and Rac3 ablation, centrosome, Golgi complex and lysosome positioning is significantly perturbed, thus affecting both interneuron migration and axon growth. Moreover, for the first time, we provide evidence of altered expression and localization of the two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) voltage-gated ion channel that mediates Ca2+ release. Pharmacological inhibition of TPC2 negatively affected axonal growth and migration of interneurons. Our data, taken together, suggest that TPC2 contributes to the severe phenotype in axon growth initiation, extension and interneuron migration in the absence of Rac1 and Rac3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zouzana Kounoupa
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB, FORTH), Heraklion 71110, Greece.,Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71110, Greece
| | - Simona Tivodar
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB, FORTH), Heraklion 71110, Greece.,Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71110, Greece
| | - Kostas Theodorakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB, FORTH), Heraklion 71110, Greece.,Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71110, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kyriakis
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Myrto Denaxa
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre 'Al. Fleming', Vari, 16672, Greece
| | - Domna Karagogeos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB, FORTH), Heraklion 71110, Greece.,Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71110, Greece
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17
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Gigliucci V, Busnelli M, Santini F, Paolini C, Bertoni A, Schaller F, Muscatelli F, Chini B. Oxytocin receptors in the Magel2 mouse model of autism: Specific region, age, sex and oxytocin treatment effects. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1026939. [PMID: 36998737 PMCID: PMC10043208 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1026939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT) has been implicated in the regulation of social behavior and is intensively investigated as a potential therapeutic treatment in neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits. In the Magel2-knockout (KO) mouse, a model of Schaaf-Yang Syndrome, an early postnatal administration of OXT rescued autistic-like behavior and cognition at adulthood, making this model relevant for understanding the actions of OXT in (re)programming postnatal brain development. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR), the main brain target of OXT, was dysregulated in the hippocampus of Magel2-KO adult males, and normalized upon OXT treatment at birth. Here we have analyzed male and female Magel2-KO brains at postnatal day 8 (P8) and at postnatal day 90 (P90), investigating age, genotype and OXT treatment effects on OXTR levels in several regions of the brain. We found that, at P8, male and female Magel2-KOs displayed a widespread, substantial, down-regulation of OXTR levels compared to wild type (WT) animals. Most intriguingly, the postnatal OXT treatment did not affect Magel2-KO OXTR levels at P8 and, consistently, did not rescue the ultrasonic vocalization deficits observed at this age. On the contrary, the postnatal OXT treatment reduced OXTR levels at P90 in male Magel2-KO in a region-specific way, restoring normal OXTR levels in regions where the Magel2-KO OXTR was upregulated (central amygdala, hippocampus and piriform cortex). Interestingly, Magel2-KO females, previously shown to lack the social deficits observed in Magel2-KO males, were characterized by a different trend in receptor expression compared to males; as a result, the dimorphic expression of OXTR observed in WT animals, with higher OXTR expression observed in females, was abolished in Magel2-KO mice. In conclusion, our data indicate that in Magel2-KO mice, OXTRs undergo region-specific modifications related to age, sex and postnatal OXT treatment. These results are instrumental to design precisely-timed OXT-based therapeutic strategies that, by acting at specific brain regions, could modify the outcome of social deficits in Schaaf-Yang Syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gigliucci
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Busnelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Santini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Paolini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Bice Chini,
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18
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Romero LO, Caires R, Kaitlyn Victor A, Ramirez J, Sierra-Valdez FJ, Walsh P, Truong V, Lee J, Mayor U, Reiter LT, Vásquez V, Cordero-Morales JF. Linoleic acid improves PIEZO2 dysfunction in a mouse model of Angelman Syndrome. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1167. [PMID: 36859399 PMCID: PMC9977963 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36818-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability and atypical behaviors. AS results from loss of expression of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase UBE3A from the maternal allele in neurons. Individuals with AS display impaired coordination, poor balance, and gait ataxia. PIEZO2 is a mechanosensitive ion channel essential for coordination and balance. Here, we report that PIEZO2 activity is reduced in Ube3a deficient male and female mouse sensory neurons, a human Merkel cell carcinoma cell line and female human iPSC-derived sensory neurons with UBE3A knock-down, and de-identified stem cell-derived neurons from individuals with AS. We find that loss of UBE3A decreases actin filaments and reduces PIEZO2 expression and function. A linoleic acid (LA)-enriched diet increases PIEZO2 activity, mechano-excitability, and improves gait in male AS mice. Finally, LA supplementation increases PIEZO2 function in stem cell-derived neurons from individuals with AS. We propose a mechanism whereby loss of UBE3A expression reduces PIEZO2 function and identified a fatty acid that enhances channel activity and ameliorates AS-associated mechano-sensory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis O Romero
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, College of Graduate Health Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Rebeca Caires
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - A Kaitlyn Victor
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - Juanma Ramirez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Francisco J Sierra-Valdez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | | | | | - Jungsoo Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - Ugo Mayor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA
| | - Valeria Vásquez
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA.
| | - Julio F Cordero-Morales
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA.
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19
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Transition from Animal-Based to Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)-Based Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040538. [PMID: 36831205 PMCID: PMC9954744 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arise from the disruption of highly coordinated mechanisms underlying brain development, which results in impaired sensory, motor and/or cognitive functions. Although rodent models have offered very relevant insights to the field, the translation of findings to clinics, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches for these diseases, remains challenging. Part of the explanation for this failure may be the genetic differences-some targets not being conserved between species-and, most importantly, the differences in regulation of gene expression. This prompts the use of human-derived models to study NDDS. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) added a new suitable alternative to overcome species limitations, allowing for the study of human neuronal development while maintaining the genetic background of the donor patient. Several hIPSC models of NDDs already proved their worth by mimicking several pathological phenotypes found in humans. In this review, we highlight the utility of hIPSCs to pave new paths for NDD research and development of new therapeutic tools, summarize the challenges and advances of hIPSC-culture and neuronal differentiation protocols and discuss the best way to take advantage of these models, illustrating this with examples of success for some NDDs.
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20
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Reznik DL, Yang MV, Albelda de la Haza P, Jain A, Spanjaard M, Theiss S, Schaaf CP, Malovannaya A, Strong TV, Veeraragavan S, Samaco RC. Magel2 truncation alters select behavioral and physiological outcomes in a rat model of Schaaf-Yang syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:286598. [PMID: 36637363 PMCID: PMC9922728 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in mice have utilized Magel2 gene deletion models to examine the consequences of its absence. We report the generation, molecular validation and phenotypic characterization of a novel rat model with a truncating Magel2 mutation modeling variants associated with Schaaf-Yang syndrome-causing mutations. Within the hypothalamus, a brain region in which human MAGEL2 is paternally expressed, we demonstrated, at the level of transcript and peptide detection, that rat Magel2 exhibits a paternal, parent-of-origin effect. In evaluations of behavioral features across several domains, juvenile Magel2 mutant rats displayed alterations in anxiety-like behavior and sociability measures. Moreover, the analysis of peripheral organ systems detected alterations in body composition, cardiac structure and function, and breathing irregularities in Magel2 mutant rats. Several of these findings are concordant with reported mouse phenotypes, indicating the conservation of MAGEL2 function across rodent species. Our comprehensive analysis revealing impairments across multiple domains demonstrates the tractability of this model system for the study of truncating MAGEL2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek L Reznik
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mingxiao V Yang
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pedro Albelda de la Haza
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Antrix Jain
- Baylor College of Medicine, Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Melanie Spanjaard
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Human Genetics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Theiss
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Human Genetics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian P Schaaf
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Human Genetics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Malovannaya
- Baylor College of Medicine, Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Verna and Marrs McLean Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Theresa V Strong
- Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, Walnut, CA 91789, USA.,Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Surabi Veeraragavan
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rodney C Samaco
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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21
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Choi Y, Min HY, Hwang J, Jo YH. Magel2 knockdown in hypothalamic POMC neurons innervating the medial amygdala reduces susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202201502. [PMID: 36007929 PMCID: PMC9418835 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperphagia and obesity profoundly affect the health of children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The Magel2 gene among the genes in the Prader-Willi syndrome deletion region is expressed in proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). Knockout of the Magel2 gene disrupts POMC neuronal circuits and functions. Here, we report that loss of the Magel2 gene exclusively in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the medial amygdala (MeA) causes a reduction in body weight in both male and female mice fed with a high-fat diet. This anti-obesity effect is associated with an increased locomotor activity. There are no significant differences in glucose and insulin tolerance in mice without the Magel2 gene in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the MeA. Plasma estrogen levels are higher in female mutant mice than in controls. Blockade of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), but not estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), reduces locomotor activity in female mutant mice. Hence, our study provides evidence that knockdown of the Magel2 gene in ARCPOMC neurons innervating the MeA reduces susceptibility to diet-induced obesity with increased locomotor activity through activation of central GPER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Choi
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Hyeon-Young Min
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jiyeon Hwang
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Young-Hwan Jo
- Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA .,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
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22
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Abstract
A major issue in studying human neurogenetic disorders, especially rare syndromes affecting the nervous system, is the ability to grow neuronal cultures that accurately represent these disorders for analysis. Although there has been some success in generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from both skin and blood, there are still limitations to the collection, production and use of iPSC derived neurons. We have had significant success in collecting and growing human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from exfoliated teeth sent directly to our laboratory by the parents of children with a variety of rare neurogenetic syndromes. This protocol outlines our current methods for the growth and expansion of DPSC from exfoliated (baby) teeth. These DPSC can be differentiated into a variety of cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and mixed neuron and glial cultures. Here we provide our protocol for the differentiation of early passage DPSC cultures into neurons for molecular and cellular studies. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Collection and transportation of exfoliated teeth Basic Protocol 2: Dental pulp extraction Basic Protocol 3: Passage, freezing, and thawing of DPSC cultures Basic Protocol 4: Differentiation of DPSC into mixed neuronal cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Goorha
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - A. Kaitlyn Victor
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- IPBS Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lawrence T. Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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23
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Oztan O, Zyga O, Stafford DEJ, Parker KJ. Linking oxytocin and arginine vasopressin signaling abnormalities to social behavior impairments in Prader-Willi syndrome. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104870. [PMID: 36113782 PMCID: PMC11024898 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104870] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. Global hypothalamic dysfunction is a core feature of PWS and has been implicated as a driver of many of PWS's phenotypic characteristics (e.g., hyperphagia-induced obesity, hypogonadism, short stature). Although the two neuropeptides (i.e., oxytocin [OXT] and arginine vasopressin [AVP]) most implicated in mammalian prosocial functioning are of hypothalamic origin, and social functioning is markedly impaired in PWS, there has been little consideration of how dysregulation of these neuropeptide signaling pathways may contribute to PWS's social behavior impairments. The present article addresses this gap in knowledge by providing a comprehensive review of the preclinical and clinical PWS literature-spanning endogenous neuropeptide measurement to exogenous neuropeptide administration studies-to better understand the roles of OXT and AVP signaling in this population. The preponderance of evidence indicates that OXT and AVP signaling are indeed dysregulated in PWS, and that these neuropeptide pathways may provide promising targets for therapeutic intervention in a patient population that currently lacks a pharmacological strategy for its debilitating social behavior symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Oztan
- 1201 Welch Road, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Olena Zyga
- 1201 Welch Road, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Diane E J Stafford
- Center for Academic Medicine, 453 Quarry Road, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- 1201 Welch Road, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; 300 Pasteur Drive, Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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24
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Varney MJ, Steyaert W, Coucke PJ, Delanghe JR, Uehling DE, Joseph B, Marcellus R, Al-Awar R, Benovic JL. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) regulates insulin processing and secretion via effects on proinsulin conversion to insulin. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102421. [PMID: 36030052 PMCID: PMC9526158 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies identified a missense mutation in the gene coding for G protein–coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) that segregates with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To better understand how GRK6 might be involved in T2D, we used pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown in the mouse β-cell line, MIN6, to determine whether GRK6 regulates insulin dynamics. We show inhibition of GRK5 and GRK6 increased insulin secretion but reduced insulin processing while GRK6 knockdown revealed these same processing defects with reduced levels of cellular insulin. GRK6 knockdown cells also had attenuated insulin secretion but enhanced proinsulin secretion consistent with decreased processing. In support of these findings, we demonstrate GRK6 rescue experiments in knockdown cells restored insulin secretion after glucose treatment. The altered insulin profile appears to be caused by changes in the proprotein convertases, the enzymes responsible for proinsulin to insulin conversion, as GRK6 knockdown resulted in significantly reduced convertase expression and activity. To identify how the GRK6-P384S mutation found in T2D patients might affect insulin processing, we performed biochemical and cell biological assays to study the properties of the mutant. We found that while GRK6-P384S was more active than WT GRK6, it displayed a cytosolic distribution in cells compared to the normal plasma membrane localization of GRK6. Additionally, GRK6 overexpression in MIN6 cells enhanced proinsulin processing, while GRK6-P384S expression had little effect. Taken together, our data show that GRK6 regulates insulin processing and secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and provide a foundation for understanding the contribution of GRK6 to T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Varney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Wouter Steyaert
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul J Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joris R Delanghe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David E Uehling
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Babu Joseph
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Richard Marcellus
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Rima Al-Awar
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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25
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Human Brain Models of Intellectual Disability: Experimental Advances and Novelties. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126476. [PMID: 35742919 PMCID: PMC9224308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by deficits in conceptual, social and practical domains. ID can be caused by both genetic defects and environmental factors and is extremely heterogeneous, which complicates the diagnosis as well as the deciphering of the underlying pathways. Multiple scientific breakthroughs during the past decades have enabled the development of novel ID models. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) enables the study of patient-derived human neurons in 2D or in 3D organoids during development. Gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, provide isogenic controls and opportunities to design personalized gene therapies. In practice this has contributed significantly to the understanding of ID and opened doors to identify novel therapeutic targets. Despite these advances, a number of areas of improvement remain for which novel technologies might entail a solution in the near future. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the existing literature on scientific breakthroughs that have been advancing the way ID can be studied in the human brain. The here described human brain models for ID have the potential to accelerate the identification of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the development of therapies.
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26
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Proteins and Proteases of Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review and Perspectives. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:231361. [PMID: 35621394 PMCID: PMC9208313 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20220610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare complex genetic disease that is associated with pathological disorders that include endocrine disruption, developmental, neurological, and physical problems as well as intellectual, and behavioral dysfunction. In early stage, PWS is characterized by respiratory distress, hypotonia, and poor sucking ability, causing feeding concern and poor weight gain. Additional features of the disease evolve over time. These include hyperphagia, obesity, developmental, cognitive delay, skin picking, high pain threshold, short stature, growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, strabismus, scoliosis, joint laxity, or hip dysplasia. The disease is associated with a shortened life expectancy. There is no cure for PWS, although interventions are available for symptoms management. PWS is caused by genetic defects in chromosome 15q11.2-q13, and categorized into three groups, namely Paternal deletion, Maternal uniparental disomy, and Imprinting defect. PWS is confirmed through genetic testing and DNA-methylation analysis. Studies revealed that at least two key proteins namely MAGEL-2 and NECDIN along with two proteases PCSK1 and PCSK2 are linked to PWS. Herein, we summarize our current understanding and knowledge about the role of these proteins and enzymes in various biological processes associated with PWS. The review also describes how loss and/or impairment of functional activity of these macromolecules can lead to hormonal disbalance by promoting degradation of secretory granules and via inhibition of proteolytic maturation of precursor-proteins. The present review will draw attention of researchers, scientists, and academicians engaged in PWS study and will help to identify potential targets and molecular pathways for PWS intervention and treatment.
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Tsai LP, Wang SS, Chee SY, Wong SB. Dynamic Changes in the Quantitative Electroencephalographic Spectrum During Attention Tasks in Patients With Prader–Willi Syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:763244. [PMID: 35368678 PMCID: PMC8965856 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.763244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Attention problems are frequently observed in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS); however, only few studies have investigated the severity and mechanisms of attention problems in them. In this study, we aim to evaluate dynamic changes in the quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) spectrum during attention tasks in patients with PWS. Method: From January to June 2019, 10 patients with PWS and 10 age-matched neurotypical control participants were recruited at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital. Each participant completed Conners’ continuous performance test, third edition (CPT-3), tasks with simultaneous EEG monitoring. The dynamic changes in the quantitative EEG spectrum between the resting state and during CPT-3 tasks were compared. Results: Behaviorally, patients with PWS experienced significant attention problems, indicated by the high scores for several CPT-3 variables. The theta/beta ratio of the resting-state EEG spectrum revealed no significant differences between the control participants and patients with PWS. During CPT-3 tasks, a significant decrease in the alpha power was noted in controls compared with that in patients with PWS. The attention-to-resting alpha power ratio was positively correlated with many CPT-3 variables. After adjusting for genotype, age, intelligence, and body mass index, the attention-to-resting alpha power ratio was still significantly correlated with participants’ commission errors. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that attention problems are frequently observed in patients with PWS, while attention impairment can be demonstrated by dynamic changes in the quantitative EEG spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Syu-Siang Wang
- Research Center for Information Technology Innovation, Academia Sinica, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Siew-Yin Chee
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Bing Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Shi-Bing Wong,
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Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Weight and Fat in Snord116m+/p- and Snord116m-/p- Mouse Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14040860. [PMID: 35215509 PMCID: PMC8880678 DOI: 10.3390/nu14040860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a human genetic condition that affects up to 1 in 10,000 live births. Affected infants present with hypotonia and developmental delay. Hyperphagia and increasing body weight follow unless drastic calorie restriction is initiated. Recently, our laboratory showed that one of the genes in the deleted locus causative for PWS, Snord116, maintains increased expression of hypothalamic Nhlh2, a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor. We have previously also shown that obese mice with a deletion of Nhlh2 respond to a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) diet with weight and fat loss. In this study, we investigated whether mice with a paternal deletion of Snord116 (Snord116m+/p−) would respond similarly. We found that while Snord116m+/p− mice and mice with a deletion of both Snord116 alleles were not significantly obese on a high-fat diet, they did lose body weight and fat on a high-fat/CLA diet, suggesting that the genotype did not interfere with CLA actions. There were no changes in food intake or metabolic rate, and only moderate differences in exercise performance. RNA-seq and microbiome analyses identified hypothalamic mRNAs, and differentially populated gut bacteria, that support future mechanistic analyses. CLA may be useful as a food additive to reduce obesity in humans with PWS.
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Victor AK, Donaldson M, Johnson D, Miller W, Reiter LT. Molecular Changes in Prader-Willi Syndrome Neurons Reveals Clues About Increased Autism Susceptibility. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:747855. [PMID: 34776864 PMCID: PMC8586424 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.747855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hormonal dysregulation, obesity, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems. Most PWS cases are caused by paternal interstitial deletions of 15q11.2-q13.1, while a smaller number of cases are caused by chromosome 15 maternal uniparental disomy (PW-UPD). Children with PW-UPD are at higher risk for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than the neurotypical population. In this study, we used expression analysis of PW-UPD neurons to try to identify the molecular cause for increased autism risk. Methods: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from neurotypical control and PWS subjects were differentiated to neurons for mRNA sequencing. Significantly differentially expressed transcripts among all groups were identified. Downstream protein analysis including immunocytochemistry and immunoblots were performed to confirm the transcript level data and pathway enrichment findings. Results: We identified 9 transcripts outside of the PWS critical region (15q11.2-q13.1) that may contribute to core PWS phenotypes. Moreover, we discovered a global reduction in mitochondrial transcripts in the PW-UPD + ASD group. We also found decreased mitochondrial abundance along with mitochondrial aggregates in the cell body and neural projections of +ASD neurons. Conclusion: The 9 transcripts we identified common to all PWS subtypes may reveal PWS specific defects during neurodevelopment. Importantly, we found a global reduction in mitochondrial transcripts in PW-UPD + ASD neurons versus control and other PWS subtypes. We then confirmed mitochondrial defects in neurons from individuals with PWS at the cellular level. Quantification of this phenotype supports our hypothesis that the increased incidence of ASD in PW-UPD subjects may arise from mitochondrial defects in developing neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kaitlyn Victor
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Martin Donaldson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Winston Miller
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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30
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Borie AM, Dromard Y, Guillon G, Olma A, Manning M, Muscatelli F, Desarménien MG, Jeanneteau F. Correction of vasopressin deficit in the lateral septum ameliorates social deficits of mouse autism model. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:144450. [PMID: 33232306 DOI: 10.1172/jci144450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual and social disabilities are common comorbidities in adolescents and adults with MAGE family member L2 (MAGEL2) gene deficiency characterizing the Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang neurodevelopmental syndromes. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the risk for autism in these syndromes are not understood. We asked whether vasopressin functions are altered by MAGEL2 deficiency and whether a treatment with vasopressin could alleviate the disabilities of social behavior. We used Magel2-knockout mice (adult males) combined with optogenetic or pharmacological tools to characterize disease modifications in the vasopressinergic brain system and monitor its impact on neurophysiological and behavioral functions. We found that the activation of vasopressin neurons and projections in the lateral septum were inappropriate for performing a social habituation/discrimination task. Mechanistically, the lack of vasopressin impeded the deactivation of somatostatin neurons in the lateral septum, which predicted social discrimination deficits. Correction of vasopressin septal content by administration or optogenetic stimulation of projecting axons suppressed the activity of somatostatin neurons and ameliorated social behavior. This preclinical study identified vasopressin in the lateral septum as a key factor in the pathophysiology of Magel2-related neurodevelopmental syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie M Borie
- Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Yann Dromard
- Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Gilles Guillon
- Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Aleksandra Olma
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Maurice Manning
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut des Neurosciences de la Méditerranée, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Michel G Desarménien
- Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Freddy Jeanneteau
- Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
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31
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Sanderson MR, Fahlman RP, Wevrick R. The N-terminal domain of the Schaaf-Yang syndrome protein MAGEL2 likely has a role in RNA metabolism. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100959. [PMID: 34265304 PMCID: PMC8350409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MAGEL2 encodes the L2 member of the melanoma-associated antigen gene (MAGE) protein family, truncating mutations of which can cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. MAGEL2 is also inactivated in Prader-Willi syndrome, which overlaps clinically and mechanistically with Schaaf-Yang syndrome. Studies to date have only investigated the C-terminal portion of the MAGEL2 protein, containing the MAGE homology domain that interacts with RING-E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases to form protein complexes that modify protein ubiquitination. In contrast, the N-terminal portion of the MAGEL2 protein has never been studied. Here, we find that MAGEL2 has a low-complexity intrinsically disordered N-terminus rich in Pro-Xn-Gly motifs that is predicted to mediate liquid-liquid phase separation to form biomolecular condensates. We used proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify MAGEL2-proximal proteins, then clustered these proteins into functional networks. We determined that coding mutations analogous to disruptive mutations in other MAGE proteins alter these networks in biologically relevant ways. Proteins identified as proximal to the N-terminal portion of MAGEL2 are primarily involved in mRNA metabolic processes and include three mRNA N 6-methyladenosine (m6A)-binding YTHDF proteins and two RNA interference-mediating TNRC6 proteins. We found that YTHDF2 coimmunoprecipitates with MAGEL2, and coexpression of MAGEL2 reduces the nuclear accumulation of YTHDF2 after heat shock. We suggest that the N-terminal region of MAGEL2 may have a role in RNA metabolism and in particular the regulation of mRNAs modified by m6A methylation. These results provide mechanistic insight into pathogenic MAGEL2 mutations associated with Schaaf-Yang syndrome and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthea R Sanderson
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard P Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rachel Wevrick
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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32
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Kerem L, Lawson EA. The Effects of Oxytocin on Appetite Regulation, Food Intake and Metabolism in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7737. [PMID: 34299356 PMCID: PMC8306733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic peptide oxytocin and its receptor are involved in a range of physiological processes, including parturition, lactation, cell growth, wound healing, and social behavior. More recently, increasing evidence has established the effects of oxytocin on food intake, energy expenditure, and peripheral metabolism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the central oxytocinergic system in which oxytocin acts to shape eating behavior and metabolism. Next, we discuss the peripheral beneficial effects oxytocin exerts on key metabolic organs, including suppression of visceral adipose tissue inflammation, skeletal muscle regeneration, and bone tissue mineralization. A brief summary of oxytocin actions learned from animal models is presented, showing that weight loss induced by chronic oxytocin treatment is related not only to its anorexigenic effects, but also to the resulting increase in energy expenditure and lipolysis. Following an in-depth discussion on the technical challenges related to endogenous oxytocin measurements in humans, we synthesize data related to the association between endogenous oxytocin levels, weight status, metabolic syndrome, and bone health. We then review clinical trials showing that in humans, acute oxytocin administration reduces food intake, attenuates fMRI activation of food motivation brain areas, and increases activation of self-control brain regions. Further strengthening the role of oxytocin in appetite regulation, we review conditions of hypothalamic insult and certain genetic pathologies associated with oxytocin depletion that present with hyperphagia, extreme weight gain, and poor metabolic profile. Intranasal oxytocin is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials to learn whether oxytocin-based therapeutics can be used to treat obesity and its associated sequela. At the end of this review, we address the fundamental challenges that remain in translating this line of research to clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Kerem
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
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33
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Correa‐da‐Silva F, Fliers E, Swaab DF, Yi C. Hypothalamic neuropeptides and neurocircuitries in Prader Willi syndrome. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12994. [PMID: 34156126 PMCID: PMC8365683 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare and incurable congenital neurodevelopmental disorder, resulting from the absence of expression of a group of genes on the paternally acquired chromosome 15q11-q13. Phenotypical characteristics of PWS include infantile hypotonia, short stature, incomplete pubertal development, hyperphagia and morbid obesity. Hypothalamic dysfunction in controlling body weight and food intake is a hallmark of PWS. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that PWS subjects have abnormal neurocircuitry engaged in the hedonic and physiological control of feeding behavior. This is translated into diminished production of hypothalamic effector peptides which are responsible for the coordination of energy homeostasis and satiety. So far, studies with animal models for PWS and with human post-mortem hypothalamic specimens demonstrated changes particularly in the infundibular and the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, both in orexigenic and anorexigenic neural populations. Moreover, many PWS patients have a severe endocrine dysfunction, e.g. central hypogonadism and/or growth hormone deficiency, which may contribute to the development of increased fat mass, especially if left untreated. Additionally, the role of non-neuronal cells, such as astrocytes and microglia in the hypothalamic dysregulation in PWS is yet to be determined. Notably, microglial activation is persistently present in non-genetic obesity. To what extent microglia, and other glial cells, are affected in PWS is poorly understood. The elucidation of the hypothalamic dysfunction in PWS could prove to be a key feature of rational therapeutic management in this syndrome. This review aims to examine the evidence for hypothalamic dysfunction, both at the neuropeptidergic and circuitry levels, and its correlation with the pathophysiology of PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Correa‐da‐Silva
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of EndocrinologyAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Dick F. Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Chun‐Xia Yi
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of EndocrinologyAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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34
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Halloun R, Habib C, Ekhilevitch N, Weiss R, Tiosano D, Cohen M. Expanding the spectrum of endocrinopathies identified in Schaaf-Yang syndrome - A case report and review of the literature. Eur J Med Genet 2021; 64:104252. [PMID: 34051361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2021.104252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Schaaf-Yang syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the paternal allele of the MAGEL2 gene. Developmental delay, feeding difficulties, joint contractures and a high prevalence of autism spectrum disorders are characteristic of the syndrome. Endocrine abnormalities include mostly various pituitary hormonal deficiencies, presenting as hypoglycemia in 48% of reported cases. Persistent hyperinsulinism was only described in two siblings and responded to diazoxide treatment. We describe a unique case of an infant with Schaaf-Yang syndrome that presented with persistent hyperinsulinism unresponsive to diazoxide. Furthermore, we conducted a literature review of the endocrine abnormalities described in MAGEL2 related disorders. The case presented expands the clinical phenotype of Schaaf-Yang syndrome and emphasizes the importance of endocrine follow-up in these patients. Further investigation into the role of MAGEL2 in the regulation of pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion, will improve our understanding of the abnormalities in glucose regulation in this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Halloun
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Clair Habib
- Department of Genetics, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nina Ekhilevitch
- Department of Genetics, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ram Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; The Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dov Tiosano
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; The Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; The Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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35
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Kocher MA, Huang FW, Le E, Good DJ. Snord116 Post-transcriptionally Increases Nhlh2 mRNA Stability: Implications for Human Prader-Willi Syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1101-1110. [PMID: 33856031 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The smallest genomic region causing Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) deletes the non-coding RNA SNORD116 cluster; however, the function of SNORD116 remains a mystery. Previous work in the field revealed the tantalizing possibility that expression of NHLH2, a gene previously implicated in both obesity and hypogonadism, was downregulated in PWS patients and differentiated stem cells. In silico RNA: RNA modeling identified several potential interaction domains between SNORD116 and NHLH2 mRNA. One of these interaction domains was highly conserved in most vertebrate NHLH2 mRNAs examined. A construct containing the Nhlh2 mRNA, including its 3'-UTR, linked to a c-myc tag was transfected into a hypothalamic neuron cell line in the presence and absence of exogenously-expressed Snord116. Nhlh2 mRNA expression was upregulated in the presence of Snord116 dependent on the length and type of 3'UTR used on the construct. Furthermore, use of actinomycin D to stop new transcription in N29/2 cells demonstrated that the upregulation occurred through increased stability of the Nhlh2 mRNA in the 45 minutes immediately following transcription. In silico modeling also revealed that a single nucleotide variant (SNV) in the NHLH2 mRNA could reduce the predicted interaction strength of the NHLH2:SNORD116 diad. Indeed, use of an Nhlh2 mRNA construct containing this SNV significantly reduces the ability of Snord116 to increase Nhlh2 mRNA levels. For the first time, these data identify a motif and mechanism for SNORD116-mediated regulation of NHLH2, clarifying the mechanism by which deletion of the SNORD116 snoRNAs locus leads to PWS phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Kocher
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Graduate Program, 1 Riverside Circle, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Fenix W Huang
- Biocomplexity Institute & Initiative, University of Virginia, 995 Research Park Blvd, Town Center III, 4th Floor, Charlottesville, VA 22911
| | - Erin Le
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, 1981 Kraft Drive (0913), Integrated Life Sciences Building, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060
| | - Deborah J Good
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Graduate Program, 1 Riverside Circle, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, 1981 Kraft Drive (0913), Integrated Life Sciences Building, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060
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36
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Kummerfeld DM, Raabe CA, Brosius J, Mo D, Skryabin BV, Rozhdestvensky TS. A Comprehensive Review of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models for Prader-Willi Syndrome Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3613. [PMID: 33807162 PMCID: PMC8037846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic multifactorial disorder caused by the deletion or inactivation of paternally imprinted genes on human chromosome 15q11-q13. The affected homologous locus is on mouse chromosome 7C. The positional conservation and organization of genes including the imprinting pattern between mice and men implies similar physiological functions of this locus. Therefore, considerable efforts to recreate the pathogenesis of PWS have been accomplished in mouse models. We provide a summary of different mouse models that were generated for the analysis of PWS and discuss their impact on our current understanding of corresponding genes, their putative functions and the pathogenesis of PWS. Murine models of PWS unveiled the contribution of each affected gene to this multi-facetted disease, and also enabled the establishment of the minimal critical genomic region (PWScr) responsible for core symptoms, highlighting the importance of non-protein coding genes in the PWS locus. Although the underlying disease-causing mechanisms of PWS remain widely unresolved and existing mouse models do not fully capture the entire spectrum of the human PWS disorder, continuous improvements of genetically engineered mouse models have proven to be very powerful and valuable tools in PWS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delf-Magnus Kummerfeld
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Carsten A. Raabe
- Research Group Regulatory Mechanisms of Inflammation, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Juergen Brosius
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dingding Mo
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Boris V. Skryabin
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Timofey S. Rozhdestvensky
- Medical Faculty, Core Facility Transgenic Animal and Genetic Engineering Models (TRAM), University of Muenster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
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