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Wani AK, Prakash A, Sena S, Akhtar N, Singh R, Chopra C, Ariyanti EE, Mudiana D, Yulia ND, Rahayu F. Unraveling molecular signatures in rare bone tumors and navigating the cancer pathway landscapes for targeted therapeutics. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104291. [PMID: 38346462 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104291] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare cancers (RCs), which account for over 20% of cancer cases, face significant research and treatment challenges due to their limited prevalence. This results in suboptimal outcomes compared to more common malignancies. Rare bone tumors (RBTs) constitute 5-10% of rare cancer cases and pose unique diagnostic complexities. The therapeutic potential of anti-cancer drugs for RBTs remains largely unexplored. Identifying molecular alterations in cancer-related genes and their associated pathways is essential for precision medicine in RBTs. Small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting specific RBT-associated proteins show promise. Ongoing clinical trials aim to define RBT biomarkers, subtypes, and optimal treatment contexts, including combination therapies and immunotherapeutic agents. This review addresses the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and studying RBTs, shedding light on the current state of RBT biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets, and promising inhibitors. Rare cancers demand attention and innovative solutions to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif Khurshid Wani
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India.
| | - Ajit Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Saikat Sena
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India
| | - Nahid Akhtar
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India
| | - Reena Singh
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India
| | - Chirag Chopra
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India
| | - Esti Endah Ariyanti
- Research Center for Applied Botany, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Deden Mudiana
- Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Nina Dwi Yulia
- Research Center for Applied Botany, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Farida Rahayu
- Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor 16911, Indonesia
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2
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Nishino M, Tanaka M, Imagawa K, Yaita K, Enokizono T, Ohto T, Suzuki H, Yamada M, Takenouchi T, Kosaki K, Takada H. Identification of a novel splice-site WWOX variant with paternal uniparental isodisomy in a patient with infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Am J Med Genet A 2024. [PMID: 38407561 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
WOREE syndrome is an early infantile epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant seizures and severe psychomotor developmental delays. We report a case of a WWOX splice-site mutation with uniparental isodisomy. A 1-year and 7-month-old girl presented with nystagmus and epileptic seizures from early infancy, with no fixation or pursuit of vision. Physical examination revealed small deformities, such as swelling of both cheeks, folded fingers, rocking feet, and scoliosis. Brain imaging revealed slight hypoplasia of the cerebrum. Electroencephalogram showed focal paroxysmal discharges during the interictal phase of seizures. Vitamin B6 and zonisamide were administered for early infantile epileptic encephalopathy; however, the seizures were not relieved. Despite altering the type and dosage of antiepileptic drugs and ACTH therapy, the seizures were intractable. Whole-exome analysis revealed the homozygosity of WWOX(NM_016373.4):c.516+1G>A. The WWOX mRNA sequencing using peripheral blood RNA confirmed that exon 5 was homozygously deleted. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with WOREE syndrome at 5 months. The WWOX variant found in this study is novel and has never been reported before. WOREE syndrome being extremely rare, further case series and analyses of its pathophysiology are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Nishino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Mai Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuo Imagawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Yaita
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Enokizono
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Ohto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hisato Suzuki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mamiko Yamada
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takenouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Takada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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3
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Battaglia L, Scorrano G, Spiaggia R, Basile A, Palmucci S, Foti PV, Spatola C, Iacomino M, Marinangeli F, Francia E, Comisi F, Corsello A, Salpietro V, Vittori A, David E. Neuroimaging features of WOREE syndrome: a mini-review of the literature. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1301166. [PMID: 38161429 PMCID: PMC10757851 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1301166] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene encodes a 414-amino-acid protein composed of two N-terminal WW domains and a C-terminal short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) domain. WWOX protein is highly conserved among species and mainly expressed in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, brain stem, thyroid, hypophysis, and reproductive organs. It plays a crucial role in the biology of the central nervous system, and it is involved in neuronal development, migration, and proliferation. Biallelic pathogenic variants in WWOX have been associated with an early infantile epileptic encephalopathy known as WOREE syndrome. Both missense and null variants have been described in affected patients, leading to a reduction in protein function and stability. The most severe WOREE phenotypes have been related to biallelic null/null variants, associated with the complete loss of function of the protein. All affected patients showed brain anomalies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), suggesting the pivotal role of WWOX protein in brain homeostasis and developmental processes. We provided a literature review, exploring both the clinical and radiological spectrum related to WWOX pathogenic variants, described to date. We focused on neuroradiological findings to better delineate the WOREE phenotype with diagnostic and prognostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Battaglia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Rossana Spiaggia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Basile
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Valerio Foti
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Corrado Spatola
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Instituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Marinangeli
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Therapy, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Elisa Francia
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Vittori
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele David
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
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4
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Cheng HC, Huang PH, Lai FJ, Jan MS, Chen YL, Chen SY, Chen WL, Hsu CK, Huang W, Hsu LJ. Loss of fragile WWOX gene leads to senescence escape and genome instability. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:338. [PMID: 37897534 PMCID: PMC10613160 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04950-1] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Induction of DNA damage response (DDR) to ensure accurate duplication of genetic information is crucial for maintaining genome integrity during DNA replication. Cellular senescence is a DDR mechanism that prevents the proliferation of cells with damaged DNA to avoid mitotic anomalies and inheritance of the damage over cell generations. Human WWOX gene resides within a common fragile site FRA16D that is preferentially prone to form breaks on metaphase chromosome upon replication stress. We report here that primary Wwox knockout (Wwox-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and WWOX-knockdown human dermal fibroblasts failed to undergo replication-induced cellular senescence after multiple passages in vitro. Strikingly, by greater than 20 passages, accelerated cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis occurred in these late-passage Wwox-/- MEFs. These cells exhibited γH2AX upregulation and microsatellite instability, indicating massive accumulation of nuclear DNA lesions. Ultraviolet radiation-induced premature senescence was also blocked by WWOX knockdown in human HEK293T cells. Mechanistically, overproduction of cytosolic reactive oxygen species caused p16Ink4a promoter hypermethylation, aberrant p53/p21Cip1/Waf1 signaling axis and accelerated p27Kip1 protein degradation, thereby leading to the failure of senescence induction in Wwox-deficient cells after serial passage in culture. We determined that significantly reduced protein stability or loss-of-function A135P/V213G mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p53 caused defective induction of p21Cip1/Waf1 in late-passage Wwox-/- MEFs. Treatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine prevented downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and induced senescence in Wwox-/- MEFs. Our findings support an important role for fragile WWOX gene in inducing cellular senescence for maintaining genome integrity during DDR through alleviating oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ching Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsien Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jie Lai
- Department of Dermatology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, 71004, Taiwan.
- Center for General Education, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, 71005, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Shiou Jan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, 704302, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Ying Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Li Chen
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, 704302, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Kai Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Wenya Huang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jin Hsu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Medical Laboratory Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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5
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Oliver KL, Trivisano M, Mandelstam SA, De Dominicis A, Francis DI, Green TE, Muir AM, Chowdhary A, Hertzberg C, Goldhahn K, Metreau J, Prager C, Pinner J, Cardamone M, Myers KA, Leventer RJ, Lesca G, Bahlo M, Hildebrand MS, Mefford HC, Kaindl AM, Specchio N, Scheffer IE. WWOX developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: Understanding the epileptology and the mortality risk. Epilepsia 2023; 64:1351-1367. [PMID: 36779245 PMCID: PMC10952634 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17542] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE WWOX is an autosomal recessive cause of early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (WWOX-DEE), also known as WOREE (WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy). We analyzed the epileptology and imaging features of WWOX-DEE, and investigated genotype-phenotype correlations, particularly with regard to survival. METHODS We studied 13 patients from 12 families with WWOX-DEE. Information regarding seizure semiology, comorbidities, facial dysmorphisms, and disease outcome were collected. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were analyzed. Pathogenic WWOX variants from our cohort and the literature were coded as either null or missense, allowing individuals to be classified into one of three genotype classes: (1) null/null, (2) null/missense, (3) missense/missense. Differences in survival outcome were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS All patients experienced multiple seizure types (median onset = 5 weeks, range = 1 day-10 months), the most frequent being focal (85%), epileptic spasms (77%), and tonic seizures (69%). Ictal EEG recordings in six of 13 patients showed tonic (n = 5), myoclonic (n = 2), epileptic spasms (n = 2), focal (n = 1), and migrating focal (n = 1) seizures. Interictal EEGs demonstrated slow background activity with multifocal discharges, predominantly over frontal or temporo-occipital regions. Eleven of 13 patients had a movement disorder, most frequently dystonia. Brain MRIs revealed severe frontotemporal, hippocampal, and optic atrophy, thin corpus callosum, and white matter signal abnormalities. Pathogenic variants were located throughout WWOX and comprised both missense and null changes including five copy number variants (four deletions, one duplication). Survival analyses showed that patients with two null variants are at higher mortality risk (p-value = .0085, log-rank test). SIGNIFICANCE Biallelic WWOX pathogenic variants cause an early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome. The most common seizure types are focal seizures and epileptic spasms. Mortality risk is associated with mutation type; patients with biallelic null WWOX pathogenic variants have significantly lower survival probability compared to those carrying at least one presumed hypomorphic missense pathogenic variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Oliver
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Population Health and Immunity DivisionWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marina Trivisano
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
| | - Simone A. Mandelstam
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Radiology, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Angela De Dominicis
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome “Tor Vergata”RomeItaly
| | - David I. Francis
- Victorian Clinical Genetics ServicesMurdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Timothy E. Green
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alison M. Muir
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Apoorva Chowdhary
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Christoph Hertzberg
- Zentrum für Sozialpädiatrie und Neuropädiatrie (DBZ)Vivantes Hospital NeukoellnBerlinGermany
| | - Klaus Goldhahn
- Department of Pediatrics and Neuropediatrics, DRK Klinikum WestendBerlinGermany
| | - Julia Metreau
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyHôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de ParisLe Kremlin‐BicêtreFrance
| | - Christine Prager
- Center for Chronically Sick Children (SPZ)Charité‐Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Jason Pinner
- Sydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Cardamone
- Sydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Kenneth A. Myers
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of PediatricsMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontrealQuebecCanada
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Children's Hospital, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Richard J. Leventer
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Department of Medical Genetics, Lyon University HospitalUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, member of the European Reference Network EpiCARELyonFrance
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- Population Health and Immunity DivisionWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Michael S. Hildebrand
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Heather C. Mefford
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease ResearchSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Angela M. Kaindl
- Center for Chronically Sick Children (SPZ)Charité‐Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute of Cell Biology and NeurobiologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
| | - Ingrid E. Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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6
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Hussain T, Sanchez K, Crayton J, Saha D, Jeter C, Lu Y, Abba M, Seo R, Noebels JL, Fonken L, Aldaz CM. WWOX P47T partial loss-of-function mutation induces epilepsy, progressive neuroinflammation, and cerebellar degeneration in mice phenocopying human SCAR12. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 223:102425. [PMID: 36828035 PMCID: PMC10835625 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102425] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
WWOX gene loss-of-function (LoF) has been associated with neuropathologies resulting in developmental, epileptic, and ataxic phenotypes of varying severity based on the level of WWOX dysfunction. WWOX gene biallelic germline variant p.Pro47Thr (P47T) has been causally associated with a new form of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia with epilepsy and intellectual disability (SCAR12, MIM:614322). This mutation affecting the WW1 protein binding domain of WWOX, impairs its interaction with canonical proline-proline-X-tyrosine motifs in partner proteins. We generated a mutant knock-in mouse model of Wwox P47T mutation that phenocopies human SCAR12. WwoxP47T/P47T mice displayed epilepsy, profound social behavior and cognition deficits, and poor motor coordination, and unlike KO models that survive only for 1 month, live beyond 1 year of age. These deficits progressed with age and mice became practically immobile, suggesting severe cerebellar dysfunction. WwoxP47T/P47T mice brains revealed signs of progressive neuroinflammation with elevated astro-microgliosis that increased with age. Cerebellar cortex displayed significantly reduced molecular and granular layer thickness and a strikingly reduced number of Purkinje cells with degenerated dendrites. Transcriptome profiling from various brain regions of WW domain LoF mice highlighted widespread changes in neuronal and glial pathways, enrichment of bioprocesses related to neuroinflammation, and severe cerebellar dysfunction. Our results show significant pathobiological effects and potential mechanisms through which WWOX partial LoF leads to epilepsy, cerebellar neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and ataxia. Additionally, the mouse model described here will be a useful tool to understand the role of WWOX in common neurodegenerative conditions in which this gene has been identified as a novel risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabish Hussain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Kevin Sanchez
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jennifer Crayton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Dhurjhoti Saha
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Collene Jeter
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Martin Abba
- Centro de Investigaciones Inmunológicas Básicas y Aplicadas, School of Medicine, Universidad de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Ryan Seo
- Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Noebels
- Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Laura Fonken
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - C Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
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7
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Chong SC, Cao Y, Fung ELW, Kleppe S, Gripp KW, Hertecant J, El-Hattab AW, Suleiman J, Clark G, von Allmen G, Rodziyevska O, Lewis RA, Rosenfeld JA, Dong J, Wang X, Miller MJ, Bi W, Liu P, Scaglia F. Expansion of the clinical and molecular spectrum of WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:776-785. [PMID: 36537114 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
WWOX biallelic loss-of-function pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs) including exonic deletions and duplications cause WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE) syndrome. This disorder is characterized by refractory epilepsy, axial hypotonia, peripheral hypertonia, progressive microcephaly, and premature death. Here we report five patients with WWOX biallelic predicted null variants identified by exome sequencing (ES), genome sequencing (GS), and/or chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). SNVs and intragenic deletions of one or more exons were commonly reported in WOREE syndrome patients which made the genetic diagnosis challenging and required a combination of different diagnostic technologies. These patients presented with severe, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and other cardinal features consistent with WOREE syndrome. This report expands the clinical phenotype associated with this condition, including failure to thrive in most patients and epilepsy that responded to a ketogenic diet in three patients. Dysmorphic features and abnormal prenatal findings were not commonly observed. Additionally, recurrent pancreatitis and sensorineural hearing loss each were observed in single patients. In summary, these phenotypic features broaden the clinical spectrum of WOREE syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuk Ching Chong
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Joint BCM-CUHK Center of Medical Genetics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ye Cao
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Joint BCM-CUHK Center of Medical Genetics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eva L W Fung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Soledad Kleppe
- Unidad de Metabolismo, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karen W Gripp
- Division of Medical Genetics, A. I. du Pont Hospital for Children/Nemours, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | - Jozef Hertecant
- Division of Genetic and Metabolic Disorders, Departments of Pediatrics, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayman W El-Hattab
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jehan Suleiman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gary Clark
- Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Neurology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gretchen von Allmen
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Olga Rodziyevska
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard A Lewis
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jie Dong
- Baylor Genetics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Xia Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Baylor Genetics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marcus J Miller
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Baylor Genetics, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Weimin Bi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Baylor Genetics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Baylor Genetics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fernando Scaglia
- Joint BCM-CUHK Center of Medical Genetics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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8
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Carvalho C, Correia SC, Seiça R, Moreira PI. WWOX inhibition by Zfra1-31 restores mitochondrial homeostasis and viability of neuronal cells exposed to high glucose. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:487. [PMID: 35984507 PMCID: PMC11071800 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear and no effective therapeutic interventions exist. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial defects are a key feature of diabetes contributing to neurodegenerative events. It has also been demonstrated that the putative tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase 1 (WWOX) can interact with mitochondria in several pathological conditions. However, its role in diabetes-associated neurodegeneration remains unknown. So, this study aimed to evaluate the role of WWOX activation in high glucose-induced neuronal damage and death. Our experiments were mainly performed in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to high glucose and treated (or not) with Zfra1-31, the specific inhibitor of WWOX. Several parameters were analyzed namely cell viability, WWOX activation (tyrosine 33 residue phosphorylation), mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, biogenesis, and dynamics, autophagy and oxidative stress/damage. The levels of the neurotoxic proteins amyloid β (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau) and of synaptic integrity markers were also evaluated. We observed that high glucose increased the levels of activated WWOX. Interestingly, brain cortical and hippocampal homogenates from young (6-month old) diabetic GK rats showed increased levels of activated WWOX compared to older GK rats (12-month old) suggesting that WWOX plays an early role in the diabetic brain. In neuronal cells, high glucose impaired mitochondrial respiration, dynamics and biogenesis, increased mitochondrial ROS production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production. More, high glucose augmented oxidative stress/damage and the levels of Aβ and pTau proteins and affected autophagy, contributing to the loss of synaptic integrity and cell death. Of note, the activation of WWOX preceded mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Importantly, the inhibition of WWOX with Zfra1-31 reversed, totally or partially, the alterations promoted by high glucose. Altogether our observations demonstrate that under high glucose conditions WWOX activation contributes to mitochondrial anomalies and neuronal damage and death, which suggests that WWOX is a potential therapeutic target for early interventions. Our findings also support the efficacy of Zfra1-31 in treating hyperglycemia/diabetes-associated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carvalho
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sónia C Correia
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seiça
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal.
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9
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Yang H, Yang X, Cai F, Gan S, Yang S, Wu L. Analysis of clinical phenotypic and genotypic spectra in 36 children patients with Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10187. [PMID: 35715422 PMCID: PMC9205988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures (EIMFS) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEEs) with unknown etiology, and poor prognosis. In order to explore new genetic etiology of EIMFS and new precision medicine treatment strategies, 36 children with EIMFS were enrolled in this study. 17/36 cases had causative variants across 11 genes, including 6 novel EIMFS genes: PCDH19, ALDH7A1, DOCK6, PRRT2, ALG1 and ATP7A. 13/36 patients had ineffective seizure control, 14/36 patients had severe retardation and 6/36 patients died. Of them, the genes for ineffective seizure control, severe retardation or death include KCNT1, SCN2A, SCN1A, ALG1, ATP7A and WWOX. 17 patients had abnormal MRI, of which 8 had ineffective seizure control, 7 had severe retardation and 4 died. 13 patients had hypsarrhythmia, of which 6 had ineffective seizure control, 6 had severe retardation and 2 died. Also, 7 patients had burst suppression, of which 1 had ineffective seizure control, 3 had severe retardation and 3 died. This study is the first to report that ALDH7A1, ATP7A, DOCK6, PRRT2, ALG1, and PCDH19 mutations cause the phenotypic spectrum of EIMFS to expand the genotypic spectrum. The genes KCNT1, SCN2A, SCN1A, ALG1, ATP7A and WWOX may be associated with poor prognosis. The patients presenting with MRI abnormalities, hypsarrhythmia and burst suppression in EEG may be associated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shangdong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Cai
- Department of Neurology, Chenzhou No 1 People's Hospital, Chenzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Gan
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai Yang
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwen Wu
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Sukkar G, Alzahrani RM, Altirkistani BA, Al lohaibi RS. Novel Mutation With Literature Review WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase (WWOX) Gene. Cureus 2022; 14:e25003. [PMID: 35712340 PMCID: PMC9193507 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations in the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene cause autosomal recessive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by the onset of refractory seizures in infants, along with severe axial hypotonia and profoundly impaired psychomotor development. It has also been expanded to include metabolism and endocrine systems. Despite its function as a tumor suppressor gene, genetic alterations in WWOX have been found in several metabolic disorders and neural diseases related to brain development. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the patient sample. Genomic DNA was fragmented, and the exons of known genes in the human genome, as well as the corresponding exon-intron boundaries,were enriched using Roche KAPA capture technology (KAPA hyperExome Library, WES identifying the homozygous variant c.406A>G in WWOX (OMIM:605131). This variant of WWOX was also observed in the prenatal WES data, indicating that both parents were heterozygous carriers and the detected variant was homozygous. This study highlighted the importance of the human WWOX gene in brain development and the association between WWOX gene mutations and developmental delay. We recommend performing WES as a primary screening before the final diagnosis, particularly in populations with high rates of consanguinity and in clinically challenging cases.
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11
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Steinberg DJ, Aqeilan RI. WWOX-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Models and Future Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113082. [PMID: 34831305 PMCID: PMC8623516 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was originally discovered as a putative tumor suppressor spanning the common fragile site FRA16D, but as time has progressed the extent of its pleiotropic function has become apparent. At present, WWOX is a major source of interest in the context of neurological disorders, and more specifically developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). This review article aims to introduce the many model systems used through the years to study its function and roles in neuropathies. Similarities and fundamental differences between rodent and human models are discussed. Finally, future perspectives and promising research avenues are suggested.
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12
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Steinberg DJ, Repudi S, Saleem A, Kustanovich I, Viukov S, Abudiab B, Banne E, Mahajnah M, Hanna JH, Stern S, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Modeling genetic epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13610. [PMID: 34268881 PMCID: PMC8350905 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are a group of disorders associated with intractable seizures, brain development, and functional abnormalities, and in some cases, premature death. Pathogenic human germline biallelic mutations in tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) are associated with a relatively mild autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia-12 (SCAR12) and a more severe early infantile WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE). In this study, we generated an in vitro model for DEEs, using the devastating WOREE syndrome as a prototype, by establishing brain organoids from CRISPR-engineered human ES cells and from patient-derived iPSCs. Using these models, we discovered dramatic cellular and molecular CNS abnormalities, including neural population changes, cortical differentiation malfunctions, and Wnt pathway and DNA damage response impairment. Furthermore, we provide a proof of concept that ectopic WWOX expression could potentially rescue these phenotypes. Our findings underscore the utility of modeling childhood epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids and their use as a unique platform to test possible therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics InstituteKaplan Medical CenterHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolRehovotIsrael
- The Rina Mor Genetic InstituteWolfson Medical CenterHolonIsrael
| | - Muhammad Mahajnah
- Paediatric Neurology and Child Developmental CenterHillel Yaffe Medical CenterHaderaIsrael
- Rappaport Faculty of MedicineThe TechnionHaifaIsrael
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of NeurobiologyUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
- Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
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13
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Repudi S, Steinberg DJ, Elazar N, Breton VL, Aquilino MS, Saleem A, Abu-Swai S, Vainshtein A, Eshed-Eisenbach Y, Vijayaragavan B, Behar O, Hanna JJ, Peles E, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Neuronal deletion of Wwox, associated with WOREE syndrome, causes epilepsy and myelin defects. Brain 2021; 144:3061-3077. [PMID: 33914858 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WOREE syndrome caused by human germline biallelic mutations in WWOX is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intractable epilepsy, severe developmental delay, ataxia and premature death at the age of 2-4 years. The underlying mechanisms of WWOX actions are poorly understood. In the current study, we show that specific neuronal deletion of murine Wwox produces phenotypes typical of the Wwox-null mutation leading to brain hyperexcitability, intractable epilepsy, ataxia and postnatal lethality. A significant decrease in transcript levels of genes involved in myelination was observed in mouse cortex and hippocampus. Wwox-mutant mice exhibited reduced maturation of oligodendrocytes, reduced myelinated axons and impaired axonal conductivity. Brain hyperexcitability and hypomyelination were also revealed in human brain organoids with a WWOX deletion. These findings provide cellular and molecular evidence for myelination defects and hyperexcitability in the WOREE syndrome linked to neuronal function of WWOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel J Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nimrod Elazar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vanessa L Breton
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark S Aquilino
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anna Vainshtein
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yael Eshed-Eisenbach
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bharath Vijayaragavan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Oded Behar
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jacob J Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elior Peles
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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14
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Banne E, Abudiab B, Abu-Swai S, Repudi SR, Steinberg DJ, Shatleh D, Alshammery S, Lisowski L, Gold W, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Neurological Disorders Associated with WWOX Germline Mutations-A Comprehensive Overview. Cells 2021; 10:824. [PMID: 33916893 PMCID: PMC8067556 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulator WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a key player in a number of cellular and biological processes including tumor suppression. Recent evidence has emerged associating WWOX with non-cancer disorders. Patients harboring pathogenic germline bi-allelic WWOX variants have been described with the rare devastating neurological syndromes autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 12 (SCAR12) (6 patients) and WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (DEE28 or WOREE syndrome) (56 patients). Individuals with these syndromes present with a highly heterogenous clinical spectrum, the most common clinical symptoms being severe epileptic encephalopathy and profound global developmental delay. Knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology of these syndromes, the range of variants of the WWOX gene and its genotype-phenotype correlations is limited, hampering therapeutic efforts. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify and consolidate all the reported variants in WWOX to distinguish between disease-causing alleles and their associated severity, and benign variants, with the aim of improving diagnosis and increasing therapeutic efforts. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on WWOX, and analyze the pathogenic variants from published and unpublished reports by collecting entries from the ClinVar, DECIPHER, VarSome, and PubMed databases to generate the largest dataset of WWOX pathogenic variants. We estimate the correlation between variant type and patient phenotype, and delineate the impact of each variant, and used GnomAD to cross reference these variants found in the general population. From these searches, we generated the largest published cohort of WWOX individuals. We conclude with a discussion on potential personalized medicine approaches to tackle the devastating disorders associated with WWOX mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehud Banne
- The Genetic Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
- The Rina Mor Genetic Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 58100, Israel
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Srinivasa Rao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniel J. Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Diala Shatleh
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sarah Alshammery
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia;
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wendy Gold
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead and The Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter L. Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network and Department of Medicine, Physiology and BME, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada;
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
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15
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Chou YT, Lai FJ, Chang NS, Hsu LJ. Wwox Deficiency Causes Downregulation of Prosurvival ERK Signaling and Abnormal Homeostatic Responses in Mouse Skin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:558432. [PMID: 33195192 PMCID: PMC7652735 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.558432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) in humans and animals leads to growth retardation and premature death during postnatal developmental stages. Skin integrity is essential for organism survival due to its protection against dehydration and hypothermia. Our previous report demonstrated that human epidermal suprabasal cells express WWOX protein, and the expression is gradually increased toward the superficial differentiated cells prior to cornification. Here, we investigated whether abnormal skin development and homeostasis occur under Wwox deficiency that may correlate with early death. We determined that keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation were decreased, while apoptosis was increased in Wwox–/– mouse epidermis and primary keratinocyte cultures and WWOX-knockdown human HaCaT cells. Without WWOX, progenitor cells in hair follicle junctional zone underwent massive proliferation in early postnatal developmental stages and the stem/progenitor cell pools were depleted at postnatal day 21. These events lead to significantly decreased epidermal thickness, dehydration state, and delayed hair development in Wwox–/– mouse skin, which is associated with downregulation of prosurvival MEK/ERK signaling in Wwox–/– keratinocytes. Moreover, Wwox depletion results in substantial downregulation of dermal collagen contents in mice. Notably, Wwox–/– mice exhibit severe loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue and significant hypothermia. Collectively, our knockout mouse model supports the validity of WWOX in assisting epidermal and adipose homeostasis, and the involvement of prosurvival ERK pathway in the homeostatic responses regulated by WWOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Tsen Chou
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jie Lai
- Department of Dermatology, Chimei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Center for General Education, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jin Hsu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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16
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Iacomino M, Baldassari S, Tochigi Y, Kośla K, Buffelli F, Torella A, Severino M, Paladini D, Mandarà L, Riva A, Scala M, Balagura G, Accogli A, Nigro V, Minetti C, Fulcheri E, Zara F, Bednarek AK, Striano P, Suzuki H, Salpietro V. Loss of Wwox Perturbs Neuronal Migration and Impairs Early Cortical Development. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:644. [PMID: 32581702 PMCID: PMC7300205 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the WWOX gene cause a broad range of ultra-rare neurodevelopmental and brain degenerative disorders, associated with a high likelihood of premature death in animal models as well as in humans. The encoded Wwox protein is a WW domain-containing oxidoreductase that participates in crucial biological processes including tumor suppression, cell growth/differentiation and regulation of steroid metabolism, while its role in neural development is less understood. We analyzed the exomes of a family affected with multiple pre- and postnatal anomalies, including cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, severe neurodevelopmental impairment and refractory epilepsy, and identified a segregating homozygous WWOX mutation leading to a premature stop codon. Abnormal cerebral cortex development due to a defective architecture of granular and molecular cell layers was found in the developing brain of a WWOX-deficient human fetus from this family. A similar disorganization of cortical layers was identified in lde/lde rats (carrying a homozygous truncating mutation which disrupts the active Wwox C-terminal domain) investigated at perinatal stages. Transcriptomic analyses of Wwox-depleted human neural progenitor cells showed an impaired expression of a number of neuronal migration-related genes encoding for tubulins, kinesins and associated proteins. These findings indicate that loss of Wwox may affect different cytoskeleton components and alter prenatal cortical development, highlighting a regulatory role of the WWOX gene in migrating neurons across different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashinoi, Japan
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Francesca Buffelli
- Fetal and Perinatal Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Dario Paladini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Luana Mandarà
- Medical Genetics Unit, Maria Paternò Arezzo Hospital, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Minetti
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ezio Fulcheri
- Fetal and Perinatal Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), Pathology Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hiroetsu Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashinoi, Japan
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe, early onset epilepsies characterized by refractory seizures, developmental delay or regression associated with ongoing epileptic activity, and generally poor prognosis. DEE is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, and there is a plethora of genetic testing options to investigate the rapidly growing list of epilepsy genes. However, more than 50% of patients with DEE remain without a genetic diagnosis despite state-of-the-art genetic testing. In this review, we discuss the major advances in epilepsy genomics that have surfaced in recent years. The goal of this review is to reach a larger audience and build a better understanding of pathogenesis and genetic testing options in DEE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Hebbar
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Heather C Mefford
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
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18
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Su T, Yan Y, Xu S, Zhang K, Xu S. Early onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by novel compound heterozygous mutation of WWOX gene. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:157-161. [PMID: 32037574 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene. However, recent reports have demonstrated its dominant role in autosomal recessive disorders of the central nervous system, especially in early onset epileptic encephalopathy. Here, we report a Chinese case with novel compound heterozygous mutation of WWOX gene (c.229_230+2del mutation originated from her mother and c.1065dup (p.Ala356Serfs*173) variation from her father), and compare them to previously reported 59 WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE). Early onset and frequent epileptic seizures in the postnatal period, hypsarrhythmia patterns in EEG background and retarded development are the most important characteristics of WOREE in infants. Although the seizures in our case can be controlled by phenobarbital and topiramate, the prognosis of WOREE is poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangfeng Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sanqing Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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19
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Cheng YY, Chou YT, Lai FJ, Jan MS, Chang TH, Jou IM, Chen PS, Lo JY, Huang SS, Chang NS, Liou YT, Hsu PC, Cheng HC, Lin YS, Hsu LJ. Wwox deficiency leads to neurodevelopmental and degenerative neuropathies and glycogen synthase kinase 3β-mediated epileptic seizure activity in mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:6. [PMID: 32000863 PMCID: PMC6990504 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-0883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human WWOX gene resides in the chromosomal common fragile site FRA16D and encodes a tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase. Loss-of-function mutations in both alleles of WWOX gene lead to autosomal recessive abnormalities in pediatric patients from consanguineous families, including microcephaly, cerebellar ataxia with epilepsy, mental retardation, retinal degeneration, developmental delay and early death. Here, we report that targeted disruption of Wwox gene in mice causes neurodevelopmental disorders, encompassing abnormal neuronal differentiation and migration in the brain. Cerebral malformations, such as microcephaly and incomplete separation of the hemispheres by a partial interhemispheric fissure, neuronal disorganization and heterotopia, and defective cerebellar midline fusion are observed in Wwox−/− mice. Degenerative alterations including severe hypomyelination in the central nervous system, optic nerve atrophy, Purkinje cell loss and granular cell apoptosis in the cerebellum, and peripheral nerve demyelination due to Schwann cell apoptosis correspond to reduced amplitudes and a latency prolongation of transcranial motor evoked potentials, motor deficits and gait ataxia in Wwox−/− mice. Wwox gene ablation leads to the occurrence of spontaneous epilepsy and increased susceptibility to pilocarpine- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in preweaning mice. We determined that a significantly increased activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) occurs in Wwox−/− mouse cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Inhibition of GSK3β by lithium ion significantly abolishes the onset of PTZ-induced seizure in Wwox−/− mice. Together, our findings reveal that the neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative deficits in Wwox knockout mice strikingly recapitulate the key features of human neuropathies, and that targeting GSK3β with lithium ion ameliorates epilepsy.
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20
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TMX2 Is a Crucial Regulator of Cellular Redox State, and Its Dysfunction Causes Severe Brain Developmental Abnormalities. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 105:1126-1147. [PMID: 31735293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The redox state of the neural progenitors regulates physiological processes such as neuronal differentiation and dendritic and axonal growth. The relevance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated oxidoreductases in these processes is largely unexplored. We describe a severe neurological disorder caused by bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in thioredoxin (TRX)-related transmembrane-2 (TMX2); these variants were detected by exome sequencing in 14 affected individuals from ten unrelated families presenting with congenital microcephaly, cortical polymicrogyria, and other migration disorders. TMX2 encodes one of the five TMX proteins of the protein disulfide isomerase family, hitherto not linked to human developmental brain disease. Our mechanistic studies on protein function show that TMX2 localizes to the ER mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), is involved in posttranslational modification and protein folding, and undergoes physical interaction with the MAM-associated and ER folding chaperone calnexin and ER calcium pump SERCA2. These interactions are functionally relevant because TMX2-deficient fibroblasts show decreased mitochondrial respiratory reserve capacity and compensatory increased glycolytic activity. Intriguingly, under basal conditions TMX2 occurs in both reduced and oxidized monomeric form, while it forms a stable dimer under treatment with hydrogen peroxide, recently recognized as a signaling molecule in neural morphogenesis and axonal pathfinding. Exogenous expression of the pathogenic TMX2 variants or of variants with an in vitro mutagenized TRX domain induces a constitutive TMX2 polymerization, mimicking an increased oxidative state. Altogether these data uncover TMX2 as a sensor in the MAM-regulated redox signaling pathway and identify it as a key adaptive regulator of neuronal proliferation, migration, and organization in the developing brain.
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21
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Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the WWOX gene cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 79:45-48. [PMID: 31669195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has been associated with autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12) and severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. The mutations in this gene can lead to global developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, and epilepsy. We report an infant with an autosomal recessive severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Whole exome sequencing analysis was applied to the patient. Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the WWOX gene, c.173-2A > G and c.775 T > C (p.Ser259Pro), were identified. The present study expands our knowledge of WWOX mutations and related phenotypes, and provides new information on the genetic defects associated with this disease for clinical diagnosis.
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22
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Kośla K, Płuciennik E, Styczeń-Binkowska E, Nowakowska M, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK. The WWOX Gene Influences Cellular Pathways in the Neuronal Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:391. [PMID: 31543760 PMCID: PMC6730490 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is the most functionally organized structure of all organs. It manages behavior, perception and higher cognitive functions. The WWOX gene is non-classical tumor suppressor gene, which has been shown to have an impact on proliferation, apoptosis and migration processes. Moreover, genetic aberrations in WWOX induce severe neuropathological phenotypes in humans and rodents. The aim of the present study was to investigate in detail the impact of WWOX on human neural progenitor cell (hNPC) maintenance and how depletion of WWOX disturbs signaling pathways playing a pivotal role in neuronal differentiation and central nervous system (CNS) organogenesis. hNPC with a silenced WWOX gene exhibited lowered mitochondrial redox potential, enhanced adhesion to fibronectin and extracellular matrix protein mixture, downregulation of MMP2/9 expression and impaired 3D growth. Global transcriptome analysis using cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) found that WWOX downregulation significantly changes the expression of multiple genes engaged in cytoskeleton organization, adhesion, cell signaling and chromatin remodeling. The massive changes in gene expression caused by WWOX silencing may strongly affect the differentiation and migration of neurons in organogenesis, brain injury, cancerogenesis or neurodifferentiation. WWOX gene appears to be an important regulator of neural tissue architecture and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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23
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Tochigi Y, Takamatsu Y, Nakane J, Nakai R, Katayama K, Suzuki H. Loss of Wwox Causes Defective Development of Cerebral Cortex with Hypomyelination in a Rat Model of Lethal Dwarfism with Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20143596. [PMID: 31340538 PMCID: PMC6678113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) is a putative tumor suppressor. Several germline mutations of Wwox have been associated with infant neurological disorders characterized by epilepsy, growth retardation, and early death. Less is known, however, about the pathological link between Wwox mutations and these disorders or the physiological role of Wwox in brain development. In this study, we examined age-related expression and histological localization of Wwox in forebrains as well as the effects of loss of function mutations in the Wwox gene in the immature cortex of a rat model of lethal dwarfism with epilepsy (lde/lde). Immunostaining revealed that Wwox is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. lde/lde cortices were characterized by a reduction in neurite growth without a reduced number of neurons, severe reduction in myelination with a reduced number of mature oligodendrocytes, and a reduction in cell populations of astrocytes and microglia. These results indicate that Wwox is essential for normal development of neurons and glial cells in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Jun Nakane
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Rika Nakai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Kentaro Katayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Hiroetsu Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
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24
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Chou PY, Lin SR, Lee MH, Schultz L, Sze CI, Chang NS. A p53/TIAF1/WWOX triad exerts cancer suppression but may cause brain protein aggregation due to p53/WWOX functional antagonism. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:76. [PMID: 31315632 PMCID: PMC6637503 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0382-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor suppressor WWOX physically binds p53 and TIAF1 and together induces apoptosis and tumor suppression. To understand the molecular action, here we investigated the formation of WWOX/TIAF1/p53 triad and its regulation of cancer cell migration, anchorage-independent growth, SMAD promoter activation, apoptosis, and potential role in neurodegeneration. Methods Time-lapse microscopy was used to measure the extent of cell migration. Protein/protein interactions were determined by co-immunoprecipitation, FRET microscopy, and yeast two-hybrid analysis. The WWOX/TIAF1/p53 triad-mediated cancer suppression was determined by measuring the extent of cell migration, anchorage-independent growth, SMAD promoter activation, and apoptosis. p53-deficient lung cancer cell growth in nude mice was carried out to assess the tumor suppressor function of ectopic p53 and/or WWOX. Results Wwox-deficient MEF cells exhibited constitutive Smad3 and p38 activation and migrated individually and much faster than wild type cells. TGF-β increased the migration of wild type MEF cells, but significantly suppressed Wwox knockout cell migration. While each of the triad proteins is responsive to TGF-β stimulation, ectopically expressed triad proteins suppressed cancer cell migration, anchorage-independent growth, and SMAD promoter activation, as well as caused apoptosis. The effects are due in part to TIAF1 polymerization and its retention of p53 and WWOX in the cytoplasm. p53 and TIAF1 were effective in suppressing anchorage-independent growth, and WWOX ineffective. p53 and TIAF1 blocked WWOX or Smad4-regulated SMAD promoter activation. WWOX suppressed lung cancer NCI-H1299 growth and inhibited splenomegaly by inflammatory immune response, and p53 blocked the event in nude mice. The p53/WWOX-cancer mice exhibited BACE upregulation, APP degradation, tau tangle formation, and amyloid β generation in the brain and lung. Conclusion The WWOX/TIAF1/p53 triad is potent in cancer suppression by blocking cancer cell migration, anchorage-independent growth and SMAD promoter activation, and causing apoptosis. Yet, p53 may functionally antagonize with WWOX. p53 blocks WWOX inhibition of inflammatory immune response induced by cancer, and this leads to protein aggregation in the brain as seen in the Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegeneration. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0382-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Chou
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101, Republic of China
| | - Sing-Ru Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101, Republic of China
| | - Ming-Hui Lee
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101, Republic of China
| | - Lori Schultz
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Guthrie Research Institute, Sayre, PA, 18840, USA
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101, Republic of China
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101, Republic of China. .,Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Guthrie Research Institute, Sayre, PA, 18840, USA. .,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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25
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Weisz-Hubshman M, Meirson H, Michaelson-Cohen R, Beeri R, Tzur S, Bormans C, Modai S, Shomron N, Shilon Y, Banne E, Orenstein N, Konen O, Marek-Yagel D, Veber A, Shalva N, Imagawa E, Matsumoto N, Lev D, Lerman Sagie T, Raas-Rothschild A, Ben-Zeev B, Basel-Salmon L, Behar DM, Heimer G. Novel WWOX deleterious variants cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, severe developmental delay and dysmorphism among Yemenite Jews. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2019; 23:418-426. [PMID: 30853297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human WW Domain Containing Oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was originally described as a tumor suppressor gene. However, recent reports have demonstrated its cardinal role in the pathogenesis of central nervous systems disorders such as epileptic encephalopathy, intellectual disability, and spinocerebellar ataxia. We report on six patients from three unrelated families of full or partial Yemenite Jewish ancestry exhibiting early infantile epileptic encephalopathy and profound developmental delay. Importantly, four patients demonstrated facial dysmorphism. Exome sequencing revealed that four of the patients were homozygous for a novel WWOX c.517-2A > G splice-site variant and two were compound heterozygous for this variant and a novel c.689A > C, p.Gln230Pro missense variant. Complementary DNA sequencing demonstrated that the WWOX c.517-2A > G splice-site variant causes skipping of exon six. A carrier rate of 1:177 was found among Yemenite Jews. We provide the first detailed description of patients harboring a splice-site variant in the WWOX gene and propose that the clinical synopsis of WWOX related epileptic encephalopathy should be broadened to include facial dysmorphism. The increased frequency of the c.517-2A > G splice-site variant among Yemenite Jews coupled with the severity of the phenotype makes it a candidate for inclusion in expanded preconception screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Weisz-Hubshman
- Pediatric Genetics Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - H Meirson
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center Rehovot, Israel
| | - R Michaelson-Cohen
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - R Beeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - S Tzur
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; Genomic Research Department, Emedgene Technologies, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - C Bormans
- Gene by Gene, Genomic Research Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Modai
- Variantyx, Inc, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - N Shomron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Variantyx, Inc, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Y Shilon
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center Rehovot, Israel
| | - E Banne
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - N Orenstein
- Pediatric Genetics Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - O Konen
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Radiology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - D Marek-Yagel
- Metabolic Diseases Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - A Veber
- Metabolic Diseases Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - N Shalva
- Metabolic Diseases Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - E Imagawa
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - N Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - D Lev
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Metabolic Neurogenetic Clinic, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Institute of Medical Genetics, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - T Lerman Sagie
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Metabolic Neurogenetic Clinic, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - A Raas-Rothschild
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Institute of Rare Diseases, The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - B Ben-Zeev
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - L Basel-Salmon
- Pediatric Genetics Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - D M Behar
- Gene by Gene, Genomic Research Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - G Heimer
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The Pinchas Borenstein Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, 52621, Ramat Gan, Israel
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26
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Ugur Iseri SA, Yucesan E, Tuncer FN, Calik M, Kesim Y, Altiokka Uzun G, Ozbek U. Biallelic loss of EEF1D function links heat shock response pathway to autosomal recessive intellectual disability. J Hum Genet 2019; 64:421-426. [PMID: 30787422 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-019-0570-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is a genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning. ID is commonly syndromic and associated with developmental, metabolic and/or neurological findings. Autosomal recessive ID (ARID) is a significant component of ID especially in the presence of parental consanguinity. Several ultra rare ARID associated variants in numerous genes specific almost to single families have been identified by unbiased next generation sequencing technologies. However, most of these new candidate ARID genes have not been replicated in new families due to the rarity of associated alleles in this highly heterogeneous condition. To determine the genetic component of ARID in a consanguineous family from Turkey, we have performed SNP-based linkage analysis in the family along with whole exome sequencing (WES) in an affected sibling. Eventually, we have identified a novel pathogenic variant in EEF1D, which has recently been recognised as a novel candidate gene for ARID in a single family. EEF1D encodes a ubiquitously expressed translational elongation factor functioning in the cytoplasm. Herein, we suggest that the loss of function variants exclusively targeting the long EEF1D isoform may explicate the ARID phenotype through the heat shock response pathway, rather than interfering with the canonical translational elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibel Aylin Ugur Iseri
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emrah Yucesan
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Nur Tuncer
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Calik
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Yesim Kesim
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunes Altiokka Uzun
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ugur Ozbek
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mehmet Ali Aydinlar Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Ehaideb SN, Al-Bu Ali MJ, Al-Obaid JJ, Aljassim KM, Alfadhel M. Novel Homozygous Mutation in the WWOX Gene Causes Seizures and Global Developmental Delay: Report and Review. Transl Neurosci 2018; 9:203-208. [PMID: 30746283 PMCID: PMC6368664 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2018-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene has a WW domain containing oxidoreductase, which is located at the common fragile site FRA16D at chromosome 16q23. WWOX is a tumor suppressor gene that has been associated with several types of cancer such as hepatic, breast, lung, prostate, gastric, and ovarian. Recently WWOX has been implicated in epilepsy, where studies show homozygous loss-of-function mutation lead to early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy, spinocerebellar ataxia, intractable seizures and developmental delay, and early lethal microcephaly syndrome with epilepsy. Here we investigate two consanguineous Saudi families and we identified three probands with epileptic encephalopathy. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the WWOX gene in one proband. In addition, we identified a previously reported WWOX mutation in two probands. Later on these findings were confirmed with Sanger sequencing. The underlying mechanism on how WWOX mutations lead to seizure remains elusive. To date very few WWOX mutations have been associated with neurological disorder and our newly identified mutations support the notion that WWOX play an important role in neurons and will aid in better diagnosis and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salleh N Ehaideb
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed J Al-Bu Ali
- Medical Genetic Unit, Pediatrics department, Maternity Children Hospital, Al-hassa Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Kareemah M Aljassim
- Medical Genetic Unit, Pediatrics department, Maternity Children Hospital, Al-hassa Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Alfadhel
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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28
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Hussain T, Liu B, Shrock MS, Williams T, Aldaz CM. WWOX, the FRA16D gene: A target of and a contributor to genomic instability. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2018; 58:324-338. [PMID: 30350478 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
WWOX is one of the largest human genes spanning over 1.11 Mbp in length at chr16q23.1-q23.2 and containing FRA16D, the second most common chromosomal fragile site. FRA16D is a hot spot of genomic instability, prone to breakage and for causing germline and somatic copy number variations (CNVs). Consequentially WWOX is frequent target for deletions in cancer. Esophageal, stomach, colon, bladder, ovarian, and uterine cancers are those most commonly affected by WWOX deep focal deletions. WWOX deletions significantly correlate with various clinicopathological features in esophageal carcinoma. WWOX is also a common target for translocations in multiple myeloma. By mapping R-loop (RNA:DNA hybrid) forming sequences (RFLS) we observe this to be a consistent feature aligning with germline and somatic CNV break points at the edges and core of FRA16D spanning from introns 5 to 8 of WWOX. Germline CNV polymorphisms affecting WWOX are extremely common in humans across different ethnic groups. Importantly, structural variants datasets allowed us to identify a specific hot spot for germline duplications and deletions within intron 5 of WWOX coinciding with the 5' edge of the FRA16D core and various RFLS. Recently, multiple pathogenic CNVs spanning WWOX have been identified associated with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, infantile epileptic encephalopathies, and other developmental anomalies. Loss of WWOX function has recently been associated with DNA damage repair abnormalities, increased genomic instability, and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. The described observations place WWOX both as a target of and a contributor to genomic instability. Both of these aspects will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabish Hussain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - Morgan S Shrock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Terence Williams
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - C Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
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29
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Davids M, Markello T, Wolfe LA, Chepa-Lotrea X, Tifft CJ, Gahl WA, Malicdan MCV. Early infantile-onset epileptic encephalopathy 28 due to a homozygous microdeletion involving the WWOX gene in a region of uniparental disomy. Hum Mutat 2018; 40:42-47. [PMID: 30362252 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The genetic etiologies of many rare disorders, including early infantile epileptic encephalopathies, are largely undiagnosed. A 6-year-old girl was admitted to the National Institutes of Health Undiagnosed Diseases Program with profound intellectual disability, infantile-onset seizures, chronic respiratory failure, facial dysmorphisms, skeletal abnormalities, and atrial septum defect. A large region of homozygosity was discovered on chromosome 16, spanning 16q22.1-16q24.3' caused by uniparental disomy (UPD) that included a maternally inherited homozygous microdeletion covering exon 6 of WWOX (NM_016373.3). mRNA expression analysis revealed that the deletion led to nonsense-mediated decay of the NM_016373.3 transcript; the exon 6 of an alternative transcript (NM_130791.3), lacking the short-chain dehydrogenase, was utilized. The microdeletion in WWOX explains the seizures and intellectual disability, while pathogenic variants in another gene, HSPG2, are likely responsible for the patient's skeletal abnormalities. This report describes a rare autosomal recessive disorder with multiple genetic etiologies, one of which involves UPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariska Davids
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas Markello
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lynne A Wolfe
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xenia Chepa-Lotrea
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cynthia J Tifft
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William A Gahl
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - May Christine V Malicdan
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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30
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The phenotypic spectrum of WWOX-related disorders: 20 additional cases of WOREE syndrome and review of the literature. Genet Med 2018; 21:1308-1318. [PMID: 30356099 PMCID: PMC6752669 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Germline WWOX pathogenic variants
have been associated with disorder of sex differentiation (DSD), spinocerebellar
ataxia (SCA), and WWOX-related epileptic
encephalopathy (WOREE syndrome). We review clinical and molecular data on
WWOX-related disorders, further
describing WOREE syndrome and phenotype/genotype correlations. Methods We report clinical and molecular findings in 20 additional patients
from 18 unrelated families with WOREE syndrome and biallelic pathogenic variants
in the WWOX gene. Different molecular
screening approaches were used (quantitative polymerase chain reaction/multiplex
ligation-dependent probe amplification [qPCR/MLPA], array comparative genomic
hybridization [array-CGH], Sanger sequencing, epilepsy gene panel, exome
sequencing), genome sequencing. Results Two copy-number variations (CNVs) or two single-nucleotide
variations (SNVs) were found respectively in four and nine families, with
compound heterozygosity for one SNV and one CNV in five families. Eight novel
missense pathogenic variants have been described. By aggregating our patients
with all cases reported in the literature, 37 patients from 27 families with
WOREE syndrome are known. This review suggests WOREE syndrome is a very severe
epileptic encephalopathy characterized by absence of language development and
acquisition of walking, early-onset drug-resistant seizures, ophthalmological
involvement, and a high likelihood of premature death. The most severe clinical
presentation seems to be associated with null genotypes. Conclusion Germline pathogenic variants in WWOX are clearly associated with a severe early-onset epileptic
encephalopathy. We report here the largest cohort of individuals with WOREE
syndrome.
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31
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Tanna M, Aqeilan RI. Modeling WWOX Loss of Function in vivo: What Have We Learned? Front Oncol 2018; 8:420. [PMID: 30370248 PMCID: PMC6194312 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain–containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene encompasses a common fragile sites (CFS) known as FRA16D, and is implicated in cancer. WWOX encodes a 46kDa adaptor protein, which contains two N-terminal WW–domains and a catalytic domain at its C–terminus homologous to short–chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family proteins. A high sequence conservation of WWOX orthologues from insects to rodents and ultimately humans suggest its significant role in physiology and homeostasis. Indeed, data obtained from several animal models including flies, fish, and rodents demonstrate WWOX in vivo requirement and that its deregulation results in severe pathological consequences including growth retardation, post–natal lethality, neuropathy, metabolic disorders, and tumorigenesis. Altogether, these findings set WWOX as an essential protein that is necessary to maintain normal cellular/physiological homeostasis. Here, we review and discuss lessons and outcomes learned from modeling loss of WWOX expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Tanna
- Faculty of Medicine, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- Faculty of Medicine, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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32
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Hussain T, Kil H, Hattiangady B, Lee J, Kodali M, Shuai B, Attaluri S, Takata Y, Shen J, Abba MC, Shetty AK, Aldaz CM. Wwox deletion leads to reduced GABA-ergic inhibitory interneuron numbers and activation of microglia and astrocytes in mouse hippocampus. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:163-176. [PMID: 30290271 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The association of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase WWOX gene loss of function with central nervous system (CNS) related pathologies is well documented. These include spinocerebellar ataxia, epilepsy and mental retardation (SCAR12, OMIM: 614322) and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE28, OMIM: 616211) syndromes. However, there is complete lack of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms at play. In this study, using a Wwox knockout (Wwox KO) mouse model (2 weeks old, both sexes) and stereological studies we observe that Wwox deletion leads to a significant reduction in the number of hippocampal GABA-ergic (γ-aminobutyric acid) interneurons. Wwox KO mice displayed significantly reduced numbers of calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expressing interneurons in different subfields of the hippocampus in comparison to Wwox wild-type (WT) mice. We also detected decreased levels of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase protein isoforms GAD65/67 expression in Wwox null hippocampi suggesting lower levels of GABA synthesis. In addition, Wwox deficiency was associated with signs of neuroinflammation such as evidence of activated microglia, astrogliosis, and overexpression of inflammatory cytokines Tnf-a and Il6. We also performed comparative transcriptome-wide expression analyses of neural stem cells grown as neurospheres from hippocampi of Wwox KO and WT mice thus identifying 283 genes significantly dysregulated in their expression. Functional annotation of transcriptome profiling differences identified 'neurological disease' and 'CNS development related functions' to be significantly enriched. Several epilepsy-related genes were found differentially expressed in Wwox KO neurospheres. This study provides the first genotype-phenotype observations as well as potential mechanistic clues associated with Wwox loss of function in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabish Hussain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Hyunsuk Kil
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Bharathi Hattiangady
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Jaeho Lee
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Maheedhar Kodali
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Bing Shuai
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Sahithi Attaluri
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Yoko Takata
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Jianjun Shen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Martin C Abba
- CINIBA, School of Medicine, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - C Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States.
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33
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Calhoun JD, Carvill GL. Unravelling the genetic architecture of autosomal recessive epilepsy in the genomic era. J Neurogenet 2018; 32:295-312. [PMID: 30247086 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1513509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The technological advancement of next-generation sequencing has greatly accelerated the pace of variant discovery in epilepsy. Despite an initial focus on autosomal dominant epilepsy due to the tractable nature of variant discovery with trios under a de novo model, more and more variants are being reported in families with epilepsies consistent with autosomal recessive (AR) inheritance. In this review, we touch on the classical AR epilepsy variants such as the inborn errors of metabolism and malformations of cortical development. However, we also highlight recently reported genes that are being identified by next-generation sequencing approaches and online 'matchmaking' platforms. Syndromes mainly characterized by seizures and complex neurodevelopmental disorders comorbid with epilepsy are discussed as an example of the wide phenotypic spectrum associated with the AR epilepsies. We conclude with a foray into the future, from the application of whole-genome sequencing to identify elusive epilepsy variants, to the promise of precision medicine initiatives to provide novel targeted therapeutics specific to the individual based on their clinical genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Calhoun
- a Department of Neurology , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Gemma L Carvill
- a Department of Neurology , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , IL , USA
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34
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Serin HM, Simsek E, Isik E, Gokben S. WWOX-associated encephalopathies: identification of the phenotypic spectrum and the resulting genotype-phenotype correlation. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:1977-1980. [PMID: 30094525 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic encephalopathies are a group of disorders in which epileptiform abnormalities cause progressive deterioration in cerebral function. Genetic causes have been described in several of the epileptic encephalopathies, and many previously unknown genes have been identified. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has recently been implicated in autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12) and severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. With whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous WWOX missense mutation, p.Leu239Arg, in a girl from a consanguineous family with psychomotor developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, and epileptic seizures. WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy is a rare condition but it should be considered in cases having early epileptic spasms and parental consanguinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hepsen Mine Serin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Erdem Simsek
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Isik
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetics, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sarenur Gokben
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
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35
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Johannsen J, Kortüm F, Rosenberger G, Bokelmann K, Schirmer MA, Denecke J, Santer R. A novel missense variant in the SDR domain of the WWOX gene leads to complete loss of WWOX protein with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and severe developmental delay. Neurogenetics 2018; 19:151-156. [PMID: 29808465 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-018-0549-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The human WWOX (WW domain-containing oxidoreductase) gene, originally known as a tumor suppressor gene, has been shown to be important for brain function and development. In recent years, mutations in WWOX have been associated with a wide phenotypic spectrum of autosomal recessively inherited neurodevelopmental disorders. Whole exome sequencing was completed followed by Sanger sequencing to verify segregation of the identified variants. Functional WWOX analysis was performed in fibroblasts of one patient. Transcription and translation were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. We report two related patients who presented with early epilepsy refractory to treatment, progressive microcephaly, profound developmental delay, and brain MRI abnormalities. Additionally, one of the patients showed bilateral optic atrophy. Whole exome sequencing revealed homozygosity for a novel missense variant affecting the evolutionary conserved amino acid Gln230 in the catalytic short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) domain of WWOX in both girls. Functional studies showed normal levels of WWOX transcripts but absence of WWOX protein. To our knowledge, our patients are the first individuals presenting the more severe end of the phenotypic spectrum of WWOX deficiency, although they were only affected by a single missense variant of WWOX. This could be explained by the functional data indicating an impaired translation or premature degradation of the WWOX protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Johannsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Fanny Kortüm
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Georg Rosenberger
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Bokelmann
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus A Schirmer
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Denecke
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - René Santer
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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36
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Gambin T, Akdemir ZC, Yuan B, Gu S, Chiang T, Carvalho CMB, Shaw C, Jhangiani S, Boone PM, Eldomery MK, Karaca E, Bayram Y, Stray-Pedersen A, Muzny D, Charng WL, Bahrambeigi V, Belmont JW, Boerwinkle E, Beaudet AL, Gibbs RA, Lupski JR. Homozygous and hemizygous CNV detection from exome sequencing data in a Mendelian disease cohort. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:1633-1648. [PMID: 27980096 PMCID: PMC5389578 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed an algorithm, HMZDelFinder, that uses whole exome sequencing (WES) data to identify rare and intragenic homozygous and hemizygous (HMZ) deletions that may represent complete loss-of-function of the indicated gene. HMZDelFinder was applied to 4866 samples in the Baylor–Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genomics (BHCMG) cohort and detected 773 HMZ deletion calls (567 homozygous or 206 hemizygous) with an estimated sensitivity of 86.5% (82% for single-exonic and 88% for multi-exonic calls) and precision of 78% (53% single-exonic and 96% for multi-exonic calls). Out of 773 HMZDelFinder-detected deletion calls, 82 were subjected to array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and/or breakpoint PCR and 64 were confirmed. These include 18 single-exon deletions out of which 8 were exclusively detected by HMZDelFinder and not by any of seven other CNV detection tools examined. Further investigation of the 64 validated deletion calls revealed at least 15 pathogenic HMZ deletions. Of those, 7 accounted for 17–50% of pathogenic CNVs in different disease cohorts where 7.1–11% of the molecular diagnosis solved rate was attributed to CNVs. In summary, we present an algorithm to detect rare, intragenic, single-exon deletion CNVs using WES data; this tool can be useful for disease gene discovery efforts and clinical WES analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Gambin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zeynep C Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shen Gu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Theodore Chiang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Claudia M B Carvalho
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chad Shaw
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shalini Jhangiani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Philip M Boone
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mohammad K Eldomery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ender Karaca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yavuz Bayram
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Asbjørg Stray-Pedersen
- Norwegian National Unit for Newborn Screening, Division for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Donna Muzny
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wu-Lin Charng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vahid Bahrambeigi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Graduate Program in Diagnostic Genetics, School of Health Professions, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John W Belmont
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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37
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López S, Thomas MG, van Dorp L, Ansari-Pour N, Stewart S, Jones AL, Jelinek E, Chikhi L, Parfitt T, Bradman N, Weale ME, Hellenthal G. The Genetic Legacy of Zoroastrianism in Iran and India: Insights into Population Structure, Gene Flow, and Selection. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 101:353-368. [PMID: 28844488 PMCID: PMC5590844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest extant religions in the world, originating in Persia (present-day Iran) during the second millennium BCE. Historical records indicate that migrants from Persia brought Zoroastrianism to India, but there is debate over the timing of these migrations. Here we present genome-wide autosomal, Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA data from Iranian and Indian Zoroastrians and neighboring modern-day Indian and Iranian populations and conduct a comprehensive genome-wide genetic analysis in these groups. Using powerful haplotype-based techniques, we find that Zoroastrians in Iran and India have increased genetic homogeneity relative to other sampled groups in their respective countries, consistent with their current practices of endogamy. Despite this, we infer that Indian Zoroastrians (Parsis) intermixed with local groups sometime after their arrival in India, dating this mixture to 690–1390 CE and providing strong evidence that Iranian Zoroastrian ancestry was maintained primarily through the male line. By making use of the rich information in DNA from ancient human remains, we also highlight admixture in the ancestors of Iranian Zoroastrians dated to 570 BCE–746 CE, older than admixture seen in any other sampled Iranian group, consistent with a long-standing isolation of Zoroastrians from outside groups. Finally, we report results, and challenges, from a genome-wide scan to identify genomic regions showing signatures of positive selection in present-day Zoroastrians that might correlate to the prevalence of particular diseases among these communities.
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Hazan I, Hofmann TG, Aqeilan RI. Tumor Suppressor Genes within Common Fragile Sites Are Active Players in the DNA Damage Response. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006436. [PMID: 27977694 PMCID: PMC5157955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of common fragile sites (CFSs) in cancer remains controversial. Two main views dominate the discussion: one suggests that CFS loci are hotspots of genomic instability leading to inactivation of genes encoded within them, while the other view proposes that CFSs are functional units and that loss of the encoded genes confers selective pressure, leading to cancer development. The latter view is supported by emerging evidence showing that expression of a given CFS is associated with genome integrity and that inactivation of CFS-resident tumor suppressor genes leads to dysregulation of the DNA damage response (DDR) and increased genomic instability. These two viewpoints of CFS function are not mutually exclusive but rather coexist; when breaks at CFSs are not repaired accurately, this can lead to deletions by which cells acquire growth advantage because of loss of tumor suppressor activities. Here, we review recent advances linking some CFS gene products with the DDR, genomic instability, and carcinogenesis and discuss how their inactivation might represent a selective advantage for cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idit Hazan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Thomas G. Hofmann
- Cellular Senescence Group, Department of Epigenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Elsaadany L, El-Said M, Ali R, Kamel H, Ben-Omran T. W44X mutation in the WWOX gene causes intractable seizures and developmental delay: a case report. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2016; 17:53. [PMID: 27495153 PMCID: PMC4975905 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was cloned in 2000; alteration has been seen in many cancer cells. It acts as a tumor suppresser by blocking cell growth and causing apoptosis. WWOX protein showed different expression of mice brain and spinal cord, for which deletion causes seizure and early death. Case presentation Clinical and molecular characteristics of a consanguineous family show a homozygous mutation of WWOX gene at specific bases, causing a debilitating syndrome characterized by growth retardation, intractable epilepsy, intellectual disability, and early death. Using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), a novel homozygous mutation in the WWOX gene is identified in a consanguineous Arab family from Qatar with two daughters who presented with intractable seizure and developmental delay. Conclusion The study presents the importance of human WWOX gene for brain development and the association between gene mutation and epileptic encephalopathy. It also highlights the power of WES particularly in clinically challenging cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Elsaadany
- Department of Pediatric, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Mahmoud El-Said
- Department of Pediatric, Pediatric Neurology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Rehab Ali
- Department of Pediatric, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Hussein Kamel
- Department of Neuro-Radiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Tawfeg Ben-Omran
- Department of Pediatric, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar. .,Department of Pediatric, Clinical Genetics, Weill-Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, State of Qatar.
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40
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Alkhateeb AM, Aburahma SK, Habbab W, Thompson IR. Novel mutations in WWOX, RARS2, and C10orf2 genes in consanguineous Arab families with intellectual disability. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:901-7. [PMID: 27121845 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9827-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disability is a heterogeneous disease with many genes and mutations influencing the phenotype. Consanguineous families constitute a rich resource for the identification of rare variants causing autosomal recessive disease, due to the effects of inbreeding. Here, we examine three consanguineous Arab families, recruited in a quest to identify novel genes/mutations. All the families had multiple offspring with non-specific intellectual disability. We identified homozygosity (autozygosity) intervals in those families through SNP genotyping and whole exome sequencing, with variants filtered using Ingenuity Variant Analysis (IVA) software. The families showed heterogeneity and novel mutations in three different genes known to be associated with intellectual disability. These mutations were not found in 514 ethnically matched control chromosomes. p.G410C in WWOX, p.H530Y in RARS2, and p.I69F in C10orf2 are novel changes that affect protein function and could give new insights into the development and function of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asem M Alkhateeb
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar.
- Biotechnology and Genetics Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Samah K Aburahma
- Neurosciences Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Wesal Habbab
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
| | - I Richard Thompson
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
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41
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Myers C, Mefford H. Genetic investigations of the epileptic encephalopathies. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2016; 226:35-60. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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42
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Zaki MS, Heller R, Thoenes M, Nürnberg G, Stern-Schneider G, Nürnberg P, Karnati S, Swan D, Fateen E, Nagel-Wolfrum K, Mostafa MI, Thiele H, Wolfrum U, Baumgart-Vogt E, Bolz HJ. PEX6 is Expressed in Photoreceptor Cilia and Mutated in Deafblindness with Enamel Dysplasia and Microcephaly. Hum Mutat 2015; 37:170-4. [PMID: 26593283 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Deafblindness is part of several genetic disorders. We investigated a consanguineous Egyptian family with two siblings affected by congenital hearing loss and retinal degeneration, initially diagnosed as Usher syndrome type 1. At teenage, severe enamel dysplasia, developmental delay, and microcephaly became apparent. Genome-wide homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing detected a homozygous missense mutation, c.1238G>T (p.Gly413Val), affecting a highly conserved residue of peroxisomal biogenesis factor 6, PEX6. Biochemical profiling of the siblings revealed abnormal and borderline plasma phytanic acid concentration, and cerebral imaging revealed white matter disease in both. We show that Pex6 localizes to the apical extensions of secretory ameloblasts and differentiated odontoblasts at early stages of dentin synthesis in mice, and to cilia of retinal photoreceptor cells. We propose PEX6, and possibly other peroxisomal genes, as candidate for the rare cooccurrence of deafblindness and enamel dysplasia. Our study for the first time links peroxisome biogenesis disorders to retinal ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha S Zaki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raoul Heller
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michaela Thoenes
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gudrun Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabi Stern-Schneider
- Department of Cell and Matrix Biology, Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Srikanth Karnati
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Swan
- Computational Biology Group, Oxford Gene Technology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ekram Fateen
- Department of Biochemical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kerstin Nagel-Wolfrum
- Department of Cell and Matrix Biology, Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mostafa I Mostafa
- Department of Orodental Genetics, Orodental Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Holger Thiele
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Uwe Wolfrum
- Department of Cell and Matrix Biology, Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Hanno J Bolz
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Bioscientia Center for Human Genetics, Ingelheim, Germany
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43
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Hirbo J, Eidem H, Rokas A, Abbot P. Integrating Diverse Types of Genomic Data to Identify Genes that Underlie Adverse Pregnancy Phenotypes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144155. [PMID: 26641094 PMCID: PMC4671692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in understanding complex genetic diseases has been bolstered by synthetic approaches that overlay diverse data types and analyses to identify functionally important genes. Pre-term birth (PTB), a major complication of pregnancy, is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. A major obstacle in addressing PTB is that the mechanisms controlling parturition and birth timing remain poorly understood. Integrative approaches that overlay datasets derived from comparative genomics with function-derived ones have potential to advance our understanding of the genetics of birth timing, and thus provide insights into the genes that may contribute to PTB. We intersected data from fast evolving coding and non-coding gene regions in the human and primate lineage with data from genes expressed in the placenta, from genes that show enriched expression only in the placenta, as well as from genes that are differentially expressed in four distinct PTB clinical subtypes. A large fraction of genes that are expressed in placenta, and differentially expressed in PTB clinical subtypes (23–34%) are fast evolving, and are associated with functions that include adhesion neurodevelopmental and immune processes. Functional categories of genes that express fast evolution in coding regions differ from those linked to fast evolution in non-coding regions. Finally, there is a surprising lack of overlap between fast evolving genes that are differentially expressed in four PTB clinical subtypes. Integrative approaches, especially those that incorporate evolutionary perspectives, can be successful in identifying potential genetic contributions to complex genetic diseases, such as PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibril Hirbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Box 35164 Station B, Nashville, TN, 37235–1634, United States of America
| | - Haley Eidem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Box 35164 Station B, Nashville, TN, 37235–1634, United States of America
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Box 35164 Station B, Nashville, TN, 37235–1634, United States of America
| | - Patrick Abbot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Box 35164 Station B, Nashville, TN, 37235–1634, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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44
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Abu-Remaileh M, Joy-Dodson E, Schueler-Furman O, Aqeilan RI. Pleiotropic Functions of Tumor Suppressor WWOX in Normal and Cancer Cells. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:30728-35. [PMID: 26499798 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r115.676346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), originally marked as a likely tumor suppressor gene, has over the years become recognized for its role in a much wider range of cellular activities. Phenotypic effects displayed in animal studies, along with resolution of WWOX's architecture, fold, and binding partners, point to the protein's multifaceted biological functions. Results from a series of complementary experiments seem to indicate WWOX's involvement in metabolic regulation. More recently, clinical studies involving cases of severe encephalopathy suggest that WWOX also plays a part in controlling CNS development, further expanding our understanding of the breadth and complexity of WWOX behavior. Here we present a short overview of the various approaches taken to study this dynamic gene, emphasizing the most recent findings regarding WWOX's metabolic- and CNS-associated functions and their underlying molecular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Joy-Dodson
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120
| | - Ora Schueler-Furman
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- From the Departments of Immunology & Cancer Research and
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45
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Chang HT, Liu CC, Chen ST, Yap YV, Chang NS, Sze CI. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase in neuronal injury and neurological diseases. Oncotarget 2015; 5:11792-9. [PMID: 25537520 PMCID: PMC4322972 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human and mouse WWOX/Wwox gene encodes a candidate tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase protein. This gene is located on a common fragile site FRA16D. WWOX participates in a variety of cellular events and acts as a transducer in the many signal pathways, including TNF, chemotherapeutic drugs, UV irradiation, Wnt, TGF-β, C1q, Hyal-2, sex steroid hormones, and others. While transiently overexpressed WWOX restricts relocation of transcription factors to the nucleus for suppressing cancer survival, physiological relevance of this regard in vivo has not been confirmed. Unlike many tumor suppressor genes, mutation of WWOX is rare, raising a question whether WWOX is a driver for cancer initiation. WWOX/Wwox was initially shown to play a crucial role in neural development and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and neuronal injury. Later on, WWOX/Wwox was shown to participate in the development of epilepsy, mental retardation, and brain developmental defects in mice, rats and humans. Up to date, most of the research and review articles have focused on the involvement of WWOX in cancer. Here, we review the role of WWOX in neural injury and neurological diseases, and provide perspectives for the WWOX-regulated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Tzu Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chan-Chuan Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shur-Tzu Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ye Vone Yap
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shang Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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46
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Hollstein R, Parry DA, Nalbach L, Logan CV, Strom TM, Hartill VL, Carr IM, Korenke GC, Uppal S, Ahmed M, Wieland T, Markham AF, Bennett CP, Gillessen-Kaesbach G, Sheridan EG, Kaiser FJ, Bonthron DT. HACE1 deficiency causes an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental syndrome. J Med Genet 2015; 52:797-803. [PMID: 26424145 PMCID: PMC4717446 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background The genetic aetiology of neurodevelopmental defects is extremely diverse, and the lack of distinctive phenotypic features means that genetic criteria are often required for accurate diagnostic classification. We aimed to identify the causative genetic lesions in two families in which eight affected individuals displayed variable learning disability, spasticity and abnormal gait. Methods Autosomal recessive inheritance was suggested by consanguinity in one family and by sibling recurrences with normal parents in the second. Autozygosity mapping and exome sequencing, respectively, were used to identify the causative gene. Results In both families, biallelic loss-of-function mutations in HACE1 were identified. HACE1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the activity of cellular GTPases, including Rac1 and members of the Rab family. In the consanguineous family, a homozygous mutation p.R219* predicted a truncated protein entirely lacking its catalytic domain. In the other family, compound heterozygosity for nonsense mutation p.R748* and a 20-nt insertion interrupting the catalytic homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) domain was present; western blot analysis of patient cells revealed an absence of detectable HACE1 protein. Conclusion HACE1 mutations underlie a new autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder. Previous studies have implicated HACE1 as a tumour suppressor gene; however, since cancer predisposition was not observed either in homozygous or heterozygous mutation carriers, this concept may require re-evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Hollstein
- Sektion für Funktionelle Genetik am Institut für Humangenetik, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - David A Parry
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Lisa Nalbach
- Sektion für Funktionelle Genetik am Institut für Humangenetik, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Clare V Logan
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tim M Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Verity L Hartill
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service, Leeds, UK
| | - Ian M Carr
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Georg C Korenke
- Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Neuropädiatrie, Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sandeep Uppal
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Thomas Wieland
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Eamonn G Sheridan
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service, Leeds, UK
| | - Frank J Kaiser
- Sektion für Funktionelle Genetik am Institut für Humangenetik, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - David T Bonthron
- Section of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service, Leeds, UK
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47
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Choo A, O'Keefe LV, Lee CS, Gregory SL, Shaukat Z, Colella A, Lee K, Denton D, Richards RI. Tumor suppressor WWOX moderates the mitochondrial respiratory complex. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2015; 54:745-61. [PMID: 26390919 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile site FRA16D exhibits DNA instability in cancer, resulting in diminished levels of protein from the WWOX gene that spans it. WWOX suppresses tumor growth by an undefined mechanism. WWOX participates in pathways involving aerobic metabolism and reactive oxygen species. WWOX comprises two WW domains as well as a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase enzyme. Herein is described an in vivo genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster to identify functional interactions between WWOX and metabolic pathways. Altered WWOX levels modulate variable cellular outgrowths caused by genetic deficiencies of components of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes. This modulation requires the enzyme active site of WWOX, and the defective respiratory complex-induced cellular outgrowths are mediated by reactive oxygen species, dependent upon the Akt pathway and sensitive to levels of autophagy and hypoxia-inducible factor. WWOX is known to contribute to homeostasis by regulating the balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Reduction of WWOX levels results in diminished ability to respond to metabolic perturbation of normal cell growth. Thus, the ability of WWOX to facilitate escape from mitochondrial damage-induced glycolysis (Warburg effect) is, therefore, a plausible mechanism for its tumor suppressor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Choo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Louise V O'Keefe
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Cheng Shoou Lee
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Stephen L Gregory
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Zeeshan Shaukat
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Alexander Colella
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Kristie Lee
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Donna Denton
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Robert I Richards
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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48
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Sze CI, Kuo YM, Hsu LJ, Fu TF, Chiang MF, Chang JY, Chang NS. A cascade of protein aggregation bombards mitochondria for neurodegeneration and apoptosis under WWOX deficiency. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1881. [PMID: 26355344 PMCID: PMC4650446 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Y M Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - L J Hsu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - T F Fu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - M F Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital Taipei, and Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - J Y Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - N S Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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49
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Abstract
Epilepsy is a group of disorders characterized by recurrent seizures, and is one of the most common neurological conditions. The genetic basis of epilepsy is clear from epidemiological studies and from rare gene discoveries in large families. The three major classes of epilepsy disorders are genetic generalized, focal and encephalopathic epilepsies, with several specific disorders within each class. Advances in genomic technologies that facilitate genome-wide discovery of both common and rare variants have led to a rapid increase in our understanding of epilepsy genetics. Copy number variant and genome-wide association studies have contributed to our understanding of the complex genetic architecture of generalized epilepsy, while genetic insights into the focal epilepsies and epileptic encephalopathies have come primarily from exome sequencing. It is increasingly clear that epilepsy is genetically heterogeneous, and novel gene discoveries have moved the field beyond the known contribution of ion channels to implicate chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation and regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein in the etiology of epilepsy. Such discoveries pave the way for new therapeutics, some of which are already being studied. In this review, we discuss the rapid pace of gene discovery in epilepsy, as facilitated by genomic technologies, and highlight several novel genes and potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace T Myers
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Heather C Mefford
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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50
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Del Mare S, Aqeilan RI. Tumor Suppressor WWOX inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis by modulating RUNX2 function. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12959. [PMID: 26256646 PMCID: PMC4542681 DOI: 10.1038/srep12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is among the most frequently occurring primary bone tumors, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. This malignant osteoid forming tumor is characterized by its metastatic potential, mainly to lungs. We recently demonstrated that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is frequently inactivated in human OS and that WWOX restoration in WWOX-negative OS cells suppresses tumorigenicity. Of note, WWOX levels are reduced in paired OS samples of post-treatment metastastectomies as compared to pre-treatment biopsies suggesting that decreased WWOX levels are associated with a more aggressive phenotype at the metastatic site. Nevertheless, little is known about WWOX function in OS metastasis. Here, we investigated the role of tumor suppressor WWOX in suppressing pulmonary OS metastasis bothin vitroandin vivo. We demonstrated that ectopic expression of WWOX in OS cells, HOS and LM-7, inhibits OS invasion and cell migration in vitro. Furthermore, WWOX expression reduced tumor burden in vivo and inhibited metastases’ seeding and colonization. Mechanistically, WWOX function is associated with reduced levels of RUNX2 metastatic target genes implicated in adhesion and motility. Our results suggest that WWOX plays a critical role in determining the aggressive phenotype of OS, and its expression could be an attractive therapeutic target to combat this devastating adolescent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Del Mare
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 91220
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 91220
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