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Gomes LHF, Marques AB, Dias ICDM, Gabeira SCDO, Barcelos TR, Guimarães MDO, Ferreira IR, Guida LC, Lucena SL, Rocha AD. Validation of Gene Expression Patterns for Oral Feeding Readiness: Transcriptional Analysis of Set of Genes in Neonatal Salivary Samples. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:936. [PMID: 39062715 PMCID: PMC11275400 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070936] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal health assessment is crucial for detecting and intervening in various disorders. Traditional gene expression analysis methods often require invasive procedures during sample collection, which may not be feasible or ideal for preterm infants. In recent years, saliva has emerged as a promising noninvasive biofluid for assessing gene expression. Another trend that has been growing is the use of "omics" technologies such as transcriptomics in the analysis of gene expression. The costs for carrying out these analyses and the difficulty of analysis make the detection of candidate genes necessary. These genes act as biomarkers for the maturation stages of the oral feeding issue. METHODOLOGY Salivary samples (n = 225) were prospectively collected from 45 preterm (<34 gestational age) infants from five predefined feeding stages and submitted to RT-qPCR. A better description of the targeted genes and results from RT-qPCR analyses were included. The six genes previously identified as predictive of feeding success were tested. The genes are AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1, along with two reference genes: GAPDH and 18S. RT-qPCR amplification enabled the analysis of the gene expression of AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1 in neonatal saliva. Expression results were correlated with the feeding status during sample collection. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the genes AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1 play critical roles in regulating oral feeding and the development of premature infants. Understanding the influence of these genes can provide valuable insights for improving nutritional care and support the development of these vulnerable babies. Evidence suggests that saliva-based gene expression analysis in newborns holds great promise for early detection and monitoring of disease and understanding developmental processes. More research and standardization of protocols are needed to fully explore the potential of saliva as a noninvasive biomarker in neonatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Henrique Ferreira Gomes
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Andressa Brito Marques
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Isabel Cristina de Meireles Dias
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Sanny Cerqueira de O. Gabeira
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Tamara Rosa Barcelos
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Mariana de Oliveira Guimarães
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Igor Ribeiro Ferreira
- Rural and Remote Support Services, Department of Health, Integrated Cardiovascular Clinical Network SA, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Letícia Cunha Guida
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Sabrina Lopes Lucena
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
| | - Adriana Duarte Rocha
- Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira–Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 22250-020, Brazil; (L.H.F.G.)
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Donald H, Blane A, Buthelezi S, Naicker P, Stoychev S, Majakwara J, Fanucchi S. Assessing the dynamics and macromolecular interactions of the intrinsically disordered protein YY1. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20231295. [PMID: 37815922 PMCID: PMC10611921 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231295] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
YY1 is a ubiquitously expressed, intrinsically disordered transcription factor involved in neural development. The oligomeric state of YY1 varies depending on the environment. These structural changes may alter its DNA binding ability and hence its transcriptional activity. Just as YY1's oligomeric state can impact its role in transcription, so does its interaction with other proteins such as FOXP2. The aim of this work is to study the structure and dynamics of YY1 so as to determine the influence of oligomerisation and associations with FOXP2 on its DNA binding mechanism. The results confirm that YY1 is primarily a disordered protein, but it does consist of certain specific structured regions. We observed that YY1 quaternary structure is a heterogenous mixture of oligomers, the overall size of which is dependent on ionic strength. Both YY1 oligomerisation and its dynamic behaviour are further subject to changes upon DNA binding, whereby increases in DNA concentration result in a decrease in the size of YY1 oligomers. YY1 and the FOXP2 forkhead domain were found to interact with each other both in isolation and in the presence of YY1-specific DNA. The heterogeneous, dynamic multimerisation of YY1 identified in this work is, therefore likely to be important for its ability to make heterologous associations with other proteins such as FOXP2. The interactions that YY1 makes with itself, FOXP2 and DNA form part of an intricate mechanism of transcriptional regulation by YY1, which is vital for appropriate neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Donald
- Protein Structure-Function Unit, School of molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Ashleigh Blane
- Protein Structure-Function Unit, School of molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Sindisiwe Buthelezi
- CSIR Biosciences, CSIR, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, 0001 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Previn Naicker
- CSIR Biosciences, CSIR, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, 0001 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Stoyan Stoychev
- CSIR Biosciences, CSIR, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, 0001 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Jacob Majakwara
- School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Sylvia Fanucchi
- Protein Structure-Function Unit, School of molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, 2050 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Vaglietti S, Villeri V, Dell’Oca M, Marchetti C, Cesano F, Rizzo F, Miller D, LaPierre L, Pelassa I, Monje FJ, Colnaghi L, Ghirardi M, Fiumara F. PolyQ length-based molecular encoding of vocalization frequency in FOXP2. iScience 2023; 26:108036. [PMID: 37860754 PMCID: PMC10582585 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXP2, a regulator of vocalization- and speech/language-related phenotypes, contains two long polyQ repeats (Q1 and Q2) displaying marked, still enigmatic length variation across mammals. We found that the Q1/Q2 length ratio quantitatively encodes vocalization frequency ranges, from the infrasonic to the ultrasonic, displaying striking convergent evolution patterns. Thus, species emitting ultrasonic vocalizations converge with bats in having a low ratio, whereas species vocalizing in the low-frequency/infrasonic range converge with elephants and whales, which have higher ratios. Similar, taxon-specific patterns were observed for the FOXP2-related protein FOXP1. At the molecular level, we observed that the FOXP2 polyQ tracts form coiled coils, assembling into condensates and fibrils, and drive liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). By integrating evolutionary and molecular analyses, we found that polyQ length variation related to vocalization frequency impacts FOXP2 structure, LLPS, and transcriptional activity, thus defining a novel form of polyQ length-based molecular encoding of vocalization frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Vaglietti
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Veronica Villeri
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Dell’Oca
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Marchetti
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Cesano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR 518057, China
| | - Dave Miller
- Cascades Pika Watch, Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR 97221, USA
| | - Louis LaPierre
- Deptartment of Natural Science, Lower Columbia College, Longview, WA 98632, USA
| | - Ilaria Pelassa
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Francisco J. Monje
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Colnaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirella Ghirardi
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fiumara
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
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den Hoed J, Devaraju K, Fisher SE. Molecular networks of the FOXP2 transcription factor in the brain. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52803. [PMID: 34260143 PMCID: PMC8339667 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152803] [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: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the FOXP2 transcription factor, and its implication in a rare severe human speech and language disorder, has led to two decades of empirical studies focused on uncovering its roles in the brain using a range of in vitro and in vivo methods. Here, we discuss what we have learned about the regulation of FOXP2, its downstream effectors, and its modes of action as a transcription factor in brain development and function, providing an integrated overview of what is currently known about the critical molecular networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joery den Hoed
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
- International Max Planck Research School for Language SciencesMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Karthikeyan Devaraju
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
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5
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Liu Y, Chen T, Guo M, Li Y, Zhang Q, Tan G, Yu L, Tan Y. FOXA2-Interacting FOXP2 Prevents Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Breast Cancer Cells by Stimulating E-Cadherin and PHF2 Transcription. Front Oncol 2021; 11:605025. [PMID: 33718155 PMCID: PMC7947682 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.605025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP2, a member of forkhead box transcription factor family, was first identified as a language-related gene that played an important role in language learning and facial movement. In addition, FOXP2 was also suggested regulating the progression of cancer cells. In previous studies, we found that FOXA2 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells. In this study, by identifying FOXA2-interacting proteins from FOXA2-pull-down cell lysates with Mass Spectrometry Analysis, we found that FOXP2 interacted with FOXA2. After confirming the interaction between FOXP2 and FOXA2 through Co-IP and immunofluorescence assays, we showed a correlated expression of FOXP2 and FOXA2 existing in clinical breast cancer samples. The overexpression of FOXP2 attenuated the mesenchymal phenotype whereas the stable knockdown of FOXP2 promoted EMT in breast cancer cells. Even though FOXP2 was believed to act as a transcriptional repressor in most cases, we found that FOXP2 could activate the expression of tumor suppressor PHF2. Meanwhile, we also found that FOXP2 could endogenously bind to the promoter of E-cadherin and activate its transcription. This transcriptional activity of FOXP2 relied on its interaction with FOXA2. Furthermore, the stable knockdown of FOXP2 enhanced the metastatic capacity of breast cancer cells in vivo. Together, the results suggested that FOXP2 could inhibit EMT by activating the transcription of certain genes, such as E-cadherin and PHF2, in concert with FOXA2 in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Taolin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingyue Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Guixiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongjun Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan Engineering Research Center for Anticancer Targeted Protein Pharmaceuticals, Hunan University, Changsha, China
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Landi N, Perdue M. Neuroimaging genetics studies of specific reading disability and developmental language disorder: A review. LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS COMPASS 2019; 13:e12349. [PMID: 31844423 PMCID: PMC6913889 DOI: 10.1111/lnc3.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Developmental disorders of spoken and written language are heterogeneous in nature with impairments observed across various linguistic, cognitive, and sensorimotor domains. These disorders are also associated with characteristic patterns of atypical neural structure and function that are observable early in development, often before formal schooling begins. Established patterns of heritability point toward genetic contributions, and molecular genetics approaches have identified genes that play a role in these disorders. Still, identified genes account for only a limited portion of phenotypic variance in complex developmental disorders, described as the problem of "missing heritability." The characterization of intermediate phenotypes at the neural level may fill gaps in our understanding of heritability patterns in complex disorders, and the emerging field of neuroimaging genetics offers a promising approach to accomplish this goal. The neuroimaging genetics approach is gaining prevalence in language- and reading-related research as it is well-suited to incorporate behavior, genetics, and neurobiology into coherent etiological models of complex developmental disorders. Here, we review research applying the neuroimaging genetics approach to the study of specific reading disability (SRD) and developmental language disorder (DLD), much of which links genes with known neurodevelopmental function to functional and structural abnormalities in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Landi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States; Haskins Laboratories, United States
| | - Meaghan Perdue
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States; Haskins Laboratories, United States
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Weng JS, Nakamura T, Moriizumi H, Takano H, Yao R, Takekawa M. MCRIP1 promotes the expression of lung-surfactant proteins in mice by disrupting CtBP-mediated epigenetic gene silencing. Commun Biol 2019; 2:227. [PMID: 31240265 PMCID: PMC6586819 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0478-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of epigenetic states of chromatin is crucial to achieve tissue-specific gene expression during embryogenesis. The lung-specific gene products, surfactant proteins B (SP-B) and C (SP-C), are synthesized in alveolar epithelial cells and prevent alveolar collapse. Epigenetic regulation of these surfactant proteins, however, remains unknown. Here we report that MCRIP1, a regulator of the CtBP transcriptional co-repressor, promotes the expression of SP-B and SP-C by preventing CtBP-mediated epigenetic gene silencing. Homozygous deficiency of Mcrip1 in mice causes fatal respiratory distress due to abnormal transcriptional repression of these surfactant proteins. We found that MCRIP1 interferes with interactions of CtBP with the lung-enriched transcriptional repressors, Foxp1 and Foxp2, thereby preventing the recruitment of the CtBP co-repressor complex to the SP-B and SP-C promoters and maintaining them in an active chromatin state. Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism by which cells prevent inadvertent gene silencing to ensure tissue-specific gene expression during organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S. Weng
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583 Japan
| | - Takanori Nakamura
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Hisashi Moriizumi
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583 Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takano
- Division of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550 Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Division of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550 Japan
| | - Mutsuhiro Takekawa
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583 Japan
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Han L, Chen M, Wang Y, Wu H, Quan Y, Bai T, Li K, Duan G, Gao Y, Hu Z, Xia K, Guo H. Pathogenic missense mutation pattern of forkhead box genes in neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e00789. [PMID: 31199603 PMCID: PMC6625093 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Forkhead box (FOX) proteins are a family of transcription factors. Mutations of three FOX genes, including FOXP1, FOXP2, and FOXG1, have been reported in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, due to the lack of site‐specific statistical significance, the pathogenicity of missense mutations of these genes is difficult to determine. Methods DNA and RNA were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The mutation was detected by single‐molecule molecular inversion probe‐based targeted sequencing, and the variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. Real‐time quantitative PCR and western blot were performed to assay the expression of the mRNA and protein. To assess the pattern of disorder‐related missense mutations of NDD‐related FOX genes, we manually curated de novo and inherited missense or inframeshift variants within FOXP1, FOXP2, and FOXG1 that co‐segregated with phenotypes in NDDs. All variants were annotated by ANNOVAR. Results We detected a novel de novo missense mutation (NM_001244815: c.G1444A, p.E482K) of FOXP1 in a patient with intellectual disability and severe speech delay. Real‐time PCR and western blot revealed a dramatic reduction of mRNA and protein expression in patient‐derived lymphocytes, indicating a loss‐of‐function mechanism. We observed that the majority of the de novo or transmitted missense variants were located in the FOX domains, and 95% were classified as pathogenic mutations. However, 10 variants were located outside of the FOX domain and were classified as likely pathogenic or variants of uncertain significance. Conclusion Our study shows the pathogenicity of missense and inframeshift variants of NDD‐related FOX genes, which is important for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. Functional analysis is needed to determine the pathogenicity of the variants with uncertain clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Han
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meilin Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yazhe Wang
- Center of Children Psychology and Behavior, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huidan Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yingting Quan
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Bai
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guiqin Duan
- Center of Children Psychology and Behavior, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Child Psychobehavioural Rehabilitation Department, Shenzhen Baoan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhengmao Hu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, Changsha, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligences Technology (CEBSIT), Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Hickey SL, Berto S, Konopka G. Chromatin Decondensation by FOXP2 Promotes Human Neuron Maturation and Expression of Neurodevelopmental Disease Genes. Cell Rep 2019; 27:1699-1711.e9. [PMID: 31067457 PMCID: PMC6794152 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) is a transcription factor expressed in the human brain that peaks during fetal development, and disruption in its ability to regulate downstream target genes leads to vulnerability to neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the mechanisms by which FOXP2 exerts regulatory control over targets during neuronal maturation have not been fully elucidated. Here, we use genome-wide chromatin accessibility assays and transcriptome-wide expression analyses in differentiating human neurons to show that FOXP2 represses proliferation-promoting genes in a DNA-binding-dependent manner. In contrast, FOXP2 and its cofactors, NFIA and NFIB, activate neuronal maturation genes in a manner that does not require FOXP2 to interact with DNA directly. Moreover, comparisons with expression data from the developing human brain suggest that FOXP2 and NFIA- or NFIB-dependent chromatin alterations drive maturation of excitatory cortical neurons. Thus, FOXP2 and its NFI cofactors may be specifically important for the development of cortical circuits underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Hickey
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Häußermann K, Young G, Kukura P, Dietz H. Dissecting FOXP2 Oligomerization and DNA Binding. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:7662-7667. [PMID: 30887622 PMCID: PMC6986896 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201901734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Protein–protein and protein–substrate interactions are critical to function and often depend on factors that are difficult to disentangle. Herein, a combined biochemical and biophysical approach, based on electrically switchable DNA biochips and single‐molecule mass analysis, was used to characterize the DNA binding and protein oligomerization of the transcription factor, forkhead box protein P2 (FOXP2). FOXP2 contains domains commonly involved in nucleic‐acid binding and protein oligomerization, such as a C2H2‐zinc finger (ZF), and a leucine zipper (LZ), whose roles in FOXP2 remain largely unknown. We found that the LZ mediates FOXP2 dimerization via coiled‐coil formation but also contributes to DNA binding. The ZF contributes to protein dimerization when the LZ coiled‐coil is intact, but it is not involved in DNA binding. The forkhead domain (FHD) is the key driver of DNA binding. Our data contributes to understanding the mechanisms behind the transcriptional activity of FOXP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Häußermann
- Physik Department & Munich School of Bioengineering, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85784, Garching, Germany
| | - Gavin Young
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Philipp Kukura
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Physik Department & Munich School of Bioengineering, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85784, Garching, Germany
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Häußermann K, Young G, Kukura P, Dietz H. Dissecting FOXP2 Oligomerization and DNA Binding. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201901734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Häußermann
- Physik Department & Munich School of BioengineeringTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85784 Garching Germany
| | - Gavin Young
- Department of ChemistryPhysical and Theoretical Chemistry LaboratoryUniversity of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QZ UK
| | - Philipp Kukura
- Department of ChemistryPhysical and Theoretical Chemistry LaboratoryUniversity of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QZ UK
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Physik Department & Munich School of BioengineeringTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85784 Garching Germany
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12
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Estruch SB, Graham SA, Quevedo M, Vino A, Dekkers DHW, Deriziotis P, Sollis E, Demmers J, Poot RA, Fisher SE. Proteomic analysis of FOXP proteins reveals interactions between cortical transcription factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1212-1227. [PMID: 29365100 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP transcription factors play important roles in neurodevelopment, but little is known about how their transcriptional activity is regulated. FOXP proteins cooperatively regulate gene expression by forming homo- and hetero-dimers with each other. Physical associations with other transcription factors might also modulate the functions of FOXP proteins. However, few FOXP-interacting transcription factors have been identified so far. Therefore, we sought to discover additional transcription factors that interact with the brain-expressed FOXP proteins, FOXP1, FOXP2 and FOXP4, through affinity-purifications of protein complexes followed by mass spectrometry. We identified seven novel FOXP-interacting transcription factors (NR2F1, NR2F2, SATB1, SATB2, SOX5, YY1 and ZMYM2), five of which have well-estabslished roles in cortical development. Accordingly, we found that these transcription factors are co-expressed with FoxP2 in the deep layers of the cerebral cortex and also in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, suggesting that they may cooperate with the FoxPs to regulate neural gene expression in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that etiological mutations of FOXP1 and FOXP2, known to cause neurodevelopmental disorders, severely disrupted the interactions with FOXP-interacting transcription factors. Additionally, we pinpointed specific regions within FOXP2 sequence involved in mediating these interactions. Thus, by expanding the FOXP interactome we have uncovered part of a broader neural transcription factor network involved in cortical development, providing novel molecular insights into the transcriptional architecture underlying brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Estruch
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah A Graham
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Martí Quevedo
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Arianna Vino
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Dick H W Dekkers
- Center for Proteomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Pelagia Deriziotis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Elliot Sollis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Demmers
- Center for Proteomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond A Poot
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen 6525 EN, The Netherlands
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13
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A set of regulatory genes co-expressed in embryonic human brain is implicated in disrupted speech development. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1065-1078. [PMID: 29463886 PMCID: PMC6756287 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic investigations of people with impaired development of spoken language provide windows into key aspects of human biology. Over 15 years after FOXP2 was identified, most speech and language impairments remain unexplained at the molecular level. We sequenced whole genomes of nineteen unrelated individuals diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech, a rare disorder enriched for causative mutations of large effect. Where DNA was available from unaffected parents, we discovered de novo mutations, implicating genes, including CHD3, SETD1A and WDR5. In other probands, we identified novel loss-of-function variants affecting KAT6A, SETBP1, ZFHX4, TNRC6B and MKL2, regulatory genes with links to neurodevelopment. Several of the new candidates interact with each other or with known speech-related genes. Moreover, they show significant clustering within a single co-expression module of genes highly expressed during early human brain development. This study highlights gene regulatory pathways in the developing brain that may contribute to acquisition of proficient speech.
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14
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Sriganesh R, Joseph Ponniah R. Genetics of language and its implications on language interventions. J Genet 2018; 97:1485-1491. [PMID: 30555099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Genetic variation of language genes affect neurophysiology of brain and can thus influence the way people respond to environmental language input, leading to differences in terms of their response to environmental language learning. Conversely, language learning environment too can affect gene expressions through neuroepigenetic mechanisms, leading to increasedinterindividual differences. Further, language-related cognitive processes such as learning, working memory and perception; and language-related affective factors such as stress and positive emotion involve neuroplasticity, which is also epigenetically regulated. Language intervention methods must understand the extent and the type of difficulties, and must offer personalized learning andmedical solutions. Medical intervention in terms of epigenetics and neurotransmitter regulation is proposed in addition to effectiveteaching methods to aid in effective language acquisition.
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15
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16
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Foxp2 regulates anatomical features that may be relevant for vocal behaviors and bipedal locomotion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:8799-8804. [PMID: 30104377 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721820115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fundamental human traits, such as language and bipedalism, are associated with a range of anatomical adaptations in craniofacial shaping and skeletal remodeling. However, it is unclear how such morphological features arose during hominin evolution. FOXP2 is a brain-expressed transcription factor implicated in a rare disorder involving speech apraxia and language impairments. Analysis of its evolutionary history suggests that this gene may have contributed to the emergence of proficient spoken language. In the present study, through analyses of skeleton-specific knockout mice, we identified roles of Foxp2 in skull shaping and bone remodeling. Selective ablation of Foxp2 in cartilage disrupted pup vocalizations in a similar way to that of global Foxp2 mutants, which may be due to pleiotropic effects on craniofacial morphogenesis. Our findings also indicate that Foxp2 helps to regulate strength and length of hind limbs and maintenance of joint cartilage and intervertebral discs, which are all anatomical features that are susceptible to adaptations for bipedal locomotion. In light of the known roles of Foxp2 in brain circuits that are important for motor skills and spoken language, we suggest that this gene may have been well placed to contribute to coevolution of neural and anatomical adaptations related to speech and bipedal locomotion.
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17
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Abstract
Mutations of the FOXP2 gene cause a severe speech and language disorder, providing a molecular window into the neurobiology of language. Individuals with FOXP2 mutations have structural and functional alterations affecting brain circuits that overlap with sites of FOXP2 expression, including regions of the cortex, striatum, and cerebellum. FOXP2 displays complex patterns of expression in the brain, as well as in non-neuronal tissues, suggesting that sophisticated regulatory mechanisms control its spatio-temporal expression. However, to date, little is known about the regulation of FOXP2 or the genomic elements that control its expression. Using chromatin conformation capture (3C), we mapped the human FOXP2 locus to identify putative enhancer regions that engage in long-range interactions with the promoter of this gene. We demonstrate the ability of the identified enhancer regions to drive gene expression. We also show regulation of the FOXP2 promoter and enhancer regions by candidate regulators - FOXP family and TBR1 transcription factors. These data point to regulatory elements that may contribute to the temporal- or tissue-specific expression patterns of human FOXP2. Understanding the upstream regulatory pathways controlling FOXP2 expression will bring new insight into the molecular networks contributing to human language and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Becker
- Neurogenetics of Vocal Communication Group, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Paolo Devanna
- Neurogenetics of Vocal Communication Group, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sonja C Vernes
- Neurogenetics of Vocal Communication Group, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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18
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Herrero MJ, Gitton Y. The untold stories of the speech gene, the FOXP2 cancer gene. Genes Cancer 2018; 9:11-38. [PMID: 29725501 PMCID: PMC5931254 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP2 encodes a transcription factor involved in speech and language acquisition. Growing evidence now suggests that dysregulated FOXP2 activity may also be instrumental in human oncogenesis, along the lines of other cardinal developmental transcription factors such as DLX5 and DLX6 [1-4]. Several FOXP familymembers are directly involved during cancer initiation, maintenance and progression in the adult [5-8]. This may comprise either a pro-oncogenic activity or a deficient tumor-suppressor role, depending upon cell types and associated signaling pathways. While FOXP2 is expressed in numerous cell types, its expression has been found to be down-regulated in breast cancer [9], hepatocellular carcinoma [8] and gastric cancer biopsies [10]. Conversely, overexpressed FOXP2 has been reported in multiple myelomas, MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance), several subtypes of lymphomas [5,11], as well as in neuroblastomas [12] and ERG fusion-negative prostate cancers [13]. According to functional evidences reported in breast cancer [9] and survey of recent transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of different tumor biopsies, we postulate that FOXP2 dysregulation may play a main role throughout cancer initiation and progression. In some cancer conditions, FOXP2 levels are now considered as a critical diagnostic marker of neoplastic cells, and in many situations, they even bear strong prognostic value [5]. Whether FOXP2 may further become a therapeutic target is an actively explored lead. Knowledge reviewed here may help improve our understanding of FOXP2 roles during oncogenesis and provide cues for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jesus Herrero
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yorick Gitton
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, CNRS, Vision Institute Research Center, Paris, France
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19
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Deriziotis P, Fisher SE. Speech and Language: Translating the Genome. Trends Genet 2017; 33:642-656. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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20
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Sollis E, Deriziotis P, Saitsu H, Miyake N, Matsumoto N, Hoffer MJV, Ruivenkamp CAL, Alders M, Okamoto N, Bijlsma EK, Plomp AS, Fisher SE. Equivalent missense variant in the FOXP2 and FOXP1 transcription factors causes distinct neurodevelopmental disorders. Hum Mutat 2017; 38:1542-1554. [PMID: 28741757 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The closely related paralogues FOXP2 and FOXP1 encode transcription factors with shared functions in the development of many tissues, including the brain. However, while mutations in FOXP2 lead to a speech/language disorder characterized by childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), the clinical profile of FOXP1 variants includes a broader neurodevelopmental phenotype with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and speech/language impairment. Using clinical whole-exome sequencing, we report an identical de novo missense FOXP1 variant identified in three unrelated patients. The variant, p.R514H, is located in the forkhead-box DNA-binding domain and is equivalent to the well-studied p.R553H FOXP2 variant that cosegregates with CAS in a large UK family. We present here for the first time a direct comparison of the molecular and clinical consequences of the same mutation affecting the equivalent residue in FOXP1 and FOXP2. Detailed functional characterization of the two variants in cell model systems revealed very similar molecular consequences, including aberrant subcellular localization, disruption of transcription factor activity, and deleterious effects on protein interactions. Nonetheless, clinical manifestations were broader and more severe in the three cases carrying the p.R514H FOXP1 variant than in individuals with the p.R553H variant related to CAS, highlighting divergent roles of FOXP2 and FOXP1 in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Sollis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pelagia Deriziotis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hirotomo Saitsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Noriko Miyake
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mariëtte J V Hoffer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia A L Ruivenkamp
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Alders
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Osaka, Japan
| | - Emilia K Bijlsma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid S Plomp
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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