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Krzeski JC, Judson MC, Philpot BD. Neuronal UBE3A substrates hold therapeutic potential for Angelman syndrome. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 88:102899. [PMID: 39126903 PMCID: PMC11397222 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Emerging therapies for Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, are focused on restoring UBE3A gene expression in the brain. Further therapeutic opportunities may arise from a better understanding of how UBE3A gene products-both long and short isoforms of the ubiquitin ligase E3A (UBE3A)-function in neurons. Great strides have been made recently toward identifying ubiquitin substrates of UBE3A in vitro and in heterologous expression systems. From this work, a particularly close relationship between UBE3A and subunits of the 19S regulatory particle of the proteasome has become evident. We propose that further research cognizant of isoform-specific UBE3A functional roles will be instrumental in elucidating key UBE3A/substrate relationships within distinct neuronal compartments, lending to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and valuable clinical biomarkers for the treatment of Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Krzeski
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew C Judson
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Ozarkar SS, Patel RKR, Vulli T, Smith AL, Shen MD, Burette AC, Philpot BD, Styner MA, Hazlett HC. Comparative profiling of white matter development in the human and mouse brain reveals volumetric deficits and delayed myelination in Angelman syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4681861. [PMID: 39149488 PMCID: PMC11326408 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4681861/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Background Angelman syndrome (AS), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the loss of the maternal UBE3A gene, is marked by changes in the brain's white matter (WM). The extent of WM abnormalities seems to correlate with the severity of clinical symptoms, but these deficits are still not well characterized or understood. This study provides the first large-scale measurement of WM volume reduction in children with AS. Furthermore, we probed the underlying neuropathology by examining the progression of myelination in an AS mouse model. Methods We conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on children with AS (n=32) and neurotypical controls (n=99) aged 0.5-12 years. In parallel, we examined myelination in postnatal Ube3a maternal-null mice (Ube3a m-/p+; AS model), Ube3a paternal-null mice (Ube3a m+/p-), and wildtype controls (Ube3a m+/p+) using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and electron microscopy. Results Our data revealed that AS individuals exhibit significant reductions in brain volume by ~1 year of age, with WM reduced by 26% and gray matter by 21% by 6-12 years of age-approximately twice the reductions observed in the adult AS mouse model. In our AS mouse model, we saw a global delay in the onset of myelination, which normalized within days (likely corresponding to months or years in human development). This myelination delay is caused by the loss of UBE3A in neurons rather than UBE3A haploinsufficiency in oligodendrocytes. Interestingly, ultrastructural analyses did not reveal any abnormalities in myelinated or unmyelinated axons. Limitations It is difficult to extrapolate the timing and duration of the myelination delay observed in AS model mice to individuals with AS. Conclusions This study reveals WM deficits as a hallmark in children with AS, demonstrating for the first time that these deficits are already apparent at 1 year of age. Parallel studies in a mouse model of AS show that these deficits may be associated with delayed onset of myelination due to the loss of neuronal (but not glial) UBE3A. These findings emphasize the potential of WM as both a therapeutic target for interventions and a valuable biomarker for tracking the progression of AS and the effectiveness of potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhi S Ozarkar
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Ridthi K-R Patel
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Tasmai Vulli
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Audrey L Smith
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Mark D Shen
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Alain C Burette
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Martin A Styner
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Gardner Z, Holbrook O, Tian Y, Odamah K, Man HY. The role of glia in the dysregulation of neuronal spinogenesis in Ube3a-dependent ASD. Exp Neurol 2024; 376:114756. [PMID: 38508482 PMCID: PMC11058030 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114756] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Overexpression of the Ube3a gene and the resulting increase in Ube3a protein are linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the cellular and molecular processes underlying Ube3a-dependent ASD remain unclear. Using both male and female mice, we find that neurons in the somatosensory cortex of the Ube3a 2× Tg ASD mouse model display reduced dendritic spine density and increased immature filopodia density. Importantly, the increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes alone is sufficient to confer alterations in neurons as immature dendritic protrusions, as observed in primary hippocampal neuron cultures. We show that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes leads to a loss of astrocyte-derived spinogenic protein, thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), due to a suppression of TSP2 gene transcription. By neonatal intraventricular injection of astrocyte-specific virus, we demonstrate that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes in vivo results in a reduction in dendritic spine maturation in prelimbic cortical neurons, accompanied with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings reveal an astrocytic dominance in initiating ASD pathobiology at the neuronal and behavior levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Increased gene dosage of Ube3a is tied to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), yet cellular and molecular alterations underlying autistic phenotypes remain unclear. We show that Ube3a overexpression leads to impaired dendritic spine maturation, resulting in reduced spine density and increased filopodia density. We find that dysregulation of spine development is not neuron autonomous, rather, it is mediated by an astrocytic mechanism. Increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes leads to reduced production of the spinogenic glycoprotein thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), leading to abnormalities in spines. Astrocyte-specific Ube3a overexpression in the brain in vivo confers dysregulated spine maturation concomitant with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings indicate the importance of astrocytes in aberrant neurodevelopment and brain function in Ube3a-depdendent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gardner
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Otto Holbrook
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - KathrynAnn Odamah
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., L-603, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America.
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Gonzalez Ramirez C, Salvador SG, Patel RKR, Clark S, Miller NW, James LM, Ringelberg NW, Simon JM, Bennett J, Amaral DG, Burette AC, Philpot BD. Regional and cellular organization of the autism-associated protein UBE3A/E6AP and its antisense transcript in the brain of the developing rhesus monkey. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1410791. [PMID: 38873093 PMCID: PMC11169893 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1410791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations or deletions in the maternally-inherited UBE3A allele, leading to a loss of UBE3A protein expression in neurons. The paternally-inherited UBE3A allele is epigenetically silenced in neurons during development by a noncoding transcript (UBE3A-ATS). The absence of neuronal UBE3A results in severe neurological symptoms, including speech and language impairments, intellectual disability, and seizures. While no cure exists, therapies aiming to restore UBE3A function-either by gene addition or by targeting UBE3A-ATS-are under development. Progress in developing these treatments relies heavily on inferences drawn from mouse studies about the function of UBE3A in the human brain. To aid translational efforts and to gain an understanding of UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS biology with greater relevance to human neurodevelopmental contexts, we investigated UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS expression in the developing brain of the rhesus macaque, a species that exhibits complex social behaviors, resembling aspects of human behavior to a greater degree than mice. Combining immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we mapped UBE3A and UBE3A-ATS regional and cellular expression in normal prenatal, neonatal, and adolescent rhesus macaque brains. We show that key hallmarks of UBE3A biology, well-known in rodents, are also present in macaques, and suggest paternal UBE3A silencing in neurons-but not glial cells-in the macaque brain, with onset between gestational day 48 and 100. These findings support proposals that early-life, perhaps even prenatal, intervention is optimal for overcoming the maternal allele loss of UBE3A linked to AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chavely Gonzalez Ramirez
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah G. Salvador
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ridthi Kartik Rekha Patel
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah Clark
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Noah W. Miller
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lucas M. James
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nicholas W. Ringelberg
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Davis, CA, United States
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David G. Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Davis, CA, United States
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alain C. Burette
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Philpot
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Roy B, Amemasor E, Hussain S, Castro K. UBE3A: The Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and a Potential Candidate for Biomarker Studies and Designing Therapeutic Strategies. Diseases 2023; 12:7. [PMID: 38248358 PMCID: PMC10814747 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Published reports from the CDC's Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Networks have shown that an average of 1 in every 44 (2.3%) 8-year-old children were estimated to have ASD in 2018. Many of the ASDs exhibiting varying degrees of autism-like phenotypes have chromosomal anomalies in the Chr15q11-q13 region. Numerous potential candidate genes linked with ASD reside in this chromosomal segment. However, several clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies selected one gene more frequently than others randomly and unbiasedly. This gene codes for UBE3A or Ubiquitin protein ligase E3A [also known as E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase (E6AP)], an enzyme involved in the cellular degradation of proteins. This gene has been listed as one of the several genes with a high potential of causing ASD in the Autism Database. The gain of function mutations, triplication, or duplication in the UBE3A gene is also associated with ASDs like Angelman Syndrome (AS) and Dup15q Syndrome. The genetic imprinting of UBE3A in the brain and a preference for neuronal maternal-specific expression are the key features of various ASDs. Since the UBE3A gene is involved in two main important diseases associated with autism-like symptoms, there has been widespread research going on in understanding the link between this gene and autism. Additionally, since no universal methodology or mechanism exists for identifying UBE3A-mediated ASD, it continues to be challenging for neurobiologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians to design therapies or diagnostic tools. In this review, we focus on the structure and functional aspects of the UBE3A protein, discuss the primary relevance of the 15q11-q13 region in the cause of ASDs, and highlight the link between UBE3A and ASD. We try to broaden the knowledge of our readers by elaborating on the possible mechanisms underlying UBE3A-mediated ASDs, emphasizing the usage of UBE3A as a prospective biomarker in the preclinical diagnosis of ASDs and discuss the positive outcomes, advanced developments, and the hurdles in the field of therapeutic strategies against UBE3A-mediated ASDs. This review is novel as it lays a very detailed and comprehensive platform for one of the most important genes associated with diseases showing autistic-like symptoms. Additionally, this review also attempts to lay optimistic feedback on the possible steps for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of these UBE3A-mediated ASDs in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Roy
- Life Science Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (E.A.); (S.H.); (K.C.)
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Furusawa K, Ishii K, Tsuji M, Tokumitsu N, Hasegawa E, Emoto K. Presynaptic Ube3a E3 ligase promotes synapse elimination through down-regulation of BMP signaling. Science 2023; 381:1197-1205. [PMID: 37708280 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade8978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Inactivation of the ubiquitin ligase Ube3a causes the developmental disorder Angelman syndrome, whereas increased Ube3a dosage is associated with autism spectrum disorders. Despite the enriched localization of Ube3a in the axon terminals including presynapses, little is known about the presynaptic function of Ube3a and mechanisms underlying its presynaptic localization. We show that developmental synapse elimination requires presynaptic Ube3a activity in Drosophila neurons. We further identified the domain of Ube3a that is required for its interaction with the kinesin motor. Angelman syndrome-associated missense mutations in the interaction domain attenuate presynaptic targeting of Ube3a and prevent synapse elimination. Conversely, increased Ube3a activity in presynapses leads to precocious synapse elimination and impairs synaptic transmission. Our findings reveal the physiological role of Ube3a and suggest potential pathogenic mechanisms associated with Ube3a dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Furusawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kenichi Ishii
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masato Tsuji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Nagomi Tokumitsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Eri Hasegawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuo Emoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Galli J, Loi E, Strobio C, Micheletti S, Martelli P, Merabet LB, Pasini N, Semeraro F, Fazzi E. Neurovisual profile in children affected by Angelman syndrome. Brain Dev 2023; 45:117-125. [PMID: 36344336 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder caused by altered expression of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Together with motor, cognitive, and speech impairment, ophthalmological findings including strabismus, and ocular fundus hypopigmentation characterize the clinical phenotype. The aim of this study was to detail the neurovisual profile of children affected by AS and to explore any possible genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS Thirty-seven children (23 females, mean age 102.8 ± 54.4 months, age range 22 to 251 months) with molecular confirmed diagnosis of AS were enrolled in the study. All underwent a comprehensive video-recorded neurovisual evaluation including the assessment of ophthalmological aspects, oculomotor functions, and basic visual abilities. RESULTS All children had visual impairments mainly characterized by refractive errors, ocular fundus changes, strabismus, discontinuous/jerky smooth pursuit and altered saccadic movements, and/or reduced visual acuity. Comparing the neurovisual profiles between the deletion and non-deletion genetic subgroups, we found a significant statistical correlation between genotype and ocular fundus hypopigmentation (p = 0.03), discontinuous smooth pursuit (p < 0.05), and contrast sensitivity abnormalities (p < 0.01) being more frequent in the deletion subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Subjects affected by AS present a wide spectrum of neurovisual impairments that lead to a clinical profile consistent with cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Moreover, subjects with a chromosome deletion show a more severe visual phenotype with respect to ocular fundus changes, smooth pursuit movements, and contrast sensitivity. Early detection of these impaired visual functions may help promote the introduction of neurovisual habilitative programs which can improve children's visual, neuromotor, and cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Galli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Erika Loi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Caterina Strobio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Serena Micheletti
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Martelli
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lotfi B Merabet
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nadia Pasini
- Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Semeraro
- Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy; University of Brescia, Eye Clinic, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Nisar S, Bhat AA, Masoodi T, Hashem S, Akhtar S, Ali TA, Amjad S, Chawla S, Bagga P, Frenneaux MP, Reddy R, Fakhro K, Haris M. Genetics of glutamate and its receptors in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2380-2392. [PMID: 35296811 PMCID: PMC9135628 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment characterized by deficits in social interaction skills, impaired communication, and repetitive and restricted behaviors that are thought to be due to altered neurotransmission processes. The amino acid glutamate is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain that regulates cognitive functions such as learning and memory, which are usually impaired in ASD. Over the last several years, increasing evidence from genetics, neuroimaging, protein expression, and animal model studies supporting the notion of altered glutamate metabolism has heightened the interest in evaluating glutamatergic dysfunction in ASD. Numerous pharmacological, behavioral, and imaging studies have demonstrated the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, thus revealing the involvement of the glutamatergic system in ASD pathology. Here, we review the effects of genetic alterations on glutamate and its receptors in ASD and the role of non-invasive imaging modalities in detecting these changes. We also highlight the potential therapeutic targets associated with impaired glutamatergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tayyiba Akbar Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Amjad
- Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, 276001, India
| | - Sanjeev Chawla
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Michael P Frenneaux
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Khalid Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Laboratory of Animal Research, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Mee Hayes E, Sirvio L, Ye Y. A Potential Mechanism for Targeting Aggregates With Proteasomes and Disaggregases in Liquid Droplets. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:854380. [PMID: 35517053 PMCID: PMC9062979 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.854380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Insoluble protein deposits are hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders and common forms of dementia. The aberrant aggregation of misfolded proteins involves a complex cascade of events that occur over time, from the cellular to the clinical phase of neurodegeneration. Declining neuronal health through increased cell stress and loss of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) functions correlate with the accumulation of aggregates. On the cellular level, increasing evidence supports that misfolded proteins may undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is emerging as an important process to drive protein aggregation. Studying, the reverse process of aggregate disassembly and degradation has only recently gained momentum, following reports of enzymes with distinct aggregate-disassembly activities. In this review, we will discuss how the ubiquitin-proteasome system and disaggregation machineries such as VCP/p97 and HSP70 system may disassemble and/or degrade protein aggregates. In addition to their canonically associated functions, these enzymes appear to share a common feature: reversibly assembling into liquid droplets in an LLPS-driven manner. We review the role of LLPS in enhancing the disassembly of aggregates through locally increasing the concentration of these enzymes and their co-proteins together within droplet structures. We propose that such activity may be achieved through the concerted actions of disaggregase machineries, the ubiquitin-proteasome system and their co-proteins, all of which are condensed within transient aggregate-associated droplets (TAADs), ultimately resulting in aggregate clearance. We further speculate that sustained engagement of these enzymatic activities within TAADs will be detrimental to normal cellular functions, where these activities are required. The possibility of facilitating endogenous disaggregation and degradation activities within TAADs potentially represents a novel target for therapeutic intervention to restore protein homeostasis at the early stages of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Mee Hayes
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liina Sirvio
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ye
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Yu Ye,
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10
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Dodge A, Morrill N, Weeber EJ, Nash KR. Recovery of Angelman syndrome rat deficits with UBE3A protein supplementation. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 120:103724. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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11
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Sirois CL, Bloom JE, Fink JJ, Gorka D, Keller S, Germain ND, Levine ES, Chamberlain SJ. Abundance and localization of human UBE3A protein isoforms. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3021-3031. [PMID: 32833011 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of UBE3A expression, a gene regulated by genomic imprinting, causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The UBE3A gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase with three known protein isoforms in humans. Studies in mouse suggest that the human isoforms may have differences in localization and neuronal function. A recent case study reported mild AS phenotypes in individuals lacking one specific isoform. Here we have used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that lack the individual protein isoforms. We demonstrate that isoform 1 accounts for the majority of UBE3A protein in hESCs and neurons. We also show that UBE3A predominantly localizes to the cytoplasm in both wild type and isoform-null cells. Finally, we show that neurons lacking isoform 1 display a less severe electrophysiological AS phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa L Sirois
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Judy E Bloom
- Richard D. Berlin Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - James J Fink
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Dea Gorka
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Steffen Keller
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Noelle D Germain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Eric S Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Stormy J Chamberlain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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12
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Copping NA, McTighe SM, Fink KD, Silverman JL. Emerging Gene and Small Molecule Therapies for the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Angelman Syndrome. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1535-1547. [PMID: 34528170 PMCID: PMC8608975 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01082-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare (~1:15,000) neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe developmental delay and intellectual disability, impaired communication skills, and a high prevalence of seizures, sleep disturbances, ataxia, motor deficits, and microcephaly. AS is caused by loss-of-function of the maternally inherited UBE3A gene. UBE3A is located on chromosome 15q11-13 and is biallelically expressed throughout the body but only maternally expressed in the brain due to an RNA antisense transcript that silences the paternal copy. There is currently no cure for AS, but advancements in small molecule drugs and gene therapies offer a promising approach for the treatment of the disorder. Here, we review AS and how loss-of-function of the maternal UBE3A contributes to the disorder. We also discuss the strengths and limitations of current animal models of AS. Furthermore, we examine potential small molecule drug and gene therapies for the treatment of AS and associated challenges faced by the therapeutic design. Finally, gene therapy offers the opportunity for precision medicine in AS and advancements in the treatment of this disorder can serve as a foundation for other single-gene neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nycole A Copping
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Research II Building 96, 4625 2nd Avenue, Suite 1001B, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | - Kyle D Fink
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, Department of Neurology, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Research II Building 96, 4625 2nd Avenue, Suite 1001B, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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13
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Elgersma Y, Sonzogni M. UBE3A reinstatement as a disease-modifying therapy for Angelman syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:802-807. [PMID: 33543479 PMCID: PMC8248324 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Half a century ago, Harry Angelman reported three patients with overlapping clinical features, now well known as Angelman syndrome. Angelman syndrome is caused by mutations affecting the maternally inherited UBE3A gene, which encodes an E3-ubiquitin ligase that is critical for typical postnatal brain development. Emerging evidence indicates that UBE3A plays a particularly important role in the nucleus. However, the critical substrates that are controlled by UBE3A remain elusive, which hinders the search for effective treatments. Moreover, given the multitude of signalling mechanisms that are derailed, it is unlikely that targeting a single pathway is going to be very effective. Therefore, expectations are very high for approaches that aim to restore UBE3A protein levels. A particular promising strategy is an antisense oligonucleotide approach, which activates the silenced paternal UBE3A gene. When successful, such treatments potentially offer a disease-modifying therapy for Angelman syndrome and several other neurodevelopmental disorders. What this paper adds Loss of UBE3A affects multiple signalling pathways in the brain. Emerging evidence suggests that UBE3A plays a critical role in the cell nucleus. Trials using antisense oligonucleotides to restore UBE3A levels are continuing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ype Elgersma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Deptartment of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Sonzogni
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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14
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Sen D, Drobna Z, Keung AJ. Evaluation of UBE3A antibodies in mice and human cerebral organoids. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6323. [PMID: 33737669 PMCID: PMC7973473 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UBE3A is an E3 ubiquitin ligase encoded by the neurally imprinted UBE3A gene. The abundance and subcellular distribution of UBE3A has been the topic of many previous studies as its dosage and localization has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism, Dup15q syndrome, and Angelman syndrome. While commercially available antibodies have been widely employed to determine UBE3A localization, an extensive analysis and comparison of the performance of different UBE3A antibodies has not been conducted. Here we evaluated the specificities of seven commercial UBE3A antibodies in two of the major experimental models used in UBE3A research, mouse and human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cells and tissues. We tested these antibodies in their two most common assays, immunofluorescence and western blot. In addition, we also assessed the ability of these antibodies to capture dynamic spatiotemporal changes of UBE3A by utilizing human cerebral organoid models. Our results reveal that among the seven antibodies tested, three antibodies demonstrated substantial nonspecific immunoreactivity. While four antibodies show specific localization patterns in both mouse brain sections and human cerebral organoids, these antibodies varied significantly in background signals and staining patterns in undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Sen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA
| | - Zuzana Drobna
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7614, USA
| | - Albert J Keung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA.
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15
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Bossuyt SNV, Punt AM, de Graaf IJ, van den Burg J, Williams MG, Heussler H, Elgersma Y, Distel B. Loss of nuclear UBE3A activity is the predominant cause of Angelman syndrome in individuals carrying UBE3A missense mutations. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:430-442. [PMID: 33607653 PMCID: PMC8101352 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion (~75%) or mutation (~10%) of the ubiquitin E3 ligase A (UBE3A) gene, which encodes a HECT type E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. Although the critical substrates of UBE3A are unknown, previous studies have suggested a critical role of nuclear UBE3A in AS pathophysiology. Here, we investigated to what extent UBE3A missense mutations disrupt UBE3A subcellular localization as well as catalytic activity, stability and protein folding. Our functional screen of 31 UBE3A missense mutants revealed that UBE3A mislocalization is the predominant cause of UBE3A dysfunction, accounting for 55% of the UBE3A mutations tested. The second major cause (29%) is a loss of E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, as assessed in an Escherichia coli in vivo ubiquitination assay. Mutations affecting catalytic activity are found not only in the catalytic HECT domain, but also in the N-terminal half of UBE3A, suggesting an important contribution of this N-terminal region to its catalytic potential. Together, our results show that loss of nuclear UBE3A E3 ligase activity is the predominant cause of UBE3A-linked AS. Moreover, our functional analysis screen allows rapid assessment of the pathogenicity of novel UBE3A missense variants which will be of particular importance when treatments for AS become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn N V Bossuyt
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilona J de Graaf
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janny van den Burg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Williams
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Development Program, Queensland Children's Hospital, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Mono-ubiquitination of Rabphilin 3A by UBE3A serves a non-degradative function. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3007. [PMID: 33542309 PMCID: PMC7862399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by brain-specific loss of UBE3A, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. A substantial number of possible ubiquitination targets of UBE3A have been identified, although evidence of being direct UBE3A substrates is often lacking. Here we identified the synaptic protein Rabphilin-3a (RPH3A), an effector of the RAB3A small GTPase involved in axonal vesicle priming and docking, as a ubiquitination target of UBE3A. We found that the UBE3A and RAB3A binding sites on RPH3A partially overlap, and that RAB3A binding to RPH3A interferes with UBE3A binding. We confirmed previous observations that RPH3A levels are critically dependent on RAB3A binding but, rather surprisingly, we found that the reduced RPH3A levels in the absence of RAB3A are not mediated by UBE3A. Indeed, while we found that RPH3A is ubiquitinated in a UBE3A-dependent manner in mouse brain, UBE3A mono-ubiquitinates RPH3A and does not facilitate RPH3A degradation. Moreover, we found that an AS-linked UBE3A missense mutation in the UBE3A region that interacts with RPH3A, abrogates the interaction with RPH3A. In conclusion, our results identify RPH3A as a novel target of UBE3A and suggest that UBE3A-dependent ubiquitination of RPH3A serves a non-degradative function.
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17
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Dodge A, Willman J, Willman M, Nenninger AW, Morrill NK, Lamens K, Greene H, Weeber EJ, Nash KR. Identification of
UBE3A
Protein in
CSF
and Extracellular Space of the Hippocampus Suggest a Potential Novel Function in Synaptic Plasticity. Autism Res 2021; 14:645-655. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andie Dodge
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Jonathan Willman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Matthew Willman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Austin W. Nenninger
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Nicole K. Morrill
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Kristina Lamens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Hayden Greene
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
| | - Edwin J. Weeber
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
- PTC Therapeutics Inc. Plainfield New Jersey USA
| | - Kevin R. Nash
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology University of South Florida Tampa Florida USA
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18
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Molecular Evolution, Neurodevelopmental Roles and Clinical Significance of HECT-Type UBE3 E3 Ubiquitin Ligases. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112455. [PMID: 33182779 PMCID: PMC7697756 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112455] [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: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination belongs to the best characterized pathways of protein degradation in the cell; however, our current knowledge on its physiological consequences is just the tip of an iceberg. The divergence of enzymatic executors of ubiquitination led to some 600–700 E3 ubiquitin ligases embedded in the human genome. Notably, mutations in around 13% of these genes are causative of severe neurological diseases. Despite this, molecular and cellular context of ubiquitination remains poorly characterized, especially in the developing brain. In this review article, we summarize recent findings on brain-expressed HECT-type E3 UBE3 ligases and their murine orthologues, comprising Angelman syndrome UBE3A, Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome UBE3B and autism spectrum disorder-associated UBE3C. We summarize evolutionary emergence of three UBE3 genes, the biochemistry of UBE3 enzymes, their biology and clinical relevance in brain disorders. Particularly, we highlight that uninterrupted action of UBE3 ligases is a sine qua non for cortical circuit assembly and higher cognitive functions of the neocortex.
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19
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Zampeta FI, Sonzogni M, Niggl E, Lendemeijer B, Smeenk H, de Vrij FMS, Kushner SA, Distel B, Elgersma Y. Conserved UBE3A subcellular distribution between human and mice is facilitated by non-homologous isoforms. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3032-3043. [PMID: 32879944 PMCID: PMC7645710 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human UBE3A gene, which is essential for normal neurodevelopment, encodes three Ubiquitin E3 ligase A (UBE3A) protein isoforms. However, the subcellular localization and relative abundance of these human UBE3A isoforms are unknown. We found, as previously reported in mice, that UBE3A is predominantly nuclear in human neurons. However, this conserved subcellular distribution is achieved by strikingly distinct cis-acting mechanisms. A single amino-acid deletion in the N-terminus of human hUBE3A-Iso3, which is homologous to cytosolic mouse mUBE3A-Iso2, results in its translocation to the nucleus. This singe amino-acid deletion is shared with apes and Old World monkeys and was preceded by the appearance of the cytosolic hUBE3A-Iso2 isoform. This hUBE3A-Iso2 isoform arose after the lineage of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys separated from the Tarsiers (Tarsiidae). Due to the loss of a single nucleotide in a non-coding exon, this exon became in frame with the remainder of the UBE3A protein. RNA-seq analysis of human brain samples showed that the human UBE3A isoforms arise by alternative splicing. Consistent with the predominant nuclear enrichment of UBE3A in human neurons, the two nuclear-localized isoforms, hUBE3A-Iso1 and -Iso3, are the most abundantly expressed isoforms of UBE3A, while hUBE3A-Iso2 maintains a small pool of cytosolic UBE3A. Our findings provide new insight into UBE3A localization and evolution and may have important implications for gene therapy approaches in Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Isabella Zampeta
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Sonzogni
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Niggl
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Lendemeijer
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde Smeenk
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Femke M S de Vrij
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steven A Kushner
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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20
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Geerts‐Haages A, Bossuyt SNV, den Besten I, Bruggenwirth H, van der Burgt I, Yntema HG, Punt AM, Brooks A, Elgersma Y, Distel B, Valstar M. A novel UBE3A sequence variant identified in eight related individuals with neurodevelopmental delay, results in a phenotype which does not match the clinical criteria of Angelman syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1481. [PMID: 32889787 PMCID: PMC7667313 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of functional UBE3A, an E3 protein ubiquitin ligase, causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe developmental delay, speech impairment, epilepsy, movement or balance disorder, and a characteristic behavioral pattern. We identified a novel UBE3A sequence variant in a large family with eight affected individuals, who did not meet the clinical AS criteria. METHODS Detailed clinical examination and genetic analysis was performed to establish the phenotypic diversity and the genetic cause. The function of the mutant UBE3A protein was assessed with respect to its subcellular localization, stability, and E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. RESULTS All eight affected individuals showed the presence of a novel maternally inherited UBE3A sequence variant (NM_130838.4(UBE3A):c.1018-1020del, p.(Asn340del), which is in line with a genetic AS diagnosis. Although they presented with moderate to severe intellectual disability, the phenotype did not match the clinical criteria for AS. In line with this, functional analysis of the UBE3A p.Asn340del mutant protein revealed no major deficits in UBE3A protein localization, stability, or E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. CONCLUSION The p.(Asn340del) mutant protein behaves distinctly different from previously described AS-linked missense mutations in UBE3A, and causes a phenotype that is markedly different from AS. This study further extends the range of phenotypes that are associated with UBE3A loss, duplication, or mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Geerts‐Haages
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Stijn N. V. Bossuyt
- Department of Medical BiochemistryAmsterdam UMC, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Inge den Besten
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hennie Bruggenwirth
- Department of Clinical GeneticsErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ineke van der Burgt
- Department of Human GeneticsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Helger G. Yntema
- Department of Human GeneticsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - A. Mattijs Punt
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Alice Brooks
- Department of Clinical GeneticsErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical BiochemistryAmsterdam UMC, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marlies Valstar
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ASVZ, Medical DepartmentCare and Service Centre for People with Intellectual DisabilitiesSliedrechtThe Netherlands
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21
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An Unbiased Drug Screen for Seizure Suppressors in Duplication 15q Syndrome Reveals 5-HT 1A and Dopamine Pathway Activation as Potential Therapies. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:698-709. [PMID: 32507391 PMCID: PMC7554174 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duplication 15q (Dup15q) syndrome is a rare neurogenetic disorder characterized by autism and pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Most individuals with isodicentric duplications have been on multiple medications to control seizures. We recently developed a model of Dup15q in Drosophila by elevating levels of fly Dube3a in glial cells using repo-GAL4, not neurons. In contrast to other Dup15q models, these flies develop seizures that worsen with age. METHODS We screened repo>Dube3a flies for approved compounds that can suppress seizures. Flies 3 to 5 days old were exposed to compounds in the fly food during development. Flies were tested using a bang sensitivity assay for seizure recovery time. At least 40 animals were tested per experiment, with separate testing for male and female flies. Studies of K+ content in glial cells of the fly brain were also performed using a fluorescent K+ indicator. RESULTS We identified 17 of 1280 compounds in the Prestwick Chemical Library that could suppress seizures. Eight compounds were validated in secondary screening. Four of these compounds regulated either serotonergic or dopaminergic signaling, and subsequent experiments confirmed that seizure suppression occurred primarily through stimulation of serotonin receptor 5-HT1A. Additional studies of K+ levels showed that Dube3a regulation of the Na+/K+ exchanger ATPα (adenosine triphosphatase α) in glia may be modulated by serotonin/dopamine signaling, causing seizure suppression. CONCLUSIONS Based on these pharmacological and genetic studies, we present an argument for the use of 5-HT1A agonists in the treatment of Dup15q epilepsy.
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22
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Folci A, Mirabella F, Fossati M. Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Proteins in the Critical Equilibrium between Synapse Physiology and Intellectual Disability. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0137-20.2020. [PMID: 32719102 PMCID: PMC7544190 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0137-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) represent a dynamic regulatory system that precisely modulates the functional organization of synapses. PTMs consist in target modifications by small chemical moieties or conjugation of lipids, sugars or polypeptides. Among them, ubiquitin and a large family of ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) share several features such as the structure of the small protein modifiers, the enzymatic cascades mediating the conjugation process, and the targeted aminoacidic residue. In the brain, ubiquitination and two UBLs, namely sumoylation and the recently discovered neddylation orchestrate fundamental processes including synapse formation, maturation and plasticity, and their alteration is thought to contribute to the development of neurological disorders. Remarkably, emerging evidence suggests that these pathways tightly interplay to modulate the function of several proteins that possess pivotal roles for brain homeostasis as well as failure of this crosstalk seems to be implicated in the development of brain pathologies. In this review, we outline the role of ubiquitination, sumoylation, neddylation, and their functional interplay in synapse physiology and discuss their implication in the molecular pathogenesis of intellectual disability (ID), a neurodevelopmental disorder that is frequently comorbid with a wide spectrum of brain pathologies. Finally, we propose a few outlooks that might contribute to better understand the complexity of these regulatory systems in regard to neuronal circuit pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Folci
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
| | - Filippo Mirabella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Pieve 9 Emanuele - Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Fossati
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
- CNR-Institute of Neuroscience, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
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23
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Panov J, Simchi L, Feuermann Y, Kaphzan H. Bioinformatics Analyses of the Transcriptome Reveal Ube3a-Dependent Effects on Mitochondrial-Related Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114156. [PMID: 32532103 PMCID: PMC7312912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The UBE3A gene encodes the ubiquitin E3-ligase protein, UBE3A, which is implicated in severe neurodevelopmental disorders. Lack of UBE3A expression results in Angelman syndrome, while UBE3A overexpression, due to genomic 15q duplication, results in autism. The cellular roles of UBE3A are not fully understood, yet a growing body of evidence indicates that these disorders involve mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. We utilized bioinformatics approaches to delineate the effects of murine Ube3a deletion on the expression of mitochondrial-related genes and pathways. For this, we generated an mRNA sequencing dataset from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in which both alleles of Ube3a gene were deleted and their wild-type controls. Since oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysregulation might not be exhibited in the resting baseline state, we also activated mitochondrial functioning in the cells of these two genotypes using TNFα application. Transcriptomes of the four groups of MEFs, Ube3a+/+ and Ube3a-/-, with or without the application of TNFα, were analyzed using various bioinformatics tools and machine learning approaches. Our results indicate that Ube3a deletion affects the gene expression profiles of mitochondrial-associated pathways. We further confirmed these results by analyzing other publicly available human transcriptome datasets of Angelman syndrome and 15q duplication syndrome.
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24
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Yoon HM, Jo Y, Shim WH, Lee JS, Ko TS, Koo JH, Yum MS. Disrupted Functional and Structural Connectivity in Angelman Syndrome. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:889-897. [PMID: 32381544 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This work investigated alterations in functional connectivity (FC) and associated structures in patients with Angelman syndrome (AS) by using integrated quantitative imaging analysis and connectivity measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS We obtained 3T brain MR imaging, including resting-state functional MR imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and 3D T1-weighted imaging from children with AS (n = 14) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 28). The brains of patients with AS were analyzed by measuring FC, white matter microstructural analysis, cortical thickness, and brain volumes; these were compared with brains of controls. RESULTS Interregional FC analysis revealed significantly reduced intra- and interhemispheric FC, especially in the basal ganglia and thalamus, in patients with AS. Significant reductions in fractional anisotropy were found in the corpus callosum, cingulum, posterior limb of the internal capsules, and arcuate fasciculus in patients with AS. Quantitative structural analysis also showed gray matter volume loss of the basal ganglia and diffuse WM volume reduction in AS compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS This integrated quantitative MR imaging analysis demonstrated poor functional and structural connectivity, as well as brain volume reduction, in children with AS, which may explain the motor and language dysfunction observed in this well-characterized neurobehavioral phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Yoon
- From the Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology (H.M.Y., W.H.S., J.S.L., J.H.K.)
| | - Y Jo
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences (Y.J., W.H.S.), Asan Medical Center
| | - W H Shim
- From the Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology (H.M.Y., W.H.S., J.S.L., J.H.K.)
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences (Y.J., W.H.S.), Asan Medical Center
| | - J S Lee
- From the Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology (H.M.Y., W.H.S., J.S.L., J.H.K.)
| | - T S Ko
- Department of Pediatrics (T.S.K., M.S.Y.), Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - J H Koo
- From the Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology (H.M.Y., W.H.S., J.S.L., J.H.K.)
| | - M S Yum
- Department of Pediatrics (T.S.K., M.S.Y.), Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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25
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Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of glial versus neuronal Dube3a overexpression reveals common molecular changes in gliopathic epilepsies. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104879. [PMID: 32344153 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy affects millions of individuals worldwide and many cases are pharmacoresistant. Duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q) is a genetic disorder caused by duplications of the 15q11.2-q13.1 region. Phenotypes include a high rate of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. We developed a Dup15q model in Drosophila melanogaster that recapitulates seizures in Dup15q by over-expressing fly Dube3a or human UBE3A in glial cells, but not neurons, implicating glia in the Dup15q epilepsy phenotype. We compared Dube3a overexpression in glia (repo>Dube3a) versus neurons (elav>Dube3a) using transcriptomics and proteomics of whole fly head extracts. We identified 851 transcripts differentially regulated in repo>Dube3a, including an upregulation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes that occurred cell autonomously within glial cells. We reliably measured approximately 2,500 proteins by proteomics, most of which were also quantified at the transcript level. Combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed an enrichment of 21 synaptic transmission genes downregulated at the transcript and protein in repo>Dube3a indicating synaptic proteins change in a cell non-autonomous manner in repo>Dube3a flies. We identified 6 additional glia originating bang-sensitive seizure lines and found upregulation of GSTs in 4 out of these 6 lines. These data suggest GST upregulation is common among gliopathic seizures and may ultimately provide insight for treating epilepsy.
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26
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Maranga C, Fernandes TG, Bekman E, da Rocha ST. Angelman syndrome: a journey through the brain. FEBS J 2020; 287:2154-2175. [PMID: 32087041 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is an incurable neurodevelopmental disease caused by loss of function of the maternally inherited UBE3A gene. AS is characterized by a defined set of symptoms, namely severe developmental delay, speech impairment, uncontrolled laughter, and ataxia. Current understanding of the pathophysiology of AS relies mostly on studies using the murine model of the disease, although alternative models based on patient-derived stem cells are now emerging. Here, we summarize the literature of the last decade concerning the three major brain areas that have been the subject of study in the context of AS: hippocampus, cortex, and the cerebellum. Our comprehensive analysis highlights the major phenotypes ascribed to the different brain areas. Moreover, we also discuss the major drawbacks of current models and point out future directions for research in the context of AS, which will hopefully lead us to an effective treatment of this condition in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Maranga
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago G Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Evguenia Bekman
- Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Simão Teixeira da Rocha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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27
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Avagliano Trezza R, Sonzogni M, Bossuyt SNV, Zampeta FI, Punt AM, van den Berg M, Rotaru DC, Koene LMC, Munshi ST, Stedehouder J, Kros JM, Williams M, Heussler H, de Vrij FMS, Mientjes EJ, van Woerden GM, Kushner SA, Distel B, Elgersma Y. Loss of nuclear UBE3A causes electrophysiological and behavioral deficits in mice and is associated with Angelman syndrome. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1235-1247. [PMID: 31235931 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0425-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations affecting the gene encoding the ubiquitin ligase UBE3A cause Angelman syndrome. Although most studies focus on the synaptic function of UBE3A, we show that UBE3A is highly enriched in the nucleus of mouse and human neurons. We found that the two major isoforms of UBE3A exhibit highly distinct nuclear versus cytoplasmic subcellular localization. Both isoforms undergo nuclear import through direct binding to PSMD4 (also known as S5A or RPN10), but the amino terminus of the cytoplasmic isoform prevents nuclear retention. Mice lacking the nuclear UBE3A isoform recapitulate the behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes of Ube3am-/p+ mice, whereas mice harboring a targeted deletion of the cytosolic isoform are unaffected. Finally, we identified Angelman syndrome-associated UBE3A missense mutations that interfere with either nuclear targeting or nuclear retention of UBE3A. Taken together, our findings elucidate the mechanisms underlying the subcellular localization of UBE3A, and indicate that the nuclear UBE3A isoform is the most critical for the pathophysiology of Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Avagliano Trezza
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Sonzogni
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn N V Bossuyt
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F Isabella Zampeta
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marlene van den Berg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana C Rotaru
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda M C Koene
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shashini T Munshi
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Stedehouder
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan M Kros
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Williams
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Development Program, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Femke M S de Vrij
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin J Mientjes
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geeske M van Woerden
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steven A Kushner
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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