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Glunčić M, Vlahović I, Rosandić M, Paar V. Tandem NBPF 3mer HORs (Olduvai triplets) in Neanderthal and two novel HOR tandem arrays in human chromosome 1 T2T-CHM13 assembly. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14420. [PMID: 37660151 PMCID: PMC10475015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41517-3] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that the ~ 1.6 kb Neuroblastoma BreakPoint Family (NBPF) repeats are human specific and contributing to cognitive capabilities, with increasing frequency in higher order repeat 3mer HORs (Olduvai triplets). From chimpanzee to modern human there is a discontinuous jump from 0 to ~ 50 tandemly organized 3mer HORs. Here we investigate the structure of NBPF 3mer HORs in the Neanderthal genome assembly of Pääbo et al., comparing it to the results obtained for human hg38.p14 chromosome 1. Our findings reveal corresponding NBPF 3mer HOR arrays in Neanderthals with slightly different monomer structures and numbers of HOR copies compared to humans. Additionally, we compute the NBPF 3mer HOR pattern for the complete telomere-to-telomere human genome assembly (T2T-CHM13) by Miga et al., identifying two novel tandem arrays of NBPF 3mer HOR repeats with 5 and 9 NBPF 3mer HOR copies. We hypothesize that these arrays correspond to novel NBPF genes (here referred to as NBPFA1 and NBPFA2). Further improving the quality of the Neanderthal genome using T2T-CHM13 as a reference would be of great interest in determining the presence of such distant novel NBPF genes in the Neanderthal genome and enhancing our understanding of human evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matko Glunčić
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Marija Rosandić
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb (Ret.), 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Paar
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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2
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Vaill M, Kawanishi K, Varki N, Gagneux P, Varki A. Comparative physiological anthropogeny: exploring molecular underpinnings of distinctly human phenotypes. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:2171-2229. [PMID: 36603157 PMCID: PMC10151058 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2021] [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: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogeny is a classic term encompassing transdisciplinary investigations of the origins of the human species. Comparative anthropogeny is a systematic comparison of humans and other living nonhuman hominids (so-called "great apes"), aiming to identify distinctly human features in health and disease, with the overall goal of explaining human origins. We begin with a historical perspective, briefly describing how the field progressed from the earliest evolutionary insights to the current emphasis on in-depth molecular and genomic investigations of "human-specific" biology and an increased appreciation for cultural impacts on human biology. While many such genetic differences between humans and other hominids have been revealed over the last two decades, this information remains insufficient to explain the most distinctive phenotypic traits distinguishing humans from other living hominids. Here we undertake a complementary approach of "comparative physiological anthropogeny," along the lines of the preclinical medical curriculum, i.e., beginning with anatomy and considering each physiological system and in each case considering genetic and molecular components that are relevant. What is ultimately needed is a systematic comparative approach at all levels from molecular to physiological to sociocultural, building networks of related information, drawing inferences, and generating testable hypotheses. The concluding section will touch on distinctive considerations in the study of human evolution, including the importance of gene-culture interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Vaill
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Kunio Kawanishi
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nissi Varki
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pascal Gagneux
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ajit Varki
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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3
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Pacheco A, Issaian A, Davis J, Anderson N, Nemkov T, Paukovich N, Henen MA, Vögeli B, Sikela JM, Hansen K. Proteolytic activation of human-specific Olduvai domains by the furin protease. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 234:123041. [PMID: 36581038 PMCID: PMC10038901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.260] [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: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Olduvai protein domains (formerly DUF1220) show the greatest human-specific increase in copy number of any coding region in the genome and are highly correlated with human brain evolution and cognitive disease. The majority of human copies are found within four NBPF genes organized in a variable number of a tandemly arranged three-domain blocks called Olduvai triplets. Here we show that these human-specific Olduvai domains are posttranslationally processed by the furin protease, with a cleavage site occurring once at each triplet. These findings suggest that all expanded human-specific NBPF genes encode proproteins consisting of many independent Olduvai triplet proteins which are activated by furin processing. The exceptional correlation of Olduvai copy number and brain size taken together with our new furin data, indicates the ultimate target of selection was a rapid increase in dosage of autonomously functioning Olduvai triplet proteins, and that these proteins are the primary active agent underlying Olduvai's role in human brain expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Pacheco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Aaron Issaian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jonathan Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nathan Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Natasia Paukovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Morkos A Henen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Beat Vögeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - James M Sikela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kirk Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
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4
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Eftekhar M, Panahi Y, Eskandari MR, Pedram M. Association Study between DUF1220 Copy Number and Severity of Social Impairment in Sex-balanced Simplex Cases of Autism. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2023; 60:43-48. [PMID: 36911566 PMCID: PMC9999218 DOI: 10.29399/npa.28020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Copy number variations (CNVs), which are genetic factors responsible for human evolution, have emerged as underlying pathogenic factors for a number of diseases such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). DUF1220 coding sequences have been shown to be positively associated with the severity of symptoms in familial/multiplex cases of autism. However, this association has not been confirmed in simplex autism, and the potential impact of gender/sex has not been studied. Methods Using saliva samples taken from Iranian children with non-syndromic simplex autism, different ethnicity/race and genetic backgrounds from previous studies, we assessed the association between DUF1220 CNVs and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) domain scores in both males and females. Results In the male and female combined group with autism, in line with previous reports, our findings showed that there were no significant associations between DUF1220 CNVs with either total ADI-R score, social, communication, or repetitive diagnostic scores in simplex autism cases. Interestingly, however, in sex classified groups, despite the insignificant results, our findings in girls with autism showed a negative trend between DUF1220 CNVs and severity of symptoms for the social interaction and communication domains. By contrast, in male children with autism, the results showed a positive trend. Conclusion It seems that association of DUF1220 CNV with the severity of symptoms in simplex children with autism may follow a sexually dimorphic pattern that needs to be re-examined in prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Eftekhar
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Yasin Panahi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Eskandari
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Pedram
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Rosandić M, Vlahović I, Pilaš I, Glunčić M, Paar V. An Explanation of Exceptions from Chargaff's Second Parity Rule/Strand Symmetry of DNA Molecules. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1929. [PMID: 36360166 PMCID: PMC9689577 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we show that mono/oligonucleotide quadruplets, as basic structures of DNA, along with our classification of trinucleotides, disclose an organization of genomes based on purine-pyrimidine symmetry. Moreover, the structure and stability of DNA are influenced by the Watson-Crick pairing and the natural law of DNA creation and conservation, according to which the same mono- or oligonucleotide insertion must be inserted simultaneously into both strands of DNA. Taken together, they lead to quadruplets with central mirror symmetry and bidirectional DNA strand orientation and are incorporated into Chargaff's second parity rule (CSPR). Performing our quadruplet frequency analysis of all human chromosomes and of Neuroblastoma BreakPoint Family (NBPF) genes, which code Olduvai protein domains in the human genome, we show that the coding part of DNA violates CSPR. This may shed new light and give rise to a novel hypothesis on DNA creation and its evolution. In this framework, the logarithmic relationship between oligonucleotide order and minimal DNA sequence length, to establish the validity of CSPR, automatically follows from the quadruplet structure of the genomic sequence. The problem of the violation of CSPR in rare symbionts is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Rosandić
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb (Ret.), 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ines Vlahović
- Faculty of Science, Algebra University College, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Pilaš
- Forest Research Institute, 10450 Jastrebarsko, Croatia
| | - Matko Glunčić
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Paar
- Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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6
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Glunčić M, Vlahović I, Rosandić M, Paar V. Tandemly repeated NBPF HOR copies (Olduvai triplets): Possible impact on human brain evolution. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 6:6/1/e202101306. [PMID: 36261226 PMCID: PMC9584774 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101306] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously it was found that the neuroblastoma breakpoint family (NBPF) gene repeat units of ∼1.6 kb have an important role in human brain evolution and function. The higher order organization of these repeat units has been discovered by both methods, the higher order repeat (HOR)-searching method and the HLS searching method. Using the HOR searching method with global repeat map algorithm, here we identified the tandemly organized NBPF HORs in the human and nonhuman primate NCBI reference genomes. We identified 50 tandemly organized canonical 3mer NBPF HOR copies (Olduvai triplets), but none in nonhuman primates chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, and Rhesus macaque. This discontinuous jump in tandemly organized HOR copy number is in sharp contrast to the known gradual increase in the number of Olduvai domains (NBPF monomers) from nonhuman primates to human, especially from ∼138 in chimpanzee to ∼300 in human genome. Using the same global repeat map algorithm method we have also determined the 3mer tandems of canonical 3mer HOR copies in 20 randomly chosen human genomes (10 male and 10 female). In all cases, we found the same 3mer HOR copy numbers as in the case of the reference human genome, with no mutation. On the other hand, some point mutations with respect to reference genome are found for some NBPF monomers which are not tandemly organized in canonical HORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matko Glunčić
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Marija Rosandić
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb (ret), Zagreb, Croatia,Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Paar
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia,Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
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Heide M, Huttner WB. Human-Specific Genes, Cortical Progenitor Cells, and Microcephaly. Cells 2021; 10:1209. [PMID: 34063381 PMCID: PMC8156310 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years, human-specific genes have received increasing attention as potential major contributors responsible for the 3-fold difference in brain size between human and chimpanzee. Accordingly, mutations affecting these genes may lead to a reduction in human brain size and therefore, may cause or contribute to microcephaly. In this review, we will concentrate, within the brain, on the cerebral cortex, the seat of our higher cognitive abilities, and focus on the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B and on the gene family comprising the three human-specific genes NOTCH2NLA, -B, and -C. These genes are thought to have significantly contributed to the expansion of the cerebral cortex during human evolution. We will summarize the evolution of these genes, as well as their expression and functional role during human cortical development, and discuss their potential relevance for microcephaly. Furthermore, we will give an overview of other human-specific genes that are expressed during fetal human cortical development. We will discuss the potential involvement of these genes in microcephaly and how these genes could be studied functionally to identify a possible role in microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heide
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Pfotenhauerstr. 108, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Pfotenhauerstr. 108, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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8
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Bekpen C, Tautz D. Human core duplicon gene families: game changers or game players? Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 18:402-411. [PMID: 31529038 PMCID: PMC6920530 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Illuminating the role of specific gene duplications within the human lineage can provide insights into human-specific adaptations. The so-called human core duplicon gene families have received particular attention in this respect, due to special features, such as expansion along single chromosomes, newly acquired protein domains and signatures of positive selection. Here, we summarize the data available for 10 such families and include some new analyses. A picture emerges that suggests broad functions for these protein families, possibly through modification of core cellular pathways. Still, more dedicated studies are required to elucidate the function of core-duplicons gene families and how they have shaped adaptations and evolution of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diethard Tautz
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306 Plön, Germany
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9
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Heft IE, Mostovoy Y, Levy-Sakin M, Ma W, Stevens AJ, Pastor S, McCaffrey J, Boffelli D, Martin DI, Xiao M, Kennedy MA, Kwok PY, Sikela JM. The Driver of Extreme Human-Specific Olduvai Repeat Expansion Remains Highly Active in the Human Genome. Genetics 2020; 214:179-191. [PMID: 31754017 PMCID: PMC6944415 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequences encoding Olduvai protein domains (formerly DUF1220) show the greatest human lineage-specific increase in copy number of any coding region in the genome and have been associated, in a dosage-dependent manner, with brain size, cognitive aptitude, autism, and schizophrenia. Tandem intragenic duplications of a three-domain block, termed the Olduvai triplet, in four NBPF genes in the chromosomal 1q21.1-0.2 region, are primarily responsible for the striking human-specific copy number increase. Interestingly, most of the Olduvai triplets are adjacent to, and transcriptionally coregulated with, three human-specific NOTCH2NL genes that have been shown to promote cortical neurogenesis. Until now, the underlying genomic events that drove the Olduvai hyperamplification in humans have remained unexplained. Here, we show that the presence or absence of an alternative first exon of the Olduvai triplet perfectly discriminates between amplified (58/58) and unamplified (0/12) triplets. We provide sequence and breakpoint analyses that suggest the alternative exon was produced by an nonallelic homologous recombination-based mechanism involving the duplicative transposition of an existing Olduvai exon found in the CON3 domain, which typically occurs at the C-terminal end of NBPF genes. We also provide suggestive in vitro evidence that the alternative exon may promote instability through a putative G-quadraplex (pG4)-based mechanism. Lastly, we use single-molecule optical mapping to characterize the intragenic structural variation observed in NBPF genes in 154 unrelated individuals and 52 related individuals from 16 families and show that the presence of pG4-containing Olduvai triplets is strongly correlated with high levels of Olduvai copy number variation. These results suggest that the same driver of genomic instability that allowed the evolutionarily recent, rapid, and extreme human-specific Olduvai expansion remains highly active in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilea E Heft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045
- Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Yulia Mostovoy
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Michal Levy-Sakin
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Walfred Ma
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Aaron J Stevens
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand 8140
| | - Steven Pastor
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Jennifer McCaffrey
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Dario Boffelli
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609
| | - David I Martin
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609
| | - Ming Xiao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Martin A Kennedy
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand 8140
| | - Pui-Yan Kwok
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - James M Sikela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045
- Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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10
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Davis JM, Heft I, Scherer SW, Sikela JM. A Third Linear Association Between Olduvai (DUF1220) Copy Number and Severity of the Classic Symptoms of Inherited Autism. Am J Psychiatry 2019; 176:643-650. [PMID: 30764650 PMCID: PMC6675654 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18080993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors previously reported that the copy number of sequences encoding an Olduvai protein domain subtype (CON1) shows a linear association with the severity of social deficits and communication impairment in individuals with autism. In this study, using an improved measurement method, the authors replicated this association in an independent population. METHOD The authors obtained whole genome sequence (WGS) data and phenotype data on 215 individuals from the Autism Speaks MSSNG project. They derived copy number from WGS data using a modified sequence read-depth technique. A linear mixed-effects model was used to test the association between Olduvai CON1 copy number and symptom severity as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. The authors then combined data from previous studies (N=524) for final analyses. RESULTS A significant linear association was observed between CON1 copy number and social diagnostic score (SDS) (β=0.24) and communicative diagnostic score (CDS) (β=0.23). Using the combined data, the authors present strong significant associations of CON1 dosage with SDS (β=0.18) and CDS (β=0.13). The authors also implicate Olduvai subtypes found in two genes, NBPF1 and NBPF14 (R2=6.2%). Associations were preferentially found in multiplex versus simplex families. CONCLUSIONS The finding of a third dose-dependent association between Olduvai sequences and autism severity, preferentially in multiplex families, provides strong evidence that this highly duplicated and underexamined protein domain family plays an important role in inherited autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Ilea Heft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto,The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children
| | - James M. Sikela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine
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11
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Fiddes IT, Pollen AA, Davis JM, Sikela JM. Paired involvement of human-specific Olduvai domains and NOTCH2NL genes in human brain evolution. Hum Genet 2019; 138:715-721. [PMID: 31087184 PMCID: PMC6611739 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sequences encoding Olduvai (DUF1220) protein domains show the largest human-specific increase in copy number of any coding region in the genome and have been linked to human brain evolution. Most human-specific copies of Olduvai (119/165) are encoded by three NBPF genes that are adjacent to three human-specific NOTCH2NL genes that have been shown to promote cortical neurogenesis. Here, employing genomic, phylogenetic, and transcriptomic evidence, we show that these NOTCH2NL/NBPF gene pairs evolved jointly, as two-gene units, very recently in human evolution, and are likely co-regulated. Remarkably, while three NOTCH2NL paralogs were added, adjacent Olduvai sequences hyper-amplified, adding 119 human-specific copies. The data suggest that human-specific Olduvai domains and adjacent NOTCH2NL genes may function in a coordinated, complementary fashion to promote neurogenesis and human brain expansion in a dosage-related manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex A Pollen
- Department of Neurology and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - James M Sikela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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12
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Sikela JM, Searles Quick VB. Genomic trade-offs: are autism and schizophrenia the steep price of the human brain? Hum Genet 2018; 137:1-13. [PMID: 29335774 PMCID: PMC5898792 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-017-1865-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Evolution often deals in genomic trade-offs: changes in the genome that are beneficial overall persist even though they also produce disease in a subset of individuals. Here, we explore the possibility that such trade-offs have occurred as part of the evolution of the human brain. Specifically, we provide support for the possibility that the same key genes that have been major contributors to the rapid evolutionary expansion of the human brain and its exceptional cognitive capacity also, in different combinations, are significant contributors to autism and schizophrenia. Furthermore, the model proposes that one of the primary genes behind this trade-off may not technically be "a gene" or "genes" but rather are the highly duplicated sequences that encode the Olduvai protein domain family (formerly called DUF1220). This is not an entirely new idea. Others have proposed that the same genes involved in schizophrenia were also critical to the rapid expansion of the human brain, a view that has been expressed as "the same 'genes' that drive us mad have made us human". What is new is that a "gene", or more precisely a protein domain family, has been found that may satisfy these requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Sikela
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - V B Searles Quick
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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