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Fernandes-Pires G, Azevedo MD, Lanzillo M, Roux-Petronelli C, Binz PA, Cudalbu C, Sandi C, Tenenbaum L, Braissant O. Rescue of myocytes and locomotion through AAV2/9-2YF intracisternal gene therapy in a rat model of creatine transporter deficiency. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101251. [PMID: 38745894 PMCID: PMC11091509 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Creatine deficiency syndromes (CDS), caused by mutations in GATM (AGAT), GAMT, and SLC6A8, mainly affect the central nervous system (CNS). CDS show brain creatine (Cr) deficiency, intellectual disability with severe speech delay, behavioral troubles, epilepsy, and motor dysfunction. AGAT/GAMT-deficient patients lack brain Cr synthesis but express the Cr transporter SLC6A8 at the blood-brain barrier and are thus treatable by oral supplementation of Cr. In contrast, no satisfactory treatment has been identified for Cr transporter deficiency (CTD), the most frequent of CDS. We used our Slc6a8Y389C CTD rat model to develop a new AAV2/9-2YF-driven gene therapy re-establishing the functional Slc6a8 transporter in rat CNS. We show, after intra-cisterna magna AAV2/9-2YF-Slc6a8-FLAG vector injection of postnatal day 11 pups, the transduction of Slc6a8-FLAG in cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord as well as a partial recovery of Cr in these brain regions, together with full prevention of locomotion defaults and impairment of myocyte development observed in Slc6a8Y389 C/y male rats. While more work is needed to correct those CTD phenotypes more associated with forebrain structures, this study is the first demonstrating positive effects of an AAV-driven gene therapy on CTD and thus represents a very encouraging approach to treat the so-far untreatable CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Fernandes-Pires
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcelo Duarte Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Clinical Neurosciences Department, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Lanzillo
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clothilde Roux-Petronelli
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Alain Binz
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- Centre d'Imagerie Biomedicale (CIBM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Tenenbaum
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Clinical Neurosciences Department, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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2
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Lygate CA. Maintaining energy provision in the heart: the creatine kinase system in ischaemia-reperfusion injury and chronic heart failure. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:491-514. [PMID: 38639724 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230616] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The non-stop provision of chemical energy is of critical importance to normal cardiac function, requiring the rapid turnover of ATP to power both relaxation and contraction. Central to this is the creatine kinase (CK) phosphagen system, which buffers local ATP levels to optimise the energy available from ATP hydrolysis, to stimulate energy production via the mitochondria and to smooth out mismatches between energy supply and demand. In this review, we discuss the changes that occur in high-energy phosphate metabolism (i.e., in ATP and phosphocreatine) during ischaemia and reperfusion, which represents an acute crisis of energy provision. Evidence is presented from preclinical models that augmentation of the CK system can reduce ischaemia-reperfusion injury and improve functional recovery. Energetic impairment is also a hallmark of chronic heart failure, in particular, down-regulation of the CK system and loss of adenine nucleotides, which may contribute to pathophysiology by limiting ATP supply. Herein, we discuss the evidence for this hypothesis based on preclinical studies and in patients using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We conclude that the correlative evidence linking impaired energetics to cardiac dysfunction is compelling; however, causal evidence from loss-of-function models remains equivocal. Nevertheless, proof-of-principle studies suggest that augmentation of CK activity is a therapeutic target to improve cardiac function and remodelling in the failing heart. Further work is necessary to translate these findings to the clinic, in particular, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the CK system is regulated in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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3
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Broca-Brisson L, Disdier C, Harati R, Hamoudi R, Mabondzo A. Epigenetic alterations in creatine transporter deficiency: a new marker for dodecyl creatine ester therapeutic efficacy monitoring. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1362497. [PMID: 38694899 PMCID: PMC11062253 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1362497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in the Slc6a8 gene. The impaired creatine uptake in the brain leads to developmental delays with intellectual disability. We hypothesized that deficient creatine uptake in CTD cerebral cells impact methylation balance leading to alterations of genes and proteins expression by epigenetic mechanism. In this study, we determined the status of nucleic acid methylation in both Slc6a8 knockout mouse model and brain organoids derived from CTD patients' cells. We also investigated the effect of dodecyl creatine ester (DCE), a promising prodrug that increases brain creatine content in the mouse model of CTD. The level of nucleic acid methylation was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls in both in vivo and in vitro CTD models. This hypo-methylation tended to be regulated by DCE treatment in vivo. These results suggest that increased brain creatine after DCE treatment restores normal levels of DNA methylation, unveiling the potential of using DNA methylation as a marker to monitor the drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Broca-Brisson
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, CEA, INRAE, SPI, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Clémence Disdier
- Ceres Brain Therapeutics, ICM-Hôpital Pitié-Salpétrière, Paris, France
| | - Rania Harati
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Excellence of Precision Medicine, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirtes
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Excellence of Precision Medicine, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- BIMAI-Lab, Biomedically Informed Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aloïse Mabondzo
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, CEA, INRAE, SPI, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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4
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Jové-Juncà T, Crespo-Piazuelo D, González-Rodríguez O, Pascual M, Hernández-Banqué C, Reixach J, Quintanilla R, Ballester M. Genomic architecture of carcass and pork traits and their association with immune capacity. Animal 2024; 18:101043. [PMID: 38113634 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcass and pork traits have traditionally been considered of prime importance in pig breeding programmes. However, the changing conditions in modern farming, coupled with antimicrobial resistance issues, are raising the importance of health and robustness-related traits. Here, we explore the genetic architecture of carcass and pork traits and their relationship with immunity phenotypes in a commercial Duroc pig population. A total of nine traits related to fatness, lean content and meat pH were measured at slaughter (∼190 d of age) in 378 pigs previously phenotyped (∼70 d of age) for 36 immunity-related traits, including plasma concentrations of immunoglobulins, acute-phase proteins, leukocytes subpopulations and phagocytosis. Our study showed medium to high heritabilities and strong genetic correlations between fatness, lean content and meat pH at 24 h postmortem. Genetic correlations were found between carcass and pork traits and white blood cells. pH showed strong positive genetic correlations with leukocytes and eosinophils, and strong negative genetic correlations with haemoglobin, haematocrit and cytotoxic T cell proportion. In addition, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) pointed out four significantly associated genomic regions for lean meat percentages in different muscles, ham fat, backfat thickness, and semimembranosus pH at 24 h. The functional annotation of genes located in these regions reported a total of 14 candidate genes, with BGN, DPP10, LEPR, LEPROT, PDE4B and SLC6A8 being the strongest candidates. After performing an expression GWAS for the expression of these genes in muscle, two signals were detected in cis for the BGN and SLC6A8 genes. Our results indicate a genetic relationship between carcass fatness, lean content and meat pH with a variety of immunity-related traits that should be considered to improve immunocompetence without impairing production traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jové-Juncà
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Crespo-Piazuelo
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - O González-Rodríguez
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Pascual
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Hernández-Banqué
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Reixach
- Selección Batallé S.A., Av. dels Segadors s/n, 17421 Riudarenes, Girona, Spain
| | - R Quintanilla
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ballester
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, IRTA, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Broca-Brisson L, Harati R, Disdier C, Mozner O, Gaston-Breton R, Maïza A, Costa N, Guyot AC, Sarkadi B, Apati A, Skelton MR, Madrange L, Yates F, Armengaud J, Hamoudi R, Mabondzo A. Deciphering neuronal deficit and protein profile changes in human brain organoids from patients with creatine transporter deficiency. eLife 2023; 12:RP88459. [PMID: 37830910 PMCID: PMC10575631 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88459] [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] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in the SLC6A8 gene. The impaired creatine uptake in the brain results in intellectual disability, behavioral disorders, language delay, and seizures. In this work, we generated human brain organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells of healthy subjects and CTD patients. Brain organoids from CTD donors had reduced creatine uptake compared with those from healthy donors. The expression of neural progenitor cell markers SOX2 and PAX6 was reduced in CTD-derived organoids, while GSK3β, a key regulator of neurogenesis, was up-regulated. Shotgun proteomics combined with integrative bioinformatic and statistical analysis identified changes in the abundance of proteins associated with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism. Re-establishment of the expression of a functional SLC6A8 in CTD-derived organoids restored creatine uptake and normalized the expression of SOX2, GSK3β, and other key proteins associated with clinical features of CTD patients. Our brain organoid model opens new avenues for further characterizing the CTD pathophysiology and supports the concept that reinstating creatine levels in patients with CTD could result in therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Broca-Brisson
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
| | - Rania Harati
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of SharjahSharjahUnited Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of SharjahSharjahUnited Arab Emirates
| | | | - Orsolya Mozner
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, and Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, Semmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Romane Gaston-Breton
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
| | - Auriane Maïza
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
| | - Narciso Costa
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
| | - Anne-Cécile Guyot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
| | - Balazs Sarkadi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, and Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, Semmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Agota Apati
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, ELKH, and Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, Semmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Matthew R Skelton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Research FoundationCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Lucie Madrange
- SupBiotech/Service d'Etude des Prions et des Infections Atypiques (SEPIA), Institut François Jacob, CEA, Université Paris SaclayParisFrance
| | - Frank Yates
- SupBiotech/Service d'Etude des Prions et des Infections Atypiques (SEPIA), Institut François Jacob, CEA, Université Paris SaclayParisFrance
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPIBagnols-sur-CèzeFrance
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of SharjahSharjahUnited Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, University of SharjahSharjahUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Aloïse Mabondzo
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la SantéGif sur YvetteFrance
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6
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Chen K, Hu X. Intranasal creatine administration increases brain creatine level and improves Barnes maze performance in rats. Brain Res Bull 2023; 201:110703. [PMID: 37429386 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
While skeletal muscle creatine levels can be enhanced by exogenous creatine supplementation, the elevation of brain creatine levels with oral creatine administration remains a challenge due to a lack of effective transportation of creatine through the blood-brain barrier. Intranasal administration can bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs directly to the brain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of intranasal administration of creatine on brain creatine level and cognitive performance. Rats were randomly assigned into three groups intranasal administration group, oral administration group, and control group. The intranasal group exhibited fewer errors and shorter primary latency compared to the control and oral groups, respectively, during the acquisition phase of the Barnes maze. The intranasal group spent a higher percentage of time in the target quadrant during the probe trial compared to the control group. Biochemical measurements showed that the concentration of creatine in the olfactory bulbs, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus of the rats in the intranasal group was higher than in the oral, and control groups. These results indicate that intranasal administration of creatine hydrochloride increases the creatine level in the rat's brain's and improves their performance in the Barnes maze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqing Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, USA.
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7
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Mabondzo A, Harati R, Broca-Brisson L, Guyot AC, Costa N, Cacciante F, Putignano E, Baroncelli L, Skelton MR, Saab C, Martini E, Benech H, Joudinaud T, Gaillard JC, Armengaud J, Hamoudi R. Dodecyl creatine ester improves cognitive function and identifies key protein drivers including KIF1A and PLCB1 in a mouse model of creatine transporter deficiency. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1118707. [PMID: 37063368 PMCID: PMC10103630 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1118707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Creatine transporter deficiency (CTD), a leading cause of intellectual disability is a result of the mutation in the gene encoding the creatine transporter SLC6A8, which prevents creatine uptake into the brain, causing mental retardation, expressive speech and language delay, autistic-like behavior and epilepsy. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo data indicate that dodecyl creatine ester (DCE) which increases the creatine brain content, might be a therapeutic option for CTD patients. To gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology and DCE treatment efficacy in CTD, this study focuses on the identification of biomarkers related to cognitive improvement in a Slc6a8 knockout mouse model (Slc6a8−/y) engineered to mimic the clinical features of CTD patients which have low brain creatine content. Shotgun proteomics analysis of 4,035 proteins in four different brain regions; the cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus (associated with cognitive functions) and brain stem, and muscle as a control, was performed in 24 mice. Comparison of the protein abundance in the four brain regions between DCE-treated intranasally Slc6a8−/y mice and wild type and DCE-treated Slc6a8−/y and vehicle group identified 14 biomarkers, shedding light on the mechanism of action of DCE. Integrative bioinformatics and statistical modeling identified key proteins in CTD, including KIF1A and PLCB1. The abundance of these proteins in the four brain regions was significantly correlated with both the object recognition and the Y-maze tests. Our findings suggest a major role for PLCB1, KIF1A, and associated molecules in the pathogenesis of CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloïse Mabondzo
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), Gif sur Yvette, France
- *Correspondence: Aloïse Mabondzo,
| | - Rania Harati
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharja, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Léa Broca-Brisson
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Anne-Cécile Guyot
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Narciso Costa
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), Gif sur Yvette, France
| | | | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matthew R. Skelton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Cathy Saab
- Université de Paris and Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Emmanuelle Martini
- Université de Paris and Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | | | | | - Jean-Charles Gaillard
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), INRAE, Bagnol sur Cèze, France
| | - Jean Armengaud
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), INRAE, Bagnol sur Cèze, France
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Ghirardini E, Sagona G, Marquez-Galera A, Calugi F, Navarron CM, Cacciante F, Chen S, Di Vetta F, Dadà L, Mazziotti R, Lupori L, Putignano E, Baldi P, Lopez-Atalaya JP, Pizzorusso T, Baroncelli L. Cell-specific vulnerability to metabolic failure: the crucial role of parvalbumin expressing neurons in creatine transporter deficiency. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:34. [PMID: 36882863 PMCID: PMC9990224 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the solute carrier family 6-member 8 (Slc6a8) gene, encoding the protein responsible for cellular creatine (Cr) uptake, cause Creatine Transporter Deficiency (CTD), an X-linked neurometabolic disorder presenting with intellectual disability, autistic-like features, and epilepsy. The pathological determinants of CTD are still poorly understood, hindering the development of therapies. In this study, we generated an extensive transcriptomic profile of CTD showing that Cr deficiency causes perturbations of gene expression in excitatory neurons, inhibitory cells, and oligodendrocytes which result in remodeling of circuit excitability and synaptic wiring. We also identified specific alterations of parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons, exhibiting a reduction in cellular and synaptic density, and a hypofunctional electrophysiological phenotype. Mice lacking Slc6a8 only in PV+ interneurons recapitulated numerous CTD features, including cognitive deterioration, impaired cortical processing and hyperexcitability of brain circuits, demonstrating that Cr deficit in PV+ interneurons is sufficient to determine the neurological phenotype of CTD. Moreover, a pharmacological treatment targeted to restore the efficiency of PV+ synapses significantly improved cortical activity in Slc6a8 knock-out animals. Altogether, these data demonstrate that Slc6a8 is critical for the normal function of PV+ interneurons and that impairment of these cells is central in the disease pathogenesis, suggesting a novel therapeutic venue for CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ghirardini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone (PI), Italy. .,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angel Marquez-Galera
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Santiago Ramon Y Cajal, S/N, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francesco Calugi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Via Di San Salvi 12, 50135, Florence, Italy.,BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Di Pisa, Piazza Dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmen M Navarron
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Santiago Ramon Y Cajal, S/N, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francesco Cacciante
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Di Pisa, Piazza Dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Siwei Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3435, USA
| | - Federica Di Vetta
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dadà
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Via Di San Salvi 12, 50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone (PI), Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Department of Computer Science and Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3435, USA
| | - Jose P Lopez-Atalaya
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Santiago Ramon Y Cajal, S/N, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.,BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Di Pisa, Piazza Dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone (PI), Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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9
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Duran‐Trio L, Fernandes‐Pires G, Grosse J, Soro‐Arnaiz I, Roux‐Petronelli C, Binz P, De Bock K, Cudalbu C, Sandi C, Braissant O. Creatine transporter-deficient rat model shows motor dysfunction, cerebellar alterations, and muscle creatine deficiency without muscle atrophy. J Inherit Metab Dis 2022; 45:278-291. [PMID: 34936099 PMCID: PMC9302977 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Creatine (Cr) is a nitrogenous organic acid and plays roles such as fast phosphate energy buffer to replenish ATP, osmolyte, antioxidant, neuromodulator, and as a compound with anabolic and ergogenic properties in muscle. Cr is taken from the diet or endogenously synthetized by the enzymes arginine:glycine amidinotransferase and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase, and specifically taken up by the transporter SLC6A8. Loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding for the enzymes or the transporter cause creatine deficiency syndromes (CDS). CDS are characterized by brain Cr deficiency, intellectual disability with severe speech delay, behavioral troubles, epilepsy, and motor dysfunction. Among CDS, the X-linked Cr transporter deficiency (CTD) is the most prevalent with no efficient treatment so far. Different animal models of CTD show reduced brain Cr levels, cognitive deficiencies, and together they cover other traits similar to those of patients. However, motor function was poorly explored in CTD models, and some controversies in the phenotype exist in comparison with CTD patients. Our recently described Slc6a8Y389C knock-in rat model of CTD showed mild impaired motor function, morphological alterations in cerebellum, reduced muscular mass, Cr deficiency, and increased guanidinoacetate content in muscle, although no consistent signs of muscle atrophy. Our results indicate that such motor dysfunction co-occurred with both nervous and muscle dysfunctions, suggesting that muscle strength and performance as well as neuronal connectivity might be affected by this Cr deficiency in muscle and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Duran‐Trio
- Service of Clinical ChemistryUniversity of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Gabriella Fernandes‐Pires
- Service of Clinical ChemistryUniversity of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ines Soro‐Arnaiz
- Department of Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Clothilde Roux‐Petronelli
- Service of Clinical ChemistryUniversity of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Pierre‐Alain Binz
- Service of Clinical ChemistryUniversity of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Katrien De Bock
- Department of Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- Centre d'Imagerie Biomedicale (CIBM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Service of Clinical ChemistryUniversity of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
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10
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Effect of Sensory Deprivation of Nasal Respiratory on Behavior of C57BL/6J Mice. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121626. [PMID: 34942927 PMCID: PMC8699203 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasal breathing is a dynamic cortical organizer involved in various behaviors and states, such as locomotion, exploration, memory, emotion, introspection. However, the effect of sensory deprivation of nasal respiratory breath (NRD) on behavior remain poorly understood. Herein, general locomotor activity, emotion, learning and memory, social interaction, and mechanical pain were evaluated using a zinc sulfate nasal irrigation induced nasal respiratory sensory deprivation animal model (ZnSO4-induced mouse model). In the open field test, the elevated O-maze test, and forced swim test, NRD mice exhibited depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. In memory-associated tests, NRD mice showed cognitive impairments in the hippocampal-dependent memory (Y maze, object recognition task, and contextual fear conditioning (CFC)) and amygdala-dependent memory (the tone-cued fear conditioning test (TFC)). Surprisingly, NRD mice did not display deficits in the acquisition of conditional fear in both CFC and TFC tests. Still, they showed significant memory retrieval impairment in TFC and enhanced memory retrieval in CFC. At the same time, in the social novelty test using a three-chamber setting, NRD mice showed impaired social and social novelty behavior. Lastly, in the von Frey filaments test, we found that the pain sensitivity of NRD mice was reduced. In conclusion, this NRD mouse model showed a variety of behavioral phenotypic changes, which could offer an important insight into the behavioral impacts of patients with anosmia or those with an impaired olfactory bulb (OB) (e.g., in COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc.).
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11
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Ghirardini E, Calugi F, Sagona G, Di Vetta F, Palma M, Battini R, Cioni G, Pizzorusso T, Baroncelli L. The Role of Preclinical Models in Creatine Transporter Deficiency: Neurobiological Mechanisms, Biomarkers and Therapeutic Development. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081123. [PMID: 34440297 PMCID: PMC8392480 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine (Cr) Transporter Deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked metabolic disorder, mostly caused by missense mutations in the SLC6A8 gene and presenting with intellectual disability, autistic behavior, and epilepsy. There is no effective treatment for CTD and patients need lifelong assistance. Thus, the research of novel intervention strategies is a major scientific challenge. Animal models are an excellent tool to dissect the disease pathogenetic mechanisms and drive the preclinical development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the current knowledge about Cr metabolism and CTD clinical aspects, with a focus on mainstay diagnostic and therapeutic options. Then, we discuss the rodent models of CTD characterized in the last decade, comparing the phenotypes expressed within clinically relevant domains and the timeline of symptom development. This analysis highlights that animals with the ubiquitous deletion/mutation of SLC6A8 genes well recapitulate the early onset and the complex pathological phenotype of the human condition. Thus, they should represent the preferred model for preclinical efficacy studies. On the other hand, brain- and cell-specific conditional mutants are ideal for understanding the basis of CTD at a cellular and molecular level. Finally, we explain how CTD models might provide novel insight about the pathogenesis of other disorders, including cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/metabolism
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/pathology
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/therapy
- Central Nervous System/pathology
- Creatine/deficiency
- Creatine/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/metabolism
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/pathology
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/therapy
- Mice
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/deficiency
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ghirardini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Francesco Calugi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Di Vetta
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Palma
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy; (E.G.); (G.S.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (F.C.); (F.D.V.); (M.P.); (T.P.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Wawro AM, Gajera CR, Baker SA, Nirschl JJ, Vogel H, Montine TJ. Creatine transport and pathological changes in creatine transporter deficient mice. J Inherit Metab Dis 2021; 44:939-948. [PMID: 33389772 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The severe impact on brain function and lack of effective therapy for patients with creatine (Cr) transporter deficiency motivated the generation of three ubiquitous Slc6a8 deficient mice (-/y). While each mouse knock-out line has similar behavioral effects at 2 to 3 months of age, other features critical to the efficient use of these mice in drug discovery are unclear or lacking: the concentration of Cr in brain and heart differ widely between mouse lines, there are limited data on histopathologic changes, and no data on Cr uptake. Here, we determined survival, measured endogenous Cr and uptake of its deuterium-labeled analogue Cr-d3 using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry assay, and performed comprehensive histopathologic examination on the Slc6a8-/y mouse developed by Skelton et al. Our results show that Slc6a8-/y mice have widely varying organ-specific uptake of Cr-d3, significantly diminished growth with the exception of brain, progressive vacuolar myopathy, and markedly shortened lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Wawro
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Steven A Baker
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Nirschl
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hannes Vogel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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13
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Lygate CA. The Pitfalls of in vivo Cardiac Physiology in Genetically Modified Mice - Lessons Learnt the Hard Way in the Creatine Kinase System. Front Physiol 2021; 12:685064. [PMID: 34054587 PMCID: PMC8160301 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.685064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to fully understand gene function, at some point, it is necessary to study the effects in an intact organism. The creation of the first knockout mouse in the late 1980's gave rise to a revolution in the field of integrative physiology that continues to this day. There are many complex choices when selecting a strategy for genetic modification, some of which will be touched on in this review, but the principal focus is to highlight the potential problems and pitfalls arising from the interpretation of in vivo cardiac phenotypes. As an exemplar, we will scrutinize the field of cardiac energetics and the attempts to understand the role of the creatine kinase (CK) energy buffering and transport system in the intact organism. This story highlights the confounding effects of genetic background, sex, and age, as well as the difficulties in interpreting knockout models in light of promiscuous proteins and metabolic redundancy. It will consider the dose-dependent effects and unintended consequences of transgene overexpression, and the need for experimental rigour in the context of in vivo phenotyping techniques. It is intended that this review will not only bring clarity to the field of cardiac energetics, but also aid the non-expert in evaluating and critically assessing data arising from in vivo genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Do MHT, Cavagnaro J, Butt M, Terse PS, McKew JC. Use of an animal model of disease for toxicology enables identification of a juvenile no observed adverse effect level for cyclocreatine in creatine transporter deficiency. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 123:104939. [PMID: 33961952 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In standard general toxicology studies in two species to support clinical development, cyclocreatine, a creatine analog for the treatment of creatine transporter deficiency, caused deaths, convulsions, and/or multi-organ pathology. The potential translatability of these findings to patients was evaluated by comparing toxicity of cyclocreatine in wild-type mice to creatine transporter-deficient mice, a model of the human disease. A biodistribution study indicated greater accumulation of cyclocreatine in the brains of wild-type mice, consistent with its ability to be transported by the creatine transporter. Subsequent toxicology studies confirmed greater sensitivity of wild-type mice to cyclocreatine-induced toxicity. Exposure at the no observed adverse effect level in creatine transporter-deficient (554 μg*hr/ml) mice exceeded exposure at the maximum tolerated dose in wild-type (248 μg*hr/ml) mice. When dosed at 300 mg/kg/day for 3 months, cyclocreatine-related mortality, convulsions, and multi-organ pathology were observed in wild-type mice whereas there were no adverse findings in creatine transporter-deficient mice. Brain vacuolation was common to both strains. Although transporter-deficient mice appeared to be more sensitive, the finding had no functional correlates in this strain. The results highlight the importance of considering models of disease for toxicology in cases where they may be relevant to assessing safety in the intended patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Ha Thi Do
- Lumos Pharma, 4200 Marathon Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX, 78756, USA
| | | | - Mark Butt
- Tox Path Specialists, 8420 Gas House Pike Suite G, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Pramod S Terse
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - John C McKew
- Lumos Pharma, 4200 Marathon Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX, 78756, USA.
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15
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Duran-Trio L, Fernandes-Pires G, Simicic D, Grosse J, Roux-Petronelli C, Bruce SJ, Binz PA, Sandi C, Cudalbu C, Braissant O. A new rat model of creatine transporter deficiency reveals behavioral disorder and altered brain metabolism. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1636. [PMID: 33452333 PMCID: PMC7810893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine is an organic compound used as fast phosphate energy buffer to recycle ATP, important in tissues with high energy demand such as muscle or brain. Creatine is taken from the diet or endogenously synthetized by the enzymes AGAT and GAMT, and specifically taken up by the transporter SLC6A8. Deficit in the endogenous synthesis or in the transport leads to Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes (CCDS). CCDS are characterized by brain creatine deficiency, intellectual disability with severe speech delay, behavioral troubles such as attention deficits and/or autistic features, and epilepsy. Among CCDS, the X-linked creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is the most prevalent with no efficient treatment so far. Different mouse models of CTD were generated by doing long deletions in the Slc6a8 gene showing reduced brain creatine and cognitive deficiencies or impaired motor function. We present a new knock-in (KI) rat model of CTD holding an identical point mutation found in patients with reported lack of transporter activity. KI males showed brain creatine deficiency, increased urinary creatine/creatinine ratio, cognitive deficits and autistic-like traits. The Slc6a8Y389C KI rat fairly enriches the spectrum of CTD models and provides new data about the pathology, being the first animal model of CTD carrying a point mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Duran-Trio
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Fernandes-Pires
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dunja Simicic
- Centre d'Imagerie Biomedicale (CIBM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clothilde Roux-Petronelli
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephen J Bruce
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Alain Binz
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- Centre d'Imagerie Biomedicale (CIBM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Service of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lausanne and University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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16
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Cacciante F, Gennaro M, Sagona G, Mazziotti R, Lupori L, Cerri E, Putignano E, Butt M, Do MHT, McKew JC, Alessandrì MG, Battini R, Cioni G, Pizzorusso T, Baroncelli L. Cyclocreatine treatment ameliorates the cognitive, autistic and epileptic phenotype in a mouse model of Creatine Transporter Deficiency. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18361. [PMID: 33110151 PMCID: PMC7591530 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75436-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Creatine Transporter Deficiency (CTD) is an inborn error of metabolism presenting with intellectual disability, behavioral disturbances and epilepsy. There is currently no cure for this disorder. Here, we employed novel biomarkers for monitoring brain function, together with well-established behavioral readouts for CTD mice, to longitudinally study the therapeutic efficacy of cyclocreatine (cCr) at the preclinical level. Our results show that cCr treatment is able to partially correct hemodynamic responses and EEG abnormalities, improve cognitive deficits, revert autistic-like behaviors and protect against seizures. This study provides encouraging data to support the potential therapeutic benefit of cyclocreatine or other chemically modified lipophilic analogs of Cr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cacciante
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.,BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mariangela Gennaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50135, Florence, Italy.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Cerri
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mark Butt
- Tox Path Specialists, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | | | | | | | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy. .,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
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17
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Farr CV, El-Kasaby A, Freissmuth M, Sucic S. The Creatine Transporter Unfolded: A Knotty Premise in the Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndrome. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:588954. [PMID: 33192443 PMCID: PMC7644880 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.588954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine provides cells with high-energy phosphates for the rapid reconstitution of hydrolyzed adenosine triphosphate. The eponymous creatine transporter (CRT1/SLC6A8) belongs to a family of solute carrier 6 (SLC6) proteins. The key role of CRT1 is to translocate creatine across tissue barriers and into target cells, such as neurons and myocytes. Individuals harboring mutations in the coding sequence of the human CRT1 gene develop creatine transporter deficiency (CTD), one of the pivotal underlying causes of cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome. CTD encompasses an array of clinical manifestations, including severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism, development delay, and motor dysfunction. CTD is characterized by the absence of cerebral creatine, which implies an indispensable role for CRT1 in supplying the brain cells with creatine. CTD-associated variants dramatically reduce or abolish creatine transport activity by CRT1. Many of these are point mutations that are known to trigger folding defects, leading to the retention of encoded CRT1 proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and precluding their delivery to the cell surface. Misfolding of several related SLC6 transporters also gives rise to detrimental pathologic conditions in people; e.g., mutations in the dopamine transporter induce infantile parkinsonism/dystonia, while mutations in the GABA transporter 1 cause treatment-resistant epilepsy. In some cases, folding defects are amenable to rescue by small molecules, known as pharmacological and chemical chaperones, which restore the cell surface expression and transport activity of the previously non-functional proteins. Insights from the recent molecular, animal and human case studies of CTD add toward our understanding of this complex disorder and reveal the wide-ranging effects elicited upon CRT1 dysfunction. This grants novel therapeutic prospects for the treatment of patients afflicted with CTD, e.g., modifying the creatine molecule to facilitate CRT1-independent entry into brain cells, or correcting folding-deficient and loss-of-function CTD variants using pharmacochaperones and/or allosteric modulators. The latter justifies a search for additional compounds with a capacity to correct mutation-specific defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sonja Sucic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Mazziotti R, Cacciante F, Sagona G, Lupori L, Gennaro M, Putignano E, Alessandrì MG, Ferrari A, Battini R, Cioni G, Pizzorusso T, Baroncelli L. Novel translational phenotypes and biomarkers for creatine transporter deficiency. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa089. [PMID: 32954336 PMCID: PMC7472907 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine transporter deficiency is a metabolic disorder characterized by intellectual disability, autistic-like behaviour and epilepsy. There is currently no cure for creatine transporter deficiency, and reliable biomarkers of translational value for monitoring disease progression and response to therapeutics are sorely lacking. Here, we found that mice lacking functional creatine transporter display a significant alteration of neural oscillations in the EEG and a severe epileptic phenotype that are recapitulated in patients with creatine transporter deficiency. In-depth examination of knockout mice for creatine transporter also revealed that a decrease in EEG theta power is predictive of the manifestation of spontaneous seizures, a frequency that is similarly affected in patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, knockout mice have a highly specific increase in haemodynamic responses in the cerebral cortex following sensory stimuli. Principal component and Random Forest analyses highlighted that these functional variables exhibit a high performance in discriminating between pathological and healthy phenotype. Overall, our findings identify novel, translational and non-invasive biomarkers for the analysis of brain function in creatine transporter deficiency, providing a very reliable protocol to longitudinally monitor the efficacy of potential therapeutic strategies in preclinical, and possibly clinical, studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Mazziotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence I-50135, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa I-56124, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Sagona
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence I-50135, Italy.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa I-56125, Italy
| | - Mariangela Gennaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa I-56124, Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa I-56124, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Alessandrì
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy
| | - Annarita Ferrari
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence I-50135, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa I-56124, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa I-56124, Italy.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa I-56128, Italy
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19
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Sinha A, Ahmed S, George C, Tsagaris M, Naufer A, von Both I, Tkachyova I, van Eede M, Henkelman M, Schulze A. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals specific anatomical changes in the brain of Agat- and Gamt-mice attributed to creatine depletion and guanidinoacetate alteration. J Inherit Metab Dis 2020; 43:827-842. [PMID: 31951021 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Arginine:glycine amidinotransferase- and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency are severe neurodevelopmental disorders. It is not known whether mouse models of disease express a neuroanatomical phenotype. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with advanced image analysis was performed in perfused, fixed mouse brains encapsulated with the skull from male, 10-12 week old Agat -exc and B6J.Cg-Gamt tm1Isb mice (n = 48; n = 8 per genotype, strain). T2-weighted MRI scans were nonlinearly aligned to a 3D atlas of the mouse brain with 62 structures identified. Local differences in brain shape related to genotype were assessed by analysis of deformation fields. Creatine (Cr) and guanidinoacetate (GAA) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in brain homogenates (n = 24; n = 4 per genotype, strain) after whole-body perfusion. Cr was decreased in the brain of Agat- and Gamt mutant mice. GAA was decreased in Agat-/- and increased in Gamt-/- . Body weight and brain volume were lower in Agat-/- than in Gamt-/- . The analysis of entire brain structures revealed corpus callosum, internal capsule, fimbria and hypothalamus being different between the genotypes in both strains. Eighteen and fourteen significant peaks (local areas of difference in relative size) were found in Agat- and Gamt mutants, respectively. Comparing Agat-/- with Gamt-/- , we found changes in three brain regions, lateral septum, amygdala, and medulla. Intra-strain differences in four brain structures can be associated with Cr deficiency, while the inter-strain differences in three brain structures of the mutant mice may relate to GAA. Correlating these neuroanatomical findings with gene expression data implies the role of Cr metabolism in the developing brain and the importance of early intervention in patients with Cr deficiency syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Sinha
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sohail Ahmed
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris George
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melina Tsagaris
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amriya Naufer
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ingo von Both
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ilona Tkachyova
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthijs van Eede
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Toronto Center of Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Toronto Center of Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andreas Schulze
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Uemura T, Ito S, Masuda T, Shimbo H, Goto T, Osaka H, Wada T, Couraud PO, Ohtsuki S. Cyclocreatine Transport by SLC6A8, the Creatine Transporter, in HEK293 Cells, a Human Blood-Brain Barrier Model Cell, and CCDSs Patient-Derived Fibroblasts. Pharm Res 2020; 37:61. [PMID: 32124083 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-2779-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cyclocreatine, a creatine analog, is a candidate drug for treating patients with cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes (CCDSs) caused by creatine transporter (CRT, SLC6A8) deficiency, which reduces brain creatine level. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of cyclocreatine transport in HEK293 cells, which highly express endogenous CRT, in hCMEC/D3 cells, a human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, and in CCDSs patient-derived fibroblasts with CRT mutations. METHODS Cells were incubated at 37°C with [14C]cyclocreatine (9 μM) and [14C]creatine (9 μM) for specified periods of times in the presence or absence of inhibitors, while the siRNAs were transfected by lipofection. Protein expression and mRNA expression were quantified using targeted proteomics and quantitative PCR, respectively. RESULTS [14C]Cyclocreatine was taken up by HEK293 cells in a time-dependent manner, while exhibiting saturable kinetics. The inhibition and siRNA knockdown studies demonstrated that the uptake of [14C]cyclocreatine by both HEK293 and hCMEC/D3 cells was mediated predominantly by CRT as well as [14C]creatine. In addition, uptake of [14C]cyclocreatine and [14C]creatine by the CCDSs patient-derived fibroblasts was found to be largely reduced. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that cyclocreatine is a CRT substrate, where CRT is the predominant contributor to influx of cyclocreatine into the brain at the BBB. Our findings provide vital insights for the purposes of treating CCDSs patients using cyclocreatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Uemura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan
| | - Shingo Ito
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan.,Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takeshi Masuda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan.,Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan
| | - Hiroko Shimbo
- Division of Neurology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Kanagawa, 232-8555, Japan
| | - Tomohide Goto
- Division of Neurology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Kanagawa, 232-8555, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Osaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical School, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Takahito Wada
- Department of Medical Ethics and Medical Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Pierre-Olivier Couraud
- Institut Cochin, Paris Descartes University, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Sumio Ohtsuki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 862-0973, Japan.
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21
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Giusti L, Molinaro A, Alessandrì MG, Boldrini C, Ciregia F, Lacerenza S, Ronci M, Urbani A, Cioni G, Mazzoni MR, Pizzorusso T, Lucacchini A, Baroncelli L. Brain mitochondrial proteome alteration driven by creatine deficiency suggests novel therapeutic venues for creatine deficiency syndromes. Neuroscience 2019; 409:276-289. [PMID: 31029731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Creatine (Cr) is a small metabolite with a central role in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Creatine deficiency syndromes are inborn errors of Cr metabolism causing Cr depletion in all body tissues and particularly in the nervous system. Patient symptoms involve intellectual disability, language and behavioral disturbances, seizures and movement disorders suggesting that brain cells are particularly sensitive to Cr depletion. Cr deficiency was found to affect metabolic activity and structural abnormalities of mitochondrial organelles; however a detailed analysis of molecular mechanisms linking Cr deficit, energy metabolism alterations and brain dysfunction is still missing. Using a proteomic approach we evaluated the proteome changes of the brain mitochondrial fraction induced by the deletion of the Cr transporter (CrT) in developing mutant mice. We found a marked alteration of the mitochondrial proteomic landscape in the brain of CrT deficient mice, with the overexpression of many proteins involved in energy metabolism and response to oxidative stress. Moreover, our data suggest possible abnormalities of dendritic spines, synaptic function and plasticity, network excitability and neuroinflammatory response. Intriguingly, the alterations occurred in coincidence with the developmental onset of neurological symptoms. Thus, cerebral mitochondrial alterations could represent an early response to Cr deficiency that could be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Giusti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy; School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Angelo Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135, Florence, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Alessandrì
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Boldrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Ciregia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy; Department of Rheumatology, GIGA Research, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Serena Lacerenza
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, I-66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Catholic university of the sacred heart, I-00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135, Florence, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Lucacchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy.
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22
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Molinaro A, Alessandrì MG, Putignano E, Leuzzi V, Cioni G, Baroncelli L, Pizzorusso T. A Nervous System-Specific Model of Creatine Transporter Deficiency Recapitulates the Cognitive Endophenotype of the Disease: a Longitudinal Study. Sci Rep 2019; 9:62. [PMID: 30635645 PMCID: PMC6329805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37303-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in creatine (Cr) transporter (CrT) gene lead to cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome-1 (CTD), an orphan neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with brain Cr deficiency, intellectual disability, seizures, movement and autistic-like behavioral disturbances, language and speech impairment. We have recently generated a murine model of CTD obtained by ubiquitous deletion of 5-7 exons in the CrT gene. These mice showed a marked Cr depletion, associated to early and progressive cognitive impairment, and autistic-like defects, thus resembling the key features of human CTD. Given the importance of extraneural dysfunctions in neurodevelopmental disorders, here we analyzed the specific role of neural Cr in the CTD phenotype. We induced the conditional deletion of Slc6a8 gene in neuronal and glial cells by crossing CrT floxed mice with the Nestin::Cre recombinase Tg (Nes-cre) 1Kln mouse. We report that nervous system-specific Cr depletion leads to a progressive cognitive regression starting in the adult age. No autistic-like features, including repetitive and stereotyped movements, routines and rituals, are present in this model. These results indicate that Cr depletion in the nervous system is a pivotal cause of the CTD pathological phenotype, in particular with regard to the cognitive domain, but extraneural actors also play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Molinaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Alessandrì
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Department of Paediatrics, Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy. .,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, I-50135, Florence, Italy
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23
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Wang Q, Yang J, Liu Y, Li X, Luo F, Xie J. A novel SLC6A8 mutation associated with intellectual disabilities in a Chinese family exhibiting creatine transporter deficiency: case report. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 19:193. [PMID: 30400883 PMCID: PMC6219255 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-018-0707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background X-linked creatine transporter deficiency (OMIM#300036,CRTR-D) is characterized by cerebral creatine deficiency, intellectual disabilities, severe speech impairment, seizures and behavioral problems. Mutations in the creatine transporter gene SLC6A8, a member of the solute-carrier family 6 mapped to Xq28, have been reported to cause the creatine transporter deficiency. Case presentation The proband presented at 5 yrs. 1 month of age with delays in intellectual and development, seizures and behavioral problems. A novel missense mutation, c.1181C > A (p.Thr394Lys), in the SLC6A8 gene (NM_005629.3) was detected via targeted exome sequencing, and then validated by Sanger sequencing. Multiple in silico variant effect analysis methods, including SIFT, PolyPhen2, PROVEAN, and Mutation Taster predicted that this variant was likely damaging or diseasing-causing. This hemizygous variation was also identified in the affected brother with the same clinical condition and inherited from the heterozygous carrier mother. The diagnosis was suggested by increased urinary creatine/creatinine (Cr:Crn) ratio and markedly reduced creatine content peak by brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The proband’s mother became pregnant with a 3rd sibling, in whom the Sanger sequencing result of c.1181C > A was negative. Conclusion The novel mutation c.1181C > A in the SLC6A8 gene reported in a Chinese family has expanded the mutation spectrum of CRTR-D. The combination of powerful new technologies such as targeted exome sequencing with thorough systematic clinical evaluation of patients will improve the diagnostic yield, and assist in genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis for suspected genetic disorders. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12881-018-0707-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wang
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingxin Yang
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingping Li
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Fuwei Luo
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiansheng Xie
- Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, No. 3012, Fuqiang Road, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China.
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24
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Stockebrand M, Sasani A, Das D, Hornig S, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, Lake HA, Isbrandt D, Lygate CA, Heerschap A, Neu A, Choe CU. A Mouse Model of Creatine Transporter Deficiency Reveals Impaired Motor Function and Muscle Energy Metabolism. Front Physiol 2018; 9:773. [PMID: 30013483 PMCID: PMC6036259 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Creatine serves as fast energy buffer in organs of high-energy demand such as brain and skeletal muscle. L-Arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) and guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase are responsible for endogenous creatine synthesis. Subsequent uptake into target organs like skeletal muscle, heart and brain is mediated by the creatine transporter (CT1, SLC6A8). Creatine deficiency syndromes are caused by defects of endogenous creatine synthesis or transport and are mainly characterized by intellectual disability, behavioral abnormalities, poorly developed muscle mass, and in some cases also muscle weakness. CT1-deficiency is estimated to be among the most common causes of X-linked intellectual disability and therefore the brain phenotype was the main focus of recent research. Unfortunately, very limited data concerning muscle creatine levels and functions are available from patients with CT1 deficiency. Furthermore, different CT1-deficient mouse models yielded conflicting results and detailed analyses of their muscular phenotype are lacking. Here, we report the generation of a novel CT1-deficient mouse model and characterized the effects of creatine depletion in skeletal muscle. HPLC-analysis showed strongly reduced total creatine levels in skeletal muscle and heart. MR-spectroscopy revealed an almost complete absence of phosphocreatine in skeletal muscle. Increased AGAT expression in skeletal muscle was not sufficient to compensate for insufficient creatine transport. CT1-deficient mice displayed profound impairment of skeletal muscle function and morphology (i.e., reduced strength, reduced endurance, and muscle atrophy). Furthermore, severely altered energy homeostasis was evident on magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Strongly reduced phosphocreatine resulted in decreased ATP/Pi levels despite an increased inorganic phosphate to ATP flux. Concerning glucose metabolism, we show increased glucose transporter type 4 expression in muscle and improved glucose clearance in CT1-deficient mice. These metabolic changes were associated with activation of AMP-activated protein kinase – a central regulator of energy homeostasis. In summary, creatine transporter deficiency resulted in a severe muscle weakness and atrophy despite different compensatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte Stockebrand
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany.,Institute for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ali Sasani
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Experimental Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Devashish Das
- Department of Radiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sönke Hornig
- Experimental Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irm Hermans-Borgmeyer
- Transgenic Mouse Unit, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hannah A Lake
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Isbrandt
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Arend Heerschap
- Department of Radiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Axel Neu
- Experimental Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chi-Un Choe
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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25
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Udobi KC, Kokenge AN, Hautman ER, Ullio G, Coene J, Williams MT, Vorhees CV, Mabondzo A, Skelton MR. Cognitive deficits and increases in creatine precursors in a brain-specific knockout of the creatine transporter gene Slc6a8. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12461. [PMID: 29384270 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Creatine transporter (CrT; SLC6A8) deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe cognitive deficits, impairments in language and an absence of brain creatine (Cr). In a previous study, we generated floxed Slc6a8 (Slc6a8 flox ) mice to create ubiquitous Slc6a8 knockout (Slc6a8-/y ) mice. Slc6a8-/y mice lacked whole body Cr and exhibited cognitive deficits. While Slc6a8-/y mice have a similar biochemical phenotype to CTD patients, they also showed a reduction in size and reductions in swim speed that may have contributed to the observed deficits. To address this, we created brain-specific Slc6a8 knockout (bKO) mice by crossing Slc6a8flox mice with Nestin-cre mice. bKO mice had reduced cerebral Cr levels while maintaining normal Cr levels in peripheral tissue. Interestingly, brain concentrations of the Cr synthesis precursor guanidinoacetic acid were increased in bKO mice. bKO mice had longer latencies and path lengths in the Morris water maze, without reductions in swim speed. In accordance with data from Slc6a8 -/y mice, bKO mice showed deficits in novel object recognition as well as contextual and cued fear conditioning. bKO mice were also hyperactive, in contrast with data from the Slc6a8 -/y mice. The results show that the loss of cerebral Cr is responsible for the learning and memory deficits seen in ubiquitous Slc6a8-/y mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Udobi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - A N Kokenge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - E R Hautman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - G Ullio
- Service de Pharmacologie et Immunoanalyse (SPI), CEA, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - J Coene
- Service de Pharmacologie et Immunoanalyse (SPI), CEA, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - M T Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - C V Vorhees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - A Mabondzo
- Service de Pharmacologie et Immunoanalyse (SPI), CEA, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - M R Skelton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
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26
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Narducci R, Baroncelli L, Sansevero G, Begenisic T, Prontera C, Sale A, Cenni MC, Berardi N, Maffei L. Early impoverished environment delays the maturation of cerebral cortex. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1187. [PMID: 29352131 PMCID: PMC5775315 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19459-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of exposure to impoverished environments on brain development is unexplored since most studies investigated how environmental impoverishment affects adult brain. To shed light on the impact of early impoverishment on developmental trajectories of the nervous system, we developed a protocol of environmental impoverishment in which dams and pups lived from birth in a condition of reduced sensory-motor stimulation. Focusing on visual system, we measured two indexes of functional development, that is visual acuity, assessed by using Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs), and VEP latency. In addition, we assessed in the visual cortex levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and myelin maturation, together with the expression of the GABA biosynthetic enzyme GAD67. We found that early impoverishment strongly delays visual acuity and VEP latency development. These functional changes were accompanied by a significant reduction of IGF-1 protein and GAD67 expression, as well as by delayed myelination of nerve fibers, in the visual cortex of impoverished pups. Thus, exposure to impoverished living conditions causes a significant alteration of developmental trajectories leading to a prominent delay of brain maturation. These results underscore the significance of adequate levels of environmental stimulation for the maturation of central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Narducci
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Area San Salvi - Pad. 26, I-50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Sansevero
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Area San Salvi - Pad. 26, I-50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Tatjana Begenisic
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Concetta Prontera
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sale
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Cenni
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Berardi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Area San Salvi - Pad. 26, I-50135, Florence, Italy
| | - Lamberto Maffei
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
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Bonvento G, Valette J, Flament J, Mochel F, Brouillet E. Imaging and spectroscopic approaches to probe brain energy metabolism dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2017; 37:1927-1943. [PMID: 28276944 PMCID: PMC5464722 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17697989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Changes in energy metabolism are generally considered to play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Whether these changes are causal or simply a part of self-defense mechanisms is a matter of debate. Furthermore, energy defects have often been discussed solely in the context of their probable neuronal origin without considering the cellular heterogeneity of the brain. Recent data point towards the existence of a tri-cellular compartmentation of brain energy metabolism between neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, each cell type having a distinctive metabolic profile. Still, the number of methods to follow energy metabolism in patients is extremely limited and existing clinical techniques are blind to most cellular processes. There is a need to better understand how brain energy metabolism is regulated in health and disease through experiments conducted at different scales in animal models to implement new methods in the clinical setting. The purpose of this review is to offer a brief overview of the broad spectrum of methodological approaches that have emerged in recent years to probe energy metabolism in more detail. We conclude that multi-modal neuroimaging is needed to follow non-cell autonomous energy metabolism dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Bonvento
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d’Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Valette
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d’Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Flament
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d’Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- INSERM US 27, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Fanny Mochel
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France
- Department of Genetics, AP-HP Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- University Pierre and Marie Curie, Neurometabolic Research Group, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d’Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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28
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Bodini B, Branzoli F, Poirion E, García-Lorenzo D, Didier M, Maillart E, Socha J, Bera G, Lubetzki C, Ronen I, Lehericy S, Stankoff B. Dysregulation of energy metabolism in multiple sclerosis measured in vivo with diffusion-weighted spectroscopy. Mult Scler 2017; 24:313-321. [DOI: 10.1177/1352458517698249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective: We employed diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DW-MRS), which allows to measure in vivo the diffusion properties of metabolites, to explore the functional neuro-axonal damage and the ongoing energetic dysregulation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Twenty-five patients with MS and 18 healthy controls (HC) underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DW-MRS. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of total N-acetyl-aspartate (tNAA) and creatine–phosphocreatine (tCr) were measured in the parietal normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and in the thalamic grey matter (TGM). Multiple regressions were used to compare metabolite ADCs between groups and to explore clinical correlations. Results: In patients compared with HCs, we found a reduction in ADC(tNAA) in the TGM, reflecting functional and structural neuro-axonal damage, and in ADC(tCr) in both NAWM and TGM, possibly reflecting a reduction in energy supply in neurons and glial cells. Metabolite ADCs did not correlate with tissue atrophy, lesional volume or metabolite concentrations, while in TGM metabolite ADCs correlated with clinical scores. Conclusion: DW-MRS showed a reduction in tCr diffusivity in the normal-appearing brain of patients with MS, which might reflect a state of ongoing energy dysregulation affecting neurons and/or glial cells. Reversing this energy dysregulation before neuro-axonal degeneration arises may become a key objective in future neuroprotective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Bodini
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Francesca Branzoli
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/Centre de NeuroImagerie de Recherche – Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Paris, France
| | - Emilie Poirion
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Daniel García-Lorenzo
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Didier
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/Centre de NeuroImagerie de Recherche – Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Paris, France
| | | | - Julie Socha
- AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Geraldine Bera
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lubetzki
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Itamar Ronen
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephane Lehericy
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/Centre de NeuroImagerie de Recherche – Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Paris, France/AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Stankoff
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France/AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
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29
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Uemura T, Ito S, Ohta Y, Tachikawa M, Wada T, Terasaki T, Ohtsuki S. Abnormal N-Glycosylation of a Novel Missense Creatine Transporter Mutant, G561R, Associated with Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes Alters Transporter Activity and Localization. Biol Pharm Bull 2017; 40:49-55. [PMID: 28049948 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes (CCDSs) are caused by loss-of-function mutations in creatine transporter (CRT, SLC6A8), which transports creatine at the blood-brain barrier and into neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). This results in low cerebral creatine levels, and patients exhibit mental retardation, poor language skills and epilepsy. We identified a novel human CRT gene missense mutation (c.1681 G>C, G561R) in Japanese CCDSs patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reduction of creatine transport in G561R-mutant CRT-expressing 293 cells, and to clarify the mechanism of its functional attenuation. G561R-mutant CRT exhibited greatly reduced creatine transport activity compared to wild-type CRT (WT-CRT) when expressed in 293 cells. Also, the mutant protein is localized mainly in intracellular membrane fraction, while WT-CRT is localized in plasma membrane. Western blot analysis revealed a 68 kDa band of WT-CRT protein in plasma membrane fraction, while G561R-mutant CRT protein predominantly showed bands at 55, 110 and 165 kDa in crude membrane fraction. The bands of both WT-CRT and G561R-mutant CRT were shifted to 50 kDa by N-glycosidase treatment. Our results suggest that the functional impairment of G561R-mutant CRT was probably caused by incomplete N-linked glycosylation due to misfolding during protein maturation, leading to oligomer formation and changes of cellular localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Uemura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University
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30
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Battini R, Alessandrì MG, Casalini C, Casarano M, Tosetti M, Cioni G. Fifteen-year follow-up of Italian families affected by arginine glycine amidinotransferase deficiency. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:21. [PMID: 28148286 PMCID: PMC5289057 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0577-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arginine:glycine amidinotransferase deficiency (AGAT-d) is a very rare inborn error of creatine synthesis mainly characterized by absence of brain Creatine (Cr) peak, intellectual disability, severe language impairment and behavioural disorder and susceptible to supplementary Cr treatment per os. Serial examinations by magnetic resonance spectroscopy are required to evaluate Cr recovery in brain during treatment of high doses of Cr per os, which have been proved beneficial and effective in treating main clinical symptoms. A long term study with detailed reports on clinical, neurochemical and neuropsychological outcomes of the first Italian patients affected by AGAT-d here reported can represent a landmark in management of this disorder thus enhancing medical knowledge and clinical practice. RESULTS We have evaluated the long term effects of Cr supplementation management in four Italian patients affected by AGAT-d, correlating specific treatments with serial clinical, biochemical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy examinations as well as the neuropsychological outcome by standardized developmental scales. Consecutive MRS examinations have confirmed that Cr depletion in AGAT-d patients is reversible under Cr supplementation. Cr treatment is considered safe and well tolerated but side effects, including weight gain and kidney stones, have been reported. CONCLUSIONS Early treatment prevents adverse developmental outcome, while patients diagnosed and treated at an older age showed partial but significant cognitive recovery with clear improvements in adaptive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - M Grazia Alessandrì
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Casalini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuela Casarano
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, MRI Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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31
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Abstract
Creatine is a principle component of the creatine kinase (CK) phosphagen system common to all vertebrates. It is found in excitable cells, such as cardiomyocytes, where it plays an important role in the buffering and transport of chemical energy to ensure that supply meets the dynamic demands of the heart. Multiple components of the CK system, including intracellular creatine levels, are reduced in heart failure, while ischaemia and hypoxia represent acute crises of energy provision. Elevation of myocardial creatine levels has therefore been suggested as potentially beneficial, however, achieving this goal is not trivial. This mini-review outlines the evidence in support of creatine elevation and critically examines the pharmacological approaches that are currently available. In particular, dietary creatine-supplementation does not sufficiently elevate creatine levels in the heart due to subsequent down-regulation of the plasma membrane creatine transporter (CrT). Attempts to increase passive diffusion and bypass the CrT, e.g. via creatine esters, have yet to be tested in the heart. However, studies in mice with genetic overexpression of the CrT demonstrate proof-of-principle that elevated creatine protects the heart from ischaemia-reperfusion injury. This suggests activation of the CrT as a major unmet pharmacological target. However, translation of this finding to the clinic will require a greater understanding of CrT regulation in health and disease and the development of small molecule activators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Headington OX3 7BN, UK.
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32
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Baroncelli L, Molinaro A, Cacciante F, Alessandrì MG, Napoli D, Putignano E, Tola J, Leuzzi V, Cioni G, Pizzorusso T. A mouse model for creatine transporter deficiency reveals early onset cognitive impairment and neuropathology associated with brain aging. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:4186-4200. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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33
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Sopjani M, Dërmaku-Sopjani M. Klotho-Dependent Cellular Transport Regulation. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 101:59-84. [PMID: 27125738 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Klotho is a transmembrane protein that in humans is encoded by the hKL gene. This protein is known to have aging suppressor effects and is predominantly expressed in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, parathyroid glands, and choroid plexus of the brain. The Klotho protein exists in both full-length membrane form and a soluble secreted form, which exerts numerous distinct functions. The extracellular domain of Klotho can be enzymatically cleaved off and released into the systemic circulation where it functions as β-glucuronidase and a hormone. Soluble Klotho is a multifunction protein present in the biological fluids including blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid of mammals. Klotho deficiency leads to multiple organ failure accompanied by early appearance of multiple age-related disorders and early death, whereas overexpression of Klotho results in the opposite effects. Klotho, an enzyme and hormone, has been reported to participate in the regulation of cellular transport processes across the plasma membrane either indirectly through inhibiting calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3) formation or other mechanism, or by directly affecting transporter proteins, including ion channels, cellular carriers, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Accordingly, Klotho protein serves as a powerful regulator of cellular transport across the plasma membrane. Importantly, Klotho-dependent cellular transport regulation implies stimulatory or inhibitory effects. Klotho has been shown to play a key role in the regulation of multiple calcium and potassium ion channels, and various cellular carriers including the Na(+)-coupled cotransporters such as NaPi-IIa, NaPi-IIb, EAAT3, and EAAT4, CreaT1 as well as Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. These regulations are parts of the antiaging function of Klotho, which will be discussing throughout this chapter. Clearly, further experimental efforts are required to investigate the effect of Klotho on other transport proteins and underlying molecular mechanisms by which Klotho exerts its effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sopjani
- University of Prishtina, Prishtinë, Republic of Kosova.
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34
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Hanna-El-Daher L, Braissant O. Creatine synthesis and exchanges between brain cells: What can be learned from human creatine deficiencies and various experimental models? Amino Acids 2016; 48:1877-95. [PMID: 26861125 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2189-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
While it has long been thought that most of cerebral creatine is of peripheral origin, the last 20 years has provided evidence that the creatine synthetic pathway (AGAT and GAMT enzymes) is expressed in the brain together with the creatine transporter (SLC6A8). It has also been shown that SLC6A8 is expressed by microcapillary endothelial cells at the blood-brain barrier, but is absent from surrounding astrocytes, raising the concept that the blood-brain barrier has a limited permeability for peripheral creatine. The first creatine deficiency syndrome in humans was also discovered 20 years ago (GAMT deficiency), followed later by AGAT and SLC6A8 deficiencies, all three diseases being characterized by creatine deficiency in the CNS and essentially affecting the brain. By reviewing the numerous and latest experimental studies addressing creatine transport and synthesis in the CNS, as well as the clinical and biochemical characteristics of creatine-deficient patients, our aim was to delineate a clearer view of the roles of the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers in the transport of creatine and guanidinoacetate between periphery and CNS, and on the intracerebral synthesis and transport of creatine. This review also addresses the question of guanidinoacetate toxicity for brain cells, as probably found under GAMT deficiency.
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MESH Headings
- Amidinotransferases/deficiency
- Amidinotransferases/genetics
- Amidinotransferases/metabolism
- Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics
- Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/metabolism
- Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/pathology
- Animals
- Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism
- Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/genetics
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/metabolism
- Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/pathology
- Capillaries/metabolism
- Capillaries/pathology
- Creatine/biosynthesis
- Creatine/deficiency
- Creatine/genetics
- Creatine/metabolism
- Developmental Disabilities/genetics
- Developmental Disabilities/metabolism
- Developmental Disabilities/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/deficiency
- Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/genetics
- Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/metabolism
- Humans
- Intellectual Disability/genetics
- Intellectual Disability/metabolism
- Intellectual Disability/pathology
- Language Development Disorders/genetics
- Language Development Disorders/metabolism
- Language Development Disorders/pathology
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/genetics
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/metabolism
- Mental Retardation, X-Linked/pathology
- Movement Disorders/congenital
- Movement Disorders/genetics
- Movement Disorders/metabolism
- Movement Disorders/pathology
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/deficiency
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/genetics
- Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Speech Disorders/genetics
- Speech Disorders/metabolism
- Speech Disorders/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Layane Hanna-El-Daher
- Service of Biomedicine, Neurometabolic Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Service of Biomedicine, Neurometabolic Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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35
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Joncquel-Chevalier Curt M, Voicu PM, Fontaine M, Dessein AF, Porchet N, Mention-Mulliez K, Dobbelaere D, Soto-Ares G, Cheillan D, Vamecq J. Creatine biosynthesis and transport in health and disease. Biochimie 2015; 119:146-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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