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Wirthlin ME, Schmid TA, Elie JE, Zhang X, Kowalczyk A, Redlich R, Shvareva VA, Rakuljic A, Ji MB, Bhat NS, Kaplow IM, Schäffer DE, Lawler AJ, Wang AZ, Phan BN, Annaldasula S, Brown AR, Lu T, Lim BK, Azim E, Clark NL, Meyer WK, Pond SLK, Chikina M, Yartsev MM, Pfenning AR, Andrews G, Armstrong JC, Bianchi M, Birren BW, Bredemeyer KR, Breit AM, Christmas MJ, Clawson H, Damas J, Di Palma F, Diekhans M, Dong MX, Eizirik E, Fan K, Fanter C, Foley NM, Forsberg-Nilsson K, Garcia CJ, Gatesy J, Gazal S, Genereux DP, Goodman L, Grimshaw J, Halsey MK, Harris AJ, Hickey G, Hiller M, Hindle AG, Hubley RM, Hughes GM, Johnson J, Juan D, Kaplow IM, Karlsson EK, Keough KC, Kirilenko B, Koepfli KP, Korstian JM, Kowalczyk A, Kozyrev SV, Lawler AJ, Lawless C, Lehmann T, Levesque DL, Lewin HA, Li X, Lind A, Lindblad-Toh K, Mackay-Smith A, Marinescu VD, Marques-Bonet T, Mason VC, Meadows JRS, Meyer WK, Moore JE, Moreira LR, Moreno-Santillan DD, Morrill KM, Muntané G, Murphy WJ, Navarro A, Nweeia M, Ortmann S, Osmanski A, Paten B, Paulat NS, Pfenning AR, Phan BN, Pollard KS, Pratt HE, Ray DA, Reilly SK, Rosen JR, Ruf I, Ryan L, Ryder OA, Sabeti PC, Schäffer DE, Serres A, Shapiro B, Smit AFA, Springer M, Srinivasan C, Steiner C, Storer JM, Sullivan KAM, Sullivan PF, Sundström E, Supple MA, Swofford R, Talbot JE, Teeling E, Turner-Maier J, Valenzuela A, Wagner F, Wallerman O, Wang C, Wang J, Weng Z, Wilder AP, Wirthlin ME, Xue JR, Zhang X. Vocal learning-associated convergent evolution in mammalian proteins and regulatory elements. Science 2024; 383:eabn3263. [PMID: 38422184 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn3263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Vocal production learning ("vocal learning") is a convergently evolved trait in vertebrates. To identify brain genomic elements associated with mammalian vocal learning, we integrated genomic, anatomical, and neurophysiological data from the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) with analyses of the genomes of 215 placental mammals. First, we identified a set of proteins evolving more slowly in vocal learners. Then, we discovered a vocal motor cortical region in the Egyptian fruit bat, an emergent vocal learner, and leveraged that knowledge to identify active cis-regulatory elements in the motor cortex of vocal learners. Machine learning methods applied to motor cortex open chromatin revealed 50 enhancers robustly associated with vocal learning whose activity tended to be lower in vocal learners. Our research implicates convergent losses of motor cortex regulatory elements in mammalian vocal learning evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Wirthlin
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tobias A Schmid
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Julie E Elie
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Amanda Kowalczyk
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ruby Redlich
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Varvara A Shvareva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Ashley Rakuljic
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Maria B Ji
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Ninad S Bhat
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Irene M Kaplow
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Daniel E Schäffer
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Alyssa J Lawler
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Andrew Z Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - BaDoi N Phan
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Siddharth Annaldasula
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ashley R Brown
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tianyu Lu
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Neurobiology section, Division of Biological Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eiman Azim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Wynn K Meyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | | | - Maria Chikina
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Michael M Yartsev
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA
| | - Andreas R Pfenning
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Akram S, Ghaffar M, Wadood A, Shokat S, Hameed A, Waheed MQ, Arif MAR. A GBS-based genome-wide association study reveals the genetic basis of salinity tolerance at the seedling stage in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Front Genet 2022; 13:997901. [PMID: 36238161 PMCID: PMC9551609 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.997901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
High salinity levels affect 20% of the cultivated area and 9%–34% of the irrigated agricultural land worldwide, ultimately leading to yield losses of crops. The current study evaluated seven salt tolerance-related traits at the seedling stage in a set of 138 pre-breeding lines (PBLs) and identified 63 highly significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) linked to salt tolerance. Different candidate genes were identified in in silico analysis, many of which were involved in various stress conditions in plants, including glycine-rich cell wall structural protein 1-like, metacaspase-1, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase GAPA1, and plastidial GAPA1. Some of these genes coded for structural protein and participated in cell wall structure, some were linked to programmed cell death, and others were reported to show abiotic stress response roles in wheat and other plants. In addition, using the Multi-Trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) protocol, the best-performing lines under salt stress were identified. The SNPs identified in this study and the genotypes with favorable alleles provide an excellent source to impart salt tolerance in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Akram
- *Correspondence: Saba Akram, ; Mian Abdur Rehman Arif,
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Maggio AG, Shu HT, Laufer BI, Bi C, Lai Y, LaSalle JM, Hu VW. Elevated exposures to persistent endocrine disrupting compounds impact the sperm methylome in regions associated with autism spectrum disorder. Front Genet 2022; 13:929471. [PMID: 36035158 PMCID: PMC9403863 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.929471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as the organochlorines have been linked with various diseases including neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is considered strongly genetic in origin due to its high heritability. However, the rapidly rising prevalence of ASD suggests that environmental factors may also influence risk for ASD. In the present study, whole genome bisulfite sequencing was used to identify genome-wide differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in a total of 52 sperm samples from a cohort of men from the Faroe Islands (Denmark) who were equally divided into high and low exposure groups based on their serum levels of the long-lived organochlorine 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), a primary breakdown product of the now banned insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Aside from being considered a genetic isolate, inhabitants of the Faroe Islands have a native diet that potentially exposes them to a wide range of seafood neurotoxicants in the form of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The DMRs were mapped to the human genome using Bismark, a 3-letter aligner used for methyl-seq analyses. Gene ontology, functional, and pathway analyses of the DMR-associated genes showed significant enrichment for genes involved in neurological functions and neurodevelopmental processes frequently impacted by ASD. Notably, these genes also significantly overlap with autism risk genes as well as those previously identified in sperm from fathers of children with ASD in comparison to that of fathers of neurotypical children. These results collectively suggest a possible mechanism involving altered methylation of a significant number of neurologically relevant ASD risk genes for introducing epigenetic changes associated with environmental exposures into the sperm methylome. Such changes may provide the potential for transgenerational inheritance of ASD as well as other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela G. Maggio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Henry T. Shu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Benjamin I. Laufer
- Genome Center, Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Chongfeng Bi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Yinglei Lai
- Department of Statistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- Genome Center, Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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Zenebe-Gete S, Salowe R, O'Brien JM. Benefits of Cohort Studies in a Consortia-Dominated Landscape. Front Genet 2021; 12:801653. [PMID: 34950194 PMCID: PMC8688987 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.801653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Selam Zenebe-Gete
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rebecca Salowe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joan M O'Brien
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Alvarenga AB, Oliveira HR, Chen SY, Miller SP, Marchant-Forde JN, Grigoletto L, Brito LF. A Systematic Review of Genomic Regions and Candidate Genes Underlying Behavioral Traits in Farmed Mammals and Their Link with Human Disorders. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030715. [PMID: 33800722 PMCID: PMC7999279 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study is a comprehensive review of genomic regions associated with animal behavior in farmed mammals (beef and dairy cattle, pigs, and sheep) which contributes to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms influencing the target indicator trait and to gene expression studies by suggesting genes likely controlling the trait, and it will be useful in optimizing genomic predictions of breeding values incorporating biological information. Behavioral mechanisms are complex traits, genetically controlled by multiple genes spread across the whole genome. The majority of the genes identified in cattle, pigs, and sheep in association with a plethora of behavioral measurements (e.g., temperament, terrain use, milking speed, tail biting, and sucking reflex) are likely controlling stimuli reception (e.g., olfactory), internal recognition of stimuli (e.g., neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction), and body response to a stimulus (e.g., blood pressure, fatty acidy metabolism, hormone signaling, and inflammatory pathways). Six genes were commonly identified between cattle and pigs. About half of the genes for behavior identified in farmed mammals were also identified in humans for behavioral, mental, and neuronal disorders. Our findings indicate that the majority of the genes identified are likely controlling animal behavioral outcomes because their biological functions as well as potentially differing allele frequencies between two breed groups (subjectively) clustered based on their temperament characteristics. Abstract The main objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review of genomic regions associated with various behavioral traits in the main farmed mammals and identify key candidate genes and potential causal mutations by contrasting the frequency of polymorphisms in cattle breeds with divergent behavioral traits (based on a subjective clustering approach). A total of 687 (cattle), 1391 (pigs), and 148 (sheep) genomic regions associated with 37 (cattle), 55 (pigs), and 22 (sheep) behavioral traits were identified in the literature. In total, 383, 317, and 15 genes overlap with genomic regions identified for cattle, pigs, and sheep, respectively. Six common genes (e.g., NR3C2, PITPNM3, RERG, SPNS3, U6, and ZFAT) were found for cattle and pigs. A combined gene-set of 634 human genes was produced through identified homologous genes. A total of 313 out of 634 genes have previously been associated with behavioral, mental, and neurologic disorders (e.g., anxiety and schizophrenia) in humans. Additionally, a total of 491 candidate genes had at least one statistically significant polymorphism (p-value < 0.05). Out of those, 110 genes were defined as having polymorphic regions differing in greater than 50% of exon regions. Therefore, conserved genomic regions controlling behavior were found across farmed mammal species and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B. Alvarenga
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (A.B.A.); (H.R.O.); (S.-Y.C.); (L.G.)
| | - Hinayah R. Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (A.B.A.); (H.R.O.); (S.-Y.C.); (L.G.)
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Shi-Yi Chen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (A.B.A.); (H.R.O.); (S.-Y.C.); (L.G.)
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 625014, China
| | | | - Jeremy N. Marchant-Forde
- Livestock Behavior Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service (USDA–ARS), West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Lais Grigoletto
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (A.B.A.); (H.R.O.); (S.-Y.C.); (L.G.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 05508, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (A.B.A.); (H.R.O.); (S.-Y.C.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Hu VW, Bi C. Phenotypic Subtyping and Re-analyses of Existing Transcriptomic Data from Autistic Probands in Simplex Families Reveal Differentially Expressed and ASD Trait-Associated Genes. Front Neurol 2020; 11:578972. [PMID: 33281715 PMCID: PMC7689346 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.578972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by core symptoms that include social communication deficits and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors often coupled with restricted interests. Primary challenges to understanding and treating ASD are the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of cases that complicates all omics analyses as well as a lack of information on relationships among genes, pathways, and autistic traits. In this study, we re-analyze existing transcriptomic data from simplex families by subtyping individuals with ASD according to multivariate cluster analyses of clinical ADI-R scores that encompass a broad range of behavioral symptoms. We also correlate multiple ASD traits, such as deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, play and social skills, ritualistic behaviors, and savant skills, with expression profiles using Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analyses (WGCNA). Our results show that subtyping greatly enhances the ability to identify differentially expressed genes involved in specific canonical pathways and biological functions associated with ASD within each phenotypic subgroup. Moreover, using WGCNA, we identify gene modules that correlate significantly with specific ASD traits. Network prediction analyses of the genes in these modules reveal canonical pathways as well as neurological functions and disorders relevant to the pathobiology of ASD. Finally, we compare the WGCNA-derived data on autistic traits in simplex families with analogous data from multiplex families using transcriptomic data from our previous studies. The comparison reveals overlapping trait-associated pathways as well as upstream regulators of the module-associated genes that may serve as useful targets for a precision medicine approach to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Chongfeng Bi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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7
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Lee EC, Hu VW. Phenotypic Subtyping and Re-Analysis of Existing Methylation Data from Autistic Probands in Simplex Families Reveal ASD Subtype-Associated Differentially Methylated Genes and Biological Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6877. [PMID: 32961747 PMCID: PMC7555936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with core deficits in social communication and manifestation of restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors. Despite the core symptomatology, ASD is extremely heterogeneous with respect to the severity of symptoms and behaviors. This heterogeneity presents an inherent challenge to all large-scale genome-wide omics analyses. In the present study, we address this heterogeneity by stratifying ASD probands from simplex families according to the severity of behavioral scores on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised diagnostic instrument, followed by re-analysis of existing DNA methylation data from individuals in three ASD subphenotypes in comparison to that of their respective unaffected siblings. We demonstrate that subphenotyping of cases enables the identification of over 1.6 times the number of statistically significant differentially methylated regions (DMR) and DMR-associated genes (DAGs) between cases and controls, compared to that identified when all cases are combined. Our analyses also reveal ASD-related neurological functions and comorbidities that are enriched among DAGs in each phenotypic subgroup but not in the combined case group. Moreover, relational gene networks constructed with the DAGs reveal signaling pathways associated with specific functions and comorbidities. In addition, a network comprised of DAGs shared among all ASD subgroups and the combined case group is enriched in genes involved in inflammatory responses, suggesting that neuroinflammation may be a common theme underlying core features of ASD. These findings demonstrate the value of phenotype definition in methylomic analyses of ASD and may aid in the development of subtype-directed diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
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Wendt FR, Pathak GA, Tylee DS, Goswami A, Polimanti R. Heterogeneity and Polygenicity in Psychiatric Disorders: A Genome-Wide Perspective. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:2470547020924844. [PMID: 32518889 PMCID: PMC7254587 DOI: 10.1177/2470547020924844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been performed for many psychiatric disorders and revealed a complex polygenic architecture linking mental and physical health phenotypes. Psychiatric diagnoses are often heterogeneous, and several layers of trait heterogeneity may contribute to detection of genetic risks per disorder or across multiple disorders. In this review, we discuss these heterogeneities and their consequences on the discovery of risk loci using large-scale genetic data. We primarily highlight the ways in which sex and diagnostic complexity contribute to risk locus discovery in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette’s syndrome and chronic tic disorder, anxiety disorders, suicidality, feeding and eating disorders, and substance use disorders. Genetic data also have facilitated discovery of clinically relevant subphenotypes also described here. Collectively, GWAS of psychiatric disorders revealed that the understanding of heterogeneity, polygenicity, and pleiotropy is critical to translate genetic findings into treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank R Wendt
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gita A Pathak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel S Tylee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Aranyak Goswami
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Renato Polimanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
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Park DI. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and big data analysis in the discovery of new diagnostic markers and targets for therapy development. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 173:61-90. [PMID: 32711818 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Highly complex endophenotypes and underlying molecular mechanisms have prevented effective diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Despite extensive studies to identify relevant biosignatures, no biomarker and therapeutic targets are available in the current clinical practice. While our current knowledge is still largely incomplete, -omics technology and machine learning-based big data analysis have provided novel insights on the etiology of autism spectrum disorders, elucidating systemic impairments that can be translated into biomarker and therapy target candidates. However, more integrated and sophisticated approaches are vital to realize molecular stratification and individualized treatment strategy. Ultimately, systemic approaches based on -omics and big data analysis will significantly contribute to more effective biomarker and therapy development for autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ik Park
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE)-Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; The Danish National Research Foundation Center, PROMEMO, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Mwando E, Han Y, Angessa TT, Zhou G, Hill CB, Zhang XQ, Li C. Genome-Wide Association Study of Salinity Tolerance During Germination in Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:118. [PMID: 32153619 PMCID: PMC7047234 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Barley seeds need to be able to germinate and establish seedlings in saline soils in Mediterranean-type climates. Despite being a major cereal crop, barley has few reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes underlying salt tolerance at the germination stage. Breeding programs targeting salinity tolerance at germination require an understanding of genetic loci and alleles in the current germplasm. In this study, we investigated seed-germination-related traits under control and salt stress conditions in 350 diverse barley accessions. A genome-wide association study, using ~24,000 genetic markers, was undertaken to detect marker-trait associations (MTA) and the underlying candidate genes for salinity tolerance during germination. We detected 19 loci containing 52 significant salt-tolerance-associated markers across all chromosomes, and 4 genes belonging to 4 family functions underlying the predicted MTAs. Our results provide new genetic resources and information to improve salt tolerance at germination in future barley varieties via genomic and marker-assisted selection and to open up avenues for further functional characterization of the identified candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Mwando
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Yong Han
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Tefera Tolera Angessa
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Gaofeng Zhou
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Camilla Beate Hill
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Xiao-Qi Zhang
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Chengdao Li
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Pirooznia M, Niranjan T, Chen YC, Tunc I, Goes FS, Avramopoulos D, Potash JB, Huganir RL, Zandi PP, Wang T. Affected Sib-Pair Analyses Identify Signaling Networks Associated With Social Behavioral Deficits in Autism. Front Genet 2019; 10:1186. [PMID: 31827489 PMCID: PMC6892440 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in three core behavioral domains: reciprocal social interactions, communication, and restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Several hundreds of risk genes for autism have been identified, however, it remains a challenge to associate these genes with specific core behavioral deficits. In multiplex autism families, affected sibs often show significant differences in severity of individual core phenotypes. We hypothesize that a higher mutation burden contributes to a larger difference in the severity of specific core phenotypes between affected sibs. We tested this hypothesis on social behavioral deficits in autism. We sequenced synaptome genes (n = 1,886) in affected male sib-pairs (n = 274) in families from the Autism Genetics Research Exchange (AGRE) and identified rare (MAF ≤ 1%) and predicted functional variants. We selected affected sib-pairs with a large (≥10; n = 92 pairs) or a small (≤4; n = 108 pairs) difference in total cumulative Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) social scores (SOCT_CS). We compared burdens of unshared variants present only in sibs with severe social deficits and found a higher burden in SOCT_CS≥10 compared to SOCT_CS ≤ 4 (SOCT_CS≥10: 705.1 ± 16.2; SOCT_CS ≤ 4, 668.3 ± 9.0; p = 0.025). Unshared SOCT_CS≥10 genes only in sibs with severe social deficits are significantly enriched in the SFARI gene set. Network analyses of these genes using InWeb_IM, molecular signatures database (MSigDB), and GeNetMeta identified enrichment for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (Enrichment Score [eScore] p value = 3.36E−07; n = 8 genes) and Nerve growth factor (NGF) (eScore p value = 8.94E−07; n = 9 genes) networks. These studies support a key role for these signaling networks in social behavioral deficits and present a novel approach to associate risk genes and signaling networks with core behavioral domains in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tejasvi Niranjan
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun-Ching Chen
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ilker Tunc
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fernando S Goes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James B Potash
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Richard L Huganir
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter P Zandi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Mental Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tao Wang
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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12
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Mordaunt CE, Park BY, Bakulski KM, Feinberg JI, Croen LA, Ladd-Acosta C, Newschaffer CJ, Volk HE, Ozonoff S, Hertz-Picciotto I, LaSalle JM, Schmidt RJ, Fallin MD. A meta-analysis of two high-risk prospective cohort studies reveals autism-specific transcriptional changes to chromatin, autoimmune, and environmental response genes in umbilical cord blood. Mol Autism 2019; 10:36. [PMID: 31673306 PMCID: PMC6814108 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0287-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects more than 1% of children in the USA. ASD risk is thought to arise from both genetic and environmental factors, with the perinatal period as a critical window. Understanding early transcriptional changes in ASD would assist in clarifying disease pathogenesis and identifying biomarkers. However, little is known about umbilical cord blood gene expression profiles in babies later diagnosed with ASD compared to non-typically developing and non-ASD (Non-TD) or typically developing (TD) children. Methods Genome-wide transcript levels were measured by Affymetrix Human Gene 2.0 array in RNA from cord blood samples from both the Markers of Autism Risk in Babies-Learning Early Signs (MARBLES) and the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) high-risk pregnancy cohorts that enroll younger siblings of a child previously diagnosed with ASD. Younger siblings were diagnosed based on assessments at 36 months, and 59 ASD, 92 Non-TD, and 120 TD subjects were included. Using both differential expression analysis and weighted gene correlation network analysis, gene expression between ASD and TD, and between Non-TD and TD, was compared within each study and via meta-analysis. Results While cord blood gene expression differences comparing either ASD or Non-TD to TD did not reach genome-wide significance, 172 genes were nominally differentially expressed between ASD and TD cord blood (log2(fold change) > 0.1, p < 0.01). These genes were significantly enriched for functions in xenobiotic metabolism, chromatin regulation, and systemic lupus erythematosus (FDR q < 0.05). In contrast, 66 genes were nominally differentially expressed between Non-TD and TD, including 8 genes that were also differentially expressed in ASD. Gene coexpression modules were significantly correlated with demographic factors and cell type proportions. Limitations ASD-associated gene expression differences identified in this study are subtle, as cord blood is not the main affected tissue, it is composed of many cell types, and ASD is a heterogeneous disorder. Conclusions This is the first study to identify gene expression differences in cord blood specific to ASD through a meta-analysis across two prospective pregnancy cohorts. The enriched gene pathways support involvement of environmental, immune, and epigenetic mechanisms in ASD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Mordaunt
- 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Bo Y Park
- 2Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, CA USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- 3Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- 4Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- 5Division of Research and Autism Research Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | | | - Craig J Newschaffer
- 6Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- 4Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- 7Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- 8Department of Public Health Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- 8Department of Public Health Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- 4Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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13
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Lombardo MV, Lai MC, Baron-Cohen S. Big data approaches to decomposing heterogeneity across the autism spectrum. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1435-1450. [PMID: 30617272 PMCID: PMC6754748 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a diagnostic label based on behavior. While the diagnostic criteria attempt to maximize clinical consensus, it also masks a wide degree of heterogeneity between and within individuals at multiple levels of analysis. Understanding this multi-level heterogeneity is of high clinical and translational importance. Here we present organizing principles to frame research examining multi-level heterogeneity in autism. Theoretical concepts such as 'spectrum' or 'autisms' reflect non-mutually exclusive explanations regarding continuous/dimensional or categorical/qualitative variation between and within individuals. However, common practices of small sample size studies and case-control models are suboptimal for tackling heterogeneity. Big data are an important ingredient for furthering our understanding of heterogeneity in autism. In addition to being 'feature-rich', big data should be both 'broad' (i.e., large sample size) and 'deep' (i.e., multiple levels of data collected on the same individuals). These characteristics increase the likelihood that the study results are more generalizable and facilitate evaluation of the utility of different models of heterogeneity. A model's utility can be measured by its ability to explain clinically or mechanistically important phenomena, and also by explaining how variability manifests across different levels of analysis. The directionality for explaining variability across levels can be bottom-up or top-down, and should include the importance of development for characterizing changes within individuals. While progress can be made with 'supervised' models built upon a priori or theoretically predicted distinctions or dimensions of importance, it will become increasingly important to complement such work with unsupervised data-driven discoveries that leverage unknown and multivariate distinctions within big data. A better understanding of how to model heterogeneity between autistic people will facilitate progress towards precision medicine for symptoms that cause suffering, and person-centered support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Lombardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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14
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Carbonell AU, Cho CH, Tindi JO, Counts PA, Bates JC, Erdjument-Bromage H, Cvejic S, Iaboni A, Kvint I, Rosensaft J, Banne E, Anagnostou E, Neubert TA, Scherer SW, Molholm S, Jordan BA. Haploinsufficiency in the ANKS1B gene encoding AIDA-1 leads to a neurodevelopmental syndrome. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3529. [PMID: 31388001 PMCID: PMC6684583 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11437-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, have complex polygenic etiologies. Single-gene mutations in patients can help define genetic factors and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we describe individuals with monogenic heterozygous microdeletions in ANKS1B, a predicted risk gene for autism and neuropsychiatric diseases. Affected individuals present with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and speech and motor deficits. Neurons generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells demonstrate loss of the ANKS1B-encoded protein AIDA-1, a brain-specific protein highly enriched at neuronal synapses. A transgenic mouse model of Anks1b haploinsufficiency recapitulates a range of patient phenotypes, including social deficits, hyperactivity, and sensorimotor dysfunction. Identification of the AIDA-1 interactome using quantitative proteomics reveals protein networks involved in synaptic function and the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Our findings formalize a link between the synaptic protein AIDA-1 and a rare, previously undefined genetic disease we term ANKS1B haploinsufficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail U Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Chang Hoon Cho
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Jaafar O Tindi
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Pamela A Counts
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Juliana C Bates
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Cell Biology and Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Svetlana Cvejic
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, M46 1R8, ON, Canada
| | - Ifat Kvint
- Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Jenny Rosensaft
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, M46 1R8, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas A Neubert
- Department of Cell Biology and Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Centre for Applied Genomics and McLaughlin Centre, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, M56 0A4, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Molholm
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Bryen A Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA.
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15
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Hu VW, Devlin CA, Debski JJ. ASD Phenotype-Genotype Associations in Concordant and Discordant Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins Stratified by Severity of Autistic Traits. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153804. [PMID: 31382655 PMCID: PMC6696087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication coupled with stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. Despite the high concordance rate for diagnosis, there is little information on the magnitude of genetic contributions to specific ASD behaviors. Using behavioral/trait severity scores from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) diagnostic instrument, we compared the phenotypic profiles of mono- and dizygotic twins where both co-twins were diagnosed with ASD or only one twin had a diagnosis. The trait distribution profiles across the respective twin populations were first used for quantitative trait association analyses using publicly available genome-wide genotyping data. Trait-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were then used for case-control association analyses, in which cases were defined as individuals in the lowest (Q1) and highest (Q4) quartiles of the severity distribution curves for each trait. While all of the ASD-diagnosed twins exhibited similar trait severity profiles, the non-autistic dizygotic twins exhibited significantly lower ADI-R item scores than the non-autistic monozygotic twins. Case-control association analyses of twins stratified by trait severity revealed statistically significant SNPs with odds ratios that clearly distinguished individuals in Q4 from those in Q1. While the level of shared genomic variation is a strong determinant of the severity of autistic traits in the discordant non-autistic twins, the similarity of trait profiles in the concordantly autistic dizygotic twins also suggests a role for environmental influences. Stratification of cases by trait severity resulted in the identification of statistically significant SNPs located near genes over-represented within autism gene datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Christine A Devlin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Jessica J Debski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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16
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Parra-Damas A, Saura CA. Synapse-to-Nucleus Signaling in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:87-96. [PMID: 30846302 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synapse-to-nucleus signaling is critical for converting signals received at synapses into transcriptional programs essential for cognition, memory, and emotion. This neuronal mechanism usually involves activity-dependent translocation of synaptonuclear factors from synapses to the nucleus resulting in regulation of transcriptional programs underlying synaptic plasticity. Acting as synapse-to-nucleus messengers, amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain associated-1 protein, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator-1, Jacob, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, RING finger protein 10, and SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 play essential roles in synapse remodeling and plasticity, which are considered the cellular basis of memory. Other synaptic proteins, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II gamma, and CREB2, translocate from dendrites or cytosol to the nucleus upon synaptic activity, suggesting that they could contribute to synapse-to-nucleus signaling. Notably, some synaptonuclear factors converge on the transcription factor CREB, indicating that CREB signaling is a key hub mediating integration of synaptic signals into transcriptional programs required for neuronal function and plasticity. Although major efforts have been focused on identification and regulatory mechanisms of synaptonuclear factors, the relevance of synapse-to-nucleus communication in brain physiology and pathology is still unclear. Recent evidence, however, indicates that synaptonuclear factors are implicated in neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting that uncoupling synaptic activity from nuclear signaling may prompt synapse pathology, contributing to a broad spectrum of brain disorders. This review summarizes current knowledge of synapse-to-nucleus signaling in neuron survival, synaptic function and plasticity, and memory. Finally, we discuss how altered synapse-to-nucleus signaling may lead to memory and emotional disturbances, which is relevant for clinical and therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo Parra-Damas
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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17
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Pichitpunpong C, Thongkorn S, Kanlayaprasit S, Yuwattana W, Plaingam W, Sangsuthum S, Aizat WM, Baharum SN, Tencomnao T, Hu VW, Sarachana T. Phenotypic subgrouping and multi-omics analyses reveal reduced diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) protein levels in autism spectrum disorder with severe language impairment. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214198. [PMID: 30921354 PMCID: PMC6438570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear, and clinical biomarkers are not yet available for ASD. Differences in dysregulated proteins in ASD have shown little reproducibility, which is partly due to ASD heterogeneity. Recent studies have demonstrated that subgrouping ASD cases based on clinical phenotypes is useful for identifying candidate genes that are dysregulated in ASD subgroups. However, this strategy has not been employed in proteome profiling analyses to identify ASD biomarker proteins for specific subgroups. METHODS We therefore conducted a cluster analysis of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) scores from 85 individuals with ASD to predict subgroups and subsequently identified dysregulated genes by reanalyzing the transcriptome profiles of individuals with ASD and unaffected individuals. Proteome profiling of lymphoblastoid cell lines from these individuals was performed via 2D-gel electrophoresis, and then mass spectrometry. Disrupted proteins were identified and compared to the dysregulated transcripts and reported dysregulated proteins from previous proteome studies. Biological functions were predicted using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) program. Selected proteins were also analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS The cluster analysis of ADI-R data revealed four ASD subgroups, including ASD with severe language impairment, and transcriptome profiling identified dysregulated genes in each subgroup. Screening via proteome analysis revealed 82 altered proteins in the ASD subgroup with severe language impairment. Eighteen of these proteins were further identified by nano-LC-MS/MS. Among these proteins, fourteen were predicted by IPA to be associated with neurological functions and inflammation. Among these proteins, diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis to be expressed at significantly decreased levels in the ASD subgroup with severe language impairment, and the DBI expression levels were correlated with the scores of several ADI-R items. CONCLUSIONS By subgrouping individuals with ASD based on clinical phenotypes, and then performing an integrated transcriptome-proteome analysis, we identified DBI as a novel candidate protein for ASD with severe language impairment. The mechanisms of this protein and its potential use as an ASD biomarker warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatravee Pichitpunpong
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surangrat Thongkorn
- PhD Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Songphon Kanlayaprasit
- PhD Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wasana Yuwattana
- B.Sc. Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Waluga Plaingam
- College of Oriental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Sangsuthum
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wan Mohd Aizat
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syarul Nataqain Baharum
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Valerie Wailin Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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18
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Folts CJ, Giera S, Li T, Piao X. Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Drug Targets for Neurological Diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:278-293. [PMID: 30871735 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The family of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) consists of 33 members in humans. Although the majority are orphan receptors with unknown functions, many reports have demonstrated critical functions for some members of this family in organogenesis, neurodevelopment, myelination, angiogenesis, and cancer progression. Importantly, mutations in several aGPCRs have been linked to human diseases. The crystal structure of a shared protein domain, the GPCR Autoproteolysis INducing (GAIN) domain, has enabled the discovery of a common signaling mechanism - a tethered agonist - for this class of receptors. A series of recent reports has shed new light on their biological functions and disease relevance. This review focuses on these recent advances in our understanding of aGPCR biology in the nervous system and the untapped potential of aGPCRs as novel therapeutic targets for neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Folts
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Current address: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Stefanie Giera
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Current address: Sanofi S.A., 49 New York Avenue, Framingham, MA 01701, USA
| | - Tao Li
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Xianhua Piao
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Newborn Brain Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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19
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Wiśniowiecka-Kowalnik B, Nowakowska BA. Genetics and epigenetics of autism spectrum disorder-current evidence in the field. J Appl Genet 2019; 60:37-47. [PMID: 30627967 PMCID: PMC6373410 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-018-00480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a heterogenous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by problems in social interaction and communication as well as the presence of repetitive and stereotyped behavior. It is estimated that the prevalence of ASD is 1–2% in the general population with the average male to female ratio 4–5:1. Although the causes of ASD remain largely unknown, the studies have shown that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of these disorders. Array comparative genomic hybridization and whole exome/genome sequencing studies identified common and rare copy number or single nucleotide variants in genes encoding proteins involved in brain development, which play an important role in neuron and synapse formation and function. The genetic etiology is recognized in ~ 25–35% of patients with ASD. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge about the genetic etiology of ASD and also propose a diagnostic algorithm for patients.
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20
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Tangsuwansri C, Saeliw T, Thongkorn S, Chonchaiya W, Suphapeetiporn K, Mutirangura A, Tencomnao T, Hu VW, Sarachana T. Investigation of epigenetic regulatory networks associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by integrated global LINE-1 methylation and gene expression profiling analyses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201071. [PMID: 30036398 PMCID: PMC6056057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The exact cause and mechanisms underlying the pathobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. Dysregulation of long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) has been reported in the brains of ASD-like mutant mice and ASD brain tissues. However, the role and methylation of LINE-1 in individuals with ASD remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LINE-1 insertion is associated with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to assess LINE-1 methylation in ASD. METHODS To identify DEGs associated with LINE-1 in ASD, we reanalyzed previously published transcriptome profiles and overlapped them with the list of LINE-1-containing genes from the TranspoGene database. An Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of DEGs associated with LINE-1 insertion was conducted. DNA methylation of LINE-1 was assessed via combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) of lymphoblastoid cell lines from ASD individuals and unaffected individuals, and the methylation levels were correlated with the expression levels of LINE-1 and two LINE-1-inserted DEGs, C1orf27 and ARMC8. RESULTS We found that LINE-1 insertion was significantly associated with DEGs in ASD. The IPA showed that LINE-1-inserted DEGs were associated with ASD-related mechanisms, including sex hormone receptor signaling and axon guidance signaling. Moreover, we observed that the LINE-1 methylation level was significantly reduced in lymphoblastoid cell lines from ASD individuals with severe language impairment and was inversely correlated with the transcript level. The methylation level of LINE-1 was also correlated with the expression of the LINE-1-inserted DEG C1orf27 but not ARMC8. CONCLUSIONS In ASD individuals with severe language impairment, LINE-1 methylation was reduced and correlated with the expression levels of LINE-1 and the LINE-1-inserted DEG C1orf27. Our findings highlight the association of LINE-1 with DEGs in ASD blood samples and warrant further investigation. The molecular mechanisms of LINE-1 and the effects of its methylation in ASD pathobiology deserve further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanin Tangsuwansri
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanit Saeliw
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surangrat Thongkorn
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weerasak Chonchaiya
- Division of Growth and Development and Maximizing Thai Children’s Developmental Potential Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanya Suphapeetiporn
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apiwat Mutirangura
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Human Diseases, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Valerie Wailin Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Spencer M, Takahashi N, Chakraborty S, Miles J, Shyu CR. Heritable genotype contrast mining reveals novel gene associations specific to autism subgroups. J Biomed Inform 2018; 77:50-61. [PMID: 29197649 PMCID: PMC5788310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Though the genetic etiology of autism is complex, our understanding can be improved by identifying genes and gene-gene interactions that contribute to the development of specific autism subtypes. Identifying such gene groupings will allow individuals to be diagnosed and treated according to their precise characteristics. To this end, we developed a method to associate gene combinations with groups with shared autism traits, targeting genetic elements that distinguish patient populations with opposing phenotypes. Our computational method prioritizes genetic variants for genome-wide association, then utilizes Frequent Pattern Mining to highlight potential interactions between variants. We introduce a novel genotype assessment metric, the Unique Inherited Combination support, which accounts for inheritance patterns observed in the nuclear family while estimating the impact of genetic variation on phenotype manifestation at the individual level. High-contrast variant combinations are tested for significant subgroup associations. We apply this method by contrasting autism subgroups defined by severe or mild manifestations of a phenotype. Significant associations connected 286 genes to the subgroups, including 193 novel autism candidates. 71 pairs of genes have joint associations with subgroups, presenting opportunities to investigate interacting functions. This study analyzed 12 autism subgroups, but our informatics method can explore other meaningful divisions of autism patients, and can further be applied to reveal precise genetic associations within other phenotypically heterogeneous disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Spencer
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, 241 Naka Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Nicole Takahashi
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, 205 Portland St, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Sounak Chakraborty
- Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, 146 Middlebush Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Judith Miles
- Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, 205 Portland St, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, MA204 Medical Sciences Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
| | - Chi-Ren Shyu
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, 241 Naka Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, 201 Naka Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; School of Medicine, University of Missouri, MA204 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
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Abstract
Despite the progress made in understanding the biology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), effective biological interventions for the core symptoms remain elusive. Because of the etiological heterogeneity of ASD, identification of a "one-size-fits-all" treatment approach will likely continue to be challenging. A meeting was convened at the University of Missouri and the Thompson Center to discuss strategies for stratifying patients with ASD for the purpose of moving toward precision medicine. The "white paper" presented here articulates the challenges involved and provides suggestions for future solutions.
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23
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Creanza TM, Liguori M, Liuni S, Nuzziello N, Ancona N. Meta-Analysis of Differential Connectivity in Gene Co-Expression Networks in Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E936. [PMID: 27314336 PMCID: PMC4926469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17060936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential gene expression analyses to investigate multiple sclerosis (MS) molecular pathogenesis cannot detect genes harboring genetic and/or epigenetic modifications that change the gene functions without affecting their expression. Differential co-expression network approaches may capture changes in functional interactions resulting from these alterations. We re-analyzed 595 mRNA arrays from publicly available datasets by studying changes in gene co-expression networks in MS and in response to interferon (IFN)-β treatment. Interestingly, MS networks show a reduced connectivity relative to the healthy condition, and the treatment activates the transcription of genes and increases their connectivity in MS patients. Importantly, the analysis of changes in gene connectivity in MS patients provides new evidence of association for genes already implicated in MS by single-nucleotide polymorphism studies and that do not show differential expression. This is the case of amiloride-sensitive cation channel 1 neuronal (ACCN1) that shows a reduced number of interacting partners in MS networks, and it is known for its role in synaptic transmission and central nervous system (CNS) development. Furthermore, our study confirms a deregulation of the vitamin D system: among the transcription factors that potentially regulate the deregulated genes, we find TCF3 and SP1 that are both involved in vitamin D3-induced p27Kip1 expression. Unveiling differential network properties allows us to gain systems-level insights into disease mechanisms and may suggest putative targets for the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Maria Creanza
- Institute of Intelligent Systems for Automation, National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy.
- Center for Complex Systems in Molecular Biology and Medicine, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy.
| | - Maria Liguori
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Sabino Liuni
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Nuzziello
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nicola Ancona
- Institute of Intelligent Systems for Automation, National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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Tao Y, Gao H, Ackerman B, Guo W, Saffen D, Shugart YY. Evidence for contribution of common genetic variants within chromosome 8p21.2-8p21.1 to restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:163. [PMID: 26931105 PMCID: PMC4774106 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors (RRB), one of the core symptom categories for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), comprises heterogeneous groups of behaviors. Previous research indicates that there are two or more factors (subcategories) within the RRB domain. In an effort to identify common variants associated with RRB, we have carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) dataset (n = 1,335, all ASD probands of European ancestry) for each identified RRB subcategory, while allowing for comparisons of associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with associated SNPs in the same set of probands analyzed using all the RRB subcategories as phenotypes in a multivariate linear mixed model. The top ranked SNPs were then explored in an independent dataset. RESULTS Using principal component analysis of item scores obtained from Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), two distinct subcategories within Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors were identified: Repetitive Sensory Motor (RSM) and Insistence on Sameness (IS). Quantitative RSM and IS scores were subsequently used as phenotypes in a GWAS using the AGRE ASD cohort. Although no associated SNPs with genome-wide significance (P < 5.0E-08) were detected when RSM or IS were analyzed independently, three SNPs approached genome-wide significance when RSM and IS were considered together using multivariate association analysis. These included the top IS-associated SNP, rs62503729 (P-value = 6.48E-08), which is located within chromosome 8p21.2-8p21.1, a locus previously linked to schizophrenia. Notably, all of the most significantly associated SNPs are located in close proximity to STMN4 and PTK2B, genes previously shown to function in neuron development. In addition, several of the top-ranked SNPs showed correlations with STMN4 mRNA expression in adult CEU (Caucasian and European descent) human prefrontal cortex. However, the association signals within chromosome 8p21.2-8p21.1 failed to replicate in an independent sample of 2,588 ASD probands; the insufficient sample size and between-study heterogeneity are possible explanations for the non-replication. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis indicates that RRB in ASD can be represented by two distinct subcategories: RSM and IS. Subsequent univariate and multivariate genome-wide association studies of these RRB subcategories enabled the detection of associated SNPs at 8p21.2-8p21.1. Although these results did not replicate in an independent ASD dataset, genomic features of this region and pathway analysis suggest that common variants in 8p21.2-8p21.1 may contribute to RRB, particularly IS. Together, these observations warrant future studies to elucidate the possible contributions of common variants in 8p21.2-8p21.1 to the etiology of RSM and IS in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tao
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 130Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 130Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Benjamin Ackerman
- JohnsHopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Unit on Statistical Genomics, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Wei Guo
- Unit on Statistical Genomics, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - David Saffen
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 130Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yin Yao Shugart
- Unit on Statistical Genomics, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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25
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Sun J, Kranzler HR, Bi J. An Effective Method to Identify Heritable Components from Multivariate Phenotypes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144418. [PMID: 26658140 PMCID: PMC4678282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multivariate phenotypes may be characterized collectively by a variety of low level traits, such as in the diagnosis of a disease that relies on multiple disease indicators. Such multivariate phenotypes are often used in genetic association studies. If highly heritable components of a multivariate phenotype can be identified, it can maximize the likelihood of finding genetic associations. Existing methods for phenotype refinement perform unsupervised cluster analysis on low-level traits and hence do not assess heritability. Existing heritable component analytics either cannot utilize general pedigrees or have to estimate the entire covariance matrix of low-level traits from limited samples, which leads to inaccurate estimates and is often computationally prohibitive. It is also difficult for these methods to exclude fixed effects from other covariates such as age, sex and race, in order to identify truly heritable components. We propose to search for a combination of low-level traits and directly maximize the heritability of this combined trait. A quadratic optimization problem is thus derived where the objective function is formulated by decomposing the traditional maximum likelihood method for estimating the heritability of a quantitative trait. The proposed approach can generate linearly-combined traits of high heritability that has been corrected for the fixed effects of covariates. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated in simulations and by a case study of cocaine dependence. Our approach was computationally efficient and derived traits of higher heritability than those by other methods. Additional association analysis with the derived cocaine-use trait identified genetic markers that were replicated in an independent sample, further confirming the utility and advantage of the proposed approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangwen Sun
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Henry R. Kranzler
- Treatment Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Philadelphia VAMC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jinbo Bi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Brandys MK, de Kovel CGF, Kas MJ, van Elburg AA, Adan RAH. Overview of genetic research in anorexia nervosa: The past, the present and the future. Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:814-25. [PMID: 26171770 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though the evidence supporting the presence of a heritable component in the aetiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) is strong, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly understood. The recent publication of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of AN (Boraska, Mol Psychiatry, 2014) was an important step in genetic research in AN. OBJECTIVE To briefly sum up strengths and weaknesses of candidate-gene and genome-wide approaches, to discuss the genome-wide association studies of AN and to make predictions about the genetic architecture of AN by comparing it to that of schizophrenia (since the diseases share some similarities and genetic research in schizophrenia is more advanced). METHOD Descriptive literature review. RESULTS Despite remarkable efforts, the gene-association studies in AN did not advance our knowledge as much as had been hoped, although some results still await replication. DISCUSSION Continuous effort of participants, clinicians and researchers remains necessary to ensure that genetic research in AN follows a similarly successful path as in schizophrenia. Identification of genetic susceptibility loci provides a basis for follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek K Brandys
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Utrecht Research Group for Eating Disorders, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carolien G F de Kovel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Utrecht Research Group for Eating Disorders, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie A van Elburg
- Utrecht Research Group for Eating Disorders, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department Clinical and Health Psychology, Fac. of Social Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Rintveld, Center for Eating Disorders, Altrecht Mental Health Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Roger A H Adan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Utrecht Research Group for Eating Disorders, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Rintveld, Center for Eating Disorders, Altrecht Mental Health Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands
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27
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Sun J, Kranzler HR, Bi J. Refining multivariate disease phenotypes for high chip heritability. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8 Suppl 3:S3. [PMID: 26399736 PMCID: PMC4582350 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8794-8-s3-s3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Statistical genetics shows that the success of both genetic association studies and genomic prediction methods is positively associated with the heritability of the trait used in the analysis. Identifying highly heritable components of a complex disease can thus enhance genetic studies of the disease. Existing heritable component analysis methods use data from related individuals to compute linearly-combined traits to maximize heritability. Recent advances in acquiring genome-wide markers have enhanced heritability estimation using genotypic data from apparently unrelated individuals, which is referred to as the chip heritability. Novel statistical models are thus needed to identify disease components (subtypes) with high chip heritability. Methods We propose an optimization approach to identify highly heritable components of a complex disease as a function of multiple clinical variables. The heritability of the components is estimated directly from unrelated individuals using their genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. The proposed approach can also model the fixed effects due to covariates, such as age and race, so that the derived traits have high chip heritability after correcting for fixed effects. A new sequential quadratic programming algorithm is developed to efficiently solve the proposed optimization problem. Results The proposed algorithm was validated both in simulations and the analysis of a real-world dataset that was aggregated from genetic studies of cocaine, opoid, and alcohol dependence. Simulation studies demonstrated that the proposed approach could identify the hypothesized component from multiple synthesized features. A case study on cocaine dependence (CD) identified a quantitative trait that achieved chip heritability of 0.86 estimated using a cross-validation process. This quantitative trait corresponded to the likelihood of an individual's membership in a CD subtype. Clinical analysis showed that the subtype enclosed individuals who reported heavy use of cocaine but few withdrawal symptoms. Conclusions Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach as a means to find meaningful disease components with high chip heritability.
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28
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ANKS1B Gene Product AIDA-1 Controls Hippocampal Synaptic Transmission by Regulating GluN2B Subunit Localization. J Neurosci 2015; 35:8986-96. [PMID: 26085624 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4029-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are key mediators of glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity, and their dysregulation has been linked to diverse neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. While normal NMDAR function requires regulated expression and trafficking of its different subunits, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are not fully understood. Here we report that the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain associated-1 protein (AIDA-1), which associates with NMDARs and is encoded by ANKS1B, a gene recently linked to schizophrenia, regulates synaptic NMDAR subunit composition. Forebrain-specific AIDA-1 conditional knock-out (cKO) mice exhibit reduced GluN2B-mediated and increased GluN2A-mediated synaptic transmission, and biochemical analyses show AIDA-1 cKO mice have low GluN2B and high GluN2A protein levels at isolated hippocampal synaptic junctions compared with controls. These results are corroborated by immunocytochemical and electrophysiological analyses in primary neuronal cultures following acute lentiviral shRNA-mediated knockdown of AIDA-1. Moreover, hippocampal NMDAR-dependent but not metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent plasticity is impaired in AIDA-1 cKO mice, further supporting a role for AIDA-1 in synaptic NMDAR function. We also demonstrate that AIDA-1 preferentially associates with GluN2B and with the adaptor protein Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase and kinesin KIF17, which regulate the transport of GluN2B-containing NMDARs from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to synapses. Consistent with this function, GluN2B accumulates in ER-enriched fractions in AIDA-1 cKO mice. These findings suggest that AIDA-1 regulates NMDAR subunit composition at synapses by facilitating transport of GluN2B from the ER to synapses, which is critical for NMDAR plasticity. Our work provides an explanation for how AIDA-1 dysfunction might contribute to neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia.
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Can the Five Factor Model of Personality Account for the Variability of Autism Symptom Expression? Multivariate Approaches to Behavioral Phenotyping in Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 46:253-272. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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30
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Genetic variation in melatonin pathway enzymes in children with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid sleep onset delay. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 45:100-10. [PMID: 25059483 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disruption is common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genes whose products regulate endogenous melatonin modify sleep patterns and have been implicated in ASD. Genetic factors likely contribute to comorbid expression of sleep disorders in ASD. We studied a clinically unique ASD subgroup, consisting solely of children with comorbid expression of sleep onset delay. We evaluated variation in two melatonin pathway genes, acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). We observed higher frequencies than currently reported (p < 0.04) for variants evidenced to decrease ASMT expression and related to decreased CYP1A2 enzyme activity (p ≤ 0.0007). We detected a relationship between genotypes in ASMT and CYP1A2 (r(2) = 0.63). Our results indicate that expression of sleep onset delay relates to melatonin pathway genes.
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Barua S, Chadman KK, Kuizon S, Buenaventura D, Stapley NW, Ruocco F, Begum U, Guariglia SR, Brown WT, Junaid MA. Increasing maternal or post-weaning folic acid alters gene expression and moderately changes behavior in the offspring. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101674. [PMID: 25006883 PMCID: PMC4090150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have indicated that altered maternal micronutrients and vitamins influence the development of newborns and altered nutrient exposure throughout the lifetime may have potential health effects and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. In recent years, folic acid (FA) exposure has significantly increased as a result of mandatory FA fortification and supplementation during pregnancy. Since FA modulates DNA methylation and affects gene expression, we investigated whether the amount of FA ingested during gestation alters gene expression in the newborn cerebral hemisphere, and if the increased exposure to FA during gestation and throughout the lifetime alters behavior in C57BL/6J mice. Methods Dams were fed FA either at 0.4 mg or 4 mg/kg diet throughout the pregnancy and the resulting pups were maintained on the diet throughout experimentation. Newborn pups brain cerebral hemispheres were used for microarray analysis. To confirm alteration of several genes, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed. In addition, various behavior assessments were conducted on neonatal and adult offspring. Results Results from microarray analysis suggest that the higher dose of FA supplementation during gestation alters the expression of a number of genes in the newborns’ cerebral hemispheres, including many involved in development. QRT-PCR confirmed alterations of nine genes including down-regulation of Cpn2, Htr4, Zfp353, Vgll2 and up-regulation of Xist, Nkx6-3, Leprel1, Nfix, Slc17a7. The alterations in the expression of Slc17a7 and Vgll2 were confirmed at the protein level. Pups exposed to the higher dose of FA exhibited increased ultrasonic vocalizations, greater anxiety-like behavior and hyperactivity. These findings suggest that although FA plays a significant role in mammalian cellular machinery, there may be a loss of benefit from higher amounts of FA. Unregulated high FA supplementation during pregnancy and throughout the life course may have lasting effects, with alterations in brain development resulting in changes in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subit Barua
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathryn K. Chadman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Salomon Kuizon
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Diego Buenaventura
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathan W. Stapley
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Felicia Ruocco
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Umme Begum
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Sara R. Guariglia
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States of America
| | - W. Ted Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Mohammed A. Junaid
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- Graduate Center and College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Carayol J, Schellenberg GD, Dombroski B, Amiet C, Génin B, Fontaine K, Rousseau F, Vazart C, Cohen D, Frazier TW, Hardan AY, Dawson G, Rio Frio T. A scoring strategy combining statistics and functional genomics supports a possible role for common polygenic variation in autism. Front Genet 2014; 5:33. [PMID: 24600472 PMCID: PMC3927086 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable complex neurodevelopmental disorders with a 4:1 male: female ratio. Common genetic variation could explain 40-60% of the variance in liability to autism. Because of their small effect, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have only identified a small number of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To increase the power of GWASs in complex disorders, methods like convergent functional genomics (CFG) have emerged to extract true association signals from noise and to identify and prioritize genes from SNPs using a scoring strategy combining statistics and functional genomics. We adapted and applied this approach to analyze data from a GWAS performed on families with multiple children affected with autism from Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). We identified a set of 133 candidate markers that were localized in or close to genes with functional relevance in ASD from a discovery population (545 multiplex families); a gender specific genetic score (GS) based on these common variants explained 1% (P = 0.01 in males) and 5% (P = 8.7 × 10(-7) in females) of genetic variance in an independent sample of multiplex families. Overall, our work demonstrates that prioritization of GWAS data based on functional genomics identified common variants associated with autism and provided additional support for a common polygenic background in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard D. Schellenberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA
| | - Beth Dombroski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David Cohen
- Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AP-HP, Université Pierre et Marie CurieParis, France
| | - Thomas W. Frazier
- Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health and Center for Autism, Cleveland ClinicCleveland, OH, USA
| | - Antonio Y. Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford UniversityStanford, CA, USA
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, NC, USA
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Veatch OJ, Veenstra-Vanderweele J, Potter M, Pericak-Vance MA, Haines JL. Genetically meaningful phenotypic subgroups in autism spectrum disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2014; 13:276-85. [PMID: 24373520 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with strong evidence for genetic susceptibility. However, the effect sizes for implicated chromosomal loci are small, hard to replicate and current evidence does not explain the majority of the estimated heritability. Phenotypic heterogeneity could be one phenomenon complicating identification of genetic factors. We used data from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, head circumferences, and ages at exams as classifying variables to identify more clinically similar subgroups of individuals with ASD. We identified two distinct subgroups of cases within the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange dataset, primarily defined by the overall severity of evaluated traits. In addition, there was significant familial clustering within subgroups (odds ratio, OR ≈ 1.38-1.42, P < 0.00001), and genotypes were more similar within subgroups compared to the unsubgrouped dataset (Fst = 0.17 ± 0.0.0009). These results suggest that the subgroups recapitulate genetic etiology. Using the same approach in an independent dataset from the Autism Genome Project, we similarly identified two distinct subgroups of cases and confirmed this severity-based dichotomy. We also observed evidence for genetic contributions to subgroups identified in the replication dataset. Our results provide more effective methods of phenotype definition that should increase power to detect genetic factors influencing risk for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Veatch
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Janušonis S. Functional associations among G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors in the human brain. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:16. [PMID: 24438157 PMCID: PMC3898241 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The activity of neurons is controlled by groups of neurotransmitter receptors rather than by individual receptors. Experimental studies have investigated some receptor interactions, but currently little information is available about transcriptional associations among receptors at the whole-brain level. Results A total of 4950 correlations between 100 G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors were examined across 169 brain regions in the human brain using expression data published in the Allen Human Brain Atlas. A large number of highly significant correlations were found, many of which have not been investigated in hypothesis-driven studies. The highest positive and negative correlations of each receptor are reported, which can facilitate the construction of receptor sets likely to be affected by altered transcription of one receptor (such sets always exist, but their members are difficult to predict). A graph analysis isolated two large receptor communities, within each of which receptor mRNA levels were strongly cross-correlated. Conclusions The presented systematic analysis shows that the mRNA levels of many G protein-coupled receptors are interdependent. This finding is not unexpected, since the brain is a highly integrated complex system. However, the analysis also revealed two novel properties of global brain structure. First, receptor correlations are described by a simple statistical distribution, which suggests that receptor interactions may be guided by qualitatively similar processes. Second, receptors appear to form two large functional communities, which might be differentially affected in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skirmantas Janušonis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
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35
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Stewart BA, Klar AJS. Can bronchoscopic airway anatomy be an indicator of autism? J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 43:911-6. [PMID: 22926922 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1635-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Bronchoscopic evaluations revealed that some children have double branching of bronchi (designated "doublets") in the lower lungs airways, rather than normal, single branching. Retrospective analyses revealed only one commonality in them: all subjects with doublets also had autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That is, 49 subjects exhibited the presence of initial normal anatomy in upper airway followed by doublets in the lower airway. In contrast, the normal branching pattern was noted in all the remaining 410 subjects who did not have a diagnosis of autism/ASD. We propose that the presence of doublets might be an objective, reliable, and valid biologic marker of autism/ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Stewart
- Pediatric Pulmonary Department, Children's Health Center, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
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St Pourcain B, Whitehouse AJO, Ang WQ, Warrington NM, Glessner JT, Wang K, Timpson NJ, Evans DM, Kemp JP, Ring SM, McArdle WL, Golding J, Hakonarson H, Pennell CE, Smith GD. Common variation contributes to the genetic architecture of social communication traits. Mol Autism 2013; 4:34. [PMID: 24047820 PMCID: PMC3853437 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social communication difficulties represent an autistic trait that is highly heritable and persistent during the course of development. However, little is known about the underlying genetic architecture of this phenotype. METHODS We performed a genome-wide association study on parent-reported social communication problems using items of the children's communication checklist (age 10 to 11 years) studying single and/or joint marker effects. Analyses were conducted in a large UK population-based birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children, ALSPAC, N = 5,584) and followed-up within a sample of children with comparable measures from Western Australia (RAINE, N = 1364). RESULTS Two of our seven independent top signals (P-discovery <1.0E-05) were replicated (0.009 CONCLUSION Overall, our study provides both joint and single-SNP-based evidence for the contribution of common polymorphisms to variation in social communication phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate St Pourcain
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Wei Q Ang
- School of Women’s and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Nicole M Warrington
- School of Women’s and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Kai Wang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute & Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - David M Evans
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - John P Kemp
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Susan M Ring
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Wendy L McArdle
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Jean Golding
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | | | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Women’s and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
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Talebizadeh Z, Arking DE, Hu VW. A Novel Stratification Method in Linkage Studies to Address Inter- and Intra-Family Heterogeneity in Autism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67569. [PMID: 23840741 PMCID: PMC3694043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most genome linkage scans for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have failed to be replicated. Recently, a new ASD phenotypic sub-classification method was developed which employed cluster analyses of severity scores from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Here, we performed linkage analysis for each of the four identified ADI-R stratified subgroups. Additional stratification was also applied to reduce intra-family heterogeneity and to investigate the impact of gender. For the purpose of replication, two independent sets of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for 392 families were used in our study. This deep subject stratification protocol resulted in 16 distinct group-specific datasets for linkage analysis. No locus reached significance for the combined non-stratified cohort. However, study-wide significant (P = 0.02) linkage scores were reached for chromosomes 22q11 (LOD = 4.43) and 13q21 (LOD = 4.37) for two subsets representing the most severely language impaired individuals with ASD. Notably, 13q21 has been previously linked to autism with language impairment, and 22q11 has been separately associated with either autism or language disorders. Linkage analysis on chromosome 5p15 for a combination of two stratified female-containing subgroups demonstrated suggestive linkage (LOD = 3.5), which replicates previous linkage result for female-containing pedigrees. A trend was also found for the association of previously reported 5p14-p15 SNPs in the same female-containing cohort. This study demonstrates a novel and effective method to address the heterogeneity in genetic studies of ASD. Moreover, the linkage results for the stratified subgroups provide evidence at the gene scan level for both inter- and intra-family heterogeneity as well as for gender-specific loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Talebizadeh
- Medical Genetics Research, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dan E. Arking
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
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Persico AM, Napolioni V. Autism genetics. Behav Brain Res 2013; 251:95-112. [PMID: 23769996 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe neuropsychiatric disease with strong genetic underpinnings. However, genetic contributions to autism are extremely heterogeneous, with many different loci underlying the disease to a different extent in different individuals. Moreover, the phenotypic expression (i.e., "penetrance") of these genetic components is also highly variable, ranging from fully penetrant point mutations to polygenic forms with multiple gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Furthermore, many genes involved in ASD are also involved in intellectual disability, further underscoring their lack of specificity in phenotypic expression. We shall hereby review current knowledge on the genetic basis of ASD, spanning genetic/genomic syndromes associated with autism, monogenic forms due to copy number variants (CNVs) or rare point mutations, mitochondrial forms, and polygenic autisms. Finally, the recent contributions of genome-wide association and whole exome sequencing studies will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio M Persico
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are highly heritable, and six genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of ASDs have been published to date. In this study, we have integrated the findings from these GWASs with other genetic data to identify enriched genetic networks that are associated with ASDs. We conducted bioinformatics and systematic literature analyses of 200 top-ranked ASD candidate genes from five published GWASs. The sixth GWAS was used for replication and validation of our findings. Further corroborating evidence was obtained through rare genetic variant studies, that is, exome sequencing and copy number variation (CNV) studies, and/or other genetic evidence, including candidate gene association, microRNA and gene expression, gene function and genetic animal studies. We found three signaling networks regulating steroidogenesis, neurite outgrowth and (glutamatergic) synaptic function to be enriched in the data. Most genes from the five GWASs were also implicated--independent of gene size--in ASDs by at least one other line of genomic evidence. Importantly, A-kinase anchor proteins (AKAPs) functionally integrate signaling cascades within and between these networks. The three identified protein networks provide an important contribution to increasing our understanding of the molecular basis of ASDs. In addition, our results point towards the AKAPs as promising targets for developing novel ASD treatments.
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Cai S, Yu G, Chen X, Huang Y, Jiang X, Zhang G, Jin X. Grain protein content variation and its association analysis in barley. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 13:35. [PMID: 23452582 PMCID: PMC3608362 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-13-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grain protein content (GPC) is an important quality determinant for barley used as malt, feed as well as food. It is controlled by a complex genetic system. GPC differs greatly among barley genotypes and is also variable across different environments. It is imperative to understand the genetic control of barley GPC and identify the genotypes with less variation under the different environments. RESULTS In this study, 59 cultivated and 99 Tibetan wild barley genotypes were used for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a multi-platform candidate gene-based association analysis, in order to identify the molecular markers associated with GPC. Tibetan wild barley had higher GPC than cultivated barley. The significant correlation between GPC and diastatic power (DP), and malt extract confirmed the importance of GPC in determining malt quality. Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers associated with barley GPC were detected by GWAS. In addition, GWAS revealed two HvNAM genes as the candidate genes controlling GPC. No association was detected between HvNAM1 polymorphism and GPC, while a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (798, P < 0.01), located within the second intron of HvNAM2, was associated with GPC. There was a significant correlation between haplotypes of HvNAM1, HvNAM2 and GPC in barley. CONCLUSIONS The GWAS and candidate gene based-association study may be effectively used to determine the genetic variation of GPC in barley. The DArT markers and the polymorphism of HvNAM genes identified in this study are useful in developing high quality barley cultivars in the future. HvNAM genes could play a role in controlling barley GPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengguan Cai
- Agronomy Department, Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gang Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Xianhong Chen
- Agronomy Department, Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yechang Huang
- Agronomy Department, Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaogang Jiang
- Department of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325025, China
| | - Guoping Zhang
- Agronomy Department, Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoli Jin
- Agronomy Department, Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Klein S, Sharifi-Hannauer P, Martinez-Agosto JA. Macrocephaly as a clinical indicator of genetic subtypes in autism. Autism Res 2013; 6:51-6. [PMID: 23361946 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
An association between autism and macrocephaly has been previously described. A subset of cases with extreme macrocephaly (>3 standard deviation [SD], 99.7th percentile) have been correlated to mutations in the gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). However, the phenotypic and genetic characterization of the remaining cases remains unclear. We report the phenotypic classification and genetic testing evaluation of a cohort of 33 patients with autism and macrocephaly. Within our cohort, we confirm the association of PTEN mutations and extreme macrocephaly (>3 SD, 99.7th percentile) and identify mutations in 22% of cases, including three novel PTEN mutations. In addition, we define three phenotypic subgroups: (a) those cases associated with somatic overgrowth, (b) those with disproportionate macrocephaly, and (c) those with relative macrocephaly. We have devised a novel way to segregate patients into these subgroups that will aide in the stratification of autism macrocephaly cases. Within these subgroups, we further expand the genetic etiologies for autism cases with macrocephaly by describing two novel suspected pathogenic copy number variants located at 6q23.2 and 10q24.32. These findings demonstrate the phenotypic heterogeneity of autism cases associated with macrocephaly and their genetic etiologies. The clinical yield from PTEN mutation analysis is 22% and 9% from chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing within this cohort. The identification of three distinct phenotypic subgroups within macrocephaly autism patients may allow for the identification of their respective distinct genetic etiologies that to date have remained elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Hu VW. The expanding genomic landscape of autism: discovering the 'forest' beyond the 'trees'. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2013; 8:29-42. [PMID: 23637569 DOI: 10.2217/fnl.12.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by significant deficits in reciprocal social interactions, impaired communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. As autism spectrum disorders are among the most heritable of neuropsychiatric disorders, much of autism research has focused on the search for genetic variants in protein-coding genes (i.e., the 'trees'). However, no single gene can account for more than 1% of the cases of autism spectrum disorders. Yet, genome-wide association studies have often identified statistically significant associations of genetic variations in regions of DNA that do not code for proteins (i.e., intergenic regions). There is increasing evidence that such noncoding regions are actively transcribed and may participate in the regulation of genes, including genes on different chromosomes. This article summarizes evidence that suggests that the research spotlight needs to be expanded to encompass far-reaching gene-regulatory mechanisms that include a variety of epigenetic modifications, as well as noncoding RNA (i.e., the 'forest'). Given that noncoding RNA represents over 90% of the transcripts in most cells, we may be observing just the 'tip of the iceberg' or the 'edge of the forest' in the genomic landscape of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., N.W., Washington, DC 20037, USA Tel.: +1 202 994 8431
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Han B, Chen XW, Talebizadeh Z, Xu H. Genetic studies of complex human diseases: characterizing SNP-disease associations using Bayesian networks. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2012; 6 Suppl 3:S14. [PMID: 23281790 PMCID: PMC3524021 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-6-s3-s14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detecting epistatic interactions plays a significant role in improving pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex human diseases. Applying machine learning or statistical methods to epistatic interaction detection will encounter some common problems, e.g., very limited number of samples, an extremely high search space, a large number of false positives, and ways to measure the association between disease markers and the phenotype. RESULTS To address the problems of computational methods in epistatic interaction detection, we propose a score-based Bayesian network structure learning method, EpiBN, to detect epistatic interactions. We apply the proposed method to both simulated datasets and three real disease datasets. Experimental results on simulation data show that our method outperforms some other commonly-used methods in terms of power and sample-efficiency, and is especially suitable for detecting epistatic interactions with weak or no marginal effects. Furthermore, our method is scalable to real disease data. CONCLUSIONS We propose a Bayesian network-based method, EpiBN, to detect epistatic interactions. In EpiBN, we develop a new scoring function, which can reflect higher-order epistatic interactions by estimating the model complexity from data, and apply a fast Branch-and-Bound algorithm to learn the structure of a two-layer Bayesian network containing only one target node. To make our method scalable to real data, we propose the use of a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to perform the screening process. Applications of the proposed method to some real GWAS (genome-wide association studies) datasets may provide helpful insights into understanding the genetic basis of Age-related Macular Degeneration, late-onset Alzheimer's disease, and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Han
- Bioinformatics and Computational Life-Sciences Laboratory, ITTC, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Kansas, 1520 West 15th Street, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Xue-wen Chen
- Department of Computer Science Wayne State University Detroit, MI 48202
| | - Zohreh Talebizadeh
- Children's Mercy Hospital and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Hua Xu
- School of Biomedical Informatics The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX 77030
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Chen A, Kelley LD, Janušonis S. Effects of prenatal stress and monoaminergic perturbations on the expression of serotonin 5-HT4 and adrenergic β2 receptors in the embryonic mouse telencephalon. Brain Res 2012; 1459:27-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Janušonis S. Direct interaction with no correlation: An experimental pitfall in neural systems. J Neurosci Methods 2012; 206:151-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2012.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 02/11/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Hertz-Picciotto I, Nguyen DV, Lee NL, Berry CA, Farzadegan H, Hess HN, Landa RJ, Levy SE, Massolo ML, Meyerer SC, Mohammed SM, Oliver MC, Ozonoff S, Pandey J, Schroeder A, Shedd-Wise KM. Infant siblings and the investigation of autism risk factors. J Neurodev Disord 2012; 4:7. [PMID: 22958474 PMCID: PMC3436647 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Infant sibling studies have been at the vanguard of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) research over the past decade, providing important new knowledge about the earliest emerging signs of ASD and expanding our understanding of the developmental course of this complex disorder. Studies focused on siblings of children with ASD also have unrealized potential for contributing to ASD etiologic research. Moving targeted time of enrollment back from infancy toward conception creates tremendous opportunities for optimally studying risk factors and risk biomarkers during the pre-, peri- and neonatal periods. By doing so, a traditional sibling study, which already incorporates close developmental follow-up of at-risk infants through the third year of life, is essentially reconfigured as an enriched-risk pregnancy cohort study. This review considers the enriched-risk pregnancy cohort approach of studying infant siblings in the context of current thinking on ASD etiologic mechanisms. It then discusses the key features of this approach and provides a description of the design and implementation strategy of one major ASD enriched-risk pregnancy cohort study: the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J Newschaffer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel School of Public Health, 1505 Race Street, Mail Stop 1033, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Danh V Nguyen
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nora L Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel School of Public Health, 1505 Race Street, Mail Stop 1033, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Carmen A Berry
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Homayoon Farzadegan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - H Nicole Hess
- Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, 6620 Via Del Oro, San Jose, CA 95119, USA
| | - Rebecca J Landa
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Avenue, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
| | - Susan E Levy
- Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market Street, Suite 860, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maria L Massolo
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Stacey C Meyerer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sandra M Mohammed
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - McKenzie C Oliver
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- The MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market Street, Suite 860, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam Schroeder
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kristine M Shedd-Wise
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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47
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Hu VW. From genes to environment: using integrative genomics to build a "systems-level" understanding of autism spectrum disorders. Child Dev 2012; 84:89-103. [PMID: 22497667 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an estimated 1 in 110 individuals. Although there is a strong genetic component associated with these disorders, this review focuses on the multifactorial nature of ASD and how different genome-wide (genomic) approaches contribute to our understanding of autism. Emphasis is placed on the need to study defined ASD phenotypes as well as to integrate large-scale "omics" data in order to develop a "systems-level" perspective of ASD, which in turn is necessary to allow predictions regarding responses to specific perturbations and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie W Hu
- The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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48
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Ragunath PK, Chitra R, Mohammad S, Abhinand PA. A systems biological study on the comorbidity of autism spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder. Bioinformation 2011; 7:102-6. [PMID: 22125377 PMCID: PMC3218309 DOI: 10.6026/97320630007102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a "spectrum" of disorders, characterized by varying degrees of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Among Psychiatric disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders have the strongest evidence for a genetic basis, yet the search for specific genes contributing to these often devastating developmental syndromes has proven extraordinarily difficult. Bipolar Disorder (BP) is a manic-depressive disorder whose symptoms are characterized by extremities in moods. It is also called as the "Mood disorder". BP, like, ASD also has a strong genetic basis and identification of the candidate genes still remains an ongoing effort. Literature studies point to the hypothesis that ASD and BP have good chances of comorbidity and that they may share common pathways for their manifestation. But this hypothesis has not been worked on in depth. Thus, the study focuses on identifying the chances of their comorbidity by identifying their common pathways and the genes involved in the pathways and also discuss the degree of chances of their comorbidity based on the genes involved in the common pathways. Networks for the genes are also constructed to represent their commonness or uniqueness for the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- PK Ragunath
- Department of Bioinformatics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai – 600 116, India
| | - R Chitra
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Madras, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032, India
| | - Shiek Mohammad
- Department of Bioinformatics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai – 600 116, India
| | - PA Abhinand
- Department of Bioinformatics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai – 600 116, India
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49
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Jin X, Wei K, Zhang G. A genome-wide association analysis of quantitative trait loci for protein fraction content in Tibetan wild barley. Biotechnol Lett 2011; 34:159-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-011-0736-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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50
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Toruner GA, Tolias P. Research Highlights. Per Med 2011. [DOI: 10.2217/pme.11.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gokce A Toruner
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB F661, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - Peter Tolias
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB F661, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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