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Azam HMH, Rößling RI, Geithe C, Khan MM, Dinter F, Hanack K, Prüß H, Husse B, Roggenbuck D, Schierack P, Rödiger S. MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1386735. [PMID: 38883980 PMCID: PMC11177777 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1386735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by abnormalities within neurons of the brain or spinal cord that gradually lose function, eventually leading to cell death. Upon examination of affected tissue, pathological changes reveal a loss of synapses, misfolded proteins, and activation of immune cells-all indicative of disease progression-before severe clinical symptoms become apparent. Early detection of NDs is crucial for potentially administering targeted medications that may delay disease advancement. Given their complex pathophysiological features and diverse clinical symptoms, there is a pressing need for sensitive and effective diagnostic methods for NDs. Biomarkers such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential tools for detecting these diseases. We explore the pivotal role of miRNAs in the context of NDs, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The review delves into the intricate relationship between aging and NDs, highlighting structural and functional alterations in the aging brain and their implications for disease development. It elucidates how miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins are implicated in the pathogenesis of NDs and underscores the importance of investigating their expression and function in aging. Significantly, miRNAs exert substantial influence on post-translational modifications (PTMs), impacting not just the nervous system but a wide array of tissues and cell types as well. Specific miRNAs have been found to target proteins involved in ubiquitination or de-ubiquitination processes, which play a significant role in regulating protein function and stability. We discuss the link between miRNA, PTM, and NDs. Additionally, the review discusses the significance of miRNAs as biomarkers for early disease detection, offering insights into diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Muhammad Husnain Azam
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Rosa Ilse Rößling
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Geithe
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Moman Khan
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Dinter
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- PolyAn GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Hanack
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Harald Prüß
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Britta Husse
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Roggenbuck
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schierack
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rödiger
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Vancheri C, Quatrana A, Morini E, Mariotti C, Mongelli A, Fichera M, Rufini A, Condò I, Testi R, Novelli G, Malisan F, Amati F. An RNA-seq study in Friedreich ataxia patients identified hsa-miR-148a-3p as a putative prognostic biomarker of the disease. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:50. [PMID: 38778374 PMCID: PMC11110315 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a life-threatening hereditary ataxia; its incidence is 1:50,000 individuals in the Caucasian population. A unique therapeutic drug for FRDA, the antioxidant Omaveloxolone, has been recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FRDA is a multi-systemic neurodegenerative disease; in addition to a progressive neurodegeneration, FRDA is characterized by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal deformities. Cardiomyopathy is the predominant cause of premature death. The onset of FRDA typically occurs between the ages of 5 and 15. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of clinical features and the variability of their onset, the identification of biomarkers capable of assessing disease progression and monitoring the efficacy of treatments is essential to facilitate decision making in clinical practice. We conducted an RNA-seq analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from FRDA patients and healthy donors, identifying a signature of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) capable of distinguishing healthy individuals from the majority of FRDA patients. Among the differentially expressed sncRNAs, microRNAs are a class of small non-coding endogenous RNAs that regulate posttranscriptional silencing of target genes. In FRDA plasma samples, hsa-miR-148a-3p resulted significantly upregulated. The analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, combining the circulating expression levels of hsa-miR-148a-3p and hsa-miR-223-3p (previously identified by our group), revealed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.86 (95%, Confidence Interval 0.77-0.95; p-value < 0.0001). An in silico prediction analysis indicated that the IL6ST gene, an interesting marker of neuroinflammation in FRDA, is a common target gene of both miRNAs. Our findings support the evaluation of combined expression levels of different circulating miRNAs as potent epi-biomarkers in FRDA. Moreover, we found hsa-miR-148a-3p significantly over-expressed in Intermediate and Late-Onset Friedreich Ataxia patients' group (IOG and LOG, respectively) compared to healthy individuals, indicating it as a putative prognostic biomarker in this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Vancheri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Andrea Quatrana
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Bambino Gesù, Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Morini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Mario Fichera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, 00131, Italy
| | - Ivano Condò
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Roberto Testi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
- Neuromed Institute, IRCCS, Pozzilli, 86077, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Florence Malisan
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
| | - Francesca Amati
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Genetics Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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3
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Kim KH, Hong EP, Lee Y, McLean ZL, Elezi E, Lee R, Kwak S, McAllister B, Massey TH, Lobanov S, Holmans P, Orth M, Ciosi M, Monckton DG, Long JD, Lucente D, Wheeler VC, MacDonald ME, Gusella JF, Lee JM. Posttranscriptional regulation of FAN1 by miR-124-3p at rs3512 underlies onset-delaying genetic modification in Huntington's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322924121. [PMID: 38607933 PMCID: PMC11032436 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322924121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many Mendelian disorders, such as Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias, arise from expansions of CAG trinucleotide repeats. Despite the clear genetic causes, additional genetic factors may influence the rate of those monogenic disorders. Notably, genome-wide association studies discovered somewhat expected modifiers, particularly mismatch repair genes involved in the CAG repeat instability, impacting age at onset of HD. Strikingly, FAN1, previously unrelated to repeat instability, produced the strongest HD modification signals. Diverse FAN1 haplotypes independently modify HD, with rare genetic variants diminishing DNA binding or nuclease activity of the FAN1 protein, hastening HD onset. However, the mechanism behind the frequent and the most significant onset-delaying FAN1 haplotype lacking missense variations has remained elusive. Here, we illustrated that a microRNA acting on 3'-UTR (untranslated region) SNP rs3512, rather than transcriptional regulation, is responsible for the significant FAN1 expression quantitative trait loci signal and allelic imbalance in FAN1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), accounting for the most significant and frequent onset-delaying modifier haplotype in HD. Specifically, miR-124-3p selectively targets the reference allele at rs3512, diminishing the stability of FAN1 mRNA harboring that allele and consequently reducing its levels. Subsequent validation analyses, including the use of antagomir and 3'-UTR reporter vectors with swapped alleles, confirmed the specificity of miR-124-3p at rs3512. Together, these findings indicate that the alternative allele at rs3512 renders the FAN1 mRNA less susceptible to miR-124-3p-mediated posttranscriptional regulation, resulting in increased FAN1 levels and a subsequent delay in HD onset by mitigating CAG repeat instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Hee Kim
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Eun Pyo Hong
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Yukyeong Lee
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Zachariah L. McLean
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Emanuela Elezi
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
| | | | | | - Branduff McAllister
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CardiffCF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas H. Massey
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CardiffCF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sergey Lobanov
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CardiffCF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Holmans
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CardiffCF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Orth
- University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bern University, CH-3000Bern 60, Switzerland
| | - Marc Ciosi
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Darren G. Monckton
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey D. Long
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA52242
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA52242
| | - Diane Lucente
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
| | - Vanessa C. Wheeler
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Marcy E. MacDonald
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - James F. Gusella
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
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4
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Rather MA, Khan A, Wang L, Jahan S, Rehman MU, Makeen HA, Mohan S. TRP channels: Role in neurodegenerative diseases and therapeutic targets. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16910. [PMID: 37332910 PMCID: PMC10272313 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
TRP (Transient receptor potential) channels are integral membrane proteins consisting of a superfamily of cation channels that allow permeability of both monovalent and divalent cations. TRP channels are subdivided into six subfamilies: TRPC, TRPV, TRPM, TRPP, TRPML, and TRPA, and are expressed in almost every cell and tissue. TRPs play an instrumental role in the regulation of various physiological processes. TRP channels are extensively represented in brain tissues and are present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, exhibiting responses to several mechanisms, including physical, chemical, and thermal stimuli. TRP channels are involved in the perturbation of Ca2+ homeostasis in intracellular calcium stores, both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and its discrepancy leads to several neuronal disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TRPs participate in neurite outgrowth, receptor signaling, and excitotoxic cell death in the central nervous system. Understanding the mechanism of TRP channels in neurodegenerative diseases may extend to developing novel therapies. Thus, this review articulates TRP channels' physiological and pathological role in exploring new therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mashoque Ahmad Rather
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Bryd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Bryd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
| | - Sadaf Jahan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majma'ah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneeb U. Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hafiz A. Makeen
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
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5
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Quatrana A, Morini E, Tiano F, Vancheri C, Panarello L, Romano S, Marcotulli C, Casali C, Mariotti C, Mongelli A, Fichera M, Rufini A, Condò I, Novelli G, Testi R, Amati F, Malisan F. Hsa-miR223-3p circulating level is upregulated in Friedreich's ataxia and inversely associated with HCLS1 associated protein X-1, HAX-1. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:2010-2022. [PMID: 35015850 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frataxin (FXN) deficiency is responsible for Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) in which, besides the characteristic features of spinocerebellar ataxia, two thirds of patients develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that often progresses to heart failure and premature death. Different mechanisms might underlie FRDA pathogenesis. Among them, the role of miRNAs deserves investigations. We carried out a miRNA PCR-array analysis of plasma samples of early-, intermediate- and late-onset FRDA groups, defining a set of 30 differentially expressed miRNAs. Hsa-miR223-3p is the only miRNA shared between the three patient groups and appears upregulated in all of them. The upregulation of hsa-miR223-3p was further validated in all enrolled patients (n = 37, Fc = +2.3; p < 0.0001). Using a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we quantified the predictive value of circulating hsa-miR223-3p for FRDA, obtaining an AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) value of 0.835 (p < 0.0001) for all patients. Interestingly, we found a significant positive correlation between hsa-miR223-3p expression and cardiac parameters in typical FRDA patients (onset < 25 years). Moreover, a significant negative correlation between hsa-miR223-3p expression and HAX-1 (HCLS1 associated protein X-1) at mRNA and protein level was observed in all FRDA patients. In silico analyses suggested HAX-1 as a target gene of hsa-miR223-3p. Accordingly, we report that HAX-1 is negatively regulated by hsa-miR223-3p in cardiomyocytes (AC16) and neurons (SH-SY5Y), which are critically affected cell types in FRDA. This study describes for the first time the association between hsa-miR223-3p and HAX-1 expression in FRDA, thus supporting a potential role of this microRNA as non-invasive epigenetic biomarker for FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Quatrana
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Morini
- Section of Medical Genetics, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Tiano
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.,Unit of Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Vancheri
- Section of Medical Genetics, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Panarello
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Romano
- Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Casali
- Dept. of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino-Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Fichera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufini
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.,Fratagene Therapeutics Srl, Rome, 00144 Rome, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Condò
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Section of Medical Genetics, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.,Neuromed Institute, IRCCS, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Roberto Testi
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.,Fratagene Therapeutics Srl, Rome, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Amati
- Section of Medical Genetics, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.,Department for the Promotion of Human Science and Quality of Life, University San Raffaele, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Florence Malisan
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
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6
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Maalej M, Kammoun F, Kharrat M, Bouchaala W, Ammar M, Mkaouar-Rebai E, Triki C, Fakhfakh F. A first description of ataxia with vitamin E deficiency associated with MT-TG gene mutation. Acta Neurol Belg 2021; 121:1733-1740. [PMID: 32979145 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-020-01490-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ataxia with isolated vitamin E deficiency (AVED) is a rare autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia disorder that is caused by a mutation in the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein gene TTPA, leading to a lower level of serum vitamin E. Although it is almost clinically similar to Friedreich's ataxia, its devastating neurological features can be prevented with appropriate treatment. In this study, we present a patient who was initially diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, but was later found to have AVED. Frataxin gene screening revealed the absence of GAA expansion in homozygous or heterozygous state. However, TTPAgene sequencing showed the presence of the c.744delA mutation, leading to a premature stop codon (p.E249fx). In addition, the result of mutational analysis of MT-DNA genes revealed the presence of several variants, including the m.10044A>G mutation in MT-TG gene. Here, we report for the first time the coexistence of both mitochondrial and nuclear genes mutations in AVED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Maalej
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Fatma Kammoun
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology research (UR12ES 16), C.H.U. Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Kharrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Bouchaala
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology research (UR12ES 16), C.H.U. Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Ammar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Emna Mkaouar-Rebai
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Chahnez Triki
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology research (UR12ES 16), C.H.U. Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Faiza Fakhfakh
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
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7
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Chiang S, Huang MLH, Park KC, Richardson DR. Antioxidant defense mechanisms and its dysfunctional regulation in the mitochondrial disease, Friedreich's ataxia. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 159:177-188. [PMID: 32739593 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Redox stress is associated with the pathogenesis of a wide variety of disease states. This can be amplified potentially through redox active iron deposits in oxidatively active organelles such as the mitochondrion. There are a number of disease states, including Friedreich's ataxia (FA) and sideroblastic anemia, where iron metabolism is dysregulated and leads to mitochondrial iron accumulation. Considering FA, which is due to the decreased expression of the mitochondrial protein, frataxin, this iron accumulation does not occur within protective storage proteins such as mitochondrial ferritin. Instead, it forms unbound biomineral aggregates composed of high spin iron(III), phosphorous and sulfur, which probably contributes to the observed redox stress. There is also a dysregulated response to the ensuing redox assault, as the master regulator of oxidative stress, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), demonstrates marked down-regulation. The dysfunctional response of Nrf2 in FA is due to multiple mechanisms including: (1) up-regulation of Keap1 that is involved in Nrf2 degradation; (2) activation of the nuclear Nrf2 export/degradation machinery via glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk3β) signaling; and (3) inhibited nuclear translocation of Nrf2. More recently, increased microRNA (miRNA) 144 expression has been demonstrated to down-regulate Nrf2 in several disease states, including an animal model of FA. Other miRNAs have also demonstrated to be dysregulated upon frataxin depletion in vivo in humans and animal models of FA. Collectively, frataxin depletion results in multiple, complex responses that lead to detrimental redox effects that could contribute to the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chiang
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - M L H Huang
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - K C Park
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - D R Richardson
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia; Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Centre for Cancer Cell Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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8
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Paul S, Bravo Vázquez LA, Pérez Uribe S, Roxana Reyes-Pérez P, Sharma A. Current Status of microRNA-Based Therapeutic Approaches in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071698. [PMID: 32679881 PMCID: PMC7407981 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a key gene regulator and play essential roles in several biological and pathological mechanisms in the human system. In recent years, plenty of miRNAs have been identified to be involved in the development of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), thus making them an attractive option for therapeutic approaches. Hence, in this review, we provide an overview of the current research of miRNA-based therapeutics for a selected set of NDDs, either for their high prevalence or lethality, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Friedreich's Ataxia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Frontotemporal Dementia. We also discuss the relevant delivery techniques, pertinent outcomes, their limitations, and their potential to become a new generation of human therapeutic drugs in the near future.
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9
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Misiorek JO, Schreiber AM, Urbanek-Trzeciak MO, Jazurek-Ciesiołka M, Hauser LA, Lynch DR, Napierala JS, Napierala M. A Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis Identifies FXN and BDNF as Novel Targets of miRNAs in Friedreich's Ataxia Patients. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2639-2653. [PMID: 32291635 PMCID: PMC7253519 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01899-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease that is caused by guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) nucleotide repeat expansions in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene. Although present in the intron, this mutation leads to a substantial decrease in protein expression. Currently, no effective treatment is available for FRDA, and, in addition to FXN, other targets with therapeutic potential are continuously sought. As miRNAs can regulate the expression of a broad spectrum of genes, are used as biomarkers, and can serve as therapeutic tools, we decided to identify and characterize differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets in FRDA cells compared to unaffected control (CTRL) cells. In this study, we performed an integrated miRNAseq and RNAseq analysis using the same cohort of primary FRDA and CTRL cells. The results of the transcriptome studies were supported by bioinformatic analyses and validated by qRT-PCR. miRNA interactions with target genes were assessed by luciferase assays, qRT-PCR, and immunoblotting. In silico analysis identified the FXN transcript as a target of five miRNAs upregulated in FRDA cells. Further studies confirmed that miRNA-224-5p indeed targets FXN, resulting in decreases in mRNA and protein levels. We also validated the ability of miRNA-10a-5p to bind and regulate the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important modulator of neuronal growth. We observed a significant decrease in the levels of miRNA-10a-5p and increase in the levels of BDNF upon correction of FRDA cells via zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN)-mediated excision of expanded GAA repeats. Our comprehensive transcriptome analyses identified miRNA-224-5p and miRNA-10a-5p as negative regulators of the FXN and BDNF expression, respectively. These results emphasize not only the importance of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of FRDA but also their potential as therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia O. Misiorek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna M. Schreiber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | | | | | - Lauren A. Hauser
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - David R. Lynch
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Jill S. Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Marek Napierala
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
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10
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Stepanova A, Magrané J. Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons in Friedreich's ataxia. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 102:103419. [PMID: 31770591 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.103419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is a multisystemic genetic disorder within the family of mitochondrial diseases that is characterized by reduced levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on clinical evidence, the peripheral nervous system is affected early, neuronal dysfunction progresses towards the central nervous system, and other organs (such as heart and pancreas) are affected later. However, little attention has been given to the specific aspects of mitochondria function altered by frataxin depletion in the nervous system. For years, commonly accepted views on mitochondria dysfunction in Friedreich's ataxia stemmed from studies using non-neuronal systems and may not apply to neurons, which have their own bioenergetic needs and present a unique, extensive neurite network. Moreover, the basis of the selective neuronal vulnerability, which primarily affects large sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia, large principal neurons in the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum, and pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex, remains elusive. In order to identify potential misbeliefs in the field and highlight controversies, we reviewed current knowledge on frataxin expression in different tissues, discussed the molecular function of frataxin, and the consequences of its deficiency for mitochondria structural and functional properties, with a focus on the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stepanova
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Jordi Magrané
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America.
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11
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Abstract
Epigenetics is a growing field of knowledge that is changing our understanding of pathologic processes. For many cerebellar disorders, recent discoveries of epigenetic mechanisms help us to understand their pathophysiology. In this chapter, a short explanation of each epigenetic mechanism (including methylation, histone modification, and miRNA) is followed by references to those cerebellar disorders in which relevant epigenetic advances have been made. The importance of normal timing and distribution of methylation during neurodevelopment is explained. Abnormal methylation and altered gene expression in the developing cerebellum have been related to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. DNA packaging by histones is another important epigenetic mechanism in cerebellar functioning. Current knowledge of histone abnormalities in cerebellar diseases such as Friedreich ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxias is reviewed, including implications for new therapeutic approaches to these degenerative diseases. Finally, micro RNAs, the third mechanism to modulate DNA expression, and their role in normal cerebellar development and disease are described. Understanding how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms interact not only in normal cerebellar development but also in disease is a great challenge. However, such understanding will lead to promising new therapeutic possibilities as is already occurring in other areas of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Serrano
- Pediatric Neurology Department and Pediatric Institute for Genetic Medicine and Rare Diseases, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu; and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
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12
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Valenti D, Braidy N, De Rasmo D, Signorile A, Rossi L, Atanasov AG, Volpicella M, Henrion-Caude A, Nabavi SM, Vacca RA. Mitochondria as pharmacological targets in Down syndrome. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 114:69-83. [PMID: 28838841 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a pivotal role in cellular energy-generating processes and are considered master regulators of cell life and death fate. Mitochondrial function integrates signalling networks in several metabolic pathways controlling neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Indeed, dysfunctional mitochondria and mitochondrial-dependent activation of intracellular stress cascades are critical initiating events in many human neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental diseases including Down syndrome (DS). It is well established that trisomy of human chromosome 21 can cause DS. DS is associated with neurodevelopmental delay, intellectual disability and early neurodegeneration. Recently, molecular mechanisms responsible for mitochondrial damage and energy deficits have been identified and characterized in several DS-derived human cells and animal models of DS. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria could have great potential for new treatment regimens in DS. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent studies concerning mitochondrial impairment in DS, focusing on alterations of the molecular pathways controlling mitochondrial function. We will also discuss the effects and molecular mechanisms of naturally occurring and chemically synthetized drugs that exert neuroprotective effects through modulation of mitochondrial function and attenuation of oxidative stress. These compounds might represent novel therapeutic tools for the modulation of energy deficits in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Valenti
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, Bari, Italy
| | - Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Domenico De Rasmo
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Signorile
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A G Atanasov
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, Poland; Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alexandra Henrion-Caude
- INSERM U1163, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, GenAtlas Platform, 24 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75015 Paris, France
| | - S M Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - R A Vacca
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, Bari, Italy.
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13
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Circulating miR-323-3p is a biomarker for cardiomyopathy and an indicator of phenotypic variability in Friedreich's ataxia patients. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5237. [PMID: 28701783 PMCID: PMC5507909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04996-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that contribute to gene expression modulation by regulating important cellular pathways. In this study, we used small RNA sequencing to identify a series of circulating miRNAs in blood samples taken from Friedreich’s ataxia patients. We were thus able to develop a miRNA biomarker signature to differentiate Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) patients from healthy people. Most research on FDRA has focused on understanding the role of frataxin in the mitochondria, and a whole molecular view of pathological pathways underlying FRDA therefore remains to be elucidated. We found seven differentially expressed miRNAs, and we propose that these miRNAs represent key mechanisms in the modulation of several signalling pathways that regulate the physiopathology of FRDA. If this is the case, miRNAs can be used to characterize phenotypic variation in FRDA and stratify patients’ risk of cardiomyopathy. In this study, we identify miR-323-3p as a candidate marker for phenotypic differentiation in FRDA patients suffering from cardiomyopathy. We propose the use of dynamic miRNAs as biomarkers for phenotypic characterization and prognosis of FRDA.
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14
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Moszyńska A, Gebert M, Collawn JF, Bartoszewski R. SNPs in microRNA target sites and their potential role in human disease. Open Biol 2017; 7:170019. [PMID: 28381629 PMCID: PMC5413909 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the post-genomic era, the goal of personalized medicine is to determine the correlation between genotype and phenotype. Developing high-throughput genotyping technologies such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and the 1000 Genomes Project (http://www.internationalgenome.org/about/#1000G_PROJECT) has dramatically enhanced our ability to map where changes in the genome occur on a population level by identifying millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Polymorphisms, particularly those within the coding regions of proteins and at splice junctions, have received the most attention, but it is also now clear that polymorphisms in the non-coding regions are important. In these non-coding regions, the enhancer and promoter regions have received the most attention, whereas the 3'-UTR regions have until recently been overlooked. In this review, we examine how SNPs affect microRNA-binding sites in these regions, and how mRNA stability changes can lead to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Moszyńska
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Gebert
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - James F Collawn
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rafał Bartoszewski
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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15
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Viswambharan V, Thanseem I, Vasu MM, Poovathinal SA, Anitha A. miRNAs as biomarkers of neurodegenerative disorders. Biomark Med 2017; 11:151-167. [PMID: 28125293 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2016-0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the result of progressive deterioration of neurons, ultimately leading to disabilities. There is no effective cure for NDDs at present; ongoing therapies are mainly aimed at treating the most bothersome symptoms. Since early treatment is crucial in NDDs, there is an urgent need for specific and sensitive biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis of these disorders. Recently, altered expression of miRNAs has been implicated in several neurological disorders, including NDDs. miRNA expression has been extensively investigated in the cells, tissues and body fluids of patients with different types of NDDs. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijitha Viswambharan
- Department of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative & Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India
| | - Ismail Thanseem
- Department of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative & Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India
| | - Mahesh M Vasu
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431 3192, Japan
| | - Suresh A Poovathinal
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Communicative & Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India
| | - Ayyappan Anitha
- Department of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative & Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India
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16
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Shanmugasundaram K, Block K. Renal Carcinogenesis, Tumor Heterogeneity, and Reactive Oxygen Species: Tactics Evolved. Antioxid Redox Signal 2016; 25:685-701. [PMID: 27287984 PMCID: PMC5069729 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2015.6569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The number of kidney cancers is growing 3-5% each year due to unknown etiologies. Intra- and inter-tumor mediators increase oxidative stress and drive tumor heterogeneity. Recent Advances: Technology advancement in state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies allows researchers to detect and characterize global landscaping modifications in genes, proteins, and pathophysiology patterns at the single-cell level. CRITICAL ISSUES We postulate that the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their activation within subcellular compartments will change over a timeline of tumor evolvement and contribute to tumor heterogeneity. Therefore, the complexity of intracellular changes within a tumor and ROS-induced tumor heterogeneity coupled to the advancement of detecting these events globally are limited at the level of data collection, organization, and interpretation using software algorithms and bioinformatics. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Integrative and collaborative research, combining the power of numbers with careful experimental design, protocol development, and data interpretation, will translate cancer biology and therapeutics to a heightened level or leave the abundant raw data as stagnant and underutilized. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 685-701.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Block
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital Division, San Antonio, Texas
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17
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Human genetic variation and its effect on miRNA biogenesis, activity and function. Biochem Soc Trans 2015; 42:1184-9. [PMID: 25110023 DOI: 10.1042/bst20140055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
miRNAs are small non-coding regulators of gene expression that are estimated to regulate over 60% of all human genes. Each miRNA can target multiple mRNA targets and as such, miRNAs are responsible for some of the 'fine tuning' of gene expression and are implicated in regulation of all cellular processes. miRNAs bind to target genes by sequence complementarity, resulting in target degradation or translational blocking and usually a reduction in target gene expression. Like mRNA, miRNAs are transcribed from genomic DNA and are processed in several steps that are heavily reliant on correct secondary and tertiary structure. Secondary structure is determined by RNA sequence, which is in turn determined by the sequence of the genome. The human genome, however, like most eukaryotes is variable. Large numbers of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), small insertions and deletions (indels) and CNVs (copy number variants) have been described in our genome. Should this genetic variation occur in regions critical for the correct secondary structure or target binding, it may interfere with normal gene regulation and cause disease. In this review, we outline the consequences of genetic variation involving different aspects of miRNA biosynthesis, processing and regulation, with selected examples of incidences when this has potential to affect human disease.
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18
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Tan JY, Vance KW, Varela MA, Sirey T, Watson LM, Curtis HJ, Marinello M, Alves S, Steinkraus B, Cooper S, Nesterova T, Brockdorff N, Fulga T, Brice A, Sittler A, Oliver PL, Wood MJ, Ponting CP, Marques AC. Cross-talking noncoding RNAs contribute to cell-specific neurodegeneration in SCA7. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2014; 21:955-961. [PMID: 25306109 PMCID: PMC4255225 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
What causes the tissue-specific pathology of diseases resulting from mutations in housekeeping genes? Specifically, in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG-repeat expansion in ATXN7 (which encodes an essential component of the mammalian transcription coactivation complex, STAGA), the factors underlying the characteristic progressive cerebellar and retinal degeneration in patients were unknown. We found that STAGA is required for the transcription initiation of miR-124, which in turn mediates the post-transcriptional cross-talk between lnc-SCA7, a conserved long noncoding RNA, and ATXN7 mRNA. In SCA7, mutations in ATXN7 disrupt these regulatory interactions and result in a neuron-specific increase in ATXN7 expression. Strikingly, in mice this increase is most prominent in the SCA7 disease-relevant tissues, namely the retina and cerebellum. Our results illustrate how noncoding RNA-mediated feedback regulation of a ubiquitously expressed housekeeping gene may contribute to specific neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Y Tan
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keith W Vance
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A Varela
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tamara Sirey
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren M Watson
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Cape Town, Division of Human Genetics, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helen J Curtis
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Martina Marinello
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moëlle épinière, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France
- Inserm, U 975, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France
- Département de Génétique et Cytogénétique, APHP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Sandro Alves
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moëlle épinière, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France
- Inserm, U 975, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France
- Département de Génétique et Cytogénétique, APHP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Steinkraus
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Cooper
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tatyana Nesterova
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Brockdorff
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tudor Fulga
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alexis Brice
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moëlle épinière, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France
- Inserm, U 975, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France
- Département de Génétique et Cytogénétique, APHP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Annie Sittler
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moëlle épinière, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France
- Inserm, U 975, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France
| | - Peter L Oliver
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Wood
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Cape Town, Division of Human Genetics, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chris P Ponting
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana C Marques
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, United Kingdom
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19
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Valenti D, de Bari L, De Filippis B, Henrion-Caude A, Vacca RA. Mitochondrial dysfunction as a central actor in intellectual disability-related diseases: An overview of Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X and Rett syndrome. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 46 Pt 2:202-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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20
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Mendez EF, Sattler R. Biomarker development for C9orf72 repeat expansion in ALS. Brain Res 2014; 1607:26-35. [PMID: 25261695 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The expanded GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in the non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene on chromosome 9p21 has been discovered as the cause of approximately 20-50% of familial and up to 5-20% of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases, making this the most common known genetic mutation of ALS to date. At the same time, it represents the most common genetic mutation in frontotemporal dementia (FTD; 10-30%). Because of the high prevalence of mutant C9orf72, pre-clinical efforts in identifying therapeutic targets and developing novel therapeutics for this mutation are highly pursued in the hope of providing a desperately needed disease-modifying treatment for ALS patients, as well as other patient populations affected by the C9orf72 mutation. The current lack of effective treatments for ALS is partially due to the lack of appropriate biomarkers that aide in assessing drug efficacy during clinical trials independent of clinical outcome measures, such as increased survival. In this review we will summarize the opportunities for biomarker development specifically targeted to the newly discovered C9orf72 repeat expansion. While drugs are being developed for this mutation, it will be crucial to provide a reliable biomarker to accompany the clinical development of these novel therapeutic interventions to maximize the chances of a successful clinical trial. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ALS complex pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Mendez
- Brain Science Institute and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2-223, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Brain Science Institute and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2-223, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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21
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Sandi C, Sandi M, Anjomani Virmouni S, Al-Mahdawi S, Pook MA. Epigenetic-based therapies for Friedreich ataxia. Front Genet 2014; 5:165. [PMID: 24917884 PMCID: PMC4042889 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a lethal autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused primarily by a homozygous GAA repeat expansion mutation within the first intron of the FXN gene, leading to inhibition of FXN transcription and thus reduced frataxin protein expression. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic marks, comprising chemical modifications of DNA and histones, are associated with FXN gene silencing. Such epigenetic marks can be reversed, making them suitable targets for epigenetic-based therapy. Furthermore, since FRDA is caused by insufficient, but functional, frataxin protein, epigenetic-based transcriptional re-activation of the FXN gene is an attractive therapeutic option. In this review we summarize our current understanding of the epigenetic basis of FXN gene silencing and we discuss current epigenetic-based FRDA therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark A. Pook
- Division of Biosciences, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University LondonUxbridge, UK
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Zhang XH, Zhang YN, Liu Z. MicroRNA in chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2014; 14:415. [PMID: 24408538 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-013-0415-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory upper airway diseases, particularly chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and allergic rhinitis (AR), have a high worldwide prevalence. CRS and AR involve sustained and exaggerated inflammation that is associated with marked changes in gene and protein expression under tight regulation. A novel group of gene expression regulators is a class of short single-stranded RNA molecules termed microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs can cause gene silencing through degradation of target mRNAs or inhibition of translation. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs has been shown in various human diseases, such as cancer, inflammatory skin and bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Although studies of miRNAs in inflammatory upper airway diseases are relatively new and few, emerging evidence implicates an involvement of miRNAs in shaping the inflammation pattern in upper airways. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on our current understanding of miRNA expression and function in CRS and AR, and to underscore the potential for clinical usage of miRNAs in CRS and AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Hao Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China,
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Chaturvedi A, Raeymaekers JAM, Volckaert FAM. Computational identification of miRNAs, their targets and functions in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Mol Ecol Resour 2014; 14:768-77. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Chaturvedi
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Ch. Deberiotstraat 32 Leuven B-3000 Belgium
| | - Joost A. M. Raeymaekers
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Ch. Deberiotstraat 32 Leuven B-3000 Belgium
- Zoological Institute; University of Basel; Vesalgasse 1 Basel CH-4051 Switzerland
| | - Filip A. M. Volckaert
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Ch. Deberiotstraat 32 Leuven B-3000 Belgium
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Maalej M, Mkaouar-Rebai E, Mnif M, Mezghani N, Ben Ayed I, Chamkha I, Abid M, Fakhfakh F. A mitochondrial implication in a Tunisian patient with Friedreich's ataxia-like. PATHOLOGIE-BIOLOGIE 2014; 62:41-8. [PMID: 24011957 DOI: 10.1016/j.patbio.2013.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Genes encoding the DNA helicase TWINKLE (C10orf2) or the two subunits of mtDNA polymerase γ (POLγ) (POLG1 and POLG2) have a direct effect on the mitochondrial DNA replication machinery and were reported in many mitochondrial disorders. Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is the common cause of ataxia often associated with the expansion of a GAA repeat in intron 1 of the frataxin gene (FXN). Mitochondrial DNA could be considered as a candidate modifier factor for FRDA disease, since mitochondrial oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. We screened the FXN, POLG1 and C10orf2 genes in a Tunisian patient with clinical features of Friedreich's ataxia-like. The results showed the absence of the expansion of a GAA triplet repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene. Besides, the sequencing of all the exons and their flanking regions of the FXN, POLG1 and C10orf2 genes revealed the presence of intronic polymorphisms. In addition, screening of the mtDNA revealed the presence of several mitochondrial known variations and the absence of mitochondrial deletions in this patient. The detected m.16187C>T and the m.16189T>C change the order of the homopolymeric tract of cytosines between 16184 and 16193 in the mitochondrial D-loop and could lead to a mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting replication and affecting protein involved in the replication process of the mtDNA which could be responsible for the clinical features of Friedreich ataxia observed in the studied patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maalej
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - E Mkaouar-Rebai
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - M Mnif
- Service d'endocrinologie, CHU Hédi Chaker de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - N Mezghani
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - I Ben Ayed
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - I Chamkha
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - M Abid
- Service d'endocrinologie, CHU Hédi Chaker de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - F Fakhfakh
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire humaine, faculté de médecine de Sfax, avenue Magida Boulila, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
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De novo assembly of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus hemocytes transcriptome to identify miRNA targets associated with skin ulceration syndrome. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73506. [PMID: 24069201 PMCID: PMC3772007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Denovo transcriptome sequencing is a robust method of predicting miRNA target genes, especially samples without reference genomes. Differentially expressed miRNAs have been previously identified in hemocytes collected from healthy skin and from skin affected by skin ulceration syndrome (SUS) in Apostichopusjaponicus. Target identification for these differentially expressed miRNAs is a major challenge for this non-model organism. Methodology/Principal Findings To thoroughly understand the function of miRNAs, a normalized cDNA library was sequenced with the Illumina Hiseq2000 technology. A total of 91,098,474 clean reads corresponding to 251,148 unigenes, each with an average length of 494bp, were obtained. Blastx analysis against a nonredundant (nr) NCBI protein database revealed that in this set, 52,680 unigenes coded for 3,893 annotated proteins. Two digital gene expression (DGE) libraries from healthy and SUS samples showed that 4,858 of the unigenes were expressed at significantly different levels; 2,163 were significantly up-regulated, while 2,695 were significantly down-regulated. The computational prediction of miRNA targets from these differentially expressed genes identified 732 unigenes as the targets of 57 conserved and 8 putative novel miRNA families, including spu-miRNA-31 and spu-miRNA-2008. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of identifying miRNA targets by transcriptome analysis. The DGE assembly data represent a substantial increase in the genomic resources available for this species and will provide insights into the gene expression profile analysis and the miRNAs function annotations of further studies.
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Kloster E, Saft C, Epplen JT, Arning L. CNR1 variation is associated with the age at onset in Huntington disease. Eur J Med Genet 2013; 56:416-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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