1
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Yoo YE, Yoo T, Kang H, Kim E. Brain region and gene dosage-differential transcriptomic changes in Shank2-mutant mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:977305. [PMID: 36311025 PMCID: PMC9612946 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.977305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein that has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Shank2-mutant mice show ASD-like behavioral deficits and altered synaptic and neuronal functions, but little is known about how different brain regions and gene dosages affect the transcriptomic phenotypes of these mice. Here, we performed RNA-Seq-based transcriptomic analyses of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum in adult Shank2 heterozygous (HT)- and homozygous (HM)-mutant mice lacking exons 6–7. The prefrontal cortical, hippocampal, and striatal regions showed distinct transcriptomic patterns associated with synapse, ribosome, mitochondria, spliceosome, and extracellular matrix (ECM). The three brain regions were also distinct in the expression of ASD-related and ASD-risk genes. These differential patterns were stronger in the prefrontal cortex where the HT transcriptome displayed increased synaptic gene expression and reverse-ASD patterns whereas the HM transcriptome showed decreased synaptic gene expression and ASD-like patterns. These results suggest brain region- and gene dosage-differential transcriptomic changes in Shank2-mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Eunjoon Kim,
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2
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Yun M, Kim E, Jung MW. Enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in Shank2-deficient mice. Mol Autism 2022; 13:40. [PMID: 36192805 PMCID: PMC9531513 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior. Cognitive inflexibility has been proposed as a potential basis for these symptoms of ASD. More generally, behavioral inflexibility has been proposed to underlie repetitive and restrictive behavior in ASD. Here, we investigated whether and how behavioral flexibility is compromised in a widely used animal model of ASD.
Methods We compared the behavioral performance of Shank2-knockout mice and wild-type littermates in reversal learning employing a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm. A conditioned stimulus (odor) was paired with an unconditioned appetitive (water, 6 µl) or aversive (air puff) stimulus in a probabilistic manner. We also compared air puff-induced eye closure responses of Shank2-knockout and wild-type mice. Results Male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed impaired reversal learning when the expected outcomes consisted of a water reward and a strong air puff. Moreover, male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed stronger anticipatory eye closure responses to the air puff compared to wild-type littermates, raising the possibility that the impairment might reflect enhanced fear. In support of this contention, male Shank2-knockout mice showed intact reversal learning when the strong air puff was replaced with a mild air puff and when the expected outcomes consisted of only rewards. Limitations We examined behavioral flexibility in one behavioral task (reversal learning in a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm) using one ASD mouse model (Shank2-knockout mice). Thus, future work is needed to clarify the extent to which our findings (that enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in ASD) can explain the behavioral inflexibility associated with ASD. Also, we examined only the relationship between fear and behavioral flexibility, leaving open the question of whether abnormalities in processes other than fear contribute to behavioral inflexibility in ASD. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms linking Shank2-knockout and enhanced fear remain to be elucidated. Conclusions Our results indicate that enhanced fear suppresses reversal learning in the presence of an intact capability to learn cue-outcome contingency changes in Shank2-knockout mice. Our findings suggest that behavioral flexibility might be seriously limited by abnormal emotional responses in ASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miru Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
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3
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Nisar S, Bhat AA, Masoodi T, Hashem S, Akhtar S, Ali TA, Amjad S, Chawla S, Bagga P, Frenneaux MP, Reddy R, Fakhro K, Haris M. Genetics of glutamate and its receptors in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2380-2392. [PMID: 35296811 PMCID: PMC9135628 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment characterized by deficits in social interaction skills, impaired communication, and repetitive and restricted behaviors that are thought to be due to altered neurotransmission processes. The amino acid glutamate is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain that regulates cognitive functions such as learning and memory, which are usually impaired in ASD. Over the last several years, increasing evidence from genetics, neuroimaging, protein expression, and animal model studies supporting the notion of altered glutamate metabolism has heightened the interest in evaluating glutamatergic dysfunction in ASD. Numerous pharmacological, behavioral, and imaging studies have demonstrated the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, thus revealing the involvement of the glutamatergic system in ASD pathology. Here, we review the effects of genetic alterations on glutamate and its receptors in ASD and the role of non-invasive imaging modalities in detecting these changes. We also highlight the potential therapeutic targets associated with impaired glutamatergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tayyiba Akbar Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Amjad
- Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, 276001, India
| | - Sanjeev Chawla
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Michael P Frenneaux
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Khalid Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Laboratory of Animal Research, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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4
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Yoo YE, Lee S, Kim W, Kim H, Chung C, Ha S, Park J, Chung Y, Kang H, Kim E. Early Chronic Memantine Treatment-Induced Transcriptomic Changes in Wild-Type and Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:712576. [PMID: 34594187 PMCID: PMC8477010 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.712576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein strongly implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Shank2-mutant mice with a homozygous deletion of exons 6 and 7 (Shank2-KO mice) show decreased NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function and autistic-like behaviors at juvenile [∼postnatal day (P21)] and adult (>P56) stages that are rescued by NMDAR activation. However, at ∼P14, these mice show the opposite change – increased NMDAR function; moreover, suppression of NMDAR activity with early, chronic memantine treatment during P7–21 prevents NMDAR hypofunction and autistic-like behaviors at later (∼P21 and >P56) stages. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this rescue, we performed RNA-Seq gene-set enrichment analysis of forebrain transcriptomes from wild-type (WT) and Shank2-KO juvenile (P25) mice treated early and chronically (P7–21) with vehicle or memantine. Vehicle-treated Shank2-KO mice showed upregulation of synapse-related genes and downregulation of ribosome- and mitochondria-related genes compared with vehicle-treated WT mice. They also showed a transcriptomic pattern largely opposite that observed in ASD (reverse-ASD pattern), based on ASD-related/risk genes and cell-type–specific genes. In memantine-treated Shank2-KO mice, chromatin-related genes were upregulated; mitochondria, extracellular matrix (ECM), and actin-related genes were downregulated; and the reverse-ASD pattern was weakened compared with that in vehicle-treated Shank2-KO mice. In WT mice, memantine treatment, which does not alter NMDAR function, upregulated synaptic genes and downregulated ECM genes; memantine-treated WT mice also exhibited a reverse-ASD pattern. Therefore, early chronic treatment of Shank2-KO mice with memantine alters expression of chromatin, mitochondria, ECM, actin, and ASD-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Woohyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyosang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Changuk Chung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jinsu Park
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yeonseung Chung
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
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5
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Lee S, Kang H, Jung H, Kim E, Lee E. Gene Dosage- and Age-Dependent Differential Transcriptomic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:683196. [PMID: 34177464 PMCID: PMC8226033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.683196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein that is known to regulate excitatory synapse assembly and synaptic transmission and has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies on Shank2-mutant mice provided mechanistic insights into their autistic-like phenotypes, but it remains unclear how transcriptomic patterns are changed in brain regions of the mutant mice in age- and gene dosage-dependent manners. To this end, we performed RNA-Seq analyses of the transcripts from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice lacking exons 6 and 7 at juvenile (week 3) and adult (week 12) stages. Juvenile heterozygous Shank2-mutant mice showed upregulation of glutamate synapse-related genes, downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, and transcriptomic changes that are opposite to those observed in ASD (anti-ASD) such as upregulation of ASD_down (downregulated in ASD), GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Juvenile homozygous Shank2 mice showed upregulation of chromatin-related genes and transcriptomic changes that are in line with those occurring in ASD (pro-ASD) such as downregulation of ASD_down, GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Adult heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice both exhibited downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes and pro-ASD transcriptomic changes. Therefore, the gene dosage- and age-dependent effects of Shank2 deletions in mice include differential transcriptomic changes across distinct functional contexts, including synapses, chromatin, ribosomes, mitochondria, GABA neurons, and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, KISTI, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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6
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 2 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: testing the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 3:85. [PMID: 30271887 PMCID: PMC6134338 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14677.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. We predicted that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment would depend on common autosomal variants involved in synaptic functions. Methods: We analysed data from 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Two comparison groups were formed from 370 children from a twin study. Three indicators of phenotype were: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Preselected regions of two genes, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, were tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. Results: There was wide phenotypic variation in the SCT group, as well as overall impairment on all three phenotypic measures. There was no association of phenotype with CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 variants in either the SCT group or the comparison groups. Supplementary analyses found no indication of any impact of trisomy type on the results, and exploratory analyses of individual SNPs confirmed the lack of association. Conclusions: We cannot rule out that a double hit may be implicated in the phenotypic variability in children with SCTs, but our analysis does not find any support for the idea that common variants in CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 are associated with the severity of language and neurodevelopmental impairments that often accompany an extra X or Y chromosome. Stage 1 report: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne F. Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Nuala H. Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Paul A. Thompson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Dorothy V. M. Bishop
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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7
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 2 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: testing the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 3:85. [PMID: 30271887 PMCID: PMC6134338 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14677.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 04/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. We predicted that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment would depend on common autosomal variants involved in synaptic functions. Methods: We analysed data from 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Two comparison groups were formed from 370 children from a twin study. Three indicators of phenotype were: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Preselected regions of two genes, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, were tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. Results: There was wide phenotypic variation in the SCT group, as well as overall impairment on all three phenotypic measures. There was no association of phenotype with CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 variants in either the SCT group or the comparison groups. Supplementary analyses found no indication of any impact of trisomy type on the results, and exploratory analyses of individual SNPs confirmed the lack of association. Conclusions: We cannot rule out that a double hit may be implicated in the phenotypic variability in children with SCTs, but our analysis does not find any support for the idea that common variants in CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 are associated with the severity of language and neurodevelopmental impairments that often accompany an extra X or Y chromosome. Stage 1 report: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne F. Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Nuala H. Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Paul A. Thompson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Dorothy V. M. Bishop
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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8
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Gumus E. A Hemizygous 370 Kilobase Microduplication at Xq13.1 in a Three-Year-Old Boy With Autism and Speech Delay. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2019; 38:239-244. [PMID: 30757938 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2019.1571132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations of Neuroligin 3 (NLGN3), located on Xq13, have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and include the less frequent Xq13 duplication. CASE REPORT A boy with an aggressive behavior, no speech and weak social relationships had a de novo Xq13.1 microduplication detected by microarray analysis. CONCLUSION NLGN3, TAF1, and MED12 alterations, located on Xq13.1, have been associated with ASD. TAF and MED12 have other clinical features not present in our case. This supports that duplication of NLGN3 may be associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evren Gumus
- a Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine , University of Harran , Sanliurfa , Turkey
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9
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Sun H, Yang Y, Zhang L, Wu H, Zhang H, Li H. Analysis of the SNP rs3747333 and rs3747334 in NLGN4X gene in autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2019; 18:6. [PMID: 31139237 PMCID: PMC6530139 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-019-0227-5] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SNP rs3747333 and rs3747334 in Neuroligin 4X (NLGN4X) gene have been demonstrated to be associated with the susceptibility to Autism spectrum disorder (ASDs; MIM 209850), but the results are inconsistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis of eligible studies reporting the association between rs3747333 and rs3747334 and ASD was carried out to enhance the reliability of published results. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library to search English articles concerning the relation between rs3747333, rs3747334 and ASD up to Sep. 21th, 2017. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the risk of rs3747333, rs3747334 in the ASD. The heterogeneity and publication bias of the eligible studies were also evaluated. RESULTS Six eligible studies involving 1284 subjects (735 patients and 549 healthy controls) were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that there was no significant risk elevation between rs3747333, rs3747334 variants and ASD (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.10-1.60). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis confirmed this result. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that the rs3747333, rs3747334 in NLGN4X gene are not frequent causes of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Sun
- 1Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China.,2Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Yang
- 1Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Liyu Zhang
- 1Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Wu
- 3Department of PICU, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Zhang
- 4Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- 4Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Children Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi People's Republic of China
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10
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SHANK3 variant as a cause of nonsyndromal autism in an 11-year-old boy and a review of published literature. Clin Dysmorphol 2018; 27:113-115. [PMID: 29939863 DOI: 10.1097/mcd.0000000000000232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a spectrum of pervasive neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, unusual and repetitive behaviours. The aetiology of ASD is believed to involve complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors; it can be further classified as syndromic or nonsyndromic, according to whether it is the primary diagnosis or secondary to an existing condition where both common and rare genetic variants contribute to the development of ASD or are clearly causal. The prevalence of ASD in children is increasing with higher rates of diagnosis and an estimated one in 100 affected in the UK. Given that heritability is a major contributing factor, we aim to discuss research findings to-date in the context of a high-risk autism candidate gene, SHANK3 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain 3), with its loss resulting in synaptic function disruption. We present a 10-year-old patient with a pathogenic de novo heterozygous c.1231delC, p.Arg411Val frameshift variant in SHANK3. He presented with severe autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and pathological demand avoidance, on a background of developmental impairment and language regression. The number of genes associated with autism is ever increasing. It is a heterogeneous group of disorders with no single gene conferring pathogenesis in the majority of cases. Genetic abnormalities can be detected in ~15% of ASD and these range from copy number variants in 16p11.2 and 15q13.2q13.3 to several well-known genetic disorders including tuberous sclerosis and fragile X syndrome. Further, high confidence autism genes include but are not limited to NRXN, NLGN3, NLGN4, SHANK2 and SHANK3.
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11
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 2 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: testing the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:85. [PMID: 30271887 PMCID: PMC6134338 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14677.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. We predicted that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment would depend on common autosomal variants involved in synaptic functions. Methods: We analysed data from 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Two comparison groups were formed from 370 children from a twin study. Three indicators of phenotype were: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Preselected regions of two genes, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, were tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. Results: There was wide phenotypic variation in the SCT group, as well as overall impairment on all three phenotypic measures. There was no association of phenotype with CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 variants in either the SCT group or the comparison groups. Supplementary analyses found no indication of any impact of trisomy type on the results, and exploratory analyses of individual SNPs confirmed the lack of association. Conclusions: We cannot rule out that a double hit may be implicated in the phenotypic variability in children with SCTs, but our analysis does not find any support for the idea that common variants in CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 are associated with the severity of language and neurodevelopmental impairments that often accompany an extra X or Y chromosome. Stage 1 report: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne F. Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Nuala H. Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Paul A. Thompson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Dorothy V. M. Bishop
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 2 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: testing the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:85. [PMID: 30271887 PMCID: PMC6134338 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14677.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. We predicted that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment would depend on common autosomal variants involved in synaptic functions. Methods: We analysed data from 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Two comparison groups were formed from 370 children from a twin study. Three indicators of phenotype were: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Preselected regions of two genes, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, were tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. Results: There was wide phenotypic variation in the SCT group, as well as overall impairment on all three phenotypic measures. There was no association of phenotype with CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 variants in either the SCT group or the comparison groups. Supplementary analyses found no indication of any impact of trisomy type on the results, and exploratory analyses of individual SNPs confirmed the lack of association. Conclusions: We cannot rule out that a double hit may be implicated in the phenotypic variability in children with SCTs, but our analysis does not find any support for the idea that common variants in CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 are associated with the severity of language and neurodevelopmental impairments that often accompany an extra X or Y chromosome. Stage 1 report: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne F. Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Nuala H. Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Paul A. Thompson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Dorothy V. M. Bishop
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 1 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: protocol for a test of the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:10. [PMID: 29744390 PMCID: PMC5904730 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. Group averages, however, obscure a wide range of outcomes. Hypothesis: The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects.
Neuroligin-4 genes are expressed from X and Y chromosomes; they play an important role in synaptic development and have been implicated in neurodevelopment. We predict that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment will be correlated with common autosomal variants involved in related synaptic functions. We describe here an analysis plan for testing this hypothesis using existing data. The analysis of genotype-phenotype associations will be conducted after this plan is published and peer-reviewed Methods: Neurodevelopmental data and DNA are available for 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Children from a twin study using the same phenotype measures will form two comparison groups (Ns = 184 and 186). Three indicators of a neurodevelopment disorder phenotype will be used: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Autosomal genes were identified by literature search on the basis of prior association with (a) speech/language/reading phenotypes and (b) synaptic function. Preselected regions of two genes scoring high on both criteria,
CNTNAP2 and
NRXN1, will be tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. We predict the association with one or both genes will be detectable in children with SCTs and stronger than in the comparison samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne F Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Nuala H Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3UD, UK
| | - Paul A Thompson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3UD, UK
| | - Dorothy V M Bishop
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3UD, UK
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Newbury DF, Simpson NH, Thompson PA, Bishop DVM. Stage 1 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: protocol for a test of the double hit hypothesis. Wellcome Open Res 2018. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. Group averages, however, obscure a wide range of outcomes. Hypothesis: The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. Neuroligin-4 genes are expressed from X and Y chromosomes; they play an important role in synaptic development and have been implicated in neurodevelopment. We predict that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment will be correlated with common autosomal variants involved in related synaptic functions. We describe here an analysis plan for testing this hypothesis using existing data. The analysis of genotype-phenotype associations will be conducted after this plan is published and peer-reviewed Methods: Neurodevelopmental data and DNA are available for 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Children from a twin study using the same phenotype measures will form two comparison groups (Ns = 184 and 186). Three indicators of a neurodevelopment disorder phenotype will be used: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Autosomal genes were identified by literature search on the basis of prior association with (a) speech/language/reading phenotypes and (b) synaptic function. Preselected regions of two genes scoring high on both criteria, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, will be tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis. We predict the association with one or both genes will be detectable in children with SCTs and stronger than in the comparison samples.
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Lin YC, Frei JA, Kilander MBC, Shen W, Blatt GJ. A Subset of Autism-Associated Genes Regulate the Structural Stability of Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:263. [PMID: 27909399 PMCID: PMC5112273 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a range of neurological conditions that affect individuals’ ability to communicate and interact with others. People with ASD often exhibit marked qualitative difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Alterations in neurite arborization and dendritic spine morphology, including size, shape, and number, are hallmarks of almost all neurological conditions, including ASD. As experimental evidence emerges in recent years, it becomes clear that although there is broad heterogeneity of identified autism risk genes, many of them converge into similar cellular pathways, including those regulating neurite outgrowth, synapse formation and spine stability, and synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms together regulate the structural stability of neurons and are vulnerable targets in ASD. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of those autism risk genes that affect the structural connectivity of neurons. We sub-categorize them into (1) cytoskeletal regulators, e.g., motors and small RhoGTPase regulators; (2) adhesion molecules, e.g., cadherins, NCAM, and neurexin superfamily; (3) cell surface receptors, e.g., glutamatergic receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases; (4) signaling molecules, e.g., protein kinases and phosphatases; and (5) synaptic proteins, e.g., vesicle and scaffolding proteins. Although the roles of some of these genes in maintaining neuronal structural stability are well studied, how mutations contribute to the autism phenotype is still largely unknown. Investigating whether and how the neuronal structure and function are affected when these genes are mutated will provide insights toward developing effective interventions aimed at improving the lives of people with autism and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Lin
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Jeannine A Frei
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Michaela B C Kilander
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Wenjuan Shen
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Gene J Blatt
- Laboratory of Autism Neurocircuitry, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
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Association Analysis of Noncoding Variants in Neuroligins 3 and 4X Genes with Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Italian Cohort. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101765. [PMID: 27782075 PMCID: PMC5085789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Since involved in synaptic transmission and located on X-chromosome, neuroligins 3 and 4X have been studied as good positional and functional candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder pathogenesis, although contradictory results have been reported. Here, we performed a case-control study to assess the association between noncoding genetic variants in NLGN3 and NLGN4X genes and autism, in an Italian cohort of 202 autistic children analyzed by high-resolution melting. The results were first compared with data from 379 European healthy controls (1000 Genomes Project) and then with those from 1061 Italian controls genotyped by Illumina single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array 1M-duo. Statistical evaluations were performed using Plink v1.07, with the Omnibus multiple loci approach. According to both the European and the Italian control groups, a 6-marker haplotype on NLGN4X (rs6638575(G), rs3810688(T), rs3810687(G), rs3810686(C), rs5916269(G), rs1882260(T)) was associated with autism (odd ratio = 3.58, p-value = 2.58 × 10−6 for the European controls; odds ratio = 2.42, p-value = 6.33 × 10−3 for the Italian controls). Furthermore, several haplotype blocks at 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-, including the first 5, 4, 3, and 2 SNPs, respectively, showed a similar association with autism. We provide evidence that noncoding polymorphisms on NLGN4X may be associated to autism, suggesting the key role of NLGN4X in autism pathophysiology and in its male prevalence.
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Karagiannidis I, Tsetsos F, Padmanabhuni SS, Alexander J, Georgitsi M, Paschou P. The Genetics of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: a Common Aetiological Basis with Comorbid Disorders? Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40473-016-0088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Mashayekhi F, Mizban N, Bidabadi E, Salehi Z. The association of SHANK3 gene polymorphism and autism. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2016; 73:251-255. [PMID: 27271042 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.16.04539-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Many genes have been shown to be involved in Autism. SHANK3 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain 3) is a member of the highly conserved Shank/ProSAP family of synaptic scaffolding proteins. SHANK3 is suggested as a strong candidate gene for the pathogenesis of Autism and its loss results in disruption of synaptic function. The rs9616915 SNP, which directly affects SHANK3 gene function of splicing regulation and protein structure damage, is a non-synonymous SNP (T>C) that found in exon 6, leads to substitution of Isoleucine to Threonine. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether rs9616915 polymorphism of SHANK3 are related with the susceptibility to Autism. METHODS Samples were obtained from 90 patients diagnosed with Autism and 100 controls subjects and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The results of this study showed that there is a significant association in genotype distribution between cases and controls (P=0.0001). RESULTS Our findings revealed that individuals with TC genotypes were associated with increased risk of Autism disorder (OR=4.35, 95% CI: 2.15-8.80, P=0.0001) but no significant differences were found in allele distributions (P=0.1). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that the SHANK3 rs9616915 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of Autism. Larger studies with more patients and controls are needed to confirm the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Mashayekhi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran -
| | - Nahid Mizban
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Elham Bidabadi
- Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Zivar Salehi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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Synaptic P-Rex1 signaling regulates hippocampal long-term depression and autism-like social behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E6964-72. [PMID: 26621702 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1512913112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable mental disorders associated with synaptic dysfunction, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here we report that autism in Chinese Han population is associated with genetic variations and copy number deletion of P-Rex1 (phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor 1). Genetic deletion or knockdown of P-Rex1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in mice resulted in autism-like social behavior that was specifically linked to the defect of long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region through alteration of AMPA receptor endocytosis mediated by the postsynaptic PP1α (protein phosphase 1α)-P-Rex1-Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) signaling pathway. Rescue of the LTD in the CA1 region markedly alleviated autism-like social behavior. Together, our findings suggest a vital role of P-Rex1 signaling in CA1 LTD that is critical for social behavior and cognitive function and offer new insight into the etiology of ASDs.
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Varadinova M, Boyadjieva N. Epigenetic mechanisms: A possible link between autism spectrum disorders and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pharmacol Res 2015; 102:71-80. [PMID: 26408203 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) still remains unclear and seems to involve a considerable overlap between polygenic, epigenetic and environmental factors. We have summarized the current understanding of the interplay between gene expression dysregulation via epigenetic modifications and the potential epigenetic impact of environmental factors in neurodevelopmental deficits. Furthermore, we discuss the scientific controversies of the relationship between prenatal exposure to alcohol and alcohol-induced epigenetic dysregulations, and gene expression alterations which are associated with disrupted neural plasticity and causal pathways for ASDs. The review of the literature suggests that a better understanding of developmental epigenetics should contribute to furthering our comprehension of the etiology and pathogenesis of ASDs and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Varadinova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Nadka Boyadjieva
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Chen J, Yu S, Fu Y, Li X. Synaptic proteins and receptors defects in autism spectrum disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:276. [PMID: 25309321 PMCID: PMC4161164 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have found that hundreds of genetic variants, including common and rare variants, rare and de novo mutations, and common polymorphisms contribute to the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The mutations in a number of genes such as neurexin, neuroligin, postsynaptic density protein 95, SH3, and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3), synapsin, gephyrin, cadherin, and protocadherin, thousand-and-one-amino acid 2 kinase, and contactin, have been shown to play important roles in the development and function of synapses. In addition, synaptic receptors, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors and glutamate receptors, have also been associated with ASDs. This review will primarily focus on the defects of synaptic proteins and receptors associated with ASDs and their roles in the pathogenesis of ASDs via synaptic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianling Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Shunying Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Yingmei Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities Staten Island, NY USA
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Margari L, Colonna A, Craig F, Gentile M, Giannella G, Lamanna AL, Legrottaglie AR. Microphthalmia with Linear Skin Defects (MLS) associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a patient with Familial 12.9Mb Terminal Xp deletion. BMC Pediatr 2014; 14:220. [PMID: 25182979 PMCID: PMC4236679 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-14-220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microphthalmia with linear skin defects (MLS) syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant male-lethal developmental disorder characterized by unilateral or bilateral microphthalmia and linear skin defects of the face and neck. Additional features affecting the eyes, heart, brain or genitourinary system can occur, corroborating the intra- and interfamilial phenotypic variability. The majority of patients display monosomy of the Xp22.2 region, where the holocytochrome c-type synthase (HCCS) gene is located. Case presentation We describe a 15-year-old-female affected by MLS syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD has not previously been reported as a component of MLS. Our patient shows a large deletion of 12.9 Mb, involving Xp22.32-p22.2, which encompasses both the HCCS gene and autism X-linked genes. Conclusion Thus, patients with a large deletion at Xp22 might display MLS with ASD, due to the deletion of contiguous genes, although the highly variable phenotype of these patients could be influenced by several genetic mechanisms, including different tissue-specific X-inactivation and somatic mosaicism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Margari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of General Medicine, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs of the "Aldo Moro" University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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Redin C, Gérard B, Lauer J, Herenger Y, Muller J, Quartier A, Masurel-Paulet A, Willems M, Lesca G, El-Chehadeh S, Le Gras S, Vicaire S, Philipps M, Dumas M, Geoffroy V, Feger C, Haumesser N, Alembik Y, Barth M, Bonneau D, Colin E, Dollfus H, Doray B, Delrue MA, Drouin-Garraud V, Flori E, Fradin M, Francannet C, Goldenberg A, Lumbroso S, Mathieu-Dramard M, Martin-Coignard D, Lacombe D, Morin G, Polge A, Sukno S, Thauvin-Robinet C, Thevenon J, Doco-Fenzy M, Genevieve D, Sarda P, Edery P, Isidor B, Jost B, Olivier-Faivre L, Mandel JL, Piton A. Efficient strategy for the molecular diagnosis of intellectual disability using targeted high-throughput sequencing. J Med Genet 2014; 51:724-36. [PMID: 25167861 PMCID: PMC4215287 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Intellectual disability (ID) is characterised by an extreme genetic heterogeneity. Several hundred genes have been associated to monogenic forms of ID, considerably complicating molecular diagnostics. Trio-exome sequencing was recently proposed as a diagnostic approach, yet remains costly for a general implementation. Methods We report the alternative strategy of targeted high-throughput sequencing of 217 genes in which mutations had been reported in patients with ID or autism as the major clinical concern. We analysed 106 patients with ID of unknown aetiology following array-CGH analysis and other genetic investigations. Ninety per cent of these patients were males, and 75% sporadic cases. Results We identified 26 causative mutations: 16 in X-linked genes (ATRX, CUL4B, DMD, FMR1, HCFC1, IL1RAPL1, IQSEC2, KDM5C, MAOA, MECP2, SLC9A6, SLC16A2, PHF8) and 10 de novo in autosomal-dominant genes (DYRK1A, GRIN1, MED13L, TCF4, RAI1, SHANK3, SLC2A1, SYNGAP1). We also detected four possibly causative mutations (eg, in NLGN3) requiring further investigations. We present detailed reasoning for assigning causality for each mutation, and associated patients’ clinical information. Some genes were hit more than once in our cohort, suggesting they correspond to more frequent ID-associated conditions (KDM5C, MECP2, DYRK1A, TCF4). We highlight some unexpected genotype to phenotype correlations, with causative mutations being identified in genes associated to defined syndromes in patients deviating from the classic phenotype (DMD, TCF4, MECP2). We also bring additional supportive (HCFC1, MED13L) or unsupportive (SHROOM4, SRPX2) evidences for the implication of previous candidate genes or mutations in cognitive disorders. Conclusions With a diagnostic yield of 25% targeted sequencing appears relevant as a first intention test for the diagnosis of ID, but importantly will also contribute to a better understanding regarding the specific contribution of the many genes implicated in ID and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Redin
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Chaire de Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France
| | - Bénédicte Gérard
- Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julia Lauer
- Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yvan Herenger
- Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean Muller
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Angélique Quartier
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Chaire de Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France
| | - Alice Masurel-Paulet
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Marjolaine Willems
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs Sud-Languedoc Roussillon, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Gaétan Lesca
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Salima El-Chehadeh
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Stéphanie Le Gras
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Serge Vicaire
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Muriel Philipps
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Michaël Dumas
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Véronique Geoffroy
- Plateforme de Bioinformatique de Strasbourg (BIPS), IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Claire Feger
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Nicolas Haumesser
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Chaire de Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France
| | - Yves Alembik
- Département de Génétique, CHU de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | - Magalie Barth
- Départment de Biochimie et de Génétique, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Dominique Bonneau
- Départment de Biochimie et de Génétique, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Estelle Colin
- Départment de Biochimie et de Génétique, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Hélène Dollfus
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, INSERM U1112, Faculté de Médecine de Strasbourg, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bérénice Doray
- Département de Génétique, CHU de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie-Ange Delrue
- CHU de Bordeaux, Génétique Médicale, Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire MRGM, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Elisabeth Flori
- Département de Génétique, CHU de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mélanie Fradin
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre De Référence Anomalies du Développement, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Didier Lacombe
- CHU de Bordeaux, Génétique Médicale, Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire MRGM, Bordeaux, France
| | - Gilles Morin
- Unité de Génétique Clinique, CHU d'Amiens, Amiens, France
| | - Anne Polge
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Sylvie Sukno
- Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, Groupe Hospitalier de l'Institut Catholique Lillois, Faculté Libre de Médecine, Lille, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Julien Thevenon
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | | | - David Genevieve
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs Sud-Languedoc Roussillon, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Sarda
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs Sud-Languedoc Roussillon, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Edery
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Bernard Jost
- Plateforme de Biopuces et Séquençage, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Laurence Olivier-Faivre
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mandel
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Chaire de Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Département de Médicine translationnelle et Neurogénétique, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France Chaire de Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France
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Rojas DC. The role of glutamate and its receptors in autism and the use of glutamate receptor antagonists in treatment. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 121:891-905. [PMID: 24752754 PMCID: PMC4134390 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and may be a key neurotransmitter involved in autism. Literature pertaining to glutamate and autism or related disorders (e.g., Fragile X syndrome) is reviewed in this article. Interest in glutamatergic dysfunction in autism is high due to increasing convergent evidence implicating the system in the disorder from peripheral biomarkers, neuroimaging, protein expression, genetics and animal models. Currently, there are no pharmaceutical interventions approved for autism that address glutamate deficits in the disorder. New treatments related to glutamatergic neurotransmission, however, are emerging. In addition, older glutamate-modulating medications with approved indications for use in other disorders are being investigated for re-tasking as treatments for autism. This review presents evidence in support of glutamate abnormalities in autism and the potential for translation into new treatments for the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Rojas
- Department of Psychology, Campus Delivery 1876, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA,
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25
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Mining the 3'UTR of autism-implicated genes for SNPs perturbing microRNA regulation. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2014; 12:92-104. [PMID: 24747189 PMCID: PMC4411356 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with polygenic etiology. The expression of many genes implicated in ASD is tightly regulated by various factors including microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs ~22 nucleotides in length that function to suppress translation by pairing with 'miRNA recognition elements' (MREs) present in the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs. This emphasizes the role played by miRNAs in regulating neurogenesis, brain development and differentiation and hence any perturbations in this regulatory mechanism might affect these processes as well. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present within 3'UTRs of mRNAs have been shown to modulate existing MREs or even create new MREs. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNPs perturbing miRNA-mediated gene regulation might lead to aberrant expression of autism-implicated genes, thus resulting in disease predisposition or pathogenesis in at least a subpopulation of ASD individuals. We developed a systematic computational pipeline that integrates data from well-established databases. By following a stringent selection criterion, we identified 9 MRE-modulating SNPs and another 12 MRE-creating SNPs in the 3'UTR of autism-implicated genes. These high-confidence candidate SNPs may play roles in ASD and hence would be valuable for further functional validation.
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26
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Goldani AAS, Downs SR, Widjaja F, Lawton B, Hendren RL. Biomarkers in autism. Front Psychiatry 2014; 5:100. [PMID: 25161627 PMCID: PMC4129499 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex, heterogeneous disorders caused by an interaction between genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. In an effort to better target the underlying roots of ASD for diagnosis and treatment, efforts to identify reliable biomarkers in genetics, neuroimaging, gene expression, and measures of the body's metabolism are growing. For this article, we review the published studies of potential biomarkers in autism and conclude that while there is increasing promise of finding biomarkers that can help us target treatment, there are none with enough evidence to support routine clinical use unless medical illness is suspected. Promising biomarkers include those for mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and immune function. Genetic clusters are also suggesting the potential for useful biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan R Downs
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Felicia Widjaja
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Brittany Lawton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Robert L Hendren
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
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27
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Epigenetics and autism. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2013; 2013:826156. [PMID: 24151554 PMCID: PMC3787640 DOI: 10.1155/2013/826156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review identifies mechanisms for altering DNA-histone interactions of cell chromatin to upregulate or downregulate gene expression that could serve as epigenetic targets for therapeutic interventions in autism. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) can phosphorylate histone H3 at T6. Aided by protein kinase C β 1, the DNMT lysine-specific demethylase-1 prevents demethylation of H3 at K4. During androgen-receptor-(AR-) dependent gene activation, this sequence may produce AR-dependent gene overactivation which may partly explain the male predominance of autism. AR-dependent gene overactivation in conjunction with a DNMT mechanism for methylating oxytocin receptors could produce high arousal inputs to the amygdala resulting in aberrant socialization, a prime characteristic of autism. Dysregulation of histone methyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDACs) associated with low activity of methyl CpG binding protein-2 at cytosine-guanine sites in genes may reduce the capacity for condensing chromatin and silencing genes in frontal cortex, a site characterized by decreased cortical interconnectivity in autistic subjects. HDAC1 inhibition can overactivate mRNA transcription, a putative mechanism for the increased number of cerebral cortical columns and local frontal cortex hyperactivity in autistic individuals. These epigenetic mechanisms underlying male predominance, aberrant social interaction, and low functioning frontal cortex may be novel targets for autism prevention and treatment strategies.
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