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Geng Z, Tai YT, Wang Q, Gao Z. AUTS2 disruption causes neuronal differentiation defects in human cerebral organoids through hyperactivation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19522. [PMID: 39174599 PMCID: PMC11341827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69912-4] [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: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals with the Autism Susceptibility Candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene disruptions exhibit symptoms such as intellectual disability, microcephaly, growth retardation, and distinct skeletal and facial differences. The role of AUTS2 in neurodevelopment has been investigated using animal and embryonic stem cell models. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of how AUTS2 influences neurodevelopment, particularly in humans, are not thoroughly understood. Our study employed a 3D human cerebral organoid culture system, in combination with genetic, genomic, cellular, and molecular approaches, to investigate how AUTS2 impacts neurodevelopment through cellular signaling pathways. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create AUTS2-deficient human embryonic stem cells and then generated cerebral organoids with these cells. Our transcriptomic analyses revealed that the absence of AUTS2 in cerebral organoids reduces the populations of cells committed to the neuronal lineage, resulting in an overabundance of cells with a transcription profile resembling that of choroid plexus (ChP) cells. Intriguingly, we found that AUTS2 negatively regulates the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, evidenced by its overactivation in AUTS2-deficient cerebral organoids and in luciferase reporter cells lacking AUTS2. Importantly, treating the AUTS2-deficient cerebral organoids with a WNT inhibitor reversed the overexpression of ChP genes and increased the downregulated neuronal gene expression. This study offers new insights into the role of AUTS2 in neurodevelopment and suggests potential targeted therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangzhuang Geng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Yen Teng Tai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Zhonghua Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA.
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2
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Hagihara H, Shoji H, Hattori S, Sala G, Takamiya Y, Tanaka M, Ihara M, Shibutani M, Hatada I, Hori K, Hoshino M, Nakao A, Mori Y, Okabe S, Matsushita M, Urbach A, Katayama Y, Matsumoto A, Nakayama KI, Katori S, Sato T, Iwasato T, Nakamura H, Goshima Y, Raveau M, Tatsukawa T, Yamakawa K, Takahashi N, Kasai H, Inazawa J, Nobuhisa I, Kagawa T, Taga T, Darwish M, Nishizono H, Takao K, Sapkota K, Nakazawa K, Takagi T, Fujisawa H, Sugimura Y, Yamanishi K, Rajagopal L, Hannah ND, Meltzer HY, Yamamoto T, Wakatsuki S, Araki T, Tabuchi K, Numakawa T, Kunugi H, Huang FL, Hayata-Takano A, Hashimoto H, Tamada K, Takumi T, Kasahara T, Kato T, Graef IA, Crabtree GR, Asaoka N, Hatakama H, Kaneko S, Kohno T, Hattori M, Hoshiba Y, Miyake R, Obi-Nagata K, Hayashi-Takagi A, Becker LJ, Yalcin I, Hagino Y, Kotajima-Murakami H, Moriya Y, Ikeda K, Kim H, Kaang BK, Otabi H, Yoshida Y, Toyoda A, Komiyama NH, Grant SGN, Ida-Eto M, Narita M, Matsumoto KI, Okuda-Ashitaka E, Ohmori I, Shimada T, Yamagata K, Ageta H, Tsuchida K, Inokuchi K, Sassa T, Kihara A, Fukasawa M, Usuda N, Katano T, Tanaka T, Yoshihara Y, Igarashi M, Hayashi T, Ishikawa K, Yamamoto S, Nishimura N, Nakada K, Hirotsune S, Egawa K, Higashisaka K, Tsutsumi Y, Nishihara S, Sugo N, Yagi T, Ueno N, Yamamoto T, Kubo Y, Ohashi R, Shiina N, Shimizu K, Higo-Yamamoto S, Oishi K, Mori H, Furuse T, Tamura M, Shirakawa H, Sato DX, Inoue YU, Inoue T, Komine Y, Yamamori T, Sakimura K, Miyakawa T. Large-scale animal model study uncovers altered brain pH and lactate levels as a transdiagnostic endophenotype of neuropsychiatric disorders involving cognitive impairment. eLife 2024; 12:RP89376. [PMID: 38529532 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased levels of lactate, an end-product of glycolysis, have been proposed as a potential surrogate marker for metabolic changes during neuronal excitation. These changes in lactate levels can result in decreased brain pH, which has been implicated in patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders. We previously demonstrated that such alterations are commonly observed in five mouse models of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism, suggesting a shared endophenotype among these disorders rather than mere artifacts due to medications or agonal state. However, there is still limited research on this phenomenon in animal models, leaving its generality across other disease animal models uncertain. Moreover, the association between changes in brain lactate levels and specific behavioral abnormalities remains unclear. To address these gaps, the International Brain pH Project Consortium investigated brain pH and lactate levels in 109 strains/conditions of 2294 animals with genetic and other experimental manipulations relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders. Systematic analysis revealed that decreased brain pH and increased lactate levels were common features observed in multiple models of depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and some additional schizophrenia models. While certain autism models also exhibited decreased pH and increased lactate levels, others showed the opposite pattern, potentially reflecting subpopulations within the autism spectrum. Furthermore, utilizing large-scale behavioral test battery, a multivariate cross-validated prediction analysis demonstrated that poor working memory performance was predominantly associated with increased brain lactate levels. Importantly, this association was confirmed in an independent cohort of animal models. Collectively, these findings suggest that altered brain pH and lactate levels, which could be attributed to dysregulated excitation/inhibition balance, may serve as transdiagnostic endophenotypes of debilitating neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by cognitive impairment, irrespective of their beneficial or detrimental nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Hagihara
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Shoji
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Satoko Hattori
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Giovanni Sala
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takamiya
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Mika Tanaka
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Mihiro Shibutani
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kei Hori
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Mikio Hoshino
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Akito Nakao
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuo Mori
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigeo Okabe
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Matsushita
- Department of Molecular Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Anja Urbach
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Yuta Katayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akinobu Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shota Katori
- Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Takuji Iwasato
- Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Haruko Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoshio Goshima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Matthieu Raveau
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tatsukawa
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yamakawa
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Disorder Genetics, Institute of Brain Sciences, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Noriko Takahashi
- Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Haruo Kasai
- Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Research Core, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuo Nobuhisa
- Department of Stem Cell Regulation, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Kagawa
- Department of Stem Cell Regulation, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Taga
- Department of Stem Cell Regulation, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohamed Darwish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | | | - Keizo Takao
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kiran Sapkota
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, Birmingham, United States
| | - Kazutoshi Nakazawa
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, Birmingham, United States
| | - Tsuyoshi Takagi
- Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Haruki Fujisawa
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Sugimura
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Yamanishi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hyogo Medical University School of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Nanette Deneen Hannah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Herbert Y Meltzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Tohru Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
| | - Shuji Wakatsuki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Araki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Tabuchi
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Numakawa
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Freesia L Huang
- Program of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Atsuko Hayata-Takano
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Japan
- Division of Bioscience, Institute for Datability Science, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Transdimensional Life Imaging Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takaoki Kasahara
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Tadafumi Kato
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isabella A Graef
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Gerald R Crabtree
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Nozomi Asaoka
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hikari Hatakama
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuji Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takao Kohno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mitsuharu Hattori
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshio Hoshiba
- Laboratory of Medical Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Miyake
- Laboratory for Multi-scale Biological Psychiatry, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Kisho Obi-Nagata
- Laboratory for Multi-scale Biological Psychiatry, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Akiko Hayashi-Takagi
- Laboratory of Medical Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
- Laboratory for Multi-scale Biological Psychiatry, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Léa J Becker
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ipek Yalcin
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yoko Hagino
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Moriya
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hyopil Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hikari Otabi
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami, Japan
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Yuta Yoshida
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami, Japan
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
- Ibaraki University Cooperation between Agriculture and Medical Science (IUCAM), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noboru H Komiyama
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michiru Ida-Eto
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Masaaki Narita
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Mie University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Matsumoto
- Department of Biosignaling and Radioisotope Experiment, Interdisciplinary Center for Science Research, Organization for Research and Academic Information, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Emiko Okuda-Ashitaka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Iori Ohmori
- Department of Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tadayuki Shimada
- Child Brain Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanato Yamagata
- Child Brain Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ageta
- Division for Therapies Against Intractable Diseases, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Tsuchida
- Division for Therapies Against Intractable Diseases, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kaoru Inokuchi
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sassa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akio Kihara
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Motoaki Fukasawa
- Department of Anatomy II, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Nobuteru Usuda
- Department of Anatomy II, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tayo Katano
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Tanaka
- Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshihara
- Laboratory for Systems Molecular Ethology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Michihiro Igarashi
- Department of Neurochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, and Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Transdiciplinary Research Program, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takashi Hayashi
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kaori Ishikawa
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamamoto
- Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Naoya Nishimura
- Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Kazuto Nakada
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shinji Hirotsune
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Egawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuma Higashisaka
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yasuo Tsutsumi
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shoko Nishihara
- Glycan & Life Systems Integration Center (GaLSIC), Soka University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Sugo
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yagi
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Naoto Ueno
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Tomomi Yamamoto
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kubo
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Rie Ohashi
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shiina
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Kimiko Shimizu
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Higo-Yamamoto
- Healthy Food Science Research Group, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Katsutaka Oishi
- Healthy Food Science Research Group, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
- School of Integrative and Global Majors (SIGMA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hisashi Mori
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tamio Furuse
- Mouse Phenotype Analysis Division, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masaru Tamura
- Mouse Phenotype Analysis Division, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hisashi Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daiki X Sato
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukiko U Inoue
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Inoue
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yuriko Komine
- Young Researcher Support Group, Research Enhancement Strategy Office, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institute of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Division of Brain Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Yamamori
- Division of Brain Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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Li Y, Mo Y, Chen C, He J, Guo Z. Research advances of polycomb group proteins in regulating mammalian development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1383200. [PMID: 38505258 PMCID: PMC10950033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1383200] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a subset of epigenetic factors that are highly conserved throughout evolution. In mammals, PcG proteins can be classified into two muti-proteins complexes: Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that PcG complexes play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression, genomic imprinting, chromosome X-inactivation, and chromatin structure. Accordingly, the dysfunction of PcG proteins is tightly orchestrated with abnormal developmental processes. Here, we summarized and discussed the current knowledge of the biochemical and molecular functions of PcG complexes, especially the PRC1 and PRC2 in mammalian development including embryonic development and tissue development, which will shed further light on the deep understanding of the basic knowledge of PcGs and their functions for reproductive health and developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jin He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhiheng Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Song Y, Seward CH, Chen CY, LeBlanc A, Leddy AM, Stubbs L. Isolated loss of the AUTS2 long isoform, brain-wide or targeted to Calbindin-lineage cells, generates a specific suite of brain, behavioral, and molecular pathologies. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad182. [PMID: 37816306 PMCID: PMC10763537 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Rearrangements within the AUTS2 region are associated with a rare syndromic disorder with intellectual disability, developmental delay, and behavioral abnormalities as core features. In addition, smaller regional variants are linked to wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, underscoring the gene's essential role in brain development. Like many essential neurodevelopmental genes, AUTS2 is large and complex, generating distinct long (AUTS2-l) and short (AUTS2-s) protein isoforms from alternative promoters. Although evidence suggests unique isoform functions, the contributions of each isoform to specific AUTS2-linked phenotypes have not been clearly resolved. Furthermore, Auts2 is widely expressed across the developing brain, but cell populations most central to disease presentation have not been determined. In this study, we focused on the specific roles of AUTS2-l in brain development, behavior, and postnatal brain gene expression, showing that brain-wide AUTS2-l ablation leads to specific subsets of the recessive pathologies associated with mutations in 3' exons (exons 8-19) that disrupt both major isoforms. We identify downstream genes that could explain expressed phenotypes including hundreds of putative direct AUTS2-l target genes. Furthermore, in contrast to 3' Auts2 mutations which lead to dominant hypoactivity, AUTS2-l loss-of-function is associated with dominant hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, phenotypes exhibited by many human patients. Finally, we show that AUTS2-l ablation in Calbindin 1-expressing cell lineages is sufficient to yield learning/memory deficits and hyperactivity with abnormal dentate gyrus granule cell maturation, but not other phenotypic effects. These data provide new clues to in vivo AUTS2-l functions and novel information relevant to genotype-phenotype correlations in the human AUTS2 region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshu Song
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle WA 98122, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | | | - Chih-Ying Chen
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle WA 98122, USA
| | - Amber LeBlanc
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle WA 98122, USA
| | | | - Lisa Stubbs
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle WA 98122, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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5
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Wang W, Wang Z, Cao J, Dong Y, Chen Y. Roles of Rac1-Dependent Intrinsic Forgetting in Memory-Related Brain Disorders: Demon or Angel. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10736. [PMID: 37445914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals are required to handle daily massive amounts of information in an ever-changing environment, and the resulting memories and experiences determine their survival and development, which is critical for adaptive evolution. However, intrinsic forgetting, which actively deletes irrelevant information, is equally important for memory acquisition and consolidation. Recently, it has been shown that Rac1 activity plays a key role in intrinsic forgetting, maintaining the balance of the brain's memory management system in a controlled manner. In addition, dysfunctions of Rac1-dependent intrinsic forgetting may contribute to memory deficits in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, these new findings will provide insights into the neurobiology of memory and forgetting, pathological mechanisms and potential therapies for brain disorders that alter intrinsic forgetting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zixu Wang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yulan Dong
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yaoxing Chen
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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6
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Geng Z, Wang Q, Miao W, Wolf T, Chavez J, Giddings E, Hobbs R, DeGraff DJ, Wang Y, Stafford J, Gao Z. AUTS2 Controls Neuronal Lineage Choice Through a Novel PRC1-Independent Complex and BMP Inhibition. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:531-549. [PMID: 36258139 PMCID: PMC9905272 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10459-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite a prominent risk factor for Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), it remains unclear how Autism Susceptibility Candidate 2 (AUTS2) controls the neurodevelopmental program. Our studies investigated the role of AUTS2 in neuronal differentiation and discovered that AUTS2, together with WDR68 and SKI, forms a novel protein complex (AWS) specifically in neuronal progenitors and promotes neuronal differentiation through inhibiting BMP signaling. Genomic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the AWS complex achieves this effect by recruiting the CUL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to mediate poly-ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of phosphorylated SMAD1/5/9. Furthermore, using primary cortical neurons, we observed aberrant BMP signaling and dysregulated expression of neuronal genes upon manipulating the AWS complex, indicating that the AWS-CUL4-BMP axis plays a role in regulating neuronal lineage specification in vivo. Thus, our findings uncover a sophisticated cellular signaling network mobilized by a prominent NDD risk factor, presenting multiple potential therapeutic targets for NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangzhuang Geng
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Weili Miao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Trevor Wolf
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Jessenia Chavez
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Emily Giddings
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Ryan Hobbs
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - David J DeGraff
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - James Stafford
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Zhonghua Gao
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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7
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Duński E, Pękowska A. Keeping the balance: Trade-offs between human brain evolution, autism, and schizophrenia. Front Genet 2022; 13:1009390. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1009390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique qualities of the human brain are a product of a complex evolutionary process. Evolution, famously described by François Jacob as a “tinkerer,” builds upon existing genetic elements by modifying and repurposing them for new functions. Genetic changes in DNA may lead to the emergence of new genes or cause altered gene expression patterns. Both gene and regulatory element mutations may lead to new functions. Yet, this process may lead to side-effects. An evolutionary trade-off occurs when an otherwise beneficial change, which is important for evolutionary success and is under strong positive selection, concurrently results in a detrimental change in another trait. Pleiotropy occurs when a gene affects multiple traits. Antagonistic pleiotropy is a phenomenon whereby a genetic variant leads to an increase in fitness at one life-stage or in a specific environment, but simultaneously decreases fitness in another respect. Therefore, it is conceivable that the molecular underpinnings of evolution of highly complex traits, including brain size or cognitive ability, under certain conditions could result in deleterious effects, which would increase the susceptibility to psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we discuss possible trade-offs and antagonistic pleiotropies between evolutionary change in a gene sequence, dosage or activity and the susceptibility of individuals to autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. We present current knowledge about genes and alterations in gene regulatory landscapes, which have likely played a role in establishing human-specific traits and have been implicated in those diseases.
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8
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Merdrignac C, Clément AE, Montfort J, Murat F, Bobe J. auts2 Features and Expression Are Highly Conserved during Evolution Despite Different Evolutionary Fates Following Whole Genome Duplication. Cells 2022; 11:2694. [PMID: 36078102 PMCID: PMC9454499 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The AUTS2 gene plays major roles during brain development and is associated with various neuropathologies including autism. Data in non-mammalian species are scarce, and the aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of auts2 evolution in teleost fish, which are widely used for in vivo functional analysis and biomedical purposes. Comparative genomics in 78 species showed that auts2a and auts2b originate from the teleost-specific whole genome duplication (TGD). auts2a, which is highly similar to human AUTS2, was almost systematically retained following TGD. In contrast, auts2b, which encodes for a shorter protein similar to a short human AUTS2 isoform, was lost more frequently and independently during evolution. RNA-seq analysis in 10 species revealed a highly conserved profile with predominant expression of both genes in the embryo, brain, and gonads. Based on protein length, conserved domains, and expression profiles, we speculate that the long human isoform functions were retained by auts2a, while the short isoform functions were retained by auts2a and/or auts2b, depending on the lineage/species. auts2a showed a burst in expression during medaka brain formation, where it was expressed in areas of the brain associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Together, our data suggest a strong conservation of auts2 functions in vertebrates despite different evolutionary scenarios in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julien Bobe
- INRAE, LPGP UR1037, Fish Physiology and Genomics, Campus de Beaulieu, F-35000 Rennes, France
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9
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The HDAC inhibitor CI-994 acts as a molecular memory aid by facilitating synaptic and intracellular communication after learning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116797119. [PMID: 35613054 PMCID: PMC9295763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116797119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory formation relies on a plethora of functions, including epigenetic modifications. Over recent years, multiple studies have indicated the potential of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) as cognitive enhancers, but their mode of action is not fully understood. Here, we tested whether HDACi treatment improves memory formation via “cognitive epigenetic priming,” stipulating that HDACis—without inherent target specificity—specifically enhance naturally occurring plasticity processes. We found that combining HDACis with fear learning, but not either treatment alone, enhances synaptic plasticity as well as memory-promoting transcriptional signaling in the hippocampus, a brain area recruited by fear learning, but not in unrelated areas. These results lend experimental support to the theory of cognitive epigenetic priming. Long-term memory formation relies on synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity-dependent gene transcription, and epigenetic modifications. Multiple studies have shown that HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) treatments can enhance individual aspects of these processes and thereby act as putative cognitive enhancers. However, their mode of action is not fully understood. In particular, it is unclear how systemic application of HDACis, which are devoid of substrate specificity, can target pathways that promote memory formation. In this study, we explore the electrophysiological, transcriptional, and epigenetic responses that are induced by CI-994, a class I HDACi, combined with contextual fear conditioning (CFC) in mice. We show that CI-994–mediated improvement of memory formation is accompanied by enhanced long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, a brain region recruited by CFC, but not in the striatum, a brain region not primarily implicated in fear learning. Furthermore, using a combination of bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing, we find that, when paired with CFC, HDACi treatment engages synaptic plasticity-promoting gene expression more strongly in the hippocampus, specifically in the dentate gyrus (DG). Finally, using chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) of DG neurons, we show that the combined action of HDACi application and conditioning is required to elicit enhancer histone acetylation in pathways that underlie improved memory performance. Together, these results indicate that systemic HDACi administration amplifies brain region-specific processes that are naturally induced by learning.
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10
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Biel A, Castanza AS, Rutherford R, Fair SR, Chifamba L, Wester JC, Hester ME, Hevner RF. AUTS2 Syndrome: Molecular Mechanisms and Model Systems. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:858582. [PMID: 35431798 PMCID: PMC9008325 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.858582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AUTS2 syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability, microcephaly, and other phenotypes. Syndrome severity is worse when mutations involve 3' regions (exons 9-19) of the AUTS2 gene. Human AUTS2 protein has two major isoforms, full-length (1259 aa) and C-terminal (711 aa), the latter produced from an alternative transcription start site in exon 9. Structurally, AUTS2 contains the putative "AUTS2 domain" (∼200 aa) conserved among AUTS2 and its ohnologs, fibrosin, and fibrosin-like-1. Also, AUTS2 contains extensive low-complexity sequences and intrinsically disordered regions, features typical of RNA-binding proteins. During development, AUTS2 is expressed by specific progenitor cell and neuron types, including pyramidal neurons and Purkinje cells. AUTS2 localizes mainly in cell nuclei, where it regulates transcription and RNA metabolism. Some studies have detected AUTS2 in neurites, where it may regulate cytoskeletal dynamics. Neurodevelopmental functions of AUTS2 have been studied in diverse model systems. In zebrafish, auts2a morphants displayed microcephaly. In mice, excision of different Auts2 exons (7, 8, or 15) caused distinct phenotypes, variously including neonatal breathing abnormalities, cerebellar hypoplasia, dentate gyrus hypoplasia, EEG abnormalities, and behavioral changes. In mouse embryonic stem cells, AUTS2 could promote or delay neuronal differentiation. Cerebral organoids, derived from an AUTS2 syndrome patient containing a pathogenic missense variant in exon 9, exhibited neocortical growth defects. Emerging technologies for analysis of human cerebral organoids will be increasingly useful for understanding mechanisms underlying AUTS2 syndrome. Questions for future research include whether AUTS2 binds RNA directly, how AUTS2 regulates neurogenesis, and how AUTS2 modulates neural circuit formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alecia Biel
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anthony S. Castanza
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Rutherford
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Summer R. Fair
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lincoln Chifamba
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jason C. Wester
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mark E. Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Robert F. Hevner
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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11
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AUTS2 Gene: Keys to Understanding the Pathogenesis of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010011. [PMID: 35011572 PMCID: PMC8750789 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), are a large group of neuropsychiatric illnesses that occur during early brain development, resulting in a broad spectrum of syndromes affecting cognition, sociability, and sensory and motor functions. Despite progress in the discovery of various genetic risk factors thanks to the development of novel genomics technologies, the precise pathological mechanisms underlying the onset of NDDs remain elusive owing to the profound genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of these conditions. Autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) has emerged as a crucial gene associated with a wide range of neuropsychological disorders, such as ASD, ID, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. AUTS2 has been shown to be involved in multiple neurodevelopmental processes; in cell nuclei, it acts as a key transcriptional regulator in neurodevelopment, whereas in the cytoplasm, it participates in cerebral corticogenesis, including neuronal migration and neuritogenesis, through the control of cytoskeletal rearrangements. Postnatally, AUTS2 regulates the number of excitatory synapses to maintain the balance between excitation and inhibition in neural circuits. In this review, we summarize the knowledge regarding AUTS2, including its molecular and cellular functions in neurodevelopment, its genetics, and its role in behaviors.
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12
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Pauli S, Berger H, Ufartes R, Borchers A. Comparing a Novel Malformation Syndrome Caused by Pathogenic Variants in FBRSL1 to AUTS2 Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:779009. [PMID: 34805182 PMCID: PMC8602103 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.779009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Truncating variants in specific exons of Fibrosin-like protein 1 (FBRSL1) were recently reported to cause a novel malformation and intellectual disability syndrome. The clinical spectrum includes microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, cleft palate, skin creases, skeletal anomalies and contractures, postnatal growth retardation, global developmental delay as well as respiratory problems, hearing impairment and heart defects. The function of FBRSL1 is largely unknown, but pathogenic variants in the FBRSL1 paralog Autism Susceptibility Candidate 2 (AUTS2) are causative for an intellectual disability syndrome with microcephaly (AUTS2 syndrome). Some patients with AUTS2 syndrome also show additional symptoms like heart defects and contractures overlapping with the phenotype presented by patients with FBRSL1 mutations. For AUTS2, a dual function, depending on different isoforms, was described and suggested for FBRSL1. Both, nuclear FBRSL1 and AUTS2 are components of the Polycomb subcomplexes PRC1.3 and PRC1.5. These complexes have essential roles in developmental processes, cellular differentiation and proliferation by regulating gene expression via histone modification. In addition, cytoplasmic AUTS2 controls neural development, neuronal migration and neurite extension by regulating the cytoskeleton. Here, we review recent data on FBRSL1 in respect to previously published data on AUTS2 to gain further insights into its molecular function, its role in development as well as its impact on human genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Pauli
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hanna Berger
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Embryology, Philipps‐University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roser Ufartes
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annette Borchers
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Embryology, Philipps‐University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Kanagaraj S, Devishrree S, Swetha J, Priya BK, Sankar S, Cherian J, Gopal CR, Karthikeyan S. Autism and Emotion: A Narrative Review. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES NU 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a variety of childhood-onset and lifelong neurodevelopmental condition with an enduring impact on multiple domains of functioning characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, restricted and repetitive behavior interest, and activities. They often find it hard to recognize and control emotions but their emotional expression can be improved by various intervention techniques that in turn can help them understand and respond more appropriately to other people. Problems in the area on emotional reciprocity among individual with ASD involve recognizing, understanding, expressing, and regulating emotions. Their ability in emotional reciprocity is often improved with a comprehensive treatment approach, especially by focused emotional enhancement intervention. In this review, we followed the standard IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) structure to critically examine the condition of autism and its relation with genetic mechanism, and how theories of emotion and theory of mind associated with persons with ASD, some of the widely used assessment tools and future research direction in the emotional development of individuals diagnosed with ASD by using the narrative review method. Records collected through research databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EBSCO and published books with ISBN (International Standard Book Number), and published test manuals were evaluated in-depth and summarized based on the subtopic of the proposed title. A critical theoretical analysis of the genetic mechanism of emotions, theories of emotions, and theory of mind was explained in connection with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagayaraj Kanagaraj
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S. Devishrree
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan), East Coast Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - J. Swetha
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan), Manovikas Nagar, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
| | - B. Krishna Priya
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Srivarshini Sankar
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jincy Cherian
- Department of Psychology, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - C.N. Ram Gopal
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S. Karthikeyan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan), East Coast Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Erotomania and phenotypic continuum in a family frameshift variant of AUTS2: a case report and review. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:360. [PMID: 34273950 PMCID: PMC8285776 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic variants of the AUTS2 (Autism Susceptibility candidate 2) gene predispose to intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, facial dysmorphism and short stature. This phenotype is therefore associated with neurocognitive disturbances and social cognition, indicating potential functional maladjustment in the affected subjects, and a potentially significant impact on quality of life. Although many isolated cases have been reported in the literature, to date no families have been described. This case reports on a family (three generations) with a frameshift variant in the AUTS2 gene. CASE PRESENTATION The proband is 13 years old with short stature, dysmorphic features, moderate intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. His mother is 49 years old and also has short stature and similar dysmorphic features. She does not have autism disorder but presents an erotomaniac delusion. Her cognitive performance is heterogeneous. The two aunts are also of short stature. The 50-year-old aunt has isolated social cognition disorders. The 45-year-old aunt has severe cognitive impairment and autism spectrum disorder. The molecular analysis of the three sisters and the proband shows the same AUTS2 heterozygous duplication leading to a frame shift expected to produce a premature stop codon, p.(Met593Tyrfs*85). Previously reported isolated cases revealed phenotypic and cognitive impairment variability. In this case report, these variabilities are present within the same family, presenting the same variant. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of a phenotypic spectrum within the same family highlights the need for joint psychiatry and genetics research.
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Stoychev K, Dilkov D, Naghavi E, Kamburova Z. Genetic Basis of Dual Diagnosis: A Review of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Focusing on Patients with Mood or Anxiety Disorders and Co-Occurring Alcohol-Use Disorders. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1055. [PMID: 34201295 PMCID: PMC8228390 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11061055] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Comorbidity between Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD), mood, and anxiety disorders represents a significant health burden, yet its neurobiological underpinnings are elusive. The current paper reviews all genome-wide association studies conducted in the past ten years, sampling patients with AUD and co-occurring mood or anxiety disorder(s). (2) Methods: In keeping with PRISMA guidelines, we searched EMBASE, Medline/PUBMED, and PsycINFO databases (January 2010 to December 2020), including references of enrolled studies. Study selection was based on predefined criteria and data underwent a multistep revision process. (3) Results: 15 studies were included. Some of them explored dual diagnoses phenotypes directly while others employed correlational analysis based on polygenic risk score approach. Their results support the significant overlap of genetic factors involved in AUDs and mood and anxiety disorders. Comorbidity risk seems to be conveyed by genes engaged in neuronal development, connectivity, and signaling although the precise neuronal pathways and mechanisms remain unclear. (4) Conclusion: given that genes associated with complex traits including comorbid clinical presentations are of small effect, and individually responsible for a very low proportion of the total variance, larger samples consisting of multiple refined comorbid combinations and confirmed by re-sequencing approaches will be necessary to disentangle the genetic architecture of dual diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaloyan Stoychev
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Dancho Dilkov
- Department of Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy Sofia, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | | | - Zornitsa Kamburova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;
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16
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Castanza AS, Ramirez S, Tripathi PP, Daza RAM, Kalume FK, Ramirez JM, Hevner RF. AUTS2 Regulates RNA Metabolism and Dentate Gyrus Development in Mice. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:4808-4824. [PMID: 34013328 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human AUTS2 mutations are linked to a syndrome of intellectual disability, autistic features, epilepsy, and other neurological and somatic disorders. Although it is known that this unique gene is highly expressed in developing cerebral cortex, the molecular and developmental functions of AUTS2 protein remain unclear. Using proteomics methods to identify AUTS2 binding partners in neonatal mouse cerebral cortex, we found that AUTS2 associates with multiple proteins that regulate RNA transcription, splicing, localization, and stability. Furthermore, AUTS2-containing protein complexes isolated from cortical tissue bound specific RNA transcripts in RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing assays. Deletion of all major functional isoforms of AUTS2 (full-length and C-terminal) by conditional excision of exon 15 caused breathing abnormalities and neonatal lethality when Auts2 was inactivated throughout the developing brain. Mice with limited inactivation of Auts2 in cerebral cortex survived but displayed abnormalities of cerebral cortex structure and function, including dentate gyrus hypoplasia with agenesis of hilar mossy neurons, and abnormal spiking activity on EEG. Also, RNA transcripts that normally associate with AUTS2 were dysregulated in mutant mice. Together, these findings indicate that AUTS2 regulates RNA metabolism and is essential for development of cerebral cortex, as well as subcortical breathing centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Castanza
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sanja Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Prem P Tripathi
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Ray A M Daza
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Franck K Kalume
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98014, USA
| | - Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98014, USA
| | - Robert F Hevner
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98014, USA
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17
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Pang W, Yi X, Li L, Liu L, Xiang W, Xiao L. Untangle the Multi-Facet Functions of Auts2 as an Entry Point to Understand Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:580433. [PMID: 33967843 PMCID: PMC8102784 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.580433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are psychiatric diseases that are usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by core symptoms including impaired social communication, cognitive rigidity and repetitive behavior, accompanied by a wide range of comorbidities such as intellectual disability (ID) and dysmorphisms. While the cause remains largely unknown, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors are believed to contribute toward the onset of the disease. Autism Susceptibility Candidate 2 (Auts2) is a gene highly associated with ID and ASD. Therefore, understanding the function of Auts2 gene can provide a unique entry point to untangle the complex neuronal phenotypes of neurodevelpmental disorders. In this review, we discuss the recent discoveries regarding the molecular and cellular functions of Auts2. Auts2 was shown to be a key-regulator of transcriptional network and a mediator of epigenetic regulation in neurodevelopment, the latter potentially providing a link for the neuronal changes of ASD upon environmental risk-factor exposure. In addition, Auts2 could synchronize the balance between excitation and inhibition through regulating the number of excitatory synapses. Cytoplasmic Auts2 could join the fine-tuning of actin dynamics during neuronal migration and neuritogenesis. Furthermore, Auts2 was expressed in developing mouse and human brain regions such as the frontal cortex, dorsal thalamus, and hippocampus, which have been implicated in the impaired cognitive and social function of ASD. Taken together, a comprehensive understanding of Auts2 functions can give deep insights into the cause of the heterogenous manifestation of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Pang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research & Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinan Yi
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research & Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Liyan Liu
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Le Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research & Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
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18
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Sellers RA, Robertson DL, Tassabehji M. Ancestry of the AUTS2 family-A novel group of polycomb-complex proteins involved in human neurological disease. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232101. [PMID: 33306672 PMCID: PMC7732068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) is a neurodevelopmental regulator associated with an autosomal dominant intellectual disability syndrome, AUTS2 syndrome, and is implicated as an important gene in human-specific evolution. AUTS2 exists as part of a tripartite gene family, the AUTS2 family, which includes two relatively undefined proteins, Fibrosin (FBRS) and Fibrosin-like protein 1 (FBRSL1). Evolutionary ancestors of AUTS2 have not been formally identified outside of the Animalia clade. A Drosophila melanogaster protein, Tay bridge, with a role in neurodevelopment, has been shown to display limited similarity to the C-terminal of AUTS2, suggesting that evolutionary ancestors of the AUTS2 family may exist within other Protostome lineages. Here we present an evolutionary analysis of the AUTS2 family, which highlights ancestral homologs of AUTS2 in multiple Protostome species, implicates AUTS2 as the closest human relative to the progenitor of the AUTS2 family, and demonstrates that Tay bridge is a divergent ortholog of the ancestral AUTS2 progenitor gene. We also define regions of high relative sequence identity, with potential functional significance, shared by the extended AUTS2 protein family. Using structural predictions coupled with sequence conservation and human variant data from 15,708 individuals, a putative domain structure for AUTS2 was produced that can be used to aid interpretation of the consequences of nucleotide variation on protein structure and function in human disease. To assess the role of AUTS2 in human-specific evolution, we recalculated allele frequencies at previously identified human derived sites using large population genome data, and show a high prevalence of ancestral alleles, suggesting that AUTS2 may not be a rapidly evolving gene, as previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Sellers
- Evolution & Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David L. Robertson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Garscube Campus, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - May Tassabehji
- Evolution & Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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19
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Niu Y, Xie C, Du Z, Zeng J, Chen H, Jin L, Zhang Q, Yu H, Wang Y, Ping J, Yang C, Liu X, Li Y, Zhou G. Genome-wide association study identifies 7q11.22 and 7q36.3 associated with noise-induced hearing loss among Chinese population. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:411-420. [PMID: 33242228 PMCID: PMC7810922 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) seriously affects the life quality of humans and causes huge economic losses to society. To identify novel genetic loci involved in NIHL, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for this symptom in Chinese populations. GWAS scan was performed in 89 NIHL subjects (cases) and 209 subjects with normal hearing who have been exposed to a similar noise environment (controls), followed by a replication study consisting of 53 cases and 360 controls. We identified that four candidate pathways were nominally significantly associated with NIHL, including the Erbb, Wnt, hedgehog and intraflagellar transport pathways. In addition, two novel index single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs35075890 in the intron of AUTS2 gene at 7q11.22 (combined P = 1.3 × 10-6 ) and rs10081191 in the intron of PTPRN2 gene at 7q36.3 (combined P = 2.1 × 10-6 ), were significantly associated with NIHL. Furthermore, the expression quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that in brain tissues, the genotypes of rs35075890 are significantly associated with the expression levels of AUTS2, and the genotypes of rs10081191 are significantly associated with the expressions of PTPRN2 and WDR60. In conclusion, our findings highlight two novel loci at 7q11.22 and 7q36.3 conferring susceptibility to NIHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Niu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chengyong Xie
- Medical College of Guizhou University, Guiyang city, China
| | - Zhenhua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jifeng Zeng
- Department of Otolaryngology, the No. 954 Hospital of PLA, Shannan City, China
| | - Hongxia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, China
| | - Huiying Yu
- Outpatient Department, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yahui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chenning Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Gangqiao Zhou
- Medical College of Guizhou University, Guiyang city, China.,State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, China
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20
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Stress-Sensitive Protein Rac1 and Its Involvement in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8894372. [PMID: 33299404 PMCID: PMC7707960 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8894372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a small GTPase that is well known for its sensitivity to the environmental stress of a cell or an organism. It senses the external signals which are transmitted from membrane-bound receptors and induces downstream signaling cascades to exert its physiological functions. Rac1 is an important regulator of a variety of cellular processes, such as cytoskeletal organization, generation of oxidative products, and gene expression. In particular, Rac1 has a significant influence on certain brain functions like neuronal migration, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation via regulation of actin dynamics in neurons. Abnormal Rac1 expression and activity have been observed in multiple neurological diseases. Here, we review recent findings to delineate the role of Rac1 signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with abnormal spine morphology, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, certain novel inhibitors of Rac1 and related pathways are discussed as potential avenues toward future treatment for these diseases.
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21
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Rho GTPases in the Amygdala-A Switch for Fears? Cells 2020; 9:cells9091972. [PMID: 32858950 PMCID: PMC7563696 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules for further downstream processes that modulate, among others, dendritic spine morphogenesis and thereby play a role in fear conditioning. The three main Rho GTPases—RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, together with their modulators, are known to be involved in many psychiatric disorders that affect the amygdala′s fear conditioning mechanism. Rich2, a RhoGAP mainly for Rac1 and Cdc42, has been studied extensively in such regard. Here, we will discuss these effectors, along with Rich2, as a molecular switch for fears, especially in the amygdala. Understanding the role of Rho GTPases in fear controlling could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting conditions with abnormal fear/anxiety-like behaviors.
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22
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AUTS2 Regulation of Synapses for Proper Synaptic Inputs and Social Communication. iScience 2020; 23:101183. [PMID: 32498016 PMCID: PMC7267731 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairments in synapse development are thought to cause numerous psychiatric disorders. Autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene has been associated with various psychiatric disorders, such as autism and intellectual disabilities. Although roles for AUTS2 in neuronal migration and neuritogenesis have been reported, its involvement in synapse regulation remains unclear. In this study, we found that excitatory synapses were specifically increased in the Auts2-deficient primary cultured neurons as well as Auts2 mutant forebrains. Electrophysiological recordings and immunostaining showed increases in excitatory synaptic inputs as well as c-fos expression in Auts2 mutant brains, suggesting that an altered balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs enhances brain excitability. Auts2 mutant mice exhibited autistic-like behaviors including impairments in social interaction and altered vocal communication. Together, these findings suggest that AUTS2 regulates excitatory synapse number to coordinate E/I balance in the brain, whose impairment may underlie the pathology of psychiatric disorders in individuals with AUTS2 mutations. AUTS2 regulates excitatory synapse number in forebrain pyramidal neurons Loss of Auts2 leads to increased spine formation in development and adulthood Loss of Auts2 alters the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs Auts2 mutant mice exhibit cognitive and sociobehavioral deficits
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23
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Weisner PA, Chen CY, Sun Y, Yoo J, Kao WC, Zhang H, Baltz ET, Troy JM, Stubbs L. A Mouse Mutation That Dysregulates Neighboring Galnt17 and Auts2 Genes Is Associated with Phenotypes Related to the Human AUTS2 Syndrome. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:3891-3906. [PMID: 31554716 PMCID: PMC6829118 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
AUTS2 was originally discovered as the gene disrupted by a translocation in human twins with Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. Since that initial finding, AUTS2-linked mutations and variants have been associated with a very broad array of neuropsychiatric disorders, sugg esting that AUTS2 is required for fundamental steps of neurodevelopment. However, genotype-phenotype correlations in this region are complicated, because most mutations could also involve neighboring genes. Of particular interest is the nearest downstream neighbor of AUTS2, GALNT17, which encodes a brain-expressed N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase of unknown brain function. Here we describe a mouse (Mus musculus) mutation, T(5G2;8A1)GSO (abbreviated 16Gso), a reciprocal translocation that breaks between Auts2 and Galnt17 and dysregulates both genes. Despite this complex regulatory effect, 16Gso homozygotes model certain human AUTS2-linked phenotypes very well. In addition to abnormalities in growth, craniofacial structure, learning and memory, and behavior, 16Gso homozygotes display distinct pathologies of the cerebellum and hippocampus that are similar to those associated with autism and other types of AUTS2-linked neurological disease. Analyzing mutant cerebellar and hippocampal transcriptomes to explain this pathology, we identified disturbances in pathways related to neuron and synapse maturation, neurotransmitter signaling, and cellular stress, suggesting possible cellular mechanisms. These pathways, coupled with the translocation's selective effects on Auts2 isoforms and coordinated dysregulation of Galnt17, suggest novel hypotheses regarding the etiology of the human "AUTS2 syndrome" and the wide array of neurodevelopmental disorders linked to variance in this genomic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Anne Weisner
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
- Neuroscience Program
| | - Chih-Ying Chen
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and
| | - Younguk Sun
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and
| | | | | | | | | | - Joseph M Troy
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
- Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61802
| | - Lisa Stubbs
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology,
- Neuroscience Program
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and
- Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61802
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24
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Colson V, Cousture M, Damasceno D, Valotaire C, Nguyen T, Le Cam A, Bobe J. Maternal temperature exposure impairs emotional and cognitive responses and triggers dysregulation of neurodevelopment genes in fish. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6338. [PMID: 30723624 PMCID: PMC6360074 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish are sensitive to temperature, but the intergenerational consequences of maternal exposure to high temperature on offspring behavioural plasticity and underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that a thermal maternal stress induces impaired emotional and cognitive responses in offspring rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Thermal stress in mothers triggered the inhibition of locomotor fear-related responses upon exposure to a novel environment and decreased spatial learning abilities in progeny. Impaired behavioural phenotypes were associated with the dysregulation of several genes known to play major roles in neurodevelopment, including auts2 (autism susceptibility candidate 2), a key gene for neurodevelopment, more specifically neuronal migration and neurite extension, and critical for the acquisition of neurocognitive function. In addition, our analysis revealed the dysregulation of another neurodevelopment gene (dpysl5) as well as genes associated with human cognitive disorders (arv1, plp2). We observed major differences in maternal mRNA abundance in the eggs following maternal exposure to high temperature indicating that some of the observed intergenerational effects are mediated by maternally-inherited mRNAs accumulated in the egg. Together, our observations shed new light on the intergenerational determinism of fish behaviour and associated underlying mechanisms. They also stress the importance of maternal history on fish behavioural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violaine Colson
- Fish Physiology and Genomics, INRA LPGP UR1037, Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | - Thaovi Nguyen
- Fish Physiology and Genomics, INRA LPGP UR1037, Rennes, France
| | - Aurélie Le Cam
- Fish Physiology and Genomics, INRA LPGP UR1037, Rennes, France
| | - Julien Bobe
- Fish Physiology and Genomics, INRA LPGP UR1037, Rennes, France
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25
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Maternal methamphetamine exposure causes cognitive impairment and alteration of neurodevelopment-related genes in adult offspring mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 140:25-34. [PMID: 30048643 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal drug exposure altered cognitive function in individuals, and may also impact their offspring's susceptibility to cognitive impairment. The high incidence of methamphetamine (METH) abuse among adolescents and women of childbearing age elevates the importance to determine the influence of maternal METH exposure on cognitive functions in the descendants. We hypothesized that maternal METH exposure affects cognitive behavior in offspring mice by disrupting gene expression associated with neural development. Here, female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to intermittent escalating doses of METH or saline from adolescence to adulthood, and then continued through pregnancy. Interestingly, male but not female offspring exhibited impaired short-term recognition memory and long-term spatial memory retention in novel object recognition and Morris water maze test respectively. Additionally, maternal METH exposure altered neurodevelopmental genes in both male and female offspring, and 12 differentially expressed genes between male and female were observed in the HPC and NAc regions. These differentially expressed genes are involved in neurogenesis, axon guidance, neuron migration and synapse of neural development circuits. Our observations suggest that maternal METH exposure induced differential expression patterns of neurodevelopment-related genes in the HPC and NAc of male and female mice, which may underlie the different cognitive behavior phenotypes in both genders.
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26
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Imai K, Kotani T, Tsuda H, Nakano T, Ushida T, Iwase A, Nagai T, Toyokuni S, Suzumura A, Kikkawa F. Administration of molecular hydrogen during pregnancy improves behavioral abnormalities of offspring in a maternal immune activation model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9221. [PMID: 29907804 PMCID: PMC6003913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate long-term outcomes of the offspring in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) model and the effect of maternal molecular hydrogen (H2) administration. We have previously demonstrated in the MIA mouse model that maternal administration of H2 attenuates oxidative damage and neuroinflammation, including induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation, in the fetal brain. Short-term memory, sociability and social novelty, and sensorimotor gating were evaluated using the Y-maze, three-chamber, and prepulse inhibition (PPI) tests, respectively, at postnatal 3 or 4 weeks. The number of neurons and oligodendrocytes was also analyzed at postnatal 5 weeks by immunohistochemical analysis. Offspring of the LPS-exposed dams showed deficits in short-term memory and social interaction, following neuronal and oligodendrocytic loss in the amygdala and cortex. Maternal H2 administration markedly attenuated these LPS-induced abnormalities. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of H2 on LPS-induced astrocytic activation, both in vivo and in vitro. The number of activated astrocytes with hypertrophic morphology was increased in LPS-exposed offspring, but decreased in the offspring of H2-administered dams. In primary cultured astrocytes, LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines were attenuated by H2 administration. Overall, these findings indicate that maternal H2 administration exerts neuroprotective effects and ameliorates MIA-induced neurodevelopmental deficits of offspring later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Imai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kotani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, 3-35, Michishita-Cho, Nakamura-Ku, Nagoya, 453-8511, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nakano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ushida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Akira Iwase
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Taku Nagai
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shinya Toyokuni
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Akio Suzumura
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kikkawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
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27
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Hori K, Hoshino M. Neuronal Migration and AUTS2 Syndrome. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7050054. [PMID: 28505103 PMCID: PMC5447936 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7050054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal migration is one of the pivotal steps to form a functional brain, and disorganization of this process is believed to underlie the pathology of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy. However, it is not clear how abnormal neuronal migration causes mental dysfunction. Recently, a key gene for various psychiatric diseases, the Autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2), has been shown to regulate neuronal migration, which gives new insight into understanding this question. Interestingly, the AUTS2 protein has dual functions: Cytoplasmic AUTS2 regulates actin cytoskeleton to control neuronal migration and neurite extension, while nuclear AUTS2 controls transcription of various genes as a component of the polycomb complex 1 (PRC1). In this review, we discuss AUTS2 from the viewpoint of human genetics, molecular function, brain development, and behavior in animal models, focusing on its role in neuronal migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Hori
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Mikio Hoshino
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
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