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Alhazmi S, Alharthi M, Alzahrani M, Alrofaidi A, Basingab F, Almuhammadi A, Alkhatabi H, Ashi A, Chaudhary A, Elaimi A. Copy number variations in autistic children. Biomed Rep 2024; 21:107. [PMID: 38868529 PMCID: PMC11168027 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests as a neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social communication, interaction and the performing of repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of autism increases markedly on an annual basis; however, the etiology remains incompletely understood. Cytogenetically visible chromosomal abnormalities, including copy number variations (CNVs), have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD. More than 1% of ASD conditions can be explained based on a known genetic locus, whereas CNVs account for 5-10% of cases. However, there are no studies on the Saudi Arabian population for the detection of CNVs linked to ASD, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 14 autistic children along with four healthy control children and then array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used to detect CNVs. Bioinformatics analysis of the aCGH results showed the presence of recurrent and non-recurrent deletion/duplication CNVs in several regions of the genome of autistic children. The most frequent CNVs were 1q21.2, 3p26.3, 4q13.2, 6p25.3, 6q24.2, 7p21.1, 7q34, 7q11.1, 8p23.2, 13q32.3, 14q11.1-q11.2 and 15q11.1-q11.2. In the present study, CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children were identified to improve the understanding of the etiology of autism and facilitate its diagnosis. Additionally, the present study identified certain possible pathogenic genes in the CNV region associated with several developmental and neurogenetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiah Alhazmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Neuroscience and Geroscience Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maram Alharthi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Alzahrani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alrofaidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatemah Basingab
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Almuhammadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba Alkhatabi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Ashi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adeel Chaudhary
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Elaimi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
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Wilkerson MD, Hupalo D, Gray JC, Zhang X, Wang J, Girgenti MJ, Alba C, Sukumar G, Lott NM, Naifeh JA, Aliaga P, Kessler RC, Turner C, Pollard HB, Dalgard CL, Ursano RJ, Stein MB. Uncommon Protein-Coding Variants Associated With Suicide Attempt in a Diverse Sample of U.S. Army Soldiers. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:15-25. [PMID: 38141912 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a societal and public health concern of global scale. Identifying genetic risk factors for suicide attempt can characterize underlying biology and enable early interventions to prevent deaths. Recent studies have described common genetic variants for suicide-related behaviors. Here, we advance this search for genetic risk by analyzing the association between suicide attempt and uncommon variation exome-wide in a large, ancestrally diverse sample. METHODS We sequenced whole genomes of 13,584 soldiers from the Army STARRS (Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers), including 979 individuals with a history of suicide attempt. Uncommon, nonsilent protein-coding variants were analyzed exome-wide for association with suicide attempt using gene-collapsed and single-variant analyses. RESULTS We identified 19 genes with variants enriched in individuals with history of suicide attempt, either through gene-collapsed or single-variant analysis (Bonferroni padjusted < .05). These genes were CIB2, MLF1, HERC1, YWHAE, RCN2, VWA5B1, ATAD3A, NACA, EP400, ZNF585A, LYST, RC3H2, PSD3, STARD9, SGMS1, ACTR6, RGS7BP, DIRAS2, and KRTAP10-1. Most genes had variants across multiple genomic ancestry groups. Seventeen of these genes were expressed in healthy brain tissue, with 9 genes expressed at the highest levels in the brain versus other tissues. Brains from individuals deceased from suicide aberrantly expressed RGS7BP (padjusted = .035) in addition to nominally significant genes including YWHAE and ACTR6, all of which have reported associations with other mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS These results advance the molecular characterization of suicide attempt behavior and support the utility of whole-genome sequencing for complementing the findings of genome-wide association studies in suicide research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Wilkerson
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daniel Hupalo
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joshua C Gray
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xijun Zhang
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Matthew J Girgenti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Camille Alba
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nathaniel M Lott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - James A Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pablo Aliaga
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Clesson Turner
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Harvey B Pollard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California.
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Gerik-Celebi HB, Bolat H, Unsel-Bolat G. Rare heterozygous genetic variants of NRXN and NLGN gene families involved in synaptic function and their association with neurodevelopmental disorders. Dev Neurobiol 2024. [PMID: 38739110 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The interaction of neurexins (NRXNs) in the presynaptic membrane with postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules called neuroligins (NLGNs) is critical for this synaptic function. Impaired synaptic functions are emphasized in neurodevelopmental disorders to uncover etiological factors. We evaluated variants in NRXN and NLGN genes encoding molecules located directly at the synapse in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders using clinical exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray. We presented detailed clinical findings of cases carrying heterozygous NRXN1 (c.190C > T, c.1679C > T and two copy number variations [CNVs]), NRXN2 (c.808dup, c.1901G > T), NRXN3 (c.3889C > T), and NLGN1 (c.269C > G, c.473T > A) gene variants. In addition, three novel variants were identified in the NRXN1 (c.1679C > T), NRXN3 [c.3889C > T (p.Pro1297Ser)], and NLGN1 [c.473T > A (p.Ile158Lys)] genes. We emphasize the clinical findings of CNVs of the NRXN1 gene causing a more severe clinical presentation than single nucleotide variants of the NRXN1 gene in this study. We detected an NRXN2 gene variant (c.808dup) with low allelic frequency in two unrelated cases with the same diagnosis. We emphasize the importance of this variant for future studies. We suggest that NRXN2, NRXN3, and NLGN1 genes, which are less frequently reported than NRXN1 gene variants, may also be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hilmi Bolat
- Department of Medical Genetics, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Gul Unsel-Bolat
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey
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Pottmeier P, Nikolantonaki D, Lanner F, Peuckert C, Jazin E. Sex-biased gene expression during neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1341373. [PMID: 38764741 PMCID: PMC11101176 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1341373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the developing human brain are primarily attributed to hormonal influence. Recently however, genetic differences and their impact on the developing nervous system have attracted increased attention. To understand genetically driven sexual dimorphisms in neurodevelopment, we investigated genome-wide gene expression in an in vitro differentiation model of male and female human embryonic stem cell lines (hESC), independent of the effects of human sex hormones. Four male and four female-derived hESC lines were differentiated into a population of mixed neurons over 37 days. Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses were conducted on bulk RNA sequencing data. While similar differentiation tendencies in all cell lines demonstrated the robustness and reproducibility of our differentiation protocol, we found sex-biased gene expression already in undifferentiated ESCs at day 0, but most profoundly after 37 days of differentiation. Male and female cell lines exhibited sex-biased expression of genes involved in neurodevelopment, suggesting that sex influences the differentiation trajectory. Interestingly, the highest contribution to sex differences was found to arise from the male transcriptome, involving both Y chromosome and autosomal genes. We propose 13 sex-biased candidate genes (10 upregulated in male cell lines and 3 in female lines) that are likely to affect neuronal development. Additionally, we confirmed gene dosage compensation of X/Y homologs escaping X chromosome inactivation through their Y homologs and identified a significant overexpression of the Y-linked demethylase UTY and KDM5D in male hESC during neuron development, confirming previous results in neural stem cells. Our results suggest that genetic sex differences affect neuronal differentiation trajectories, which could ultimately contribute to sex biases during human brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Pottmeier
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Danai Nikolantonaki
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Lanner
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christiane Peuckert
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Jazin
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Zhang Q, Wang Y, Tao J, Xia R, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Cheng J. Sex-biased single-cell genetic landscape in mice with autism spectrum disorder. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:338-351. [PMID: 37703921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a male-biased, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 1%-2% of the population. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a recognized risk factor for ASD, but the cellular and molecular basis of VPA-induced ASD at the single-cell resolution is unclear. Here, we aim to compare the cellular and molecular differences in the hippocampus between male and female prenatal mice with ASD at the single-cell transcriptomic level. The transcriptomes of more than 45,000 cells are assigned to 12 major cell types, including neurons, glial cells, vascular cells, and immune cells. Cell type-specific genes with altered expression after prenatal VPA exposure are analyzed, and the largest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are found in neurons, choroid plexus epithelial cells, and microglia. In microglia, several pathways related to inflammation are found in both males and females, including the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), toll-like receptor (TLR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, which are important for the induction of autistic-like behavior. Additionally, we note that several X-linked genes, including Bex1, Bex3, and Gria3, were among the male-specific DEGs of neurons. This pioneering study describes the landscape of the transcriptome in the hippocampus of autistic mice. The elucidation of sexual differences could provide innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Jie Tao
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Ruixue Xia
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan University Huaihe Hospital, Kaifeng, Henan 475099, China
| | - Yijie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan University Huaihe Hospital, Kaifeng, Henan 475099, China
| | - Zhirui Liu
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Jiwei Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.
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Antón-Galindo E, Adel MR, García-González J, Leggieri A, López-Blanch L, Irimia M, Norton WHJ, Brennan CH, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Cormand B. Pleiotropic contribution of rbfox1 to psychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes in two zebrafish models. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:99. [PMID: 38374212 PMCID: PMC10876957 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
RBFOX1 is a highly pleiotropic gene that contributes to several psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Both rare and common variants in RBFOX1 have been associated with several psychiatric conditions, but the mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic effects of RBFOX1 are not yet understood. Here we found that, in zebrafish, rbfox1 is expressed in spinal cord, mid- and hindbrain during developmental stages. In adults, expression is restricted to specific areas of the brain, including telencephalic and diencephalic regions with an important role in receiving and processing sensory information and in directing behaviour. To investigate the contribution of rbfox1 to behaviour, we used rbfox1sa15940, a zebrafish mutant line with TL background. We found that rbfox1sa15940 mutants present hyperactivity, thigmotaxis, decreased freezing behaviour and altered social behaviour. We repeated these behavioural tests in a second rbfox1 mutant line with a different genetic background (TU), rbfox1del19, and found that rbfox1 deficiency affects behaviour similarly in this line, although there were some differences. rbfox1del19 mutants present similar thigmotaxis, but stronger alterations in social behaviour and lower levels of hyperactivity than rbfox1sa15940 fish. Taken together, these results suggest that mutations in rbfox1 lead to multiple behavioural changes in zebrafish that might be modulated by environmental, epigenetic and genetic background effects, and that resemble phenotypic alterations present in Rbfox1-deficient mice and in patients with different psychiatric conditions. Our study, thus, highlights the evolutionary conservation of rbfox1 function in behaviour and paves the way to further investigate the mechanisms underlying rbfox1 pleiotropy on the onset of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Antón-Galindo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Maja R Adel
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Judit García-González
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, NYC 10029, USA
| | - Adele Leggieri
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Laura López-Blanch
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - William H J Norton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalunya, Spain.
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalunya, Spain.
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St George-Hyslop F, Haneklaus M, Kivisild T, Livesey FJ. Loss of CNTNAP2 Alters Human Cortical Excitatory Neuron Differentiation and Neural Network Development. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:780-791. [PMID: 37001843 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss-of-function mutations in the contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene are causal for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. CNTNAP2 encodes CASPR2, a single-pass transmembrane protein that belongs to the neurexin family of cell adhesion molecules. These proteins have a variety of functions in developing neurons, including connecting presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, and mediating signaling across the synapse. METHODS To study the effect of loss of CNTNAP2 function on human cerebral cortex development, and how this contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells from one neurotypical control donor null for full-length CNTNAP2, modeling cortical development from neurogenesis through to neural network formation in vitro. RESULTS CNTNAP2 is particularly highly expressed in the first two populations of early-born excitatory cortical neurons, and loss of CNTNAP2 shifted the relative proportions of these two neuronal types. Live imaging of excitatory neuronal growth showed that loss of CNTNAP2 reduced neurite branching and overall neuronal complexity. At the network level, developing cortical excitatory networks null for CNTNAP2 had complex changes in activity compared with isogenic controls: an initial period of relatively reduced activity compared with isogenic controls, followed by a lengthy period of hyperexcitability, and then a further switch to reduced activity. CONCLUSIONS Complete loss of CNTNAP2 contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders through complex changes in several aspects of human cerebral cortex excitatory neuron development that culminate in aberrant neural network formation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances St George-Hyslop
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moritz Haneklaus
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Toomas Kivisild
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Vilela J, Martiniano H, Marques AR, Santos JX, Asif M, Rasga C, Oliveira G, Vicente AM. Identification of Neurotransmission and Synaptic Biological Processes Disrupted in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Interaction Networks and Community Detection Analysis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2971. [PMID: 38001974 PMCID: PMC10668950 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112971] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication deficits and repetitive behavioral patterns. Hundreds of candidate genes have been implicated in ASD, including neurotransmission and synaptic (NS) genes; however, the genetic architecture of this disease is far from clear. In this study, we seek to clarify the biological processes affected by NS gene variants identified in individuals with ASD and the global networks that link those processes together. For a curated list of 1216 NS candidate genes, identified in multiple databases and the literature, we searched for ultra-rare (UR) loss-of-function (LoF) variants in the whole-exome sequencing dataset from the Autism Sequencing Consortium (N = 3938 cases). Filtering for population frequency was carried out using gnomAD (N = 60,146 controls). NS genes with UR LoF variants were used to construct a network of protein-protein interactions, and the network's biological communities were identified by applying the Leiden algorithm. We further explored the expression enrichment of network genes in specific brain regions. We identified 356 variants in 208 genes, with a preponderance of UR LoF variants in the PDE11A and SYTL3 genes. Expression enrichment analysis highlighted several subcortical structures, particularly the basal ganglia. The interaction network defined seven network communities, clustering synaptic and neurotransmitter pathways with several ubiquitous processes that occur in multiple organs and systems. This approach also uncovered biological pathways that are not usually associated with ASD, such as brain cytochromes P450 and brain mitochondrial metabolism. Overall, the community analysis suggests that ASD involves the disruption of synaptic and neurotransmitter pathways but also ubiquitous, but less frequently implicated, biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vilela
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hugo Martiniano
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Marques
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Xavier Santos
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Célia Rasga
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Guiomar Oliveira
- Unidade de Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo, Serviço do Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança, Centro de Investigação e Formação Clínica, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University Clinic of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Astrid Moura Vicente
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.V.); (H.M.); (A.R.M.); (J.X.S.); (M.A.); (C.R.)
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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9
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Gerik-Celebi HB, Aydin H, Bolat H, Unsel-Bolat G. Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Patients with Unexplained Intellectual Disability/Developmental Delay without Epilepsy. Mol Syndromol 2023; 14:208-218. [PMID: 37323201 PMCID: PMC10267527 DOI: 10.1159/000529018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Global developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are mainly evaluated under the neurodevelopmental disorder framework. In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic diagnosis yield using step-by-step genetic analysis in 38 patients with unexplained ID/DD and/or ASD. Methods In 38 cases (27 male, 11 female) with unexplained ID/DD and/or ASD, chromosomal microarray (CMA) analysis, clinical exome sequencing (CES), and whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis were applied, respectively. Results We found a diagnostic rate of only CMA analysis as 21% (8/38) presenting 8 pathogenic and likely pathogenic CNVs. The rate of patients diagnosed with CES/WES methods was 32.2% (10/31). When all pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were evaluated, the diagnosis rate was 44.7% (17/38). A dual diagnosis was obtained in a case with 16p11.2 microduplication and de novo SNV. We identified eight novel variants: TUBA1A (c.787C>G), TMEM63A (c.334-2A>G), YY1AP1 (c.2051_2052del), ABCA13 (c.12064C>T), ABCA13 (c.13187G>A), USP9X (c.1189T>C), ANKRD17 (c.328_330dup), and GRIA4 (c.17G>A). Conclusion We present diagnostic rates of a complementary approach to genetic analysis (CMA, CES, and WES). The combined use of genetic analysis methods in unexplained ID/DD and/or ASD cases has contributed significantly to diagnosis rates. Also, we present detailed clinical characteristics to improve genotype-phenotype correlation in the literature for rare and novel variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hilal Aydin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Hilmi Bolat
- Department of Medical Genetics, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Gul Unsel-Bolat
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Turkey
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10
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Mesleh A, Ehtewish H, de la Fuente A, Al-Shamari H, Ghazal I, Al-Faraj F, Al-Shaban F, Abdesselem HB, Emara M, Alajez NM, Arredouani A, Decock J, Albagha O, Stanton LW, Abdulla SA, El-Agnaf OMA. Blood Proteomics Analysis Reveals Potential Biomarkers and Convergent Dysregulated Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087443. [PMID: 37108604 PMCID: PMC10138652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087443] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term that encompasses several disabling neurodevelopmental conditions. These conditions are characterized by impaired manifestation in social and communication skills with repetitive and restrictive behaviors or interests. Thus far, there are no approved biomarkers for ASD screening and diagnosis; also, the current diagnosis depends heavily on a physician's assessment and family's awareness of ASD symptoms. Identifying blood proteomic biomarkers and performing deep blood proteome profiling could highlight common underlying dysfunctions between cases of ASD, given its heterogeneous nature, thus laying the foundation for large-scale blood-based biomarker discovery studies. This study measured the expression of 1196 serum proteins using proximity extension assay (PEA) technology. The screened serum samples included ASD cases (n = 91) and healthy controls (n = 30) between 6 and 15 years of age. Our findings revealed 251 differentially expressed proteins between ASD and healthy controls, of which 237 proteins were significantly upregulated and 14 proteins were significantly downregulated. Machine learning analysis identified 15 proteins that could be biomarkers for ASD with an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.876 using support vector machine (SVM). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the top differentially expressed proteins (TopDE) and weighted gene co-expression analysis (WGCNA) revealed dysregulation of SNARE vesicular transport and ErbB pathways in ASD cases. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that proteins from those pathways correlate with ASD severity. Further validation and verification of the identified biomarkers and pathways are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej Mesleh
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Hanan Ehtewish
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Alberto de la Fuente
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Hawra Al-Shamari
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Iman Ghazal
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Fatema Al-Faraj
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Fouad Al-Shaban
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Houari B Abdesselem
- Proteomics Core Facility, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Emara
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University (QU), Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Nehad M Alajez
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Abdelilah Arredouani
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Omar Albagha
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Lawrence W Stanton
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Sara A Abdulla
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Omar M A El-Agnaf
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
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11
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Guerra M, Medici V, Weatheritt R, Corvino V, Palacios D, Geloso MC, Farini D, Sette C. Fetal exposure to valproic acid dysregulates the expression of autism-linked genes in the developing cerebellum. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:114. [PMID: 37019889 PMCID: PMC10076313 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02391-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a set of highly heritable neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by social and communication impairment, repetitive behaviour, and intellectual disability. Although mutations in multiple genes have been associated to ASD, most patients lack detectable genetic alterations. For this reason, environmental factors are commonly thought to also contribute to ASD aetiology. Transcriptome analyses have revealed that autistic brains possess distinct gene expression signatures, whose elucidation can provide insights about the mechanisms underlying the effects of ASD-causing genetic and environmental factors. Herein, we have identified a coordinated and temporally regulated programme of gene expression in the post-natal development of cerebellum, a brain area whose defects are strongly associated with ASD. Notably, this cerebellar developmental programme is significantly enriched in ASD-linked genes. Clustering analyses highlighted six different patterns of gene expression modulated during cerebellar development, with most of them being enriched in functional processes that are frequently dysregulated in ASD. By using the valproic acid mouse model of ASD, we found that ASD-linked genes are dysregulated in the developing cerebellum of ASD-like mice, a defect that correlates with impaired social behaviour and altered cerebellar cortical morphology. Moreover, changes in transcript levels were reflected in aberrant protein expression, indicating the functional relevance of these alterations. Thus, our work uncovers a complex ASD-related transcriptional programme regulated during cerebellar development and highlight genes whose expression is dysregulated in this brain area of an ASD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Medici
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Weatheritt
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, EMBL Australia, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Valentina Corvino
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Palacios
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Section of Biology, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Sandoval-Talamantes AK, Mori MÁ, Santos-Simarro F, García-Miñaur S, Mansilla E, Tenorio JA, Peña C, Adan C, Fernández-Elvira M, Rueda I, Lapunzina P, Nevado J. Chromosomal Microarray in Patients with Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Clinical Routine of a Tertiary Hospital. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040820. [PMID: 37107578 PMCID: PMC10137620 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a group of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors, etc. The genetic implications of ASD have been widely documented, and numerous genes have been associated with it. The use of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has proven to be a rapid and effective method for detecting both small and large deletions and duplications associated with ASD. In this article, we present the implementation of CMA as a first-tier test in our clinical laboratory for patients with primary ASD over a prospective period of four years. The cohort was composed of 212 individuals over 3 years of age, who met DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD. The use of a customized array-CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) design (KaryoArray®) found 99 individuals (45.20%) with copy number variants (CNVs); 34 of them carried deletions (34.34%) and 65 duplications (65.65%). A total of 28 of 212 patients had pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs, representing approximately 13% of the cohort. In turn, 28 out of 212 (approximately 12%) had variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS). Our findings involve clinically significant CNVs, known to cause ASD (syndromic and non-syndromic), and other CNVs previously related to other comorbidities such as epilepsy or intellectual disability (ID). Lastly, we observed new rearrangements that will enhance the information available and the collection of genes associated with this disorder. Our data also highlight that CMA could be very useful in diagnosing patients with essential/primary autism, and demonstrate the existence of substantial genetic and clinical heterogeneity in non-syndromic ASD individuals, underscoring the continued challenge for genetic laboratories in terms of its molecular diagnosis.
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13
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Zhou A, Cao X, Mahaganapathy V, Azaro M, Gwin C, Wilson S, Buyske S, Bartlett CW, Flax JF, Brzustowicz LM, Xing J. Common genetic risk factors in ASD and ADHD co-occurring families. Hum Genet 2023; 142:217-230. [PMID: 36251081 PMCID: PMC10177627 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02496-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two major neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur. However, the genetic mechanism of the co-occurrence remains unclear. The New Jersey Language and Autism Genetics Study (NJLAGS) collected more than 100 families with at least one member affected by ASD. NJLAGS families show a high prevalence of ADHD and provide a good opportunity to study shared genetic risk factors for ASD and ADHD. The linkage study of the NJLAGS families revealed regions on chromosomes 12 and 17 that are significantly associated with ADHD. Using whole-genome sequencing data on 272 samples from 73 NJLAGS families, we identified potential risk genes for ASD and ADHD. Within the linkage regions, we identified 36 genes that are associated with ADHD using a pedigree-based gene prioritization approach. KDM6B (Lysine Demethylase 6B) is the highest-ranking gene, which is a known risk gene for neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and ADHD. At the whole-genome level, we identified 207 candidate genes from the analysis of both small variants and structure variants, including both known and novel genes. Using enrichment and protein-protein interaction network analyses, we identified gene ontology terms and pathways enriched for ASD and ADHD candidate genes, such as cilia function and cation channel activity. Candidate genes and pathways identified in our study improve the understanding of the genetic etiology of ASD and ADHD and will lead to new diagnostic or therapeutic interventions for ASD and ADHD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anbo Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Division of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Marco Azaro
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Christine Gwin
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Sherri Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher W Bartlett
- The Steve Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Battelle Center for Computational Biology, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Judy F Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Linda M Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA. .,The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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14
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Intracellular Citrate/acetyl-CoA flux and endoplasmic reticulum acetylation: Connectivity is the answer. Mol Metab 2022; 67:101653. [PMID: 36513219 PMCID: PMC9792894 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101653] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key cellular metabolites reflecting the immediate activity of metabolic enzymes as well as the functional metabolic state of intracellular organelles can act as powerful signal regulators to ensure the activation of homeostatic responses. The citrate/acetyl-CoA pathway, initially recognized for its role in intermediate metabolism, has emerged as a fundamental branch of this nutrient-sensing homeostatic response. Emerging studies indicate that fluctuations in acetyl-CoA availability within different cellular organelles and compartments provides substrate-level regulation of many biological functions. A fundamental aspect of these regulatory functions involves Nε-lysine acetylation. SCOPE OF REVIEW Here, we will examine the emerging regulatory functions of the citrate/acetyl-CoA pathway and the specific role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) acetylation machinery in the maintenance of intracellular crosstalk and homeostasis. These functions will be analyzed in the context of associated human diseases and specific mouse models of dysfunctional ER acetylation and citrate/acetyl-CoA flux. A primary objective of this review is to highlight the complex yet integrated response of compartment- and organelle-specific Nε-lysine acetylation to the intracellular availability and flux of acetyl-CoA, linking this important post-translational modification to cellular metabolism. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The ER acetylation machinery regulates the proteostatic functions of the organelle as well as the metabolic crosstalk between different intracellular organelles and compartments. This crosstalk enables the cell to impart adaptive responses within the ER and the secretory pathway. However, it also enables the ER to impart adaptive responses within different cellular organelles and compartments. Defects in the homeostatic balance of acetyl-CoA flux and ER acetylation reflect different but converging disease states in humans as well as converging phenotypes in relevant mouse models. In conclusion, citrate and acetyl-CoA should not only be seen as metabolic substrates of intermediate metabolism but also as signaling molecules that direct functional adaptation of the cell to both intracellular and extracellular messages. Future discoveries in CoA biology and acetylation are likely to yield novel therapeutic approaches.
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Yun M, Kim E, Jung MW. Enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in Shank2-deficient mice. Mol Autism 2022; 13:40. [PMID: 36192805 PMCID: PMC9531513 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior. Cognitive inflexibility has been proposed as a potential basis for these symptoms of ASD. More generally, behavioral inflexibility has been proposed to underlie repetitive and restrictive behavior in ASD. Here, we investigated whether and how behavioral flexibility is compromised in a widely used animal model of ASD.
Methods We compared the behavioral performance of Shank2-knockout mice and wild-type littermates in reversal learning employing a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm. A conditioned stimulus (odor) was paired with an unconditioned appetitive (water, 6 µl) or aversive (air puff) stimulus in a probabilistic manner. We also compared air puff-induced eye closure responses of Shank2-knockout and wild-type mice. Results Male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed impaired reversal learning when the expected outcomes consisted of a water reward and a strong air puff. Moreover, male, but not female, Shank2-knockout mice showed stronger anticipatory eye closure responses to the air puff compared to wild-type littermates, raising the possibility that the impairment might reflect enhanced fear. In support of this contention, male Shank2-knockout mice showed intact reversal learning when the strong air puff was replaced with a mild air puff and when the expected outcomes consisted of only rewards. Limitations We examined behavioral flexibility in one behavioral task (reversal learning in a probabilistic classical trace conditioning paradigm) using one ASD mouse model (Shank2-knockout mice). Thus, future work is needed to clarify the extent to which our findings (that enhanced fear limits behavioral flexibility in ASD) can explain the behavioral inflexibility associated with ASD. Also, we examined only the relationship between fear and behavioral flexibility, leaving open the question of whether abnormalities in processes other than fear contribute to behavioral inflexibility in ASD. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms linking Shank2-knockout and enhanced fear remain to be elucidated. Conclusions Our results indicate that enhanced fear suppresses reversal learning in the presence of an intact capability to learn cue-outcome contingency changes in Shank2-knockout mice. Our findings suggest that behavioral flexibility might be seriously limited by abnormal emotional responses in ASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-022-00518-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miru Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
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16
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Malloy C, Ahern M, Lin L, Hoffman DA. Neuronal Roles of the Multifunctional Protein Dipeptidyl Peptidase-like 6 (DPP6). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169184. [PMID: 36012450 PMCID: PMC9409431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The concerted action of voltage-gated ion channels in the brain is fundamental in controlling neuronal physiology and circuit function. Ion channels often associate in multi-protein complexes together with auxiliary subunits, which can strongly influence channel expression and function and, therefore, neuronal computation. One such auxiliary subunit that displays prominent expression in multiple brain regions is the Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein 6 (DPP6). This protein associates with A-type K+ channels to control their cellular distribution and gating properties. Intriguingly, DPP6 has been found to be multifunctional with an additional, independent role in synapse formation and maintenance. Here, we feature the role of DPP6 in regulating neuronal function in the context of its modulation of A-type K+ channels as well as its independent involvement in synaptic development. The prevalence of DPP6 in these processes underscores its importance in brain function, and recent work has identified that its dysfunction is associated with host of neurological disorders. We provide a brief overview of these and discuss research directions currently underway to advance our understanding of the contribution of DPP6 to their etiology.
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17
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Sun L, Wang X, Wang X, Cui X, Li G, Wang L, Wang L, Song M, Yu L. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatr Genet 2022; 32:131-145. [PMID: 35353793 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify differentially methylated genes and related signaling pathways in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS First, the DNA methylation profile in the brain samples (GSE131706 and GSE80017) and peripheral blood samples (GSE109905) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) dataset, followed by identification of differentially methylated genes and functional analysis. Second, the GSE109905 data set was used to further validate the methylation state and test the ability to diagnose disease of identified differentially methylated genes. Third, expression measurement of selected differentially methylated genes was performed in whole blood from an independent sample. Finally, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of core differentially methylated genes was constructed. RESULTS Totally, 74 differentially methylated genes were identified in ASD, including 38 hypermethylated genes and 36 hypomethylated genes. 15 differentially methylated genes were further identified after validation in the GSE109905 data set. Among these, major histocompatibility complex (HLA)-DQA1 was involved in the molecular function of myosin heavy chain class II receptor activity; HLA-DRB5 was involved in the signaling pathways of cell adhesion molecules, Epstein-Barr virus infection and antigen processing and presentation. In the PPI analysis, the interaction pairs of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DRB5, FMN2 and ACTR3, and CALCOCO2 and BAZ2B were identified. Interestingly, FMN2, BAZ2B, HLA-DRB5, CALCOCO2 and DUSP22 had a potential diagnostic value for patients with ASD. The expression result of four differentially methylated genes (HLA-DRB5, NTM, IL16 and COL5A3) in the independent sample was consistent with the integrated analysis. CONCLUSIONS Identified differentially methylated genes and enriched signaling pathway could be associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Sun
- Mental Health Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
- Medical Department
| | - Xueyi Wang
- Mental Health Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
| | - Xia Wang
- Child Health Department (Psychological Behavior Department)
| | | | | | - Le Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Hebei Province, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Mental Health Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
| | - Mei Song
- Mental Health Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
| | - Lulu Yu
- Mental Health Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
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18
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Huo Y, Lu W, Tian Y, Hou Q, Man HY. Prkn knockout mice show autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synapse formation. iScience 2022; 25:104573. [PMID: 35789851 PMCID: PMC9249611 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high genetic heterogeneity, affecting one in 44 children in the United States. Recent genomic sequencing studies from autistic human individuals indicate that PARK2, a gene that has long been considered in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, is involved in ASD. Here, we report that Prkn knockout (KO) mice demonstrate autistic-like behaviors including impaired social interaction, elevated repetitive behaviors, and deficits in communication. In addition, Prkn KO mice show reduced neuronal activity in the context of sociability in the prelimbic cortex. Cell morphological examination of layer 5 prelimbic cortical neurons shows a reduction in dendritic arborization and spine number. Furthermore, biochemistry and immunocytochemistry analyses reveal alterations in synapse density and the molecular composition of synapses. These findings indicate that Prkn is implicated in brain development and suggest the potential use of the Prkn KO mouse as a model for autism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuda Huo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Qingming Hou
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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19
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Chu MC, Wu HF, Lee CW, Chung YJ, Chi H, Chen PS, Lin HC. Generational synaptic functions of GABA A receptor β3 subunit deteriorations in an animal model of social deficit. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 35821032 PMCID: PMC9277936 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD. METHODS The F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques. RESULTS Social deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chia Chu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Lee
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Jung Chung
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Hsiang Chi
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan. .,Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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20
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Dobritzsch D, Meijer J, Meinsma R, Maurer D, Monavari AA, Gummesson A, Reims A, Cayuela JA, Kuklina N, Benoist JF, Perrin L, Assmann B, Hoffmann GF, Bierau J, Kaindl AM, van Kuilenburg ABP. β-Ureidopropionase deficiency due to novel and rare UPB1 mutations affecting pre-mRNA splicing and protein structural integrity and catalytic activity. Mol Genet Metab 2022; 136:177-185. [PMID: 35151535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2022.01.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
β-Ureidopropionase is the third enzyme of the pyrimidine degradation pathway and catalyses the conversion of N-carbamyl-β-alanine and N-carbamyl-β-aminoisobutyric acid to β-alanine and β-aminoisobutyric acid, ammonia and CO2. To date, only a limited number of genetically confirmed patients with a complete β-ureidopropionase deficiency have been reported. Here, we report on the clinical, biochemical and molecular findings of 10 newly identified β-ureidopropionase deficient individuals. Patients presented mainly with neurological abnormalities and markedly elevated levels of N-carbamyl-β-alanine and N-carbamyl-β-aminoisobutyric acid in urine. Analysis of UPB1, encoding β-ureidopropionase, showed 5 novel missense variants and two novel splice-site variants. Functional expression of the UPB1 variants in mammalian cells showed that recombinant ß-ureidopropionase carrying the p.Ala120Ser, p.Thr129Met, p.Ser300Leu and p.Asn345Ile variant yielded no or significantly decreased β-ureidopropionase activity. Analysis of the crystal structure of human ß-ureidopropionase indicated that the point mutations affect substrate binding or prevent the proper subunit association to larger oligomers and thus a fully functional β-ureidopropionase. A minigene approach showed that the intronic variants c.[364 + 6 T > G] and c.[916 + 1_916 + 2dup] led to skipping of exon 3 and 8, respectively, in the process of UPB1 pre-mRNA splicing. The c.[899C > T] (p.Ser300Leu) variant was identified in two unrelated Swedish β-ureidopropionase patients, indicating that β-ureidopropionase deficiency may be more common than anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Dobritzsch
- Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry-BMC, Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Judith Meijer
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rutger Meinsma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ardeshir A Monavari
- National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anders Gummesson
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Annika Reims
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jorge A Cayuela
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Natalia Kuklina
- Drammen Hospital, Pediatric Department/Habilitation Center, Vestre Viken HF, Drammen, Norway
| | - Jean-François Benoist
- Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré, Service de Biochimie Hormonologie, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Perrin
- Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré, Service de Biochimie Hormonologie, Paris, France
| | - Birgit Assmann
- University Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg F Hoffmann
- University Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörgen Bierau
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Angela M Kaindl
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Chronically Sick Children, Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - André B P van Kuilenburg
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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21
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Loss of neurodevelopmental-associated miR-592 impairs neurogenesis and causes social interaction deficits. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:292. [PMID: 35365601 PMCID: PMC8976077 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
microRNA-592 (miR-592) has been linked to neurogenesis, but the influence of miR-592 knockout in vivo remains unknown. Here, we report that miR-592 knockout represses IPC-to-mature neuron transition, impairs motor coordination and reduces social interaction. Combining the RNA-seq and tandem mass tagging-based quantitative proteomics analysis (TMT protein quantification) and luciferase reporter assays, we identified MeCP2 as the direct targetgene of miR-592 in the mouse cortex. In Tg(MECP2) mice, lipofection of miR-592 efficiently reduced MECP2 expression in the brains of Tg(MECP2) mice at E14.5. Furthermore, treatment with miR-592 partially ameliorated the autism-like phenotypes observed in adult Tg(MECP2) mice. The findings demonstrate that miR-592 might play a novel role in treating the neurodevelopmental-associated disorder. ![]()
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22
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Dal Cortivo G, Dell’Orco D. Calcium- and Integrin-Binding Protein 2 (CIB2) in Physiology and Disease: Bright and Dark Sides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073552. [PMID: 35408910 PMCID: PMC8999013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium- and integrin-binding protein 2 (CIB2) is a small EF-hand protein capable of binding Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. While its biological function remains largely unclear, an increasing number of studies have shown that CIB2 is an essential component of the mechano-transduction machinery that operates in cochlear hair cells. Mutations in the gene encoding CIB2 have been associated with non-syndromic deafness. In addition to playing an important role in the physiology of hearing, CIB2 has been implicated in a multitude of very different processes, ranging from integrin signaling in platelets and skeletal muscle to autophagy, suggesting extensive functional plasticity. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of biochemical and biophysical properties of CIB2 and the biological roles that have been proposed for the protein in a variety of processes. We also highlight the many molecular aspects that remain unclarified and deserve further investigation.
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23
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Murie M, Peng Y, Rigby MJ, Dieterich IA, Farrugia MA, Endresen A, Bhattacharyya A, Puglielli L. ATase inhibition rescues age-associated proteotoxicity of the secretory pathway. Commun Biol 2022; 5:173. [PMID: 35217767 PMCID: PMC8881600 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Malfunction of autophagy contributes to the progression of many chronic age-associated diseases. As such, improving normal proteostatic mechanisms is an active target for biomedical research and a key focal area for aging research. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-based acetylation has emerged as a mechanism that ensures proteostasis within the ER by regulating the induction of ER specific autophagy. ER acetylation is ensured by two ER-membrane bound acetyltransferases, ATase1 and ATase2. Here, we show that ATase inhibitors can rescue ongoing disease manifestations associated with the segmental progeria-like phenotype of AT-1 sTg mice. We also describe a pipeline to reliably identify ATase inhibitors with promising druggability properties. Finally, we show that successful ATase inhibitors can rescue the proteopathy of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, our study proposes that ATase-targeting approaches might offer a translational pathway for many age-associated proteopathies affecting the ER/secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeghan Murie
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Yajing Peng
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Michael J. Rigby
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Inca A. Dieterich
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Mark A. Farrugia
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Present Address: Mark A. Farrugia, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA
| | - Andreas Endresen
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Luigi Puglielli
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI USA
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24
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Zhang X, Zhu Y, Kremling KAG, Romay MC, Bukowski R, Sun Q, Gao S, Buckler ES, Lu F. Genome-wide analysis of deletions in maize population reveals abundant genetic diversity and functional impact. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2022; 135:273-290. [PMID: 34661697 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03965-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Two read depth methods were jointly used in next-generation sequencing data to identify deletions in maize population. GWAS by deletions were analyzed for gene expression pattern and classical traits, respectively. Many studies have confirmed that structural variation (SV) is pervasive throughout the maize genome. Deletion is one type of SV that may impact gene expression and cause phenotypic changes in quantitative traits. In this study, two read count approaches were used to analyze the deletions in the whole-genome sequencing data of 270 maize inbred lines. A total of 19,754 deletion windows overlapped 12,751 genes, which were unevenly distributed across the genome. The deletions explained population structure well and correlated with genomic features. The deletion proportion of genes was determined to be negatively correlated with its expression. The detection of gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) indicated that local eQTL were fewer but had larger effects than distant ones. The common associated genes were related to basic metabolic processes, whereas unique associated genes with eQTL played a role in the stress or stimulus responses in multiple tissues. Compared with the eQTL detected by SNPs derived from the same sequencing data, 89.4% of the associated genes could be detected by both markers. The effect of top eQTL detected by SNPs was usually larger than that detected by deletions for the same gene. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) on flowering time and plant height illustrated that only a few loci could be consistently captured by SNPs, suggesting that combining deletion and SNP for GWAS was an excellent strategy to dissect trait architecture. Our findings will provide insights into characteristic and biological function of genome-wide deletions in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, 175 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Yonghui Zhu
- Crop Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Karl A G Kremling
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, 175 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - M Cinta Romay
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, 175 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robert Bukowski
- Bioinformatics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Bioinformatics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Shibin Gao
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Edward S Buckler
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, 175 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY, USA
- USDA-ARS, R. W. Holley Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Fei Lu
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, 175 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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25
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Agarwala S, Ramachandra NB. Risk homozygous haplotype regions for autism identifies population-specific ten genes for numerous pathways. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSURGERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s41983-021-00323-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Recessive homozygous haplotype (rHH) mapping is a reliable tool for identifying recessive genes by detecting homozygous segments of identical haplotype structures. These are shared at a higher frequency amongst probands compared to parental controls. Finding out such rHH blocks in autism subjects can help in deciphering the disorder etiology.
Objectives
The study aims to detect rHH segments of identical haplotype structure shared at a higher frequency in autism subjects than controls to identify recessive genes responsible for autism manifestation.
Methods
In the present study, 426 unrelated autism genotyped probands with 232 parents (116 trios) were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Database. Homozygosity mapping analyses have been performed on the samples using standardized algorithms using the Affymetrix GeneChip® 500K SNP Nsp and Sty mapping arrays datasets.
Results
A total of 38 homozygous haplotype blocks were revealed across sample datasets. Upon downstream analysis, 10 autism genes were identified based on selected autism candidate genes criteria. Further, expressive Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis of SNPs revealed various binding sites for regulatory proteins BX3, FOS, BACH1, MYC, JUND, MAFK, POU2F2, RBBP5, RUNX3, and SMARCA4 impairing essential autism genes CEP290, KITLG, CHD8, and INS2. Pathways and processes such as adherens junction, dipeptidase activity, and platelet-derived growth factor—vital to autism manifestation were identified with varied protein-protein clustered interactions.
Conclusion
These findings bring various population clusters with significant rHH genes. It is suggestive of the existence of common but population-specific risk alleles in related autism subjects.
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26
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Alnak A, Kuşcu Özücer İ, Okay Çağlayan A, Coşkun M. Peripheral Expression of MACROD2 Gene Is Reduced Among a Sample of Turkish Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2021; 31:261-268. [PMID: 38765943 PMCID: PMC11079661 DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2021.21144] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic variations in mono-ADP ribosylhydrolase 2 (MACROD2) have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in recent genome-wide studies and case reports. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the MACROD2 expression profile in patients with ASD. Methods The study group included 100 children with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ASD, and the control group consisted of 105 healthy controls. Blood samples were obtained from all participants in this study, and the gene expression level was determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Statistical analysis was performed with R 3.4.0 and Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, 21.0). Results The mean ages of the participants in the study and control groups were 9.22 ± 3.62 and 9.27 ± 3.86 years, respectively. There was no significant difference concerning gender (P = .944) and age (P = .914) between the 2 groups. MACROD2 gene expression was found to be decreased in the study group compared to the control group (study group = 5.73, control group = 89.56; fold change =-3.967; P < .001). While the level of MACROD2 expression was not correlated with the ASD severity, it was associated with the severity of the hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms (P = .008). Conclusions This is the first study in the literature investigating the peripheral expression of the MACROD2 gene. We showed that the expression level of MACROD2 was decreased in patients with ASD when compared to the control group. As the relationship between the MACROD2 gene expression profile and ASD remains to be further investigated, this study may provide an insight for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alper Alnak
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İpek Kuşcu Özücer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Okay Çağlayan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Murat Coşkun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Benítez-Burraco A, Fernández-Urquiza M, Jiménez-Romero S. Language impairment with a microduplication in 1q42.3q43. CLINICAL LINGUISTICS & PHONETICS 2021; 35:610-635. [PMID: 32856472 DOI: 10.1080/02699206.2020.1812119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Deletions and duplications of the distal region of the long arm of chromosome 1 are associated with brain abnormalities and developmental delay. Because duplications are less frequent than deletions, no detailed account of the cognitive profile of the affected people is available, particularly, regarding their language (dis)abilities. In this paper we report on the cognitive and language capacities of a girl with one of the smallest interstitial duplications ever described in this region, affecting to 1q42.3q43 (arr[hg19] 1q42.3q43(235,963,632-236,972,276)x3), and advance potential candidate genes for the observed deficits. The proband's speech is severely impaired, exhibiting dysarthric-like features, with speech problems also resulting from a phonological deficit boiling down to a verbal auditory memory deficit. Lexical and grammatical knowledge are also impaired, impacting negatively on both expressive and receptive abilities, seemingly as a consequence of the phonological deficit. Still, her pragmatic abilities seem to be significantly spared, granting her a good command on the principles governing conversational exchanges. Genetic analyses point to several genes of interest. These include one gene within the duplicated region (LYST), one predicted functional partner (CMIP), and three genes outside the 1q42.3q43 region, which are all highly expressed in the cerebellum: DDIT4 and SLC29A1, found strongly downregulated in the proband compared to her healthy parents, and CNTNAP3, found strongly upregulated. The genes highlighted in the paper emerge as potential candidates for the phonological and speech deficits exhibited by the proband and ultimately, for her problems with language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Benítez-Burraco
- Department of Spanish, Linguistics, and Theory of Literature (Linguistics), University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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28
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Namavar Y, Duineveld DJ, Both GIA, Fiksinski AM, Vorstman JAS, Verhoeven-Duif NM, Zinkstok JR. Psychiatric phenotypes associated with hyperprolinemia: A systematic review. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:289-317. [PMID: 34302426 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hyperprolinemia Type I and II are genetic metabolic disorders caused by disrupted proline degradation. It has been suggested that hyperprolinemia is associated with increased risk of developmental and mental disorders but detailed information on the psychiatric phenotype in hyperprolinemic patients is limited. Following PRISMA guidelines, we carried out a systematic review to clarify psychiatric phenotypes in patients with hyperprolinemia. We screened 1753 studies and included 35 for analysis, including 20 case reports and 15 case-control and cohort studies. From these studies, a common psychiatric phenotype is observed with a high prevalence of developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and psychosis spectrum disorders. In most cases, a genetic cause of hyperprolinemia was known, these included mutations in the PRODH and ALDH4A1 genes and deletions of chromosome 22q11.2. No evidence for a biochemical phenotype-clinical phenotype correlation was found; that is, no association between higher proline levels and specific psychiatric phenotypes was observed. This suggests that genomic and environmental factors are likely to contribute to clinical outcomes. More studies are needed to clarify whether hyperprolinemia is a primary causal factor underlying the increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders seen in patients with hyperprolinemia, or whether hyperprolinemia and psychiatric disorders are both consequences of a shared underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Namavar
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Denise Joanne Duineveld
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ania Maria Fiksinski
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The Dalglish Family 22q Clinic for 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob Abraham Schrey Vorstman
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nanda Margriet Verhoeven-Duif
- Section of Metabolic Diagnostics, Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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29
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Lee S, Kang H, Jung H, Kim E, Lee E. Gene Dosage- and Age-Dependent Differential Transcriptomic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:683196. [PMID: 34177464 PMCID: PMC8226033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.683196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein that is known to regulate excitatory synapse assembly and synaptic transmission and has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies on Shank2-mutant mice provided mechanistic insights into their autistic-like phenotypes, but it remains unclear how transcriptomic patterns are changed in brain regions of the mutant mice in age- and gene dosage-dependent manners. To this end, we performed RNA-Seq analyses of the transcripts from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice lacking exons 6 and 7 at juvenile (week 3) and adult (week 12) stages. Juvenile heterozygous Shank2-mutant mice showed upregulation of glutamate synapse-related genes, downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, and transcriptomic changes that are opposite to those observed in ASD (anti-ASD) such as upregulation of ASD_down (downregulated in ASD), GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Juvenile homozygous Shank2 mice showed upregulation of chromatin-related genes and transcriptomic changes that are in line with those occurring in ASD (pro-ASD) such as downregulation of ASD_down, GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Adult heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice both exhibited downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes and pro-ASD transcriptomic changes. Therefore, the gene dosage- and age-dependent effects of Shank2 deletions in mice include differential transcriptomic changes across distinct functional contexts, including synapses, chromatin, ribosomes, mitochondria, GABA neurons, and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, KISTI, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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30
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Mountford HS, Hill A, Barnett AL, Newbury DF. Genome-Wide Association Study of Motor Coordination. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:669902. [PMID: 34177493 PMCID: PMC8219980 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.669902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to finely control our movement is key to achieving many of the educational milestones and life-skills we develop throughout our lives. Despite the centrality of coordination to early development, there is a vast gap in our understanding of the underlying biology. Like most complex traits, both genetics and environment influence motor coordination, however, the specific genes, early environmental risk factors and molecular pathways are unknown. Previous studies have shown that about 5% of school-age children experience unexplained difficulties with motor coordination. These children are said to have Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). For children with DCD, these motor coordination difficulties significantly impact their everyday life and learning. DCD is associated with poorer academic achievement, reduced quality of life, it can constrain career opportunities and increase the risk of mental health issues in adulthood. Despite the high prevalence of coordination difficulties, many children remain undiagnosed by healthcare professionals. Compounding under-diagnosis in the clinic, research into the etiology of DCD is severely underrepresented in the literature. Here we present the first genome-wide association study to examine the genetic basis of early motor coordination in the context of motor difficulties. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children we generate a derived measure of motor coordination from four components of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, providing an overall measure of coordination across the full range of ability. We perform the first genome-wide association analysis focused on motor coordination (N = 4542). No single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) met the threshold for genome-wide significance, however, 59 SNPs showed suggestive associations. Three regions contained multiple suggestively associated SNPs, within five preliminary candidate genes: IQSEC1, LRCC1, SYNJ2B2, ADAM20, and ADAM21. Association to the gene IQSEC1 suggests a potential link to axon guidance and dendritic projection processes as a potential underlying mechanism of motor coordination difficulties. This represents an interesting potential mechanism, and whilst further validation is essential, it generates a direct window into the biology of motor coordination difficulties. This research has identified potential biological drivers of DCD, a first step towards understanding this common, yet neglected neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley S. Mountford
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Hill
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Anna L. Barnett
- Centre for Psychological Research, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dianne F. Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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31
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Sakamoto Y, Shimoyama S, Furukawa T, Adachi M, Takahashi M, Mikami T, Kuribayashi M, Osato A, Tsushima D, Saito M, Ueno S, Nakamura K. Copy number variations in Japanese children with autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatr Genet 2021; 31:79-87. [PMID: 33591083 PMCID: PMC8115735 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occurs worldwide, most genomic studies on ASD were performed on those of Western ancestry. We hypothesized ASD-related copy number variations (CNVs) of Japanese individuals might be different from those of Western individuals. METHODS Subjects were recruited from the Hirosaki 5-year-old children's developmental health check-up (HFC) between 2013 and 2016 (ASD group; n = 68, control group; n = 124). This study conducted CNV analysis using genomic DNA from peripheral blood of 5-year-old Japanese children. Fisher's exact test was applied for profiling subjects and CNV loci. RESULTS Four ASD-related CNVs: deletion at 12p11.1, duplications at 4q13.2, 8p23.1 and 18q12.3 were detected (P = 0.015, 0.024, 0.009, 0.004, respectively). Specifically, the odds ratio of duplication at 18q12.3 was highest among the 4 CNVs (odds ratio, 8.13). CONCLUSIONS Four CNVs: microdeletion at 12p11.1, microduplications at 4q13.2, 8p23.1 and 18q12.3 were detected as ASD-related CNVs in Japanese children in this study. Although these CNVs were consistent with several reports by Western countries at cytoband levels, these did not consistent at detailed genomic positions and sizes. Our data indicate the possibility that these CNVs are characteristic of Japanese children with ASD. We conclude that Japanese individuals with ASD may harbor CNVs different from those of Western individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Masaki Adachi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Michio Takahashi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | | | - Michito Kuribayashi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | | | | | - Manabu Saito
- Departments of Neuropsychiatry
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
| | - Shinya Ueno
- Neurophysiology
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
| | - Kazuhiko Nakamura
- Departments of Neuropsychiatry
- Research Center for Child Mental Development
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32
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The role of GABAergic signalling in neurodevelopmental disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:290-307. [PMID: 33772226 PMCID: PMC9001156 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic inhibition shapes the connectivity, activity and plasticity of the brain. A series of exciting new discoveries provides compelling evidence that disruptions in a number of key facets of GABAergic inhibition have critical roles in the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). These facets include the generation, migration and survival of GABAergic neurons, the formation of GABAergic synapses and circuit connectivity, and the dynamic regulation of the efficacy of GABAergic signalling through neuronal chloride transporters. In this Review, we discuss recent work that elucidates the functions and dysfunctions of GABAergic signalling in health and disease, that uncovers the contribution of GABAergic neural circuit dysfunction to NDD aetiology and that leverages such mechanistic insights to advance precision medicine for the treatment of NDDs.
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33
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Fyke W, Alarcon JM, Velinov M, Chadman KK. Pharmacological inhibition of the primary endocannabinoid producing enzyme, DGL-α, induces autism spectrum disorder-like and co-morbid phenotypes in adult C57BL/J mice. Autism Res 2021; 14:1375-1389. [PMID: 33886158 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence links dysfunction in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with the pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variants in ECS genes CNR1 and DAGLA are associated with neurological phenotypes in humans. The endocannabinoids (eCBs), 2-AG and AEA, which act at the primary cannabinoid receptor (CB1), mediate behaviors relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The overlap between these eCBs is poorly understood. Most ECS studies have focused on stress responses, anxiety, and epilepsy, however, its role in social behavior and communication has only recently come under investigation. This represents a critical gap in our understanding of the ECS and its relationship to ASD. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of ASD and a lack of therapeutics emphasize a crucial need for novel therapeutic targets. To this aim, we used an inhibitor of the eCB producing enzyme DGL-α, DO34, and the CB1 inverse agonist, rimonabant, to evaluate the role of the primary eCB, 2-AG, in ASD. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were used in a series of behavioral paradigms which assessed social behavior, social communication, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and locomotor activity. DO34 and rimonabant increased anxiety-like behavior, while only DO34 induced hyperactivity, social deficits, and repetitive self-grooming behavior. These data indicate that reduced 2-AG bioavailability, or CB1 inhibition, each induce unique respective behavioral phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD. This suggests fundamental differences in CB1 signaling via 2-AG and the CB1 receptor itself, particularly for social behaviors, and that 2-AG signaling may represent a target for the development of novel therapeutics. LAY SUMMARY: Endocannabinoids play a critical role in the developing nervous system. Alterations in the endocannabinoid system are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies suggest these variants may play a critical role in the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. In this study, pharmacological inhibition of the primary endocannabinoid producing enzyme, DGL-α, induced a constellation of deficits in behavioral domains associated with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Fyke
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, USA.,Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,George A. Jervis Clinic, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Juan Marcos Alarcon
- Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,Department of Pathology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Milen Velinov
- George A. Jervis Clinic, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn K Chadman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, USA
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34
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Rigby MJ, Lawton AJ, Kaur G, Banduseela VC, Kamm WE, Lakkaraju A, Denu JM, Puglielli L. Endoplasmic reticulum acetyltransferases Atase1 and Atase2 differentially regulate reticulophagy, macroautophagy and cellular acetyl-CoA metabolism. Commun Biol 2021; 4:454. [PMID: 33846551 PMCID: PMC8041774 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01992-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nε-lysine acetylation in the ER lumen is a recently discovered quality control mechanism that ensures proteostasis within the secretory pathway. The acetyltransferase reaction is carried out by two type-II membrane proteins, ATase1/NAT8B and ATase2/NAT8. Prior studies have shown that reducing ER acetylation can induce reticulophagy, increase ER turnover, and alleviate proteotoxic states. Here, we report the generation of Atase1-/- and Atase2-/- mice and show that these two ER-based acetyltransferases play different roles in the regulation of reticulophagy and macroautophagy. Importantly, knockout of Atase1 alone results in activation of reticulophagy and rescue of the proteotoxic state associated with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, loss of Atase1 or Atase2 results in widespread adaptive changes in the cell acetylome and acetyl-CoA metabolism. Overall, our study supports a divergent role of Atase1 and Atase2 in cellular biology, emphasizing ATase1 as a valid translational target for diseases characterized by toxic protein aggregation in the secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Rigby
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alexis J Lawton
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gulpreet Kaur
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Varuna C Banduseela
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William E Kamm
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aparna Lakkaraju
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John M Denu
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Luigi Puglielli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI, USA.
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35
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Sheehan BK, Orefice NS, Peng Y, Shapiro SL, Puglielli L. ATG9A regulates proteostasis through reticulophagy receptors FAM134B and SEC62 and folding chaperones CALR and HSPB1. iScience 2021; 24:102315. [PMID: 33870132 PMCID: PMC8042170 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The acetylation of ATG9A within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen regulates the induction of reticulophagy. ER acetylation is ensured by AT-1/SLC33A1, a membrane transporter that maintains the cytosol-to-ER flux of acetyl-CoA. Defective AT-1 activity, as caused by heterozygous/homozygous mutations and gene duplication events, results in severe disease phenotypes. Here, we show that although the acetylation of ATG9A occurs in the ER lumen, the induction of reticulophagy requires ATG9A to engage FAM134B and SEC62 on the cytosolic side of the ER. To address this conundrum, we resolved the ATG9A interactome in two mouse models of AT-1 dysregulation: AT-1 sTg, a model of systemic AT-1 overexpression with hyperacetylation of ATG9A, and AT-1S113R/+, a model of AT-1 haploinsufficiency with hypoacetylation of ATG9A. We identified CALR and HSPB1 as two ATG9A partners that regulate the induction of reticulophagy as a function of ATG9A acetylation and discovered that ATG9A associates with several proteins that maintain ER proteostasis. The ATG9A-FAM134B and ATG9A-SEC62 interaction requires specific structural features Opposite Ca++-binding EF hands regulate ATG9A-FAM134B interaction HSBP1 and CALR regulate ATG9A-mediated induction of reticulophagy Many of the proteins that ensure ER proteostasis display spatial vicinity/cross talk
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan K Sheehan
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Nicola S Orefice
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yajing Peng
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Samantha L Shapiro
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Luigi Puglielli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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36
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Greene SM, Sanchez YR, Pathapati N, Davis GN, Gould GG. Assessment of autism-relevant behaviors in C57BKS/J leptin receptor deficient mice. Horm Behav 2021; 129:104919. [PMID: 33428921 PMCID: PMC7965341 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was associated with greater autism risk in epidemiological studies. Disrupted leptin signaling may contribute to their coincidence, as it is found in both disorders. Given this we examined leptin receptor (Lepr) deficient (BKS.Cg-Dock7m +/+ Leprdb/J diabetic (db)) heterozygous (db/+) mice for autism-relevant behaviors. BKS db/+ females are lean with normal blood glucose, but they develop GDM while pregnant. We hypothesized BKS db/+ offspring might exhibit physiological and behavior traits consistent with autism. Adolescent body weight, fasting blood glucose, serum corticosterone, social preferences, self-grooming, marble burying, social dominance and cognitive flexibility of BKS db/+ mice was compared to C57BLKS/J (BKS) and C57BL/6J (BL6) mice. Male db/+ weighed more and had higher blood glucose and corticosterone relative to BL6, but not BKS mice. Also, male db/+ lacked social interaction preference, explored arenas less, and buried more marbles than BL6, but not BKS males. Male and female db/+ were more dominant and made more mistakes in water T-mazes locating a sunken platform after its position was reversed than BL6, but not BKS mice. Overall BKS db/+, particularly males, exhibited some autism-like social deficits and restrictive-repetitive behaviors relative to BL6, but BKS strain contributions to BKS db/+ behaviors were evident. Since BKS db/+ and BKS behavioral and physiological phenotypes are already so similar, it will be difficult to use these models in studies designed to detect contributions of fetal GDM exposures to offspring behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Greene
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States of America.
| | - Yatzil R Sanchez
- School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States of America.
| | - Nikhita Pathapati
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States of America.
| | - Gianna N Davis
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States of America.
| | - Georgianna G Gould
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States of America.
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37
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Hyder Z, Van Paesschen W, Sabir A, Sansbury FH, Burke KB, Khan N, Chandler KE, Cooper NS, Wright R, McHale E, Van Esch H, Banka S. ERBB4 exonic deletions on chromosome 2q34 in patients with intellectual disability or epilepsy. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:1377-1383. [PMID: 33603162 PMCID: PMC8440581 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00815-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
ERBB4 encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor HER4, a critical regulator of normal cell function and neurodevelopmental processes in the brain. One of the key ligands of HER4 is neureglin-1 (NRG1), and the HER4-NRG1 signalling pathway is essential in neural crest cell migration, and neuronal differentiation. Pharmacological inactivation of HER4 has been shown to hasten the progression of epileptogenesis in rodent models, and heterozygous ERBB4 null mice are shown to have cognitive deficits and delayed motor development. Thus far there is only a single case report in the literature of a heterozygous ERBB4 deletion in a patient with intellectual disability (ID). We identified nine subjects from five unrelated families with chromosome 2q34 deletions, resulting in heterozygous intragenic loss of multiple exons of ERBB4, associated with either non-syndromic ID or generalised epilepsy. In one family, the deletion segregated with ID in five affected relatives. Overall, this case series further supports that haploinsufficiency of ERBB4 leads to non-syndromic intellectual disability or epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zerin Hyder
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
| | - Wim Van Paesschen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Epilepsy Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ataf Sabir
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Francis H Sansbury
- All Wales Medical Genomics Service, NHS Wales Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Katherine B Burke
- All Wales Medical Genomics Service, NHS Wales Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Naz Khan
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Kate E Chandler
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Division of Evolution & Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicola S Cooper
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ronnie Wright
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Edward McHale
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Hilde Van Esch
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Siddharth Banka
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Division of Evolution & Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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38
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Sailer S, Keller MA, Werner ER, Watschinger K. The Emerging Physiological Role of AGMO 10 Years after Its Gene Identification. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020088. [PMID: 33530536 PMCID: PMC7911779 DOI: 10.3390/life11020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding alkylglycerol monooxygenase (AGMO) was assigned 10 years ago. So far, AGMO is the only known enzyme capable of catalysing the breakdown of alkylglycerols and lyso-alkylglycerophospholipids. With the knowledge of the genetic information, it was possible to relate a potential contribution for mutations in the AGMO locus to human diseases by genome-wide association studies. A possible role for AGMO was implicated by genetic analyses in a variety of human pathologies such as type 2 diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer, and immune defence. Deficient catabolism of stored lipids carrying an alkyl bond by an absence of AGMO was shown to impact on the overall lipid composition also outside the ether lipid pool. This review focuses on the current evidence of AGMO in human diseases and summarises experimental evidence for its role in immunity, energy homeostasis, and development in humans and several model organisms. With the progress in lipidomics platform and genetic identification of enzymes involved in ether lipid metabolism such as AGMO, it is now possible to study the consequence of gene ablation on the global lipid pool and further on certain signalling cascades in a variety of model organisms in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sailer
- Biocenter, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.S.); (E.R.W.)
| | - Markus A. Keller
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Ernst R. Werner
- Biocenter, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.S.); (E.R.W.)
| | - Katrin Watschinger
- Biocenter, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.S.); (E.R.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-512-9003-70344
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39
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Grabrucker S, Pagano J, Schweizer J, Urrutia-Ruiz C, Schön M, Thome K, Ehret G, Grabrucker AM, Zhang R, Hengerer B, Bockmann J, Verpelli C, Sala C, Boeckers TM. Activation of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) ameliorates loss of maternal behavior in a Shank2 mouse model for autism. EMBO J 2021; 40:e104267. [PMID: 33491217 PMCID: PMC7917557 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in social relationships and awareness are features observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Shank2 is a high‐confidence ASD candidate gene and localizes primarily to postsynaptic densities (PSDs) of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). We show here that loss of Shank2 in mice leads to a lack of social attachment and bonding behavior towards pubs independent of hormonal, cognitive, or sensitive deficits. Shank2−/− mice display functional changes in nuclei of the social attachment circuit that were most prominent in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus. Selective enhancement of MPOA activity by DREADD technology re‐established social bonding behavior in Shank2−/− mice, providing evidence that the identified circuit might be crucial for explaining how social deficits in ASD can arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Grabrucker
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jessica Pagano
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Johanna Schweizer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kevin Thome
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Günter Ehret
- Institute of Neurobiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Rong Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
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40
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Dieterich IA, Cui Y, Braun MM, Lawton AJ, Robinson NH, Peotter JL, Yu Q, Casler JC, Glick BS, Audhya A, Denu JM, Li L, Puglielli L. Acetyl-CoA flux from the cytosol to the ER regulates engagement and quality of the secretory pathway. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2013. [PMID: 33479349 PMCID: PMC7820588 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nε-lysine acetylation in the ER is an essential component of the quality control machinery. ER acetylation is ensured by a membrane transporter, AT-1/SLC33A1, which translocates cytosolic acetyl-CoA into the ER lumen, and two acetyltransferases, ATase1 and ATase2, which acetylate nascent polypeptides within the ER lumen. Dysfunctional AT-1, as caused by gene mutation or duplication events, results in severe disease phenotypes. Here, we used two models of AT-1 dysregulation to investigate dynamics of the secretory pathway: AT-1 sTg, a model of systemic AT-1 overexpression, and AT-1S113R/+, a model of AT-1 haploinsufficiency. The animals displayed reorganization of the ER, ERGIC, and Golgi apparatus. In particular, AT-1 sTg animals displayed a marked delay in Golgi-to-plasma membrane protein trafficking, significant alterations in Golgi-based N-glycan modification, and a marked expansion of the lysosomal network. Collectively our results indicate that AT-1 is essential to maintain proper organization and engagement of the secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inca A Dieterich
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yusi Cui
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Megan M Braun
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alexis J Lawton
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nicklaus H Robinson
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jennifer L Peotter
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qing Yu
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason C Casler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Benjamin S Glick
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Anjon Audhya
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - John M Denu
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Luigi Puglielli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Agarwala S, Veerappa AM, Ramachandra NB. Identification of primary copy number variations reveal enrichment of Calcium, and MAPK pathways sensitizing secondary sites for autism. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-020-00091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with genetic heterogeneity. It is characterized by difficulties in reciprocal social interactions with strong repetitive behaviors and stereotyped interests. Copy number variations (CNVs) are genomic structural variations altering the genomic structure either by duplication or deletion. De novo or inherited CNVs are found in 5–10% of autistic subjects with a size range of few kilobases to several megabases. CNVs predispose humans to various diseases by altering gene regulation, generation of chimeric genes, and disruption of the coding region or through position effect. Although, CNVs are not the initiating event in pathogenesis; additional preceding mutations might be essential for disease manifestation. The present study is aimed to identify the primary CNVs responsible for autism susceptibility in healthy cohorts to sensitize secondary-hits. In the current investigation, primary-hit autism gene CNVs are characterized in 1715 healthy cohorts of varying ethnicities across 12 populations using Affymetrix high-resolution array study. Thirty-eight individuals from twelve families residing in Karnataka, India, with the age group of 13–73 years are included for the comparative CNV analysis. The findings are validated against global 179 autism whole-exome sequence datasets derived from Simons Simplex Collection. These datasets are deposited at the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database.
Results
The study revealed that 34.8% of the subjects carried 2% primary-hit CNV burden with 73 singleton-autism genes in different clusters. Of these, three conserved CNV breakpoints were identified with ARHGAP11B, DUSP22, and CHRNA7 as the target genes across 12 populations. Enrichment analysis of the population-specific autism genes revealed two signaling pathways—calcium and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the CNV identified regions. These impaired pathways affected the downstream cascades of neuronal function and physiology, leading to autism behavior. The pathway analysis of enriched genes unravelled complex protein interaction networks, which sensitized secondary sites for autism. Further, the identification of miRNA targets associated with autism gene CNVs added severity to the condition.
Conclusion
These findings contribute to an atlas of primary-hit genes to detect autism susceptibility in healthy cohorts, indicating their impact on secondary sites for manifestation.
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Eis PS, Huang N, Langston JW, Hatchwell E, Schüle B. Loss-of-Function NUBPL Mutation May Link Parkinson's Disease to Recessive Complex I Deficiency. Front Neurol 2020; 11:555961. [PMID: 33224084 PMCID: PMC7667465 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.555961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In an unbiased genome-wide screen for copy number variants (CNVs) on a cohort of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, we identified in one patient a complex chromosomal rearrangement involving the nucleotide binding protein-like (NUBPL) gene on chromosome 14q12. We noted that mutations in the NUBPL gene had been reported as causing autosomal recessive (AR) mitochondrial Complex I (CI) deficiency in children. The precise breakpoints of the rearrangement in our PD case were found to be identical to those described in a patient with AR CI deficiency who also harbored a second pathogenic mutation in NUBPL. Mitochondrial dysfunction has long been considered a strong contributor to PD, and there is substantial evidence that decreased CI activity plays a central role in PD pathogenesis. We hypothesize that pathogenic NUBPL variants may increase the risk for PD analogous to variants in the glucosylceramidase beta (GBA) gene that increase the risk of developing PD in heterozygous carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy S Eis
- Population Bio, Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Neng Huang
- Valley Parkinson Clinic, Los Gatos, CA, United States
| | - J William Langston
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Eli Hatchwell
- Population Bio, UK, Begbroke, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Birgitt Schüle
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Comprehensive Analysis of RNA-Seq Gene Expression Profiling of Brain Transcriptomes Reveals Novel Genes, Regulators, and Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10100747. [PMID: 33080834 PMCID: PMC7603078 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with deficits in social communication ability and repetitive behavior. The pathophysiological events involved in the brain of this complex disease are still unclear. METHODS In this study, we aimed to profile the gene expression signatures of brain cortex of ASD patients, by using two publicly available RNA-seq studies, in order to discover new ASD-related genes. RESULTS We detected 1567 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by meta-analysis, where 1194 were upregulated and 373 were downregulated genes. Several ASD-related genes previously reported were also identified. Our meta-analysis identified 235 new DEGs that were not detected using the individual RNA-seq studies used. Some of those genes, including seven DEGs (PAK1, DNAH17, DOCK8, DAPP1, PCDHAC2, and ERBIN, SLC7A7), have been confirmed in previous reports to be associated with ASD. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathways analysis showed several molecular pathways enriched by the DEGs, namely, osteoclast differentiation, TNF signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascade. Topological analysis of protein-protein interaction of the ASD brain cortex revealed proteomics hub gene signatures: MYC, TP53, HDAC1, CDK2, BAG3, CDKN1A, GABARAPL1, EZH2, VIM, and TRAF1. We also identified the transcriptional factors (TFs) regulating DEGs, namely, FOXC1, GATA2, YY1, FOXL1, USF2, NFIC, NFKB1, E2F1, TFAP2A, HINFP. CONCLUSION Novel core genes and molecular signatures involved with ASD were identified by our meta-analysis.
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Quantitative genome-wide association study of six phenotypic subdomains identifies novel genome-wide significant variants in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:215. [PMID: 32624584 PMCID: PMC7335742 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00906-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable and are characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Twin studies on phenotypic subdomains suggest a differing underlying genetic etiology. Studying genetic variation explaining phenotypic variance will help to identify specific underlying pathomechanisms. We investigated the effect of common variation on ASD subdomains in two cohorts including >2500 individuals. Based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), we identified and confirmed six subdomains with a SNP-based genetic heritability h2SNP = 0.2-0.4. The subdomains nonverbal communication (NVC), social interaction (SI), and peer interaction (PI) shared genetic risk factors, while the subdomains of repetitive sensory-motor behavior (RB) and restricted interests (RI) were genetically independent of each other. The polygenic risk score (PRS) for ASD as categorical diagnosis explained 2.3-3.3% of the variance of SI, joint attention (JA), and PI, 4.5% for RI, 1.2% of RB, but only 0.7% of NVC. We report eight genome-wide significant hits-partially replicating previous findings-and 292 known and novel candidate genes. The underlying biological mechanisms were related to neuronal transmission and development. At the SNP and gene level, all subdomains showed overlap, with the exception of RB. However, no overlap was observed at the functional level. In summary, the ADI-R algorithm-derived subdomains related to social communication show a shared genetic etiology in contrast to restricted and repetitive behaviors. The ASD-specific PRS overlapped only partially, suggesting an additional role of specific common variation in shaping the phenotypic expression of ASD subdomains.
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45
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Liao X, Li Y. Genetic associations between voltage-gated calcium channels and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Mol Brain 2020; 13:96. [PMID: 32571372 PMCID: PMC7310353 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00634-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present review systematically summarized existing publications regarding the genetic associations between voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather pertinent studies in three online databases. Two authors independently screened the included records based on the selection criteria. Discrepancies in each step were settled through discussions. RESULTS From 1163 resulting searched articles, 28 were identified for inclusion. The most prominent among the VGCCs variants found in ASD were those falling within loci encoding the α subunits, CACNA1A, CACNA1B, CACNA1C, CACNA1D, CACNA1E, CACNA1F, CACNA1G, CACNA1H, and CACNA1I as well as those of their accessory subunits CACNB2, CACNA2D3, and CACNA2D4. Two signaling pathways, the IP3-Ca2+ pathway and the MAPK pathway, were identified as scaffolds that united genetic lesions into a consensus etiology of ASD. CONCLUSIONS Evidence generated from this review supports the role of VGCC genetic variants in the pathogenesis of ASD, making it a promising therapeutic target. Future research should focus on the specific mechanism that connects VGCC genetic variants to the complex ASD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liao
- Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yamin Li
- Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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46
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Sanderson MR, Badior KE, Fahlman RP, Wevrick R. The necdin interactome: evaluating the effects of amino acid substitutions and cell stress using proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) and mass spectrometry. Hum Genet 2020; 139:1513-1529. [PMID: 32529326 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02193-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the loss of function of a set of imprinted genes on chromosome 15q11-15q13. One of these genes, NDN, encodes necdin, a protein that is important for neuronal differentiation and survival. Loss of Ndn in mice causes defects in the formation and function of the nervous system. Necdin is a member of the melanoma-associated antigen gene (MAGE) protein family. The functions of MAGE proteins depend highly on their interactions with other proteins, and in particular MAGE proteins interact with E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases to form MAGE-RING E3 ligase-deubiquitinase complexes. Here, we used proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) and mass spectrometry (MS) to determine the network of protein-protein interactions (interactome) of the necdin protein. This process yielded novel as well as known necdin-proximate proteins that cluster into a protein network. Next, we used BioID-MS to define the interactomes of necdin proteins carrying coding variants. Variant necdin proteins had interactomes that were distinct from wildtype necdin. BioID-MS is not only a useful tool to identify protein-protein interactions, but also to analyze the effects of variants of unknown significance on the interactomes of proteins involved in genetic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine E Badior
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Richard P Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel Wevrick
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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47
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Bacchelli E, Cameli C, Viggiano M, Igliozzi R, Mancini A, Tancredi R, Battaglia A, Maestrini E. An integrated analysis of rare CNV and exome variation in Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Infinium PsychArray. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3198. [PMID: 32081867 PMCID: PMC7035424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59922-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a complex and heterogeneous genetic etiology. While a proportion of ASD risk is attributable to common variants, rare copy-number variants (CNVs) and protein-disrupting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been shown to significantly contribute to ASD etiology. We analyzed a homogeneous cohort of 127 ASD Italian families genotyped with the Illumina PsychArray, to perform an integrated analysis of CNVs and SNVs and to assess their contribution to ASD risk. We observed a higher burden of rare CNVs, especially deletions, in ASD individuals versus unaffected controls. Furthermore, we identified a significant enrichment of rare CNVs intersecting ASD candidate genes reported in the SFARI database. Family-based analysis of rare SNVs genotyped by the PsychArray also indicated an increased transmission of rare SNV variants from heterozygous parents to probands, supporting a multigenic model of ASD risk with significant contributions of both variant types. Moreover, our study reinforced the evidence for a significant role of VPS13B, WWOX, CNTNAP2, RBFOX1, MACROD2, APBA2, PARK2, GPHN, and RNF113A genes in ASD susceptibility. Finally, we showed that the PsychArray, besides providing useful genotyping data in psychiatric disorders, is a valuable and cost-efficient tool for genic CNV detection, down to 10 kb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bacchelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Cameli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marta Viggiano
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Igliozzi
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alice Mancini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaella Tancredi
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agatino Battaglia
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Maestrini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Al-Naama N, Mackeh R, Kino T. C 2H 2-Type Zinc Finger Proteins in Brain Development, Neurodevelopmental, and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Systematic Literature-Based Analysis. Front Neurol 2020; 11:32. [PMID: 32117005 PMCID: PMC7034409 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are multifaceted pathologic conditions manifested with intellectual disability, autistic features, psychiatric problems, motor dysfunction, and/or genetic/chromosomal abnormalities. They are associated with skewed neurogenesis and brain development, in part through dysfunction of the neural stem cells (NSCs) where abnormal transcriptional regulation on key genes play significant roles. Recent accumulated evidence highlights C2H2-type zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZNFs), the largest transcription factor family in humans, as important targets for the pathologic processes associated with NDDs. In this review, we identified their significant accumulation (74 C2H2-ZNFs: ~10% of all human member proteins) in brain physiology and pathology. Specifically, we discuss their physiologic contribution to brain development, particularly focusing on their actions in NSCs. We then explain their pathologic implications in various forms of NDDs, such as morphological brain abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. We found an important tendency that poly-ZNFs and KRAB-ZNFs tend to be involved in the diseases that compromise gross brain structure and human-specific higher-order functions, respectively. This may be consistent with their characteristic appearance in the course of species evolution and corresponding contribution to these brain activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njoud Al-Naama
- Laboratory of Molecular and Genomic Endocrinology, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rafah Mackeh
- Laboratory of Molecular and Genomic Endocrinology, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tomoshige Kino
- Laboratory of Molecular and Genomic Endocrinology, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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49
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Rigby MJ, Ding Y, Farrugia MA, Feig M, Cortese GP, Mitchell H, Burger C, Puglielli L. The endoplasmic reticulum acetyltransferases ATase1/NAT8B and ATase2/NAT8 are differentially regulated to adjust engagement of the secretory pathway. J Neurochem 2020; 154:404-423. [PMID: 31945187 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Nε-lysine acetylation of nascent glycoproteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen regulates the efficiency of the secretory pathway. The ER acetylation machinery consists of the membrane transporter, acetyl-CoA transporter 1 (AT-1/SLC33A1), and two acetyltransferases, ATase1/NAT8B and ATase2/NAT8. Dysfunctional ER acetylation is associated with severe neurological diseases with duplication of AT-1/SLC33A1 being associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and dysmorphism. Neuron-specific AT-1 over-expression in the mouse alters neuron morphology and function, causing an autism-like phenotype, indicating that ER acetylation plays a key role in neurophysiology. As such, characterizing the molecular mechanisms that regulate the acetylation machinery could reveal critical information about its biology. By using structure-biochemistry approaches, we discovered that ATase1 and ATase2 share enzymatic properties but differ in that ATase1 is post-translationally regulated via acetylation. Furthermore, gene expression studies revealed that the promoters of AT-1, ATase1, and ATase2 contain functional binding sites for the neuron-related transcription factors cAMP response element-binding protein and the immediate-early genes c-FOS and c-JUN, and that ATase1 and ATase2 exhibit additional modes of transcriptional regulation relevant to aging and Alzheimer's disease. In vivo rodent gene expression experiments revealed that Atase2 is specifically induced following activity-dependent events. Finally, over-expression of either ATase1 or ATase2 was sufficient to increase the engagement of the secretory pathway in PC12 cells. Our results indicate important regulatory roles for ATase1 and ATase2 in neuron function with induction of ATase2 expression potentially serving as a critical event that adjusts the efficiency of the secretory pathway for activity-dependent neuronal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Rigby
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yun Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mark A Farrugia
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael Feig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Giuseppe P Cortese
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Corinna Burger
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Luigi Puglielli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI, USA
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High-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis for copy-number variations in high-functioning autism reveals large aberration typical for intellectual disability. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 127:81-94. [PMID: 31838600 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02114-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Copy-number variants (CNVs), in particular rare, small and large ones (< 1% frequency) and those encompassing brain-related genes, have been shown to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability (ID). However, the vast majority of CNV findings lack specificity with respect to autistic or developmental-delay phenotypes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the size and frequency of CNVs in high-functioning ASD (HFA) without ID compared with a random population sample and with published findings in ASD and ID. To investigate the role of CNVs for the "core symptoms" of high-functioning autism, we included in the present exploratory study only patients with HFA without ID. The aim was to test whether HFA have similar large rare (> 1 Mb) CNVs as reported in ASD and ID. We performed high-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis in 108 children and adolescents with HFA without ID. There was no significant difference in the overall number of rare CNVs compared to 124 random population samples. However, patients with HFA carried significantly more frequently CNVs containing brain-related genes. Surprisingly, six HFA patients carried very large CNVs known to be typically present in ID. Our findings provide new evidence that not only small, but also large CNVs affecting several key genes contribute to the genetic etiology/risk of HFA without affecting their intellectual ability.
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