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Piergiorge RM, da Silva Francisco Junior R, de Vasconcelos ATR, Santos-Rebouças CB. Multi-layered transcriptomic analysis reveals a pivotal role of FMR1 and other developmental genes in Alzheimer's disease-associated brain ceRNA network. Comput Biol Med 2023; 166:107494. [PMID: 37769462 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107494] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasingly neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment. Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of late-onset AD (LOAD) are still in progress. This study aimed to establish a network of competing regulatory interactions involving circular RNAs (circRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) connected to LOAD. A systematic analysis of publicly available expression data was conducted to identify integrated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the hippocampus of LOAD patients. Subsequently, gene co-expression analysis identified modules comprising highly expressed DEGs that act cooperatively. The competition between co-expressed DEGs and miRNAs/RBPs and the simultaneous interactions between circRNA and miRNA/RBP revealed a complex ceRNA network responsible for post-transcriptional regulation in LOAD. Hippocampal expression data for miRNAs, circRNAs, and RBPs were used to filter relevant relationships for AD. An integrated topological score was used to identify the highly connected hub gene, from which a brain core ceRNA subnetwork was generated. The Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) coding for the RBP FMRP emerged as the prominent driver gene in this subnetwork. FMRP has been previously related to AD but not in a ceRNA network context. Also, the substantial number of neurodevelopmental genes in the ceRNA subnetwork and their related biological pathways strengthen that AD shares common pathological mechanisms with developmental conditions. Our results enhance the current knowledge about the convergent ceRNA regulatory pathways underlying AD and provide potential targets for identifying early biomarkers and developing novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Mina Piergiorge
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cíntia Barros Santos-Rebouças
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Tassone F, Protic D, Allen EG, Archibald AD, Baud A, Brown TW, Budimirovic DB, Cohen J, Dufour B, Eiges R, Elvassore N, Gabis LV, Grudzien SJ, Hall DA, Hessl D, Hogan A, Hunter JE, Jin P, Jiraanont P, Klusek J, Kooy RF, Kraan CM, Laterza C, Lee A, Lipworth K, Losh M, Loesch D, Lozano R, Mailick MR, Manolopoulos A, Martinez-Cerdeno V, McLennan Y, Miller RM, Montanaro FAM, Mosconi MW, Potter SN, Raspa M, Rivera SM, Shelly K, Todd PK, Tutak K, Wang JY, Wheeler A, Winarni TI, Zafarullah M, Hagerman RJ. Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on FMR1 Premutation. Cells 2023; 12:2330. [PMID: 37759552 PMCID: PMC10529056 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of FMR1 mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, FMR1 mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death. Clinically, premutation carriers may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and phenotypes. Any of the problems associated with the premutation can appropriately be called FXPAC. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) can fall under FXPAC. Understanding the molecular and clinical aspects of the premutation of the FMR1 gene is crucial for the accurate diagnosis, genetic counseling, and appropriate management of affected individuals and families. This paper summarizes all the known problems associated with the premutation and documents the presentations and discussions that occurred at the International Premutation Conference, which took place in New Zealand in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emily Graves Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Alison D. Archibald
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Genomics in Society Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Ted W. Brown
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Melbourne, VIC 3161, Australia;
| | - Brett Dufour
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lidia V. Gabis
- Keshet Autism Center Maccabi Wolfson, Holon 5822012, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Abigail Hogan
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jessica Ezzell Hunter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Claudine M. Kraan
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Diagnosis and Development, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lee
- Fragile X New Zealand, Nelson 7040, New Zealand;
| | - Karen Lipworth
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA;
| | - Danuta Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Marsha R. Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Apostolos Manolopoulos
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Yingratana McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | | | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson Potter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Katharine Shelly
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA;
| | - Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 502754, Central Java, Indonesia;
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Johnson MD, McLennan YA, Hwang YH, Juarez P, McBride EL, Pantoja AP, Durbin-Johnson B, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Brain Metabolomics in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS). Cells 2023; 12:2132. [PMID: 37681866 PMCID: PMC10487256 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172132] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The course of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) remains largely unknown. Previous proteomics and metabolomics studies conducted in blood samples collected from FMR1 premutation carriers with FXTAS reported abnormalities in energy metabolism, and precursors of gluconeogenesis showed significant changes in plasma expression levels in FMR1 premutation carriers who developed FXTAS. We conducted an analysis of postmortem human brain tissues from 44 donors, 25 brains with FXTAS, and 19 matched controls. We quantified the metabolite relative abundance in the inferior temporal gyrus and the cerebellum using untargeted mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics. We investigated how the metabolite type and abundance relate to the number of cytosine-guanine-guanine (CGG) repeats, to markers of neurodegeneration, and to the symptoms of FXTAS. A metabolomic analysis identified 191 primary metabolites, the data were log-transformed and normalized prior to the analysis, and the relative abundance was compared between the groups. The changes in the relative abundance of a set of metabolites were region-specific with some overlapping results; 22 metabolites showed alterations in the inferior temporal gyrus, while 21 showed differences in the cerebellum. The relative abundance of cytidine was decreased in the inferior temporal gyrus, and a lower abundance was found in the cases with larger CGG expansions; oleamide was significantly decreased in the cerebellum. The abundance of 11 metabolites was influenced by changes in the CGG repeat number. A histological evaluation found an association between the presence of microhemorrhages in the inferior temporal gyrus and a lower abundance of 2,5-dihydroxypyrazine. Our study identified alterations in the metabolites involved in the oxidative-stress response and bioenergetics in the brains of individuals with FXTAS. Significant changes in the abundance of cytidine and oleamide suggest their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (F.T.); (R.J.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Michael D. Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Yingratana A. McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Ye Hyun Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.H.H.); (F.T.)
| | - Pablo Juarez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Erin Lucille McBride
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Adriana P. Pantoja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (F.T.); (R.J.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.H.H.); (F.T.)
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (F.T.); (R.J.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (F.T.); (R.J.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (M.J.S.-A.); (M.D.J.); (Y.A.M.); (P.J.); (E.L.M.); (A.P.P.); (V.M.-C.)
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Elias-Mas A, Potrony M, Bague J, Cutler DJ, Alvarez-Mora MI, Torres T, Barcos T, Puig-Butille JA, Rubio M, Madrigal I, Puig S, Allen EG, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Evaluation of AQP4 functional variants and its association with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 14:1073258. [PMID: 36688175 PMCID: PMC9853890 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1073258] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS, OMIM# 300623) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder with reduced penetrance that appears in adult FMR1 premutation carriers (55-200 CGGs). Clinical symptoms in FXTAS patients usually begin with an action tremor. After that, different findings including ataxia, and more variably, loss of sensation in the distal lower extremities and autonomic dysfunction, may occur, and gradually progress. Cognitive deficits are also observed, and include memory problems and executive function deficits, with a gradual progression to dementia in some individuals. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is a commonly distributed water channel in astrocytes of the central nervous system. Changes in AQP4 activity and expression have been implicated in several central nervous system disorders. Previous studies have suggested the associations of AQP4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with brain-water homeostasis, and neurodegeneration disease. To date, this association has not been studied in FXTAS. Methods To investigate the association of AQP4 SNPs with the risk of presenting FXTAS, a total of seven common AQP4 SNPs were selected and genotyped in 95 FMR1 premutation carriers with FXTAS and in 65 FMR1 premutation carriers without FXTAS. Results The frequency of AQP4-haplotype was compared between groups, denoting 26 heterozygous individuals and 5 homozygotes as carriers of the minor allele in the FXTAS group and 25 heterozygous and 2 homozygotes in the no-FXTAS group. Statistical analyses showed no significant associations between AQP4 SNPs/haplotypes and development of FXTAS. Discussion Although AQP4 has been implicated in a wide range of brain disorders, its involvement in FXTAS remains unclear. The identification of novel genetic markers predisposing to FXTAS or modulating disease progression is critical for future research involving predictors and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Elias-Mas
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research and Innovation Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain
- Genetics Doctorate Program, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Potrony
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Bague
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David J. Cutler
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Maria Isabel Alvarez-Mora
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Torres
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tamara Barcos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Anton Puig-Butille
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Biology CORE, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Rubio
- Institute for Research and Innovation Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Irene Madrigal
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Puig
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emily G. Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Laia Rodriguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Hagerman RJ. Recent research in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:155-159. [PMID: 34890957 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a cytosine-guanine-guanine repeat expansion neurological disease that occurs in a subset of aging carriers of the premutation (55-200 cytosine-guanine-guanine repeats) in the FMR1 gene located on the X chromosome. The clinical core involves intention tremor and gait ataxia. Current research seeks to clarify the pathophysiology and neuropathology of FXTAS, as well as the development of useful biomarkers to track the progression of FXTAS. Efforts to implement quantitative measures of clinical features, such as kinematics and cognitive measures, are of special interest, in addition to characterize the differences in progression in males compared with females and the efficacy of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Sanchez D, Wang JY, McLennan YA, Clark CJ, Juarez P, Schneider A, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Case Report: Coexistence of Alzheimer-Type Neuropathology in Fragile X-Associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:720253. [PMID: 34602969 PMCID: PMC8485779 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.720253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This case documents the co-occurrence of the fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Alzheimer-type neuropathology in a 71-year-old premutation carrier with 85 CGG repeats in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, in addition to an apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele. FXTAS and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are late-onset neurodegenerative diseases that share overlapping cognitive deficits including processing speed, working memory and executive function. The prevalence of coexistent FXTAS-AD pathology remains unknown. The clinical picture in this case was marked with rapid cognitive decline between age 67 and 71 years in addition to remarkable MRI changes. Over the 16 months between the two clinical evaluations, the brain atrophied 4.12% while the lateral ventricles increased 26.4% and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume increased 15.6%. Other regions atrophied substantially faster than the whole brain included the thalamus (-6.28%), globus pallidus (-10.95%), hippocampus (-6.95%), and amygdala (-7.58%). A detailed postmortem assessment included an MRI with confluent WMH and evidence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB). The histopathological study demonstrated FXTAS inclusions in neurons and astrocytes, a widespread presence of phosphorylated tau protein and, amyloid β plaques in cortical areas and the hippocampus. CMBs were noticed in the precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, visual cortex, and brainstem. There were high amounts of iron deposits in the globus pallidus and the putamen consistent with MRI findings. We hypothesize that coexistent FXTAS-AD neuropathology contributed to the steep decline in cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Desiree Sanchez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yingratana A. McLennan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Courtney Jessica Clark
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Pablo Juarez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS): Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124391. [PMID: 32575683 PMCID: PMC7352421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder seen in older premutation (55-200 CGG repeats) carriers of FMR1. The premutation has excessive levels of FMR1 mRNA that lead to toxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical features usually begin in the 60 s with an action or intention tremor followed by cerebellar ataxia, although 20% have only ataxia. MRI features include brain atrophy and white matter disease, especially in the middle cerebellar peduncles, periventricular areas, and splenium of the corpus callosum. Neurocognitive problems include memory and executive function deficits, although 50% of males can develop dementia. Females can be less affected by FXTAS because of a second X chromosome that does not carry the premutation. Approximately 40% of males and 16% of female carriers develop FXTAS. Since the premutation can occur in less than 1 in 200 women and 1 in 400 men, the FXTAS diagnosis should be considered in patients that present with tremor, ataxia, parkinsonian symptoms, neuropathy, and psychiatric problems. If a family history of a fragile X mutation is known, then FMR1 DNA testing is essential in patients with these symptoms.
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