1
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Rurak GM, Gahelrasoul A, Aguilar-Valles A, Salmaso N. Neonatal estrogen induces male-like expression of astroglial markers of maturation and plasticity in the neocortex of female mice. Brain Res 2023; 1818:148499. [PMID: 37499732 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148499] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Astroglia play a crucial role in various aspects of neurodevelopment including building, maintaining, and modulating neuronal circuits that underly complex behaviours in the neocortex. Telencephalic regions exhibit sex differences in neuronal networks that arise early in development. Astroglia express receptors for gonadal hormones responsible for the organization of sex differences, such as estrogen, placing them in a key position to modulate sex differences in the development of neuronal networks. Astroglial cells express specific proteins related to their morphology, function, and maturation. We have previously shown that P7-P14 is a key transition period for neocortical astroglial maturation and that males reach a mature phenotype earlier than females, at P7. In this study, we investigated whether administration of perinatal estradiol to female mice is sufficient to masculinize astroglial protein and gene expression related to maturation that we previously observed at P7. We found that canonical astroglial markers like glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase are not affected by perinatal estrogen, but markers of astroglial maturation, Vimentin, Aldh1a1, Dio2, and the number of actively dividing astroglia are masculinized by perinatal estradiol administration. These findings suggest that sex differences in neocortical astroglial maturation are at least in-part due to the role of perinatal estrogen. Given the higher prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in males compared to females and the involvement of astroglia in virtually all neurodevelopmental disorders, further research is needed to determine other contributions to sex differences in neocortical astroglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Rurak
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - A Gahelrasoul
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - A Aguilar-Valles
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - N Salmaso
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Singh G. Is Chronic Pain as an Autoimmune Disease? Can J Pain 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2023.2175205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gurmit Singh
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Kim HJ, Jin HJ. Lack of association between the Y chromosome haplogroups and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean boys. Gene 2023; 850:146954. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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4
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Grenn FP, Makarious MB, Bandres-Ciga S, Iwaki H, Singleton AB, Nalls MA, Blauwendraat C. Analysis of Y chromosome haplogroups in Parkinson's disease. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac277. [PMID: 36387750 PMCID: PMC9665271 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac277] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that is about 1.5 times more prevalent in males than females. Extensive work has been done to identify the genetic risk factors behind Parkinson's disease on autosomes and more recently on Chromosome X, but work remains to be done on the male-specific Y chromosome. In an effort to explore the role of the Y chromosome in Parkinson's disease, we analysed whole-genome sequencing data from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership-Parkinson's disease initiative (1466 cases and 1664 controls), genotype data from NeuroX (3491 cases and 3232 controls) and genotype data from UKBiobank (182 517 controls, 1892 cases and 3783 proxy cases), all consisting of male European ancestry samples. We classified sample Y chromosomes by haplogroup using three different tools for comparison (Snappy, Yhaplo and Y-LineageTracker) and meta-analysed this data to identify haplogroups associated with Parkinson's disease. This was followed up with a Y-chromosome association study to identify specific variants associated with disease. We also analysed blood-based RNASeq data obtained from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership-Parkinson's disease initiative (1020 samples) and RNASeq data obtained from the North American Brain Expression Consortium (171 samples) to identify Y-chromosome genes differentially expressed in cases, controls, specific haplogroups and specific tissues. RNASeq analyses suggest Y-chromosome gene expression differs between brain and blood tissues but does not differ significantly in cases, controls or specific haplogroups. Overall, we did not find any strong associations between Y-chromosome genetics and Parkinson's disease, suggesting the explanation for the increased prevalence in males may lie elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis P Grenn
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary B Makarious
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sara Bandres-Ciga
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hirotaka Iwaki
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrew B Singleton
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mike A Nalls
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Cornelis Blauwendraat
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Integrative Neurogenomics Unit, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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5
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Pallier PN, Ferrara M, Romagnolo F, Ferretti MT, Soreq H, Cerase A. Chromosomal and environmental contributions to sex differences in the vulnerability to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for therapeutic interventions. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 219:102353. [PMID: 36100191 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders affect men and women differently. Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depression, meningiomas and late-onset schizophrenia affect women more frequently than men. By contrast, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum condition, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and early-onset schizophrenia are more prevalent in men. Women have been historically under-recruited or excluded from clinical trials, and most basic research uses male rodent cells or animals as disease models, rarely studying both sexes and factoring sex as a potential source of variation, resulting in a poor understanding of the underlying biological reasons for sex and gender differences in the development of such diseases. Putative pathophysiological contributors include hormones and epigenetics regulators but additional biological and non-biological influences may be at play. We review here the evidence for the underpinning role of the sex chromosome complement, X chromosome inactivation, and environmental and epigenetic regulators in sex differences in the vulnerability to brain disease. We conclude that there is a pressing need for a better understanding of the genetic, epigenetic and environmental mechanisms sustaining sex differences in such diseases, which is critical for developing a precision medicine approach based on sex-tailored prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick N Pallier
- Blizard Institute, Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Maria Ferrara
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Women's Brain Project (WBP), Switzerland
| | - Francesca Romagnolo
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Hermona Soreq
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Andrea Cerase
- EMBL-Rome, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, RM, Italy; Blizard Institute, Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK; Department of Biology, University of Pisa, SS12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
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6
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Cīrulis A, Hansson B, Abbott JK. Sex-limited chromosomes and non-reproductive traits. BMC Biol 2022; 20:156. [PMID: 35794589 PMCID: PMC9261002 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01357-5] [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: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are typically viewed as having originated from a pair of autosomes, and differentiated as the sex-limited chromosome (e.g. Y) has degenerated by losing most genes through cessation of recombination. While often thought that degenerated sex-limited chromosomes primarily affect traits involved in sex determination and sex cell production, accumulating evidence suggests they also influence traits not sex-limited or directly involved in reproduction. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of sex-limited chromosomes on non-reproductive traits in XY, ZW or UV sex determination systems, and discuss evolutionary processes maintaining variation at sex-limited chromosomes and molecular mechanisms affecting non-reproductive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aivars Cīrulis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
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Khani F, Nafian S, Mollamohammadi S, Nemati S, Shokoohian B, Hassani SN, Baharvand H, Soleimanpour-Lichaei HR, Salekdeh GH. Y Chromosome Genes May Play Roles in the Development of Neural Rosettes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:3008-3020. [PMID: 35661078 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human Y chromosome harbors genes that are mainly involved in the growth, development, sexual dimorphism, and spermatogenesis process. Despite many studies, the function of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) awaits further clarification, and a cell-based approach can help in this regard. RESULTS In this study, we have developed four stable transgenic male embryonic stem cell (ESCs) lines that can overexpress male-specific genes HSFY1, RBMY1A1, RPS4Y1, and SRY. As a proof of principle, we differentiated one of these cell lines (RPS4Y1 over-expressing ESCs) to the neural stem cell (rosette structure) and characterized them based on the expression level of lineage markers. RPS4Y1 expression in the Doxycycline-treated group was significantly higher than control groups at transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, we found Doxycycline-treated group had a higher differentiation efficiency than the untreated control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the RPS4Y1 gene may play a critical role in neurogenesis. Also, the generated transgenic ESC lines can be widely employed in basic and preclinical studies, such as sexual dimorphism of neural and cardiac functions, the development of cancerous and non-cancerous disease models, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Khani
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nafian
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mollamohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Nemati
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahare Shokoohian
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Nafiseh Hassani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, 13145-871, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Soleimanpour-Lichaei
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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8
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Slotkin TA, Levin ED, Seidler FJ. Paternal Cannabis Exposure Prior to Mating, but Not Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Elicits Deficits in Dopaminergic Synaptic Activity in the Offspring. Toxicol Sci 2021; 184:252-264. [PMID: 34590702 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The legalization and increasing availability of cannabis products raises concerns about the impact on offspring of users, and little has appeared on the potential contribution of paternal use. We administered cannabis extract to male rats prior to mating, with two different 28-day exposures, one where there was a 56-day interval between the end of exposure and mating ("Early Cannabis"), and one just prior to mating ("Late Cannabis"); the extract delivered 4 mg/kg/day of the main psychoactive component, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. We then assessed the impact on dopamine (DA) systems in the offspring from the onset of adolescence (postnatal day 30) through middle age (postnatal day 150), measuring the levels of DA and its primary metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in various brain regions. Paternal cannabis with either regimen elicited a profound and persistent deficit in DA utilization (DOPAC/DA ratio) in the offspring, indicative of subnormal presynaptic activity. However, the two regimens differed in the underlying mechanism, with Early Cannabis reducing DOPAC whereas Late Cannabis increased DA and elicited a smaller reduction in DOPAC. Effects were restricted to male offspring. The effects of cannabis were not reproduced by equivalent exposure to its Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, nor did we see the effects with perinatal exposure to tobacco smoke or some of its fetotoxic contributors (benzo[a]pyrene without or with nicotine). Our studies provide some of the first evidence for adverse effects of paternal cannabis administration on neurodevelopment in the offspring, and reinforce the important consequences of paternal drug use in the preconception period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore A Slotkin
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Frederic J Seidler
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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9
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Manzato E, Gualandi M, Roncarati E. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and eating disorders: a case report. Eat Weight Disord 2021; 26:2421-2426. [PMID: 33201394 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-01069-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome represents a disorder due to partial (PAIS), mild (MAIS) or complete (CAIS) resistance to androgens caused by X-linked mutations of androgen receptor gene. CAIS is characterized by a female phenotype and XY karyotype. Cases of patients with CAIS and associated obesity have been reported, while to date, there are no reports about the onset of an Eating Disorder (ED) in the carriers of this condition. We describe the case of a patient affected by CAIS and Anorexia Nervosa (AN) restricting type later shifted to Bulimia Nervosa (BN). A previous overweight was present since childhood, contributing to severe Body Dissatisfaction (BD) and consequent restrictive behaviour in adolescence. Beyond its peculiarity, this case highlights also the importance of diagnosing and monitoring the overweight and BD in CAIS patients to avoid the onset of an ED.Level of Evidence: V, descriptive study.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Manzato
- Psychiatrist, Former University of Ferrara and Former Chief of Eating and Weight Disorders Center, University Hospital S. Anna, chief of Eating and Weight Disorders Unit"L'Albero", Private Hospital "Salus", Via Arianuova 38, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - M Gualandi
- Medical Doctor, Former Responsible of Day Hospital of Internal Medicine and Eating Disorders, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - E Roncarati
- Dietitian, University of Ferrara, Dietitian of Eating and Weight Disorders "L'Albero", Private Hospital "Salus", Ferrara, Italy
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10
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Nardello R, Antona V, Mangano GD, Salpietro V, Mangano S, Fontana A. A paradigmatic autistic phenotype associated with loss of PCDH11Y and NLGN4Y genes. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:98. [PMID: 33832486 PMCID: PMC8034074 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-021-00934-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies relative to Y chromosome abnormalities are focused on the sexual developmental disorders. Recently, a few studies suggest that some genes located on Y chromosome may be related to different neurodevelopment disorders. CASE PRESENTATION We report a child with sexual developmental disorder associated with a peculiar phenotype characterized by severe language impairment and autistic behaviour associated with a mosaicism [45,X(11)/46,XY(89)] and a partial deletion of the short and long arm of Y chromosome (del Yp11.31q11.23) that also involves the loss of both PCDH11Y and NLGN4Y genes. To our knowledge no study has ever reported the occurrence of the lack of both PCDH11Y and NLGN4Y located in the Y chromosome in the same patient. CONCLUSIONS We hypothesized a functional complementary role of PCDH11Y and NLGN4Y within formation/maturation of the cerebral cortex. The impairment of early language development may be mainly related to the lack of PCDH11Y that underlies the early language network development and the later appearance of the autistic behaviour may be mainly related to deficit of inhibitory glicinergic neurotransmission NLGN4Y-linked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Nardello
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Antona
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Donato Mangano
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Salvatore Mangano
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonina Fontana
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Punjani N, Kang C, Schlegel PN. Clinical implications of Y chromosome microdeletions among infertile men. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 34:101471. [PMID: 33214080 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Male factor infertility contributes significantly to couples facing difficulty achieving a pregnancy. Genetic factors, and specifically those related to the Y chromosome, may occur in up to 15% of men with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. A subset of loci within the Y chromosome, known as the azoospermia factors (AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc), have been associated with male infertility. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that microdeletions of at least a subset of these regions may also have impacts on systemic conditions. This review provides a brief review of male infertility and the structure of the Y chromosome, and further highlights the role of Y chromosome microdeletions in male infertility and other systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Punjani
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Kang
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter N Schlegel
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Linher-Melville K, Shah A, Singh G. Sex differences in neuro(auto)immunity and chronic sciatic nerve pain. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:62. [PMID: 33183347 PMCID: PMC7661171 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00339-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain occurs with greater frequency in women, with a parallel sexually dimorphic trend reported in sufferers of many autoimmune diseases. There is a need to continue examining neuro-immune-endocrine crosstalk in the context of sexual dimorphisms in chronic pain. Several phenomena in particular need to be further explored. In patients, autoantibodies to neural antigens have been associated with sensory pathway hyper-excitability, and the role of self-antigens released by damaged nerves remains to be defined. In addition, specific immune cells release pro-nociceptive cytokines that directly influence neural firing, while T lymphocytes activated by specific antigens secrete factors that either support nerve repair or exacerbate the damage. Modulating specific immune cell populations could therefore be a means to promote nerve recovery, with sex-specific outcomes. Understanding biological sex differences that maintain, or fail to maintain, neuroimmune homeostasis may inform the selection of sex-specific treatment regimens, improving chronic pain management by rebalancing neuroimmune feedback. Given the significance of interactions between nerves and immune cells in the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain, this review focuses on sex differences and possible links with persistent autoimmune activity using sciatica as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Linher-Melville
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anita Shah
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gurmit Singh
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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13
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Sigurdardottir HL, Lanzenberger R, Kranz GS. Genetics of sex differences in neuroanatomy and function. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 175:179-193. [PMID: 33008524 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64123-6.00013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences are observed at many distinct biologic levels, such as in the anatomy and functioning of the brain, behavior, and susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders. Previously, these differences were believed to entirely result from the secretion of gonadal hormones; however, recent research has demonstrated that differences are also the consequence of direct or nonhormonal effects of genes located on the sex chromosomes. This chapter reviews the four core genotype model that separates the effects of hormones and sex chromosomes and highlights a few genes that are believed to be partly responsible for sex dimorphism of the brain, in particular, the Sry gene. Genetics of the brain's neurochemistry is discussed and the susceptibility to certain neurologic and psychiatric disorders is reviewed. Lastly, we discuss the sex-specific genetic contribution in disorders of sexual development. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying these differences are currently not entirely known. An increased knowledge and understanding of the role of candidate genes will undeniably be of great aid in elucidating the molecular basis of sex-biased disorders and potentially allow for more sex-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L Sigurdardottir
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg S Kranz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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14
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Chucair-Elliott AJ, Ocanas SR, Stanford DR, Hadad N, Wronowski B, Otalora L, Stout MB, Freeman WM. Tamoxifen induction of Cre recombinase does not cause long-lasting or sexually divergent responses in the CNS epigenome or transcriptome: implications for the design of aging studies. GeroScience 2019; 41:691-708. [PMID: 31493147 PMCID: PMC6885072 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-019-00090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The systemic delivery of tamoxifen (Tam) to activate inducible CreERT2-loxP transgenic mouse systems is now widely used in neuroscience studies. This critical technological advancement allows temporal control of DNA-cre recombination, avoidance of embryonically lethal phenotypes, and minimization of residual cell labeling encountered in constitutively active drivers. Despite its advantages, the use of Tam has the potential to cause long-lasting, uncharacterized side effects on the transcriptome and epigenome in the CNS, given its mixed estrogen receptor (ER) agonist/antagonist actions. With the welcome focus on including both sexes in biomedical studies and efforts to understand sex differences, Tam administration could also cause sexually divergent responses that would confound studies. To examine these issues, epigenetic and transcriptomic profiles were compared in C57BL/6 J female and male hippocampus, cortex, and retina 1 month after a 5-day Tam treatment typical for cre induction, or vehicle control (sunflower seed oil). Cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation levels, in both CG and non-CG contexts, were unchanged as determined by oxidative bisulfite sequencing. Long-lasting Tam transcriptomic effects were also not evident/minimal. Furthermore, there is no evidence of sexually divergent responses with Tam administration and Tam did not alter sex differences evident in controls. Combined with recently reported data that Tam alone does not cause long-lasting changes in behavior and neurogenesis, our findings provide confidence that Tam can be used as a cre-recombinase inducer without introducing significant confounds in transcriptomic and epigenomic neuroscience studies, particularly those focused on genomic and transcriptomic aspects of the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana J Chucair-Elliott
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Sarah R Ocanas
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - David R Stanford
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Niran Hadad
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Nathan Shock Center for Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Benjamin Wronowski
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Laura Otalora
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Michael B Stout
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Oklahoma Nathan Shock Center for Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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15
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Dey SK, Kamle A, Dereddi RR, Thomas SM, Thummala SR, Kumar A, Chakravarty S, Jesudasan RA. Mice With Partial Deletion of Y-Heterochromatin Exhibits Stress Vulnerability. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:215. [PMID: 30297990 PMCID: PMC6160548 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of Y chromosome in sex determination and male fertility is well established. It is also known that infertile men are prone to psychological disturbances. Earlier studies in the laboratory identified genes expressed in testes that are putatively regulated by Y chromosome in man and mouse. With the availability of a Y-deleted mouse model, that is subfertile, we studied the effect of a partial deletion of Y-chromosomal heterochromatin on mouse behavior when compared to its wild type. The partial Y-deleted mice exhibited anxiety like phenotype under stress when different anxiety (open field test and elevated plus maze, EPM test) and depression related tests (tail suspension and force swim) were performed. The mutant mice also showed reduction in hippocampal neurogenesis and altered expression of neurogenesis markers such as Nestin, Sox2, Gfap, NeuroD1 and Dcx using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) analysis. The genes with altered expression contained short stretches of homology to Y-derived transcripts only in their Untranslated Regions (UTRs). Our study suggests putative regulation of these genes by the Y chromosome in mouse brain altering stress related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar Dey
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Avijeet Kamle
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Shiju M. Thomas
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
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16
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Genes and Pathways Regulated by Androgens in Human Neural Cells, Potential Candidates for the Male Excess in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:239-252. [PMID: 29428674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to androgens during brain development in male individuals may participate to increase their susceptibility to develop neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. However, little is known about the action of androgens in human neural cells. METHODS We used human neural stem cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells to investigate targets of androgens. RESULTS RNA sequencing revealed that treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) leads to subtle but significant changes in the expression of about 200 genes, encoding proteins of extracellular matrix or involved in signal transduction of growth factors (e.g., insulin/insulin growth factor 1). We showed that the most differentially expressed genes (DEGs), RGCC, RNF144B, NRCAM, TRIM22, FAM107A, IGFBP5, and LAMA2, are reproducibly regulated by different androgens in different genetic backgrounds. We showed, by overexpressing the androgen receptor in neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y or knocking it down in human neural stem cells, that this regulation involves the androgen receptor. A chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with direct sequencing analysis identified androgen receptor-bound sequences in nearly half of the DHT-DEGs and in numerous other genes. DHT-DEGs appear enriched in genes involved in ASD (ASXL3, NLGN4X, etc.), associated with ASD (NRCAM), or differentially expressed in patients with ASD (FAM107A, IGFBP5). Androgens increase human neural stem cell proliferation and survival in nutrient-deprived culture conditions, with no detectable effect on regulation of neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS We characterized androgen action in neural progenitor cells, identifying DHT-DEGs that appear to be enriched in genes related to ASD. We also showed that androgens increase proliferation of neuronal precursors and protect them from death during their differentiation in nutrient-deprived conditions.
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17
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Pinares-Garcia P, Stratikopoulos M, Zagato A, Loke H, Lee J. Sex: A Significant Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E154. [PMID: 30104506 PMCID: PMC6120011 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8080154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Males and females sometimes significantly differ in their propensity to develop neurological disorders. Females suffer more from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, whereas males are more susceptible to deficits in the dopamine system including Parkinson's disease (PD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Despite this, biological sex is rarely considered when making treatment decisions in neurological disorders. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sex differences in the healthy and diseased brain will help to devise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies optimal for each sex. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the available evidence on sex differences in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders regarding prevalence, progression, symptoms and response to therapy. We also discuss the sex-related factors such as gonadal sex hormones and sex chromosome genes and how these might help to explain some of the clinically observed sex differences in these disorders. In particular, we highlight the emerging role of the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, in the male brain and its potential role as a male-specific risk factor for disorders such as PD, autism, and ADHD in many individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Pinares-Garcia
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Marielle Stratikopoulos
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Alice Zagato
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Hannah Loke
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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18
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Zhang X, Yang J, Li Y, Ma X, Li R. Sex chromosome abnormalities and psychiatric diseases. Oncotarget 2018; 8:3969-3979. [PMID: 27992373 PMCID: PMC5354807 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Excesses of sex chromosome abnormalities in patients with psychiatric diseases have recently been observed. It remains unclear whether sex chromosome abnormalities are related to sex differences in some psychiatric diseases. While studies showed evidence of susceptibility loci over many sex chromosomal regions related to various mental diseases, others demonstrated that the sex chromosome aneuploidies may be the key to exploring the pathogenesis of psychiatric disease. In this review, we will outline the current evidence on the interaction of sex chromosome abnormalities with schizophrenia, autism, ADHD and mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhu Zhang
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhong Li
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rena Li
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing, China.,Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, USA
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19
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Printzlau F, Wolstencroft J, Skuse DH. Cognitive, behavioral, and neural consequences of sex chromosome aneuploidy. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:311-319. [PMID: 27870409 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The X chromosome has played a critical role in the development of sexually selected characteristics for over 300 million years, and during that time it has accumulated a disproportionate number of genes concerned with mental functions. There are relatively specific effects of X-linked genes on social cognition, language, emotional regulation, visuospatial, and numerical skills. Many human X-linked genes outside the X-Y pairing pseudoautosomal regions escape X-inactivation. Dosage differences in the expression of such genes (which constitute at least 15% of the total) are likely to play an important role in male-female neural differentiation, and in cognitive deficits and behavioral characteristics, particularly in the realm of social communication, that are associated with sex chromosome aneuploidies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Printzlau
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanne Wolstencroft
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - David H Skuse
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom
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20
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Chung AS, Miller SM, Sun Y, Xu X, Zweifel LS. Sexual congruency in the connectome and translatome of VTA dopamine neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11120. [PMID: 28894175 PMCID: PMC5593921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine system is important for reward, motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Dysfunctions in the dopamine system are linked to multiple neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, many of which present with sex differences. Little is known about the extent of heterogeneity in the basic organization of VTA dopamine neurons with regard to sex. Here, we characterized the cell-specific connectivity of VTA dopamine neurons, their mRNA translational profile, and basic electrophysiological characteristics in a common strain of mice. We found no major differences in these metrics, except for differential expression of a Y-chromosome associated mRNA transcript, Eif2s3y, and the X-linked, X-inactivation transcript Xist. Of note, Xist transcript was significantly enriched in dopamine neurons, suggesting tight regulation of X-linked gene expression to ensure sexual congruency. These data indicate that the features that make dopamine neurons unique are highly concordant and not a principal source of sexual dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda S Chung
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Samara M Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yanjun Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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21
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Green T, Naylor PE, Davies W. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in phenotypically similar neurogenetic conditions: Turner syndrome and the RASopathies. J Neurodev Disord 2017; 9:25. [PMID: 28694877 PMCID: PMC5502326 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-017-9205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. There has been extensive clinical and basic research in the field of ADHD over the past 20 years, but the mechanisms underlying ADHD risk are multifactorial, complex and heterogeneous and, as yet, are poorly defined. In this review, we argue that one approach to address this challenge is to study well-defined disorders to provide insights into potential biological pathways that may be involved in idiopathic ADHD. Main body To address this premise, we selected two neurogenetic conditions that are associated with significantly increased ADHD risk: Turner syndrome and the RASopathies (of which Noonan syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1 are the best-defined with regard to ADHD-related phenotypes). These syndromes were chosen for two main reasons: first, because intellectual functioning is relatively preserved, and second, because they are strikingly phenotypically similar but are etiologically distinct. We review the cognitive, behavioural, neural and cellular phenotypes associated with these conditions and examine their relevance as a model for idiopathic ADHD. Conclusion We conclude by discussing current and future opportunities in the clinical and basic research of these conditions, which, in turn, may shed light upon the biological pathways underlying idiopathic ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Green
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Paige E Naylor
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - William Davies
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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22
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Liu L, Cheng J, Li H, Su Y, Sun L, Yang L, Qian Q, Wang Y. Association of Y-linked variants with impulsivity and aggression in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder of Chinese Han descent. Psychiatry Res 2017; 252:185-187. [PMID: 28284086 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Y chromosome plays important role in brain function and may help to explain the sex difference in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A total of 857 boys with ADHD and 574 male controls were genotyped for 14 Y-linked markers. Analyses for both dichotomous phenotype and quantitative traits and the interaction effects with MAOA were performed. The results indicated significant association of four markers (M88, M95, M175, and M119) with inhibition function and aggression in boys with ADHD. Positive interaction effects with MAOA were also detected. In conclusion, some Y-linked variants may be associated with the impulsivity and aggression in boys with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Jia Cheng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Haimei Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yi Su
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Li Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Li Yang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Qiujin Qian
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China.
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China.
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23
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Genes, Gender, Environment, and Novel Functions of Estrogen Receptor Beta in the Susceptibility to Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7030024. [PMID: 28241485 PMCID: PMC5366823 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurological disorders affect men and women differently regarding prevalence, progression, and severity. It is clear that many of these disorders may originate from defective signaling during fetal or perinatal brain development, which may affect males and females differently. Such sex-specific differences may originate from chromosomal or sex-hormone specific effects. This short review will focus on the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) signaling during perinatal brain development and put it in the context of sex-specific differences in neurodevelopmental disorders. We will discuss ERβ’s recent discovery in directing DNA de-methylation to specific sites, of which one such site may bear consequences for the susceptibility to the neurological reading disorder dyslexia. We will also discuss how dysregulations in sex-hormone signaling, like those evoked by endocrine disruptive chemicals, may affect this and other neurodevelopmental disorders in a sex-specific manner through ERβ.
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24
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Pathak D, Yadav SK, Rawal L, Ali S. Mutational landscape of the human Y chromosome-linked genes and loci in patients with hypogonadism. J Genet 2016; 94:677-87. [PMID: 26690523 DOI: 10.1007/s12041-015-0582-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Sex chromosome-related anomalies engender plethora of conditions leading to male infertility. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a rare but well-known cause of male infertility. Present study was conducted to ascertain possible consensus on the alterations of the Y-linked genes and loci in males representing hypogonadism (H), which in turn culminate in reproductive dysfunction. A total of nineteen 46, XY males, clinically diagnosed with H (11 representative HH adults and eight prepubertal boys suspected of having HH) were included in the study. Sequence-tagged site screening,SRY gene sequencing,fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping (FISH), copy number and relative expression studies by real-time PCR were conducted to uncover the altered status of the Y chromosome in the patients. The result showed random microdeletions within the AZFa (73%)/b (78%) and c(26%) regions. Sequencing of the SRY gene showed nucleotide variations within and outside of the HMG box in four males (21%). FISH uncovered mosaicism for SRY, AMELY,DAZ genes and DYZ1 arrays, structural rearrangement for AMELY (31%) and duplication of DAZ (57%) genes. Copy number variation for seven Y-linked genes (2-8 rounds of duplication), DYZ1 arrays (495-6201 copies) and differential expression of SRY,UTY and VCY in the patients' blood were observed. Present work demonstrates the organizational vulnerability of several Y-linked genes in H males. These results are envisaged to be useful during routine diagnosis of H patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Pathak
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067,India.
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25
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Saunders PA, Franco T, Sottas C, Maurice T, Ganem G, Veyrunes F. Masculinised Behaviour of XY Females in a Mammal with Naturally Occuring Sex Reversal. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22881. [PMID: 26964761 PMCID: PMC4786791 DOI: 10.1038/srep22881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Most sex differences in phenotype are controlled by gonadal hormones, but recent work on laboratory strain mice that present discordant chromosomal and gonadal sex showed that sex chromosome complement can have a direct influence on the establishment of sex-specific behaviours, independently from gonads. In this study, we analyse the behaviour of a rodent with naturally occurring sex reversal: the African pygmy mouse Mus minutoides, in which all males are XY, while females are of three types: XX, XX* or X*Y (the asterisk represents an unknown X-linked mutation preventing masculinisation of X*Y embryos). X*Y females show typical female anatomy and, interestingly, have greater breeding performances. We investigate the link between sex chromosome complement, behaviour and reproductive success in females by analysing several behavioural features that could potentially influence their fitness: female attractiveness, aggressiveness and anxiety. Despite sex chromosome complement was not found to impact male mate preferences, it does influence some aspects of both aggressiveness and anxiety: X*Y females are more aggressive than the XX and XX*, and show lower anxiogenic response to novelty, like males. We discuss how these behavioural differences might impact the breeding performances of females, and how the sex chromosome complement could shape the differences observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Saunders
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5554, IRD, EPHE, France
| | - Thomas Franco
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5554, IRD, EPHE, France
| | - Camille Sottas
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5554, IRD, EPHE, France
| | - Tangui Maurice
- INSERM U1198, Université de Montpellier, Inserm, EPHE, France
| | - Guila Ganem
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5554, IRD, EPHE, France
| | - Frédéric Veyrunes
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5554, IRD, EPHE, France
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26
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Rocca MS, Pecile V, Cleva L, Speltra E, Selice R, Di Mambro A, Foresta C, Ferlin A. The Klinefelter syndrome is associated with high recurrence of copy number variations on the X chromosome with a potential role in the clinical phenotype. Andrology 2016; 4:328-34. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. S. Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - V. Pecile
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health; IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”; Trieste Italy
| | - L. Cleva
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health; IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”; Trieste Italy
| | - E. Speltra
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - R. Selice
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - A. Di Mambro
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - C. Foresta
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - A. Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of Padova; Padova Italy
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Johansson MM, Lundin E, Qian X, Mirzazadeh M, Halvardson J, Darj E, Feuk L, Nilsson M, Jazin E. Spatial sexual dimorphism of X and Y homolog gene expression in the human central nervous system during early male development. Biol Sex Differ 2016; 7:5. [PMID: 26759715 PMCID: PMC4710049 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renewed attention has been directed to the functions of the Y chromosome in the central nervous system during early human male development, due to the recent proposed involvement in neurodevelopmental diseases. PCDH11Y and NLGN4Y are of special interest because they belong to gene families involved in cell fate determination and formation of dendrites and axon. METHODS We used RNA sequencing, immunocytochemistry and a padlock probing and rolling circle amplification strategy, to distinguish the expression of X and Y homologs in situ in the human brain for the first time. To minimize influence of androgens on the sex differences in the brain, we focused our investigation to human embryos at 8-11 weeks post-gestation. RESULTS We found that the X- and Y-encoded genes are expressed in specific and heterogeneous cellular sub-populations of both glial and neuronal origins. More importantly, we found differential distribution patterns of X and Y homologs in the male developing central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS This study has visualized the spatial distribution of PCDH11X/Y and NLGN4X/Y in human developing nervous tissue. The observed spatial distribution patterns suggest the existence of an additional layer of complexity in the development of the male CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Johansson
- Department of Organismal Biology, EBC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elin Lundin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaoyan Qian
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Jonatan Halvardson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Darj
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lars Feuk
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Nilsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Jazin
- Department of Organismal Biology, EBC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Vakilian H, Mirzaei M, Sharifi Tabar M, Pooyan P, Habibi Rezaee L, Parker L, Haynes PA, Gourabi H, Baharvand H, Salekdeh GH. DDX3Y, a Male-Specific Region of Y Chromosome Gene, May Modulate Neuronal Differentiation. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:3474-83. [PMID: 26144214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although it is apparent that chromosome complement mediates sexually dimorphic expression patterns of some proteins that lead to functional differences, there has been insufficient evidence following the manipulation of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) gene expression during neural development. In this study, we profiled the expression of 23 MSY genes and 15 of their X-linked homologues during neural cell differentiation of NTERA-2 human embryonal carcinoma cell line (NT2) cells in three different developmental stages using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The expression level of 12 Y-linked genes significantly increased over neural differentiation, including RBMY1, EIF1AY, DDX3Y, HSFY1, BPY2, PCDH11Y, UTY, RPS4Y1, USP9Y, SRY, PRY, and ZFY. We showed that siRNA-mediated knockdown of DDX3Y, a DEAD box RNA helicase enzyme, in neural progenitor cells impaired cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis, consequently interrupting differentiation. Label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics based on a spectral counting approach was then used to characterize the proteomic profile of the cells after DDX3Y knockdown. Among 917 reproducibly identified proteins detected, 71 proteins were differentially expressed following DDX3Y siRNA treatment compared with mock treated cells. Functional grouping indicated that these proteins were involved in cell cycle, RNA splicing, and apoptosis, among other biological functions. Our results suggest that MSY genes may play an important role in neural differentiation and demonstrate that DDX3Y could play a multifunctional role in neural cell development, probably in a sexually dimorphic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haghighat Vakilian
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Mehdi Sharifi Tabar
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Pooyan
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lida Habibi Rezaee
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lindsay Parker
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Paul A Haynes
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Hamid Gourabi
- Department of Genetics at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture , Sharif Esfahani Blvd, Park Street, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Stem Cells Biology & Technology, Royan Institute , Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat highway, Tehran, Iran.,Seed and Plant Improvement Institute's Campus, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran , Mahdasht Road, Karaj, Iran
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Davies W. Sex differences in attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: candidate genetic and endocrine mechanisms. Front Neuroendocrinol 2014; 35:331-46. [PMID: 24680800 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition characterised by severe inattention, pathological impulsivity and hyperactivity; it is relatively common affecting up to 6% of children, and is associated with a risk of long-term adverse educational and social consequences. Males are considerably more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females; the course of the disorder and its associated co-morbidities also appear to be sensitive to sex. Here, I discuss fundamental biological (genetic and endocrine) mechanisms that have been shown to, or could theoretically, contribute towards these sexually dimorphic phenomena. Greater understanding of how and why the sexes differ with respect to ADHD vulnerability should allow us to identify and characterise novel protective and risk factors for the disorder, and should ultimately facilitate improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Davies
- Behavioural Genetics Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Schools of Psychology and Medicine, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
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Armoskus C, Mota T, Moreira D, Tsai HW. Effects of Prenatal Testosterone Exposure on Sexually Dimorphic Gene Expression in the Neonatal Mouse Cortex and Hippocampus. JOURNAL OF STEROIDS & HORMONAL SCIENCE 2014; 5:1000139. [PMID: 25411648 PMCID: PMC4233715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using gene expression microarrays and reverse transcription with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), we have recently identified several novel genes that are differentially expressed in the neonatal male versus female mouse cortex/hippocampus (Armoskus et al.). Since perinatal testosterone (T) secreted by the developing testes masculinizes cortical and hippocampal structures and the behaviors regulated by these brain regions, we hypothesized that sexually dimorphic expression of specific selected genes in these areas might be regulated by T during early development. METHODS To test our hypothesis, we treated timed pregnant female mice daily with vehicle or testosterone propionate (TP) starting on embryonic day 16 until the day of birth. The cortex/hippocampus was collected from vehicle- and TP-treated, male and female neonatal pups. Total RNA was extracted from these brain tissues, followed by RT-qPCR to measure relative mRNA levels of seven sex chromosome genes and three autosomal genes that have previously showed sex differences. RESULTS The effect of prenatal TP was confirmed as it stimulated Dhcr24 expression in the neonatal mouse cortex/hippocampus and increased the anogenital distance in females. We found a significant effect of sex, but not TP, on expression of three Y-linked (Ddx3y, Eif2s3y, and Kdm5d), four X-linked (Eif2s3x, Kdm6a, Mid1, and Xist), and one autosomal (Klk8) genes in the neonatal mouse cortex/hippocampus. CONCLUSION Although most of the selected genes are not directly regulated by prenatal T, their sexually dimorphic expression might play an important role in the control of sexually differentiated cognitive and social behaviors as well as in the etiology of sex-biased neurological disorders and mental illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Houng-Wei Tsai
- Corresponding author: Houng-Wei Tsai, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840-3702, USA, Tel: (562) 985-8878;
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Functional transcriptome analysis of the postnatal brain of the Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome reveals global disruption of interferon-related molecular networks. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:624. [PMID: 25052193 PMCID: PMC4124147 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) has partial triplication of mouse chromosome 16 (MMU16), which is partially homologous to human chromosome 21. These mice develop various neuropathological features identified in DS individuals. We analysed the effect of partial triplication of the MMU16 segment on global gene expression in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus of Ts1Cje mice at 4 time-points: postnatal day (P)1, P15, P30 and P84. Results Gene expression profiling identified a total of 317 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), selected from various spatiotemporal comparisons, between Ts1Cje and disomic mice. A total of 201 DEGs were identified from the cerebellum, 129 from the hippocampus and 40 from the cerebral cortex. Of these, only 18 DEGs were identified as common to all three brain regions and 15 were located in the triplicated segment. We validated 8 selected DEGs from the cerebral cortex (Brwd1, Donson, Erdr1, Ifnar1, Itgb8, Itsn1, Mrps6 and Tmem50b), 18 DEGs from the cerebellum (Atp5o, Brwd1, Donson, Dopey2, Erdr1, Hmgn1, Ifnar1, Ifnar2, Ifngr2, Itgb8, Itsn1, Mrps6, Paxbp1, Son, Stat1, Tbata, Tmem50b and Wrb) and 11 DEGs from the hippocampus (Atp5o, Brwd1, Cbr1, Donson, Erdr1, Itgb8, Itsn1, Morc3, Son, Tmem50b and Wrb). Functional clustering analysis of the 317 DEGs identified interferon-related signal transduction as the most significantly dysregulated pathway in Ts1Cje postnatal brain development. RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis showed both Ifnar1 and Stat1 were over-expressed in P84 Ts1Cje cerebral cortex and cerebellum as compared to wild type littermates. Conclusions These findings suggest over-expression of interferon receptor may lead to over-stimulation of Jak-Stat signaling pathway which may contribute to the neuropathology in Ts1Cje or DS brain. The role of interferon mediated activation or inhibition of signal transduction including Jak-Stat signaling pathway has been well characterized in various biological processes and disease models including DS but information pertaining to the role of this pathway in the development and function of the Ts1Cje or DS brain remains scarce and warrants further investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-624) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Scerbo MJ, Freire-Regatillo A, Cisternas CD, Brunotto M, Arevalo MA, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ. Neurogenin 3 mediates sex chromosome effects on the generation of sex differences in hypothalamic neuronal development. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:188. [PMID: 25071448 PMCID: PMC4086225 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The organizational action of testosterone during critical periods of development is the cause of numerous sex differences in the brain. However, sex differences in neuritogenesis have been detected in primary neuronal hypothalamic cultures prepared before the peak of testosterone production by fetal testis. In the present study we assessed the hypothesis of that cell-autonomous action of sex chromosomes can differentially regulate the expression of the neuritogenic gene neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) in male and female hypothalamic neurons, generating sex differences in neuronal development. Neuronal cultures were prepared from male and female E14 mouse hypothalami, before the fetal peak of testosterone. Female neurons showed enhanced neuritogenesis and higher expression of Ngn3 than male neurons. The silencing of Ngn3 abolished sex differences in neuritogenesis, decreasing the differentiation of female neurons. The sex difference in Ngn3 expression was determined by sex chromosomes, as demonstrated using the four core genotypes mouse model, in which a spontaneous deletion of the testis-determining gene Sry from the Y chromosome was combined with the insertion of the Sry gene onto an autosome. In addition, the expression of Ngn3, which is also known to mediate the neuritogenic actions of estradiol, was increased in the cultures treated with the hormone, but only in those from male embryos. Furthermore, the hormone reversed the sex differences in neuritogenesis promoting the differentiation of male neurons. These findings indicate that Ngn3 mediates both cell-autonomous actions of sex chromosomes and hormonal effects on neuritogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Scerbo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Carla D Cisternas
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina ; Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mabel Brunotto
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria A Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María J Cambiasso
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina ; Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Córdoba, Argentina
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Basic concepts of medical genetics: Formal genetics, Part 2. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Cahill L. Equal ≠ the same: sex differences in the human brain. CEREBRUM : THE DANA FORUM ON BRAIN SCIENCE 2014; 2014:5. [PMID: 25009695 PMCID: PMC4087190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
While advances in brain imaging confirm that men and women think in their own way and that their brains are different, the biomedical community mainly uses male animals as testing subjects with the assumption that sex differences in the brain hardly matter. This month's Cerebrum highlights some of the thinking and research that invalidates that assumption.
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Kopsida E, Lynn PM, Humby T, Wilkinson LS, Davies W. Dissociable effects of Sry and sex chromosome complement on activity, feeding and anxiety-related behaviours in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73699. [PMID: 24009762 PMCID: PMC3751882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Whilst gonadal hormones can substantially influence sexual differentiation of the brain, recent findings have suggested that sex-linked genes may also directly influence neurodevelopment. Here we used the well-established murine ‘four core genotype’ (FCG) model on a gonadally-intact, outbred genetic background to characterise the contribution of Sry-dependent effects (i.e. those arising from the expression of the Y-linked Sry gene in the brain, or from hormonal sequelae of gonadal Sry expression) and direct effects of sex-linked genes other than Sry (‘sex chromosome complement’ effects) to sexually dimorphic mouse behavioural phenotypes. Over a 24 hour period, XX and XY gonadally female mice (lacking Sry) exhibited greater horizontal locomotor activity and reduced food consumption per unit bodyweight than XX and XY gonadally male mice (possessing Sry); in two behavioural tests (the elevated plus and zero mazes) XX and XY gonadally female mice showed evidence for increased anxiety-related behaviours relative to XX and XY gonadally male mice. Exploratory correlational analyses indicated that these Sry-dependent effects could not be simply explained by brain expression of the gene, nor by circulating testosterone levels. We also noted a sex chromosome complement effect on food (but not water) consumption whereby XY mice consumed more over a 24hr period than XX mice, and a sex chromosome complement effect in a third test of anxiety-related behaviour, the light-dark box. The present data suggest that: i) the male-specific factor Sry may influence activity and feeding behaviours in mice, and ii) dissociable feeding and anxiety-related murine phenotypes may be differentially modulated by Sry and by other sex-linked genes. Our results may have relevance for understanding the molecular underpinnings of sexually dimorphic behavioural phenotypes in healthy men and women, and in individuals with abnormal sex chromosome constitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Kopsida
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - Phoebe M. Lynn
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor Humby
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence S. Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
| | - William Davies
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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van den Bos R, Davies W, Dellu-Hagedorn F, Goudriaan AE, Granon S, Homberg J, Rivalan M, Swendsen J, Adriani W. Cross-species approaches to pathological gambling: a review targeting sex differences, adolescent vulnerability and ecological validity of research tools. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:2454-71. [PMID: 23867802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Decision-making plays a pivotal role in daily life as impairments in processes underlying decision-making often lead to an inability to make profitable long-term decisions. As a case in point, pathological gamblers continue gambling despite the fact that this disrupts their personal, professional or financial life. The prevalence of pathological gambling will likely increase in the coming years due to expanding possibilities of on-line gambling through the Internet and increasing liberal attitudes towards gambling. It therefore represents a growing concern for society. Both human and animal studies rapidly advance our knowledge on brain-behaviour processes relevant for understanding normal and pathological gambling behaviour. Here, we review in humans and animals three features of pathological gambling which hitherto have received relatively little attention: (1) sex differences in (the development of) pathological gambling, (2) adolescence as a (putative) sensitive period for (developing) pathological gambling and (3) avenues for improving ecological validity of research tools. Based on these issues we also discuss how research in humans and animals may be brought in line to maximize translational research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud van den Bos
- Department of Organismal Animal Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Priddle TH, Crow TJ. The protocadherin 11X/Y (PCDH11X/Y) gene pair as determinant of cerebral asymmetry in modern Homo sapiens. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1288:36-47. [PMID: 23600975 PMCID: PMC3752934 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Annett's right-shift theory proposes that human cerebral dominance (the functional and anatomical asymmetry or torque along the antero-posterior axis) and handedness are determined by a single “right-shift” gene. Familial transmission of handedness and specific deviations of cerebral dominance in sex chromosome aneuploidies implicate a locus within an X–Y homologous region of the sex chromosomes. The Xq21.3/Yp11.2 human-specific region of homology includes the protocadherin 11X/Y (PCDH11X/Y) gene pair, which encode cell adhesion molecules subject to accelerated evolution following the separation of the human and chimpanzee lineages six million years ago. PCDH11X and PCDH11Y, differentially regulated by retinoic acid, are highly expressed in the ventricular zone, subplate, and cortical plate of the developing cerebral cortex. Both proteins interact with β-catenin, a protein that plays a role in determining axis formation and regulating cortical size. In this way, the PCDH11X/Y gene pair determines cerebral asymmetry by initiating the right shift in Homo sapiens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Priddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Using mouse models to investigate sex-linked genetic effects on brain, behaviour and vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders. Brain Res Bull 2013; 92:12-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
The theory of developmental programming suggests that diseases such as the metabolic syndrome may be ‘programmed’ by exposure to adverse stimuli during early development. The developmental programming literature encompasses the study of a wide range of suboptimal intrauterine environments in a variety of species and correlates these with diverse phenotypic outcomes in the offspring. At a molecular level, a large number of variables have been measured and suggested as the basis of the programmed phenotype. The range of both dependent and independent variables studied often makes the developmental programming literature complex to interpret and the drawing of definitive conclusions difficult. A common, though under-explored, theme of many developmental programming models is a sex difference in offspring outcomes. This holds true across a range of interventions, including dietary, hypoxic, and surgical models. The molecular and phenotypic outcomes of adversein uteroconditions are often more prominent in male than female offspring, although there is little consideration given to the basis for this observation in most studies. We review the evidence that maternal energy investment in male and female conceptuses may not be equal and may be environment dependent. It is suggested that male and female development could be viewed as separate processes from the time of conception, with differences in both timing and outcomes.
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Abstract
Sex differences in many behaviors such as cognition, mood, and motor skills are well-documented in animals and humans and are regulated by many neural circuits. Sexual dimorphisms within cell populations in these circuits play critical roles in the production of these behavioral dichotomies. Here we focus on three proteins that have well described sexual dimorphisms; calbindin-D28k, a calcium binding protein, tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme involved in dopamine synthesis and vasopressin, a neuropeptide with central and peripheral sites of action. We describe the sex differences in subpopulations of these proteins, with particular emphasis on laboratory mice. Our thrust is to examine genetic bases of sex differences and how the use of genetically modified models has advanced our understanding of this topic. Regional sex differences in the expression of these three proteins are driven by sex chromosome complement, steroid receptors or in some instances both. While studies of sex differences attributable to sex chromosome genes are still few in number it is exciting to note that this variable factors into expression differences for all three of these proteins. Different genetic mechanisms, which elaborate sex differences, may be employed stochastically in different cell populations. Alternately, general patterns involving the timing of differentiation of the sex differences, relative to the "critical period" in hormonal differences between males and female neonates may emerge. In conclusion, future directions in this area should include examination of the importance of location, timing, steroidal receptor/sex chromosome gene synergy and epigenetics in molding neural sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean LeBeau Abel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800733, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Priddle TH, Crow TJ. Protocadherin 11X/Y a human-specific gene pair: an immunohistochemical survey of fetal and adult brains. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 23:1933-41. [PMID: 22744706 PMCID: PMC3698369 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhs181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Protocadherins 11X and 11Y are cell adhesion molecules of the δ1-protocadherin family. Pcdh11X is present throughout the mammalian radiation; however, 6 million years ago (MYA), a reduplicative translocation of the Xq21.3 block onto what is now human Yp11 created the Homo sapiens-specific PCDH11Y. Therefore, modern human females express PCDH11X whereas males express both PCDH11X and PCDH11Y. PCDH11X/Y has been subject to accelerated evolution resulting in human-specific changes to both proteins, most notably 2 cysteine substitutions in the PCDH11X ectodomain that may alter binding characteristics. The PCDH11X/Y gene pair is postulated to be critical to aspects of human brain evolution related to the neural correlates of language. Therefore, we raised antibodies to investigate the temporal and spatial expression of PCDH11X/Y in cortical and sub-cortical areas of the human fetal brain between 12 and 34 postconceptional weeks. We then used the antibodies to determine if this expression was consistent in a series of adult brains. PCDH11X/Y immunoreactivity was detectable at all developmental stages. Strong expression was detected in the fetal neocortex, ganglionic eminences, cerebellum, and inferior olive. In the adult brain, the cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, and cerebellum were strongly immunoreactive, with expression also detectable in the brainstem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Priddle
- Department of Psychiatry, POWIC/SANE Research, Oxford University, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK.
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The influence of sex-linked genetic mechanisms on attention and impulsivity. Biol Psychol 2011; 89:1-13. [PMID: 21983394 PMCID: PMC3245859 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
It is now generally agreed that there are inherent sex differences in healthy individuals across a number of neurobiological domains (including brain structure, neurochemistry, and cognition). Moreover, there is a burgeoning body of evidence highlighting sex differences within neuropsychiatric populations (in terms of the rates of incidence, clinical features/progression, neurobiology and pathology). Here, we consider the extent to which attention and impulsivity are sexually dimorphic in healthy populations and the extent to which sex might modulate the expression of disorders characterised by abnormalities in attention and/or impulsivity such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and addiction. We then discuss general genetic mechanisms that might underlie sex differences in attention and impulsivity before focussing on specific positional and functional candidate sex-linked genes that are likely to influence these cognitive processes. Identifying novel sex-modulated molecular targets should ultimately enable us to develop more effective therapies in disorders associated with attentional/impulsive dysfunction.
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Speevak MD, Farrell SA. Non-syndromic language delay in a child with disruption in the Protocadherin11X/Y gene pair. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2011; 156B:484-9. [PMID: 21480486 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Protocadherin11 is located on both the X and Y chromosomes in Homo sapiens but only on the X chromosome in other hominid species. The pairing of PCDH11Y with PCDH11X arose following a duplicative 3.5 Mb translocation from the ancestral X chromosome to the Y chromosome several million years ago. The genes are highly expressed in fetal brain and spinal cord. The evolutionary consequence of this duplication has been proposed to include the sexual dimorphism of cerebral asymmetry and the hominid specific transition to the capacity for language. We report a case of a male child referred for genetic investigation of severe language delay. Microarray analysis indicated the presence of a 220 Kb intragenic deletion at Xq21.31 involving the PCDH11X gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using a BAC probe mapping to intron 2 of the Protocadherin11X/Y gene pair confirmed loss of the locus on both the X and Y chromosomes. The X chromosome deletion was maternally inherited, but the Y chromosome deletion was found to be a de novo occurrence in this child. This finding lends support to the hypothesis that the Protocadherin11X/Y gene plays a role in language development in humans and that rare copy number variation is a possible mechanism for communication disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha D Speevak
- Department of Genetics and Laboratory Medicine, Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
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McFadden D. Sexual orientation and the auditory system. Front Neuroendocrinol 2011; 32:201-13. [PMID: 21310172 PMCID: PMC3085661 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The auditory system exhibits differences by sex and by sexual orientation, and the implication is that relevant auditory structures are altered during prenatal development, possibly by exposure to androgens. The otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) of newborn male infants are weaker than those of newborn females, and these sex differences persist through the lifespan. The OAEs of nonheterosexual females also are weaker than those of heterosexual females, suggesting an atypically strong exposure to androgens some time early in development. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) also exhibit sex differences beginning early in life. Some AEPs are different for heterosexual and nonheterosexual females, and other AEPs are different for heterosexual and nonheterosexual males. Research on non-humans treated with androgenic or anti-androgenic agents also suggests that OAEs are masculinized by prenatal exposure to androgens late in gestation. Collectively, the evidence suggests that prenatal androgens, acting globally or locally, affect both nonheterosexuality and the auditory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis McFadden
- Department of Psychology and Center for Perceptual Systems, 1 University Station A8000, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712-0187, USA.
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Bogaert AF, Skorska M. Sexual orientation, fraternal birth order, and the maternal immune hypothesis: a review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2011; 32:247-54. [PMID: 21315103 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In 1996, psychologists Ray Blanchard and Anthony Bogaert found evidence that gay men have a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men. This "fraternal birth order" (FBO) effect has been replicated numerous times, including in non-Western samples. More recently, strong evidence has been found that the FBO effect is of prenatal origin. Although there is no direct support for the exact prenatal mechanism, the most plausible explanation may be immunological in origin, i.e., a mother develops an immune reaction against a substance important in male fetal development during pregnancy, and that this immune effect becomes increasingly likely with each male gestation. This immune effect is hypothesized to cause an alteration in (some) later born males' prenatal brain development. The target of the immune response may be molecules (i.e., Y-linked proteins) on the surface of male fetal brain cells, including in sites of the anterior hypothalamus, which has been linked to sexual orientation in other research. Antibodies might bind to these molecules and thus alter their role in typical sexual differentiation, leading some later born males to be attracted to men as opposed to women. Here we review evidence in favor of this hypothesis, including recent research showing that mothers of boys develop an immune response to one Y-linked protein (i.e., H-Y antigen; SMCY) important in male fetal development, and that this immune effect becomes increasingly likely with each additional boy to which a mother gives birth. We also discuss other Y-linked proteins that may be relevant if this hypothesis is correct. Finally, we discuss issues in testing the maternal immune hypothesis of FBO.
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