1
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Andrade-Brito DE, Núñez-Ríos DL, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Nagamatsu ST, Rompala G, Zillich L, Witt SH, Clark SL, Lattig MC, Montalvo-Ortiz JL. Neuronal-specific methylome and hydroxymethylome analysis reveal significant loci associated with alcohol use disorder. Front Genet 2024; 15:1345410. [PMID: 38633406 PMCID: PMC11021708 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1345410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex condition associated with adverse health consequences that affect millions of individuals worldwide. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation (5 mC), have been associated with AUD and other alcohol-related traits. Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have identified differentially methylated genes associated with AUD in human peripheral and brain tissue. More recently, epigenetic studies of AUD have also evaluated DNA hydroxymethylation (5 hmC) in the human brain. However, most of the epigenetic work in postmortem brain tissue has examined bulk tissue. In this study, we investigated neuronal-specific 5 mC and 5 hmC alterations at CpG sites associated with AUD in the human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Methods: Neuronal nuclei from the OFC were evaluated in 34 human postmortem brain samples (10 AUD, 24 non-AUD). Reduced representation oxidative bisulfite sequencing was used to assess 5 mC and 5 hmC at the genome-wide level. Differential 5 mC and 5 hmC were evaluated using the methylKit R package and significance was set at false discovery rate < 0.05 and differential methylation > 2. Functional enrichment analyses were performed, and gene-level convergence was evaluated in an independent dataset that assessed 5 mC and 5 hmC of AUD in bulk cortical tissue. Results: We identified 417 5 mC and 363 5hmC significant differential CpG sites associated with AUD, with 59% in gene promoters. Some of the identified genes have been previously implicated in alcohol consumption, including SYK, DNMT3A for 5 mC, GAD1, DLX1, DLX2, for 5 hmC and GATA4 in both. Convergence with a previous AUD 5 mC and 5 hmC study was observed for 28 genes. We also identified 5 and 35 differential regions for 5 mC and 5 hmC, respectively. Lastly, GWAS enrichment analysis showed an association with AUD for differential 5 mC genes. Discussion: This study reveals neuronal-specific methylome and hydroxymethylome dysregulation associated with AUD, identifying both previously reported and potentially novel gene associations with AUD. Our findings provide new insights into the epigenomic dysregulation of AUD in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego E. Andrade-Brito
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Diana L. Núñez-Ríos
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - José Jaime Martínez-Magaña
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sheila T. Nagamatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gregory Rompala
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Lea Zillich
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Shaunna L. Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Maria C. Lattig
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare, West Haven, CT, United States
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2
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Bhuvaneshwar K, Gusev Y. Translational bioinformatics and data science for biomarker discovery in mental health: an analytical review. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae098. [PMID: 38493340 PMCID: PMC10944574 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational bioinformatics and data science play a crucial role in biomarker discovery as it enables translational research and helps to bridge the gap between the bench research and the bedside clinical applications. Thanks to newer and faster molecular profiling technologies and reducing costs, there are many opportunities for researchers to explore the molecular and physiological mechanisms of diseases. Biomarker discovery enables researchers to better characterize patients, enables early detection and intervention/prevention and predicts treatment responses. Due to increasing prevalence and rising treatment costs, mental health (MH) disorders have become an important venue for biomarker discovery with the goal of improved patient diagnostics, treatment and care. Exploration of underlying biological mechanisms is the key to the understanding of pathogenesis and pathophysiology of MH disorders. In an effort to better understand the underlying mechanisms of MH disorders, we reviewed the major accomplishments in the MH space from a bioinformatics and data science perspective, summarized existing knowledge derived from molecular and cellular data and described challenges and areas of opportunities in this space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krithika Bhuvaneshwar
- Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics (ICBI), Georgetown University, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Yuriy Gusev
- Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics (ICBI), Georgetown University, Washington DC, 20007, USA
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3
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Mirza S, Docherty AR, Bakian A, Coon H, Soares JC, Walss-Bass C, Fries GR. Genetics and epigenetics of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: Systematic review of the suicide literature and methodological considerations. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2022; 189:221-246. [PMID: 35975759 PMCID: PMC9900606 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a multifaceted and poorly understood clinical outcome, and there is an urgent need to advance research on its phenomenology and etiology. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that suicidal behavior is heritable, suggesting that genetic and epigenetic information may serve as biomarkers for suicide risk. Here we systematically review the literature on genetic and epigenetic alterations observed in phenotypes across the full range of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB). We included 577 studies focused on genome-wide and epigenome-wide associations, candidate genes (SNP and methylation), noncoding RNAs, and histones. Convergence of specific genes is limited across units of analysis, although pathway-based analyses do indicate nervous system development and function and immunity/inflammation as potential underlying mechanisms of SITB. We provide suggestions for future work on the genetic and epigenetic correlates of SITB with a specific focus on measurement issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salahudeen Mirza
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (UTHealth), Houston, Texas, USA,Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anna R. Docherty
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA,Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA,Department of Psychiatry, The Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Amanda Bakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA,Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Hilary Coon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA,Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Jair C. Soares
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (UTHealth), Houston, Texas, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (UTHealth), Houston, Texas, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gabriel R. Fries
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (UTHealth), Houston, Texas, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, Texas, USA
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4
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Ten-eleven translocation 1 mediated-DNA hydroxymethylation is required for myelination and remyelination in the mouse brain. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5091. [PMID: 34429415 PMCID: PMC8385008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25353-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins, the dioxygenase for DNA hydroxymethylation, are important players in nervous system development and diseases. However, their role in myelination and remyelination after injury remains elusive. Here, we identify a genome-wide and locus-specific DNA hydroxymethylation landscape shift during differentiation of oligodendrocyte-progenitor cells (OPC). Ablation of Tet1 results in stage-dependent defects in oligodendrocyte (OL) development and myelination in the mouse brain. The mice lacking Tet1 in the oligodendrocyte lineage develop behavioral deficiency. We also show that TET1 is required for remyelination in adulthood. Transcriptomic, genomic occupancy, and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) profiling reveal a critical TET1-regulated epigenetic program for oligodendrocyte differentiation that includes genes associated with myelination, cell division, and calcium transport. Tet1-deficient OPCs exhibit reduced calcium activity, increasing calcium activity rescues the differentiation defects in vitro. Deletion of a TET1-5hmC target gene, Itpr2, impairs the onset of OPC differentiation. Together, our results suggest that stage-specific TET1-mediated epigenetic programming and intracellular signaling are important for proper myelination and remyelination in mice.
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5
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DNA Hypermethylation and Unstable Repeat Diseases: A Paradigm of Transcriptional Silencing to Decipher the Basis of Pathogenic Mechanisms. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060684. [PMID: 32580525 PMCID: PMC7348995 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unstable repeat disorders comprise a variable group of incurable human neurological and neuromuscular diseases caused by an increase in the copy number of tandem repeats located in various regions of their resident genes. It has become clear that dense DNA methylation in hyperexpanded non-coding repeats induces transcriptional silencing and, subsequently, insufficient protein synthesis. However, the ramifications of this paradigm reveal a far more profound role in disease pathogenesis. This review will summarize the significant progress made in a subset of non-coding repeat diseases demonstrating the role of dense landscapes of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) as a common disease modifier. However, the emerging findings suggest context-dependent models of 5mC-mediated silencing with distinct effects of excessive DNA methylation. An in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this peculiar group of human diseases constitutes a prerequisite that could help to discover novel pathogenic repeat loci, as well as to determine potential therapeutic targets. In this regard, we report on a brief description of advanced strategies in DNA methylation profiling for the identification of unstable Guanine-Cytosine (GC)-rich regions and on promising examples of molecular targeted therapies for Fragile X disease (FXS) and Friedrich ataxia (FRDA) that could pave the way for the application of this technique in other hypermethylated expansion disorders.
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6
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Hammam E, Ananda G, Sinha A, Scheidig-Benatar C, Bohec M, Preiser PR, Dedon PC, Scherf A, Vembar SS. Discovery of a new predominant cytosine DNA modification that is linked to gene expression in malaria parasites. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:184-199. [PMID: 31777939 PMCID: PMC6943133 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA cytosine modifications are key epigenetic regulators of cellular processes in mammalian cells, with their misregulation leading to varied disease states. In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a unicellular eukaryotic pathogen, little is known about the predominant cytosine modifications, cytosine methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC). Here, we report the first identification of a hydroxymethylcytosine-like (5hmC-like) modification in P. falciparum asexual blood stages using a suite of biochemical methods. In contrast to mammalian cells, we report 5hmC-like levels in the P. falciparum genome of 0.2–0.4%, which are significantly higher than the methylated cytosine (mC) levels of 0.01–0.05%. Immunoprecipitation of hydroxymethylated DNA followed by next generation sequencing (hmeDIP-seq) revealed that 5hmC-like modifications are enriched in gene bodies with minimal dynamic changes during asexual development. Moreover, levels of the 5hmC-like base in gene bodies positively correlated to transcript levels, with more than 2000 genes stably marked with this modification throughout asexual development. Our work highlights the existence of a new predominant cytosine DNA modification pathway in P. falciparum and opens up exciting avenues for gene regulation research and the development of antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Hammam
- Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,CNRS ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM U1201, 75015 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Ecole doctorale Complexité du Vivant ED515, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Guruprasad Ananda
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Ameya Sinha
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Christine Scheidig-Benatar
- Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,CNRS ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM U1201, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Mylene Bohec
- Institut Curie Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Institut Curie Research Center, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Peter R Preiser
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Artur Scherf
- Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,CNRS ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM U1201, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Shruthi S Vembar
- Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,CNRS ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM U1201, 75015 Paris, France
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7
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Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing steadily over the last 20 years; however, the molecular basis for the majority of ASD cases remains unknown. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and detection of DNA modifications have made methylation-dependent regulation of transcription an attractive hypothesis for being a causative factor in ASD etiology. Evidence for abnormal DNA methylation in ASD can be seen on multiple levels, from genetic mutations in epigenetic machinery to loci-specific and genome-wide changes in DNA methylation. Epimutations in DNA methylation can be acquired throughout life, as global DNA methylation reprogramming is dynamic during embryonic development and the early postnatal period that corresponds to the peak time of synaptogenesis. However, technical advances and causative evidence still need to be established before abnormal DNA methylation and ASD can be confidently associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine W Tremblay
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.,Departments of Pediatrics and Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA;
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8
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Asmus N, Papale LA, Madrid A, Alisch RS. Simultaneous Targeted Methylation Sequencing (sTM-Seq). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 101:e81. [PMID: 30620135 DOI: 10.1002/cphg.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Mapping patterns of DNA methylation throughout the epigenome are critical to our understanding of several important biological and regulatory functions, such as transcriptional regulation, genomic imprinting, and embryonic development. The development and rapid advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have provided clinicians and researchers with accurate and reliable read-outs of genomic and epigenomic information at the nucleotide level. Such improvements have significantly lowered the cost required for genome-wide sequencing, facilitating the vast acquisition of data that has led to many improvements in patient care. However, the torrid rate of NGS data generation has left targeted validation approaches behind, including the confirmation of epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. To overcome these shortcomings, we present a rapid and robust protocol for the parallel examination of multiple methylated sequences that we have termed simultaneous targeted methylation sequencing (sTM-Seq). Key features of this technique include the elimination of the need for large amounts of high-molecular weight DNA and the nucleotide specific distinction of both 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Moreover, sTM-Seq is scalable and can be used to investigate multiple loci in dozens of samples within a single sequencing run. By utilizing freely available web-based software and universal primers for multipurpose barcoding, library preparation, and customized sequencing, sTM-Seq is affordable, efficient, and widely applicable. Together, these features enable sTM-Seq to have wide-reaching clinical applications that will greatly improve turnaround rates for same-day procedures and allow clinicians to collect high-resolution data that can be used in a variety of patient settings. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Asmus
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ligia A Papale
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Andy Madrid
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Reid S Alisch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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9
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Teixeira AL, Colpo GD, Fries GR, Bauer IE, Selvaraj S. Biomarkers for bipolar disorder: current status and challenges ahead. Expert Rev Neurother 2018; 19:67-81. [PMID: 30451546 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1550361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder marked by clinical and pathophysiological heterogeneity. There is a high expectation that personalized approaches can improve the management of patients with BD. For that, identification and validation of potential biomarkers are fundamental. Areas covered: This manuscript will critically review the current status of different biomarkers for BD, including peripheral, genetic, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological candidates, discussing the challenges to move the field forward. Expert commentary: There are no lab or complementary tests currently recommended for the diagnosis or management of patients with BD. Panels composed by multiple biomarkers will probably contribute to stratifying patients according to their clinical stage, therapeutic response, and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio L Teixeira
- a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , McGovern Medical School, UT Health , Houston , TX , USA.,b Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Gabriela D Colpo
- a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , McGovern Medical School, UT Health , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Gabriel R Fries
- a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , McGovern Medical School, UT Health , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Isabelle E Bauer
- a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , McGovern Medical School, UT Health , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Sudhakar Selvaraj
- a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , McGovern Medical School, UT Health , Houston , TX , USA
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10
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Gabrieli T, Sharim H, Nifker G, Jeffet J, Shahal T, Arielly R, Levi-Sakin M, Hoch L, Arbib N, Michaeli Y, Ebenstein Y. Epigenetic Optical Mapping of 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Nanochannel Arrays. ACS NANO 2018; 12:7148-7158. [PMID: 29924591 PMCID: PMC6114841 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b03023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is a distinct product of active DNA demethylation that is linked to gene regulation, development, and disease. In particular, 5-hmC levels dramatically decline in many cancers, potentially serving as an epigenetic biomarker. The noise associated with next-generation 5-hmC sequencing hinders reliable analysis of low 5-hmC containing tissues such as blood and malignant tumors. Additionally, genome-wide 5-hmC profiles generated by short-read sequencing are limited in providing long-range epigenetic information relevant to highly variable genomic regions, such as the 3.7 Mbp disease-related Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) region. We present a long-read, highly sensitive single-molecule mapping technology that generates hybrid genetic/epigenetic profiles of native chromosomal DNA. The genome-wide distribution of 5-hmC in human peripheral blood cells correlates well with 5-hmC DNA immunoprecipitation (hMeDIP) sequencing. However, the long single-molecule read-length of 100 kbp to 1 Mbp produces 5-hmC profiles across variable genomic regions that failed to show up in the sequencing data. In addition, optical 5-hmC mapping shows a strong correlation between the 5-hmC density in gene bodies and the corresponding level of gene expression. The single-molecule concept provides information on the distribution and coexistence of 5-hmC signals at multiple genomic loci on the same genomic DNA molecule, revealing long-range correlations and cell-to-cell epigenetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tslil Gabrieli
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hila Sharim
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Nifker
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan Jeffet
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Shahal
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rani Arielly
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Levi-Sakin
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lily Hoch
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nissim Arbib
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Michaeli
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Ebenstein
- School
of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for
Light-Matter Interaction, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact
Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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11
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Kular L, Kular S. Epigenetics applied to psychiatry: Clinical opportunities and future challenges. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 72:195-211. [PMID: 29292553 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are clinically heterogeneous and debilitating chronic diseases resulting from a complex interplay between gene variants and environmental factors. Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications, instruct the cell/tissue to correctly interpret external signals and adjust its functions accordingly. Given that epigenetic modifications are sensitive to environment, stable, and reversible, epigenetic studies in psychiatry could represent a promising approach to better understanding and treating disease. In the present review, we aim to discuss the clinical opportunities and challenges arising from the epigenetic research in psychiatry. Using selected examples, we first recapitulate key findings supporting the role of adverse life events, alone or in combination with genetic risk, in epigenetic programming of neuropsychiatric systems. Epigenetic studies further report encouraging findings about the use of methylation changes as diagnostic markers of disease phenotype and predictive tools of progression and response to treatment. Then we discuss the potential of using targeted epigenetic pharmacotherapy, combined with psychosocial interventions, for future personalized medicine for patients. Finally, we review the methodological limitations that could hinder interpretation of epigenetic data in psychiatry. They mainly arise from heterogeneity at the individual and tissue level and require future strategies in order to reinforce the biological relevance of epigenetic data and its translational use in psychiatry. Overall, we suggest that epigenetics could provide new insights into a more comprehensive interpretation of mental illness and might eventually improve the nosology, treatment, and prevention of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Kular
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonia Kular
- Adult Psychiatry Unit of Laval Secteur Est, Laval, France
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12
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Zhu Q, Stöger R, Alberio R. A Lexicon of DNA Modifications: Their Roles in Embryo Development and the Germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:24. [PMID: 29637072 PMCID: PMC5880922 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (5mC) on CpG dinucleotides has been viewed as the major epigenetic modification in eukaryotes for a long time. Apart from 5mC, additional DNA modifications have been discovered in eukaryotic genomes. Many of these modifications are thought to be solely associated with DNA damage. However, growing evidence indicates that some base modifications, namely 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC), and N6-methadenine (6mA), may be of biological relevance, particularly during early stages of embryo development. Although abundance of these DNA modifications in eukaryotic genomes can be low, there are suggestions that they cooperate with other epigenetic markers to affect DNA-protein interactions, gene expression, defense of genome stability and epigenetic inheritance. Little is still known about their distribution in different tissues and their functions during key stages of the animal lifecycle. This review discusses current knowledge and future perspectives of these novel DNA modifications in the mammalian genome with a focus on their dynamic distribution during early embryonic development and their potential function in epigenetic inheritance through the germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifan Zhu
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Reinhard Stöger
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ramiro Alberio
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Tulisiak CT, Harris RA, Ponomarev I. DNA modifications in models of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol 2017; 60:19-30. [PMID: 27865607 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic alcohol use and abuse result in widespread changes to gene expression, some of which contribute to the development of alcohol-use disorders (AUD). Gene expression is controlled, in part, by a group of regulatory systems often referred to as epigenetic factors, which includes, among other mechanisms, chemical marks made on the histone proteins around which genomic DNA is wound to form chromatin, and on nucleotides of the DNA itself. In particular, alcohol has been shown to perturb the epigenetic machinery, leading to changes in gene expression and cellular functions characteristic of AUD and, ultimately, to altered behavior. DNA modifications in particular are seeing increasing research in the context of alcohol use and abuse. To date, studies of DNA modifications in AUD have primarily looked at global methylation profiles in human brain and blood, gene-specific methylation profiles in animal models, methylation changes associated with prenatal ethanol exposure, and the potential therapeutic abilities of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Future studies may be aimed at identifying changes to more recently discovered DNA modifications, utilizing new methods to discriminate methylation profiles between cell types, thus clarifying how alcohol influences the methylomes of cell-type populations and how this may affect downstream processes. These studies and more in-depth probing of DNA methylation will be key to determining whether DNA-level epigenetic regulation plays a causative role in AUD and can thus be targeted for treatment of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Tulisiak
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; The College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, 2409 University Avenue, A1900, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Igor Ponomarev
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; The College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, 2409 University Avenue, A1900, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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14
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Swathy B, Banerjee M. Understanding epigenetics of schizophrenia in the backdrop of its antipsychotic drug therapy. Epigenomics 2017; 9:721-736. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The diatheses of gene and environment interaction in schizophrenia (SCZ) are becoming increasingly evident. Genetic and epigenetic backgrounds are being considered in stratifying and addressing phenotypic variation and drug response in SCZ. But how much of these epigenetic alterations are the primary contributing factor, toward disease pathogenesis and drug response, needs further clarity. Evidence indicates that antipsychotic drugs can also alter the epigenetic homeostasis thereby inducing pharmacoepigenomic effects. We re-examine the context of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis and antipsychotic drug therapy in SCZ to understand how much of these observations act as real indicators of the disease or therapeutic response. We propose that epigenetic viewpoint in SCZ needs to be critically examined under the genetic, epigenetic and pharmacoepigenetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babu Swathy
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Moinak Banerjee
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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15
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Langie SAS, Cameron KM, Ficz G, Oxley D, Tomaszewski B, Gorniak JP, Maas LM, Godschalk RWL, van Schooten FJ, Reik W, von Zglinicki T, Mathers JC. The Ageing Brain: Effects on DNA Repair and DNA Methylation in Mice. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E75. [PMID: 28218666 PMCID: PMC5333064 DOI: 10.3390/genes8020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Base excision repair (BER) may become less effective with ageing resulting in accumulation of DNA lesions, genome instability and altered gene expression that contribute to age-related degenerative diseases. The brain is particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of DNA lesions; hence, proper functioning of DNA repair mechanisms is important for neuronal survival. Although the mechanism of age-related decline in DNA repair capacity is unknown, growing evidence suggests that epigenetic events (e.g., DNA methylation) contribute to the ageing process and may be functionally important through the regulation of the expression of DNA repair genes. We hypothesize that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in mediating the age-related decline in BER in the brain. Brains from male mice were isolated at 3-32 months of age. Pyrosequencing analyses revealed significantly increased Ogg1 methylation with ageing, which correlated inversely with Ogg1 expression. The reduced Ogg1 expression correlated with enhanced expression of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 and ten-eleven translocation enzyme 2. A significant inverse correlation between Neil1 methylation at CpG-site2 and expression was also observed. BER activity was significantly reduced and associated with increased 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. These data indicate that Ogg1 and Neil1 expression can be epigenetically regulated, which may mediate the effects of ageing on DNA repair in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine A S Langie
- Centre for Ageing and Vitality, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - Kerry M Cameron
- The Ageing Biology Centre and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - Gabriella Ficz
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - David Oxley
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK.
| | - Bartłomiej Tomaszewski
- Centre for Ageing and Vitality, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - Joanna P Gorniak
- Centre for Ageing and Vitality, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - Lou M Maas
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Roger W L Godschalk
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Frederik J van Schooten
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK.
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Thomas von Zglinicki
- The Ageing Biology Centre and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - John C Mathers
- Centre for Ageing and Vitality, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
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Wei H, Feng Y, Liang F, Cheng W, Wu X, Zhou R, Wang Y. Role of oxidative stress and DNA hydroxymethylation in the neurotoxicity of fine particulate matter. Toxicology 2017; 380:94-103. [PMID: 28153600 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have implicated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the influences of different components remain largely elusive. Here, we extended our previous work to investigate the role of oxidative stress and DNA hydroxymethylation in neuronal pathology of PM2.5. We found PM2.5 and its extracts (water-soluble extracts, organic extracts and carbon core component) differentially caused cell cycle arrest, cell apoptosis and the cell proliferation inhibition in neuronal cells. These effects were mechanistically related to each other and oxidative stress, suggesting PM2.5 and toxic compounds adsorbed on the particles may cause different types of brain damages. In addition, PM2.5 and its organic extracts increased global DNA hydroxymethylation and gene-specific DNA hydroxymethylation of neuronal genes, and subsequently interfered with their mRNA expression. The impairments in neuronal progression characterized with decreased length of neurite and reduced mRNA expression of neuronal markers and synaptic markers. The blocking effects of antioxidants demonstrated the involvement of oxidative stress-mediated hydroxymethylation abnormalities in PM2.5-induced defects in neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Our results first revealed the role of oxidative stress-mediated abnormal DNA hydroxymethylation in neuronal impairments of PM2.5, and thoroughly evaluated the neurocytotoxicity of different components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Wei
- The Ninth People Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yan Feng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Fan Liang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ren Zhou
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yan Wang
- The Ninth People Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 227 Chongqing South Road, Shanghai 200025, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, No. 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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