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Reyes-Lizaola S, Luna-Zarate U, Tendilla-Beltrán H, Morales-Medina JC, Flores G. Structural and biochemical alterations in dendritic spines as key mechanisms for severe mental illnesses. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110876. [PMID: 37863171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) collectively affect approximately 20% of the global population, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite having diverse etiologies, clinical symptoms, and pharmacotherapies, these diseases share a common pathophysiological characteristic: the misconnection of brain areas involved in reality perception, executive control, and cognition, including the corticolimbic system. Dendritic spines play a crucial role in excitatory neurotransmission within the central nervous system. These small structures exhibit remarkable plasticity, regulated by factors such as neurotransmitter tone, neurotrophic factors, and innate immunity-related molecules, and other mechanisms - all of which are associated with the pathophysiology of SMI. However, studying dendritic spine mechanisms in both healthy and pathological conditions in patients is fraught with technical limitations. This is where animal models related to these diseases become indispensable. They have played a pivotal role in elucidating the significance of dendritic spines in SMI. In this review, the information regarding the potential role of dendritic spines in SMI was summarized, drawing from clinical and animal model reports. Also, the implications of targeting dendritic spine-related molecules for SMI treatment were explored. Specifically, our focus is on major depressive disorder and the neurodevelopmental disorders schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Abundant clinical and basic research has studied the functional and structural plasticity of dendritic spines in these diseases, along with potential pharmacological targets that modulate the dynamics of these structures. These targets may be associated with the clinical efficacy of the pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Reyes-Lizaola
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad Popular del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ulises Luna-Zarate
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Hiram Tendilla-Beltrán
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico.
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Xie CTY, Pastore SF, Vincent JB, Frankland PW, Hamel PA. Nonsynonymous Mutations in Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder Gene PTCHD1 Disrupt N-Glycosylation and Reduce Protein Stability. Cells 2024; 13:199. [PMID: 38275824 PMCID: PMC10814814 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020199] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PTCHD1 has been implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and/or intellectual disability, where copy-number-variant losses or loss-of-function coding mutations segregate with disease in an X-linked recessive fashion. Missense variants of PTCHD1 have also been reported in patients. However, the significance of these mutations remains undetermined since the activities, subcellular localization, and regulation of the PTCHD1 protein are currently unknown. This paucity of data concerning PTCHD1 prevents the effective evaluation of sequence variants identified during diagnostic screening. Here, we characterize PTCHD1 protein binding partners, extending previously reported interactions with postsynaptic scaffolding protein, SAP102. Six rare missense variants of PTCHD1 were also identified from patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. After modelling these variants on a hypothetical three-dimensional structure of PTCHD1, based on the solved structure of NPC1, PTCHD1 variants harboring these mutations were assessed for protein stability, post-translational processing, and protein trafficking. We show here that the wild-type PTCHD1 post-translational modification includes complex N-glycosylation and that specific mutant proteins disrupt normal N-link glycosylation processing. However, regardless of their processing, these mutants still localized to PSD95-containing dendritic processes and remained competent for complexing SAP102.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie T. Y. Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Stephen F. Pastore
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1RS, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - John B. Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1RS, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Paul W. Frankland
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Paul A. Hamel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Qi C, Luo LD, Feng I, Ma S. Molecular mechanisms of synaptogenesis. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:939793. [PMID: 36176941 PMCID: PMC9513053 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.939793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses are the basic units for information processing and storage in the nervous system. It is only when the synaptic connection is established, that it becomes meaningful to discuss the structure and function of a circuit. In humans, our unparalleled cognitive abilities are correlated with an increase in the number of synapses. Additionally, genes involved in synaptogenesis are also frequently associated with neurological or psychiatric disorders, suggesting a relationship between synaptogenesis and brain physiology and pathology. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms of synaptogenesis is the key to the mystery of circuit assembly and neural computation. Furthermore, it would provide therapeutic insights for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Multiple molecular events must be precisely coordinated to generate a synapse. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptogenesis, we need to know the molecular components of synapses, how these molecular components are held together, and how the molecular networks are refined in response to neural activity to generate new synapses. Thanks to the intensive investigations in this field, our understanding of the process of synaptogenesis has progressed significantly. Here, we will review the molecular mechanisms of synaptogenesis by going over the studies on the identification of molecular components in synapses and their functions in synaptogenesis, how cell adhesion molecules connect these synaptic molecules together, and how neural activity mobilizes these molecules to generate new synapses. Finally, we will summarize the human-specific regulatory mechanisms in synaptogenesis and results from human genetics studies on synaptogenesis and brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Qi
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- *Correspondence: Cai Qi,
| | - Li-Da Luo
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Irena Feng
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shaojie Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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4
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Guan J, Zhuang Y, Kang Y, Ji G. Shared and Cell-Type-Specific Gene Expression Patterns Associated With Autism Revealed by Integrative Regularized Non-Negative Matrix Factorization. Front Genet 2022; 13:865371. [PMID: 35646047 PMCID: PMC9130660 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human brain-related disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are often characterized by cell heterogeneity, as the cell atlas of brains consists of diverse cell types. There are commonality and specificity in gene expression among different cell types of brains; hence, there may also be commonality and specificity in dysregulated gene expression affected by ASD among brain cells. Moreover, as genes interact together, it is important to identify shared and cell-type-specific ASD-related gene modules for studying the cell heterogeneity of ASD. To this end, we propose integrative regularized non-negative matrix factorization (iRNMF) by imposing a new regularization based on integrative non-negative matrix factorization. Using iRNMF, we analyze gene expression data of multiple cell types of the human brain to obtain shared and cell-type-specific gene modules. Based on ASD risk genes, we identify shared and cell-type-specific ASD-associated gene modules. By analyzing these gene modules, we study the commonality and specificity among different cell types in dysregulated gene expression affected by ASD. The shared ASD-associated gene modules are mostly relevant to the functioning of synapses, while in different cell types, different kinds of gene functions may be specifically dysregulated in ASD, such as inhibitory extracellular ligand-gated ion channel activity in GABAergic interneurons and excitatory postsynaptic potential and ionotropic glutamate receptor signaling pathway in glutamatergic neurons. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism and pathogenesis of ASD. The identification of shared and cell-type-specific ASD-related gene modules can facilitate the development of more targeted biomarkers and treatments for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Guan
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Zhuang
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yue Kang
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Guoli Ji
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Khanal P, Hotulainen P. Dendritic Spine Initiation in Brain Development, Learning and Diseases and Impact of BAR-Domain Proteins. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092392. [PMID: 34572042 PMCID: PMC8468246 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small, bulbous protrusions along neuronal dendrites where most of the excitatory synapses are located. Dendritic spine density in normal human brain increases rapidly before and after birth achieving the highest density around 2-8 years. Density decreases during adolescence, reaching a stable level in adulthood. The changes in dendritic spines are considered structural correlates for synaptic plasticity as well as the basis of experience-dependent remodeling of neuronal circuits. Alterations in spine density correspond to aberrant brain function observed in various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Dendritic spine initiation affects spine density. In this review, we discuss the importance of spine initiation in brain development, learning, and potential complications resulting from altered spine initiation in neurological diseases. Current literature shows that two Bin Amphiphysin Rvs (BAR) domain-containing proteins, MIM/Mtss1 and SrGAP3, are involved in spine initiation. We review existing literature and open databases to discuss whether other BAR-domain proteins could also take part in spine initiation. Finally, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms on how BAR-domain proteins could regulate spine initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpa Khanal
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
- HiLIFE-Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
- Correspondence:
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Sculpting Dendritic Spines during Initiation and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain. J Neurosci 2021; 40:7578-7589. [PMID: 32998955 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1664-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has established a firm role for synaptic plasticity in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Recent advances have highlighted the importance of dendritic spine remodeling in driving synaptic plasticity within the CNS. Identifying the molecular players underlying neuropathic pain induced structural and functional maladaptation is therefore critical to understanding its pathophysiology. This process of dynamic reorganization happens in unique phases that have diverse pathologic underpinnings in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Recent evidence suggests that pharmacological targeting of specific proteins during distinct phases of neuropathic pain development produces enhanced antinociception. These findings outline a potential new paradigm for targeted treatment and the development of novel therapies for neuropathic pain. We present a concise review of the role of dendritic spines in neuropathic pain and outline the potential for modulation of spine dynamics by targeting two proteins, srGAP3 and Rac1, critically involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
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Chong CH, Li Q, Mak PHS, Ng CCP, Leung EHW, Tan VH, Chan AKW, McAlonan G, Chan SY. Lrrc7 mutant mice model developmental emotional dysregulation that can be alleviated by mGluR5 allosteric modulation. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:244. [PMID: 31582721 PMCID: PMC6776540 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0580-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
LRRC7 has been identified as a candidate gene for severe childhood emotional dysregulation. Direct experimental evidence for a role of LRRC7 in the disease is needed, as is a better understanding of its impact on neuronal structure and signaling, and hence potential treatment targets. Here, we generated and analyzed an Lrrc7 mutant mouse line. Consistent with a critical role of LRRC7 in emotional regulation, mutant mice had inappropriate juvenile aggressive behavior and significant anxiety-like behavior and social dysfunction in adulthood. The pivotal role of mGluR5 signaling was demonstrated by rescue of behavioral defects with augmentation of mGluR5 receptor activity by 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB). Intra-peritoneal injection of CDPPB alleviated abnormal juvenile behavior, as well as anxiety-like behavior and hypersociability at adulthood. Furthermore, mutant primary neurons had impaired neurite outgrowth which was rescued by CDPPB treatment. In conclusion, Lrrc7 mutant mice provide a valuable tool to model childhood emotional dysregulation and persistent mental health comorbidities. Moreover, our data highlight an important role of LRRC7 in mGluR5 signaling, which is a potential new treatment target for anxiety and social dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ho Chong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Priscilla Hoi Shan Mak
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cypress Chun Pong Ng
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eva Hin Wa Leung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vicky Huiqi Tan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anthony Kin Wang Chan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- The Sackler Centre for Translational Neurodevelopment and The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Siu Yuen Chan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Roesler MK, Lombino FL, Freitag S, Schweizer M, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, Schwarz JR, Kneussel M, Wagner W. Myosin XVI Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Dendritic Spines of Purkinje Cells and Affects Presynaptic Organization. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:330. [PMID: 31474830 PMCID: PMC6705222 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for function and morphology of neuronal synapses. Moreover, altered regulation of the neuronal actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Myosin XVI is a neuronally expressed unconventional myosin known to bind the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), a regulator of filamentous actin (F-actin) polymerization. Notably, the gene encoding the myosin’s heavy chain (MYO16) shows genetic association with neuropsychiatric disorders including ASD. Here, we investigated whether myosin XVI plays a role for actin cytoskeleton regulation in the dendritic spines of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), a neuronal cell type crucial for motor learning, social cognition and vocalization. We provide evidence that both myosin XVI and the WRC component WAVE1 localize to PC spines. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis of GFP-actin in cultured PCs shows that Myo16 knockout as well as PC-specific Myo16 knockdown, lead to faster F-actin turnover in the dendritic spines of PCs. We also detect accelerated F-actin turnover upon interference with the WRC, and upon inhibition of Arp2/3 that drives formation of branched F-actin downstream of the WRC. In contrast, inhibition of formins that are responsible for polymerization of linear actin filaments does not cause faster F-actin turnover. Together, our data establish myosin XVI as a regulator of the postsynaptic actin cytoskeleton and suggest that it is an upstream activator of the WRC-Arp2/3 pathway in PC spines. Furthermore, ultra-structural and electrophysiological analyses of Myo16 knockout cerebellum reveals the presence of reduced numbers of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals in the absence of the myosin. Therefore, we here define myosin XVI as an F-actin regulator important for presynaptic organization in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Katrin Roesler
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franco Luis Lombino
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Freitag
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schweizer
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irm Hermans-Borgmeyer
- Transgenic Animal Unit, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kneussel
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Barón-Mendoza I, Del Moral-Sánchez I, Martínez-Marcial M, García O, Garzón-Cortés D, González-Arenas A. Dendritic complexity in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the autistic-like mice C58/J. Neurosci Lett 2019; 703:149-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Zhao W, Tan J, Zhu T, Ou J, Li Y, Shen L, Wu H, Han L, Liu Y, Jia X, Bai T, Li H, Ke X, Zhao J, Zou X, Hu Z, Guo H, Xia K. Rare inherited missense variants of POGZ associate with autism risk and disrupt neuronal development. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:247-257. [PMID: 31196716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Excess de novo likely gene-disruptive and missense variants within dozens of genes have been identified in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. However, many rare inherited missense variants of these high-risk genes have not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we analyzed the rare missense variant burden of POGZ in a large cohort of ASD patients from the Autism Clinical and Genetic Resources in China (ACGC) and further dissected the functional effect of disease-associated missense variants on neuronal development. Our results showed a significant burden of rare missense variants in ASD patients compared to the control population (P = 4.6 × 10-5, OR = 3.96), and missense variants in ASD patients showed more severe predicted functional outcomes than those in controls. Furthermore, by leveraging published large-scale sequencing data of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and sporadic case reports, we identified 8 de novo missense variants of POGZ in NDD patients. Functional analysis revealed that two inherited, but not de novo, missense variants influenced the cellular localization of POGZ and failed to rescue the defects in neurite and dendritic spine development caused by Pogz knockdown in cultured mouse primary cortical neurons. Significantly, L1CAM, an autism candidate risk gene, is differentially expressed in POGZ deficient cell lines. Reduced expression of L1cam was able to partially rescue the neurite length defects caused by Pogz knockdown. Our study showed the important roles of rare inherited missense variants of POGZ in ASD risk and neuronal development and identified the potential downstream targets of POGZ, which are important for further molecular mechanism studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhao
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Jieqiong Tan
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Tengfei Zhu
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Jianjun Ou
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Ying Li
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Huidan Wu
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lin Han
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Yanling Liu
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Xiangbin Jia
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ting Bai
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Honghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Disorders in Children, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jingping Zhao
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xiaobing Zou
- Children Development Behavior Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zhengmao Hu
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Kun Xia
- Center of Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, 830046, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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11
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Lima Caldeira G, Peça J, Carvalho AL. New insights on synaptic dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 57:62-70. [PMID: 30743178 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence implicates synaptic proteins in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) and schizophrenia. In fact, mutations in genes encoding synaptic proteins are enriched and overlap among different conditions highlighting the complex and pleiotropic nature of these disorders. In this review, we discuss recently described candidate genes that affect excitatory synapse function and result in changes in spine number and morphology. Spine pathology has been observed in several animal models of disease and in human brain post-mortem samples from ID, ASD, and schizophrenia patients. Recent data point to convergent mechanisms, such as dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton and dysfunction of microglia synaptic remodeling, underlying dendritic spine dysgenesis. Interestingly, the reversion of important pathologic features, including spine abnormalities, has been observed in adult animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders, suggesting that therapies may not be restricted to a specific developmental window. Shedding light on the specific mechanisms impacted in neuropsychiatric disorders will undeniably contribute to the development of more directed and personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Lima Caldeira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; IIIUC-Interdisciplinary Research Institute, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Peça
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; IIIUC-Interdisciplinary Research Institute, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Carvalho
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
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