Ankfy1 Is Involved in the Maintenance of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells

Genome-wide association analysis of composite sleep health scores in 413,904 individuals

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of several individual sleep traits have identified hundreds of genetic loci, suggesting diverse mechanisms. Moreover, sleep traits are moderately correlated, so together may provide a more complete picture of sleep health, while illuminating distinct domains. Here we construct novel sleep health scores (SHSs) incorporating five core self-report measures: sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, chronotype, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, using additive (SHS-ADD) and five principal components-based (SHS-PCs) approaches. GWASs of these six SHSs identify 28 significant novel loci adjusting for multiple testing on six traits (p < 8.3e-9), along with 341 previously reported loci (p < 5e-08). The heritability of the first three SHS-PCs equals or exceeds that of SHS-ADD (SNP-h2 = 0.094), while revealing sleep-domain-specific genetic discoveries. Significant loci enrich in multiple brain tissues and in metabolic and neuronal pathways. Post-GWAS analyses uncover novel genetic mechanisms underlying sleep health and reveal connections (including potential causal links) to behavioral, psychological, and cardiometabolic traits.

Compound heterozygous variants of ANKFY1 in a child with infantile-onset proteinuria and movement disorder

The ANKFY1 gene encodes a protein that belongs to double zinc finger proteins involved in endocytosis. Only one family with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome has been reported carrying a homozygous variant in ANKFY1 so far. Here we describe the second case where a 13-year-old boy presented with infantile-onset proteinuria and movement disorder. Whole-exome sequencing showed compound heterozygous variants (NM_001330063.2: c.2753C>G; p.Ser918Ter, and c.3287-11_3287-10del) in ANKFY1. In vitro functional study revealed the two variants led to reduced protein expression level of ANKFY1. This is the first case of co-existence of renal and nervous system phenotypes in a child with variants in ANKFY1, suggesting that bi-allelic variants in ANKFY1 might be associated with a new neuro-renal syndrome.

Genome-wide association analysis of composite sleep health scores in 413,904 individuals

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of several individual sleep traits have identified hundreds of genetic loci, suggesting diverse mechanisms. Moreover, sleep traits are moderately correlated, and together may provide a more complete picture of sleep health, while also illuminating distinct domains. Here we construct novel sleep health scores (SHSs) incorporating five core self-report measures: sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, chronotype, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, using additive (SHS-ADD) and five principal components-based (SHS-PCs) approaches. GWASs of these six SHSs identify 28 significant novel loci adjusting for multiple testing on six traits (p<8.3e-9), along with 341 previously reported loci (p<5e-08). The heritability of the first three SHS-PCs equals or exceeds that of SHS-ADD (SNP-h2=0.094), while revealing sleep-domain-specific genetic discoveries. Significant loci enrich in multiple brain tissues and in metabolic and neuronal pathways. Post GWAS analyses uncover novel genetic mechanisms underlying sleep health and reveal connections to behavioral, psychological, and cardiometabolic traits.

Astragalus polysaccharide promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells by facilitating ANKFY1 expression through miR-760 inhibition

Aims

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) participates in various processes, such as the enhancement of immunity and inhibition of tumours. APS can affect osteoporosis (OP) by regulating the osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of APS in hBMSC proliferation and osteoblast differentiation.

Methods

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to determine the expression of microRNA (miR)-760 and ankyrin repeat and FYVE domain containing 1 (ANKFY1) in OP tissues and hBMSCs. Cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The expression of cyclin D1 and osteogenic marker genes (osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2)) was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Mineral deposits were detected through Alizarin Red S staining. In addition, Western blotting was performed to detect the ANKFY1 protein levels following the regulation of miR-760. The relationship between miR-760 and ANKFY1 was determined using a luciferase reporter assay.

Results

The expression of miR-760 was upregulated in OP tissues, whereas ANKFY1 expression was downregulated. APS stimulated the differentiation and proliferation of hBMSCs by: increasing their viability; upregulating the expression levels of cyclin D1, ALP, OCN, and RUNX2; and inducing osteoblast mineralization. Moreover, APS downregulated the expression of miR-760. Overexpression of miR-760 was found to inhibit the promotive effect of APS on hBMSC differentiation and proliferation, while knockdown of miR-760 had the opposite effect. ANKFY1 was found to be the direct target of miR-760. Additionally, ANKFY1 participated in the APS-mediated regulation of miR-760 function in hBMSCs.

Conclusion

APS promotes the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of hBMSCs. Moreover, APS alleviates the effects of OP by downregulating miR-760 and upregulating ANKFY1 expression.

The cerebellum and cognitive neural networks

Cognitive function represents a complex neurophysiological capacity of the human brain, encompassing a higher level of neural processing and integration. It is widely acknowledged that the cerebrum plays a commanding role in the regulation of cognitive functions. However, the specific role of the cerebellum in cognitive processes has become a subject of considerable scholarly intrigue. In 1998, Schmahmann first proposed the concept of "cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS)," linking cerebellar damage to cognitive and emotional impairments. Since then, a substantial body of literature has emerged, exploring the role of the cerebellum in cognitive neurological function. The cerebellum's adjacency to the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord suggests that the cerebral-cerebellar network loops play a crucial role in the cerebellum's participation in cognitive neurological functions. In this review, we comprehensively examine the recent literature on the involvement of the cerebellum in cognitive functions from three perspectives: the cytological basis of the cerebellum and its anatomical functions, the cerebellum and cognitive functions, and Crossed cerebellar diaschisis. Our aim is to shed light on the role and mechanisms of the cerebellum in cognitive neurobrain networks.