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Transcriptional Interference Regulates the Evolutionary Development of Speech. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071195. [PMID: 35885978 PMCID: PMC9323761 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human capacity to speak is fundamental to our advanced intellectual, technological and social development. Yet so very little is known regarding the evolutionary genetics of speech or its relationship with the broader aspects of evolutionary development in primates. In this study, we describe a large family with evolutionary retrograde development of the larynx and wrist. The family presented with severe speech impairment and incremental retrograde elongations of the pisiform in the wrist that limited wrist rotation from 180° to 90° as in primitive primates. To our surprise, we found that a previously unknown primate-specific gene TOSPEAK had been disrupted in the family. TOSPEAK emerged de novo in an ancestor of extant primates across a 540 kb region of the genome with a pre-existing highly conserved long-range laryngeal enhancer for a neighbouring bone morphogenetic protein gene GDF6. We used transgenic mouse modelling to identify two additional GDF6 long-range enhancers within TOSPEAK that regulate GDF6 expression in the wrist. Disruption of TOSPEAK in the affected family blocked the transcription of TOSPEAK across the 3 GDF6 enhancers in association with a reduction in GDF6 expression and retrograde development of the larynx and wrist. Furthermore, we describe how TOSPEAK developed a human-specific promoter through the expansion of a penta-nucleotide direct repeat that first emerged de novo in the promoter of TOSPEAK in gibbon. This repeat subsequently expanded incrementally in higher hominids to form an overlapping series of Sp1/KLF transcription factor consensus binding sites in human that correlated with incremental increases in the promoter strength of TOSPEAK with human having the strongest promoter. Our research indicates a dual evolutionary role for the incremental increases in TOSPEAK transcriptional interference of GDF6 enhancers in the incremental evolutionary development of the wrist and larynx in hominids and the human capacity to speak and their retrogression with the reduction of TOSPEAK transcription in the affected family.
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Masi A, Dissanayake C, Alach T, Cameron K, Fordyce K, Frost G, Grove R, Heussler H, Silove N, Sulek R, Tucker M, Williams K, Eapen V. Clinical outcomes and associated predictors of early intervention in autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047290. [PMID: 34373300 PMCID: PMC8354249 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research highlights the importance of early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder with better outcomes associated with earlier access to early intensive intervention (EII) programmes. However, there is significant variability in response to EII despite children receiving the same programmes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A prospective, multisite cohort study using a pre-post design assesses the predictors of early intervention outcomes for children who receive EII through six early intervention services (Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres, ASELCCs) across Australia. Child and family characteristics at entry to and exit from ASELCCs are ascertained using measures of autism symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2; Social Communication Questionnaire); cognitive, language and developmental skills (Mullen Scale of Early Learning); adaptive function (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale-second Edition); behaviours (Child Behaviour Checklist-1.5 to 5 years; Restricted Repetitive Behaviour Scale); parental stress (Parent Stress Index-4 Short Form); quality of life (Quality of Life in Autism Scale) and a semistructured family history questionnaire for sociodemographic, family and psychosocial characteristics. Characteristics at entry are used as predictors of outcome at exit following EII approximately 12 months later. The change in score from baseline to exit will be the primary outcome of interest. The mediating role of family and psychosocial factors will also be considered. ETHICS APPROVAL University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee (HC14267). DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. A report summarising data and the interpretation of data will be published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Masi
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cheryl Dissanayake
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, Director & Chair, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tasha Alach
- Director of Therapy and Clinical Services, Autism Association of Western Australia Inc, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Cameron
- Manager of Early Childhood Services, Autism Association of Western Australia Inc, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kathryn Fordyce
- General Manager Operations, North West Tasmania Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre, St Giles Society Limited, Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Grace Frost
- Disability, Mental Health and Child Care Services, Anglicare SA, Daphne Street Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rachel Grove
- Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Faculty of Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Medical Director Child and Youth Community Health Services, Medical Director Child Development Program, SMO Sleep Medicine, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie Silove
- Child Development Unit, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick and Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rhylee Sulek
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Madonna Tucker
- Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre - AEIOU for Children with Autism (AEIOU Foundation), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Griffith Institute for Educational Research Griffith University Nathan Campus, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katrina Williams
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
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Chan W, Smith LE, Greenberg JS, Hong J, Mailick MR. Executive Functioning Mediates the Effect of Behavioral Problems on Depression in Mothers of Children With Developmental Disabilities. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2017; 122:11-24. [PMID: 28095060 PMCID: PMC5303617 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-122.1.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present investigation explored long-term relationships of behavioral symptoms of adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities with the mental health of their mothers. Fragile X premutation carrier mothers of an adolescent or adult child with fragile X syndrome (n = 95), and mothers of a grown child with autism (n = 213) were included. Behavioral symptoms at Time 1 were hypothesized to predict maternal depressive symptoms at Time 3 via maternal executive dysfunction at Time 2. Results provided support for the mediating pathway of executive dysfunction. Additionally, the association of behavioral symptoms with executive dysfunction differed across the two groups, suggesting that premutation carriers may be more susceptible to caregiving stress due to their genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Chan
- Wai Chan, Leann E. Smith, Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong, and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Waisman Center
| | - Leann E Smith
- Wai Chan, Leann E. Smith, Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong, and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Waisman Center
| | - Jan S Greenberg
- Wai Chan, Leann E. Smith, Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong, and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Waisman Center
| | - Jinkuk Hong
- Wai Chan, Leann E. Smith, Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong, and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Waisman Center
| | - Marsha R Mailick
- Wai Chan, Leann E. Smith, Jan S. Greenberg, Jinkuk Hong, and Marsha R. Mailick, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Waisman Center
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Subramanian M, Timmerman CK, Schwartz JL, Pham DL, Meffert MK. Characterizing autism spectrum disorders by key biochemical pathways. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:313. [PMID: 26483618 PMCID: PMC4586332 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) presents a substantial challenge for diagnosis, classification, research, and treatment. Investigations into the underlying molecular etiology of ASD have often yielded mixed and at times opposing findings. Defining the molecular and biochemical underpinnings of heterogeneity in ASD is crucial to our understanding of the pathophysiological development of the disorder, and has the potential to assist in diagnosis and the rational design of clinical trials. In this review, we propose that genetically diverse forms of ASD may be usefully parsed into entities resulting from converse patterns of growth regulation at the molecular level, which lead to the correlates of general synaptic and neural overgrowth or undergrowth. Abnormal brain growth during development is a characteristic feature that has been observed both in children with autism and in mouse models of autism. We review evidence from syndromic and non-syndromic ASD to suggest that entities currently classified as autism may fundamentally differ by underlying pro- or anti-growth abnormalities in key biochemical pathways, giving rise to either excessive or reduced synaptic connectivity in affected brain regions. We posit that this classification strategy has the potential not only to aid research efforts, but also to ultimately facilitate early diagnosis and direct appropriate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Subramanian
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christina K Timmerman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua L Schwartz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel L Pham
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mollie K Meffert
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
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