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Pascolini G, Di Zenzo G, Panebianco A, Didona B, Gozes I. Extended phenotypic characterization of a novel Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome case series. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:e63539. [PMID: 38204290 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental disorder known as Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome (HVDAS, MIM#616580) or ADNP syndrome (Orphanet, ORPHA:404448) is a multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) condition, reported as a syndrome in 2014, associated with deleterious variants in the ADNP gene (activity-dependent neuroprotective protein; MIM*611386) in several children. First reported in the turn of the century, ADNP is a protein with crucial functions for the normal development of the central nervous system and with pleiotropic effects, explaining the multisystemic character of the syndrome. Affected individuals present with striking facial dysmorphic features and variable congenital defects. Herein, we describe a novel case series of HVDAS Italian patients, illustrating their clinical findings and the related genotype-phenotype correlations. Interestingly, the cutaneous manifestations are also extensively expanded, giving an important contribution to the clinical characterization of the condition, and highlighting the relation between skin abnormalities and ADNP defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pascolini
- Rare Diseases Center, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Zenzo
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annarita Panebianco
- Medical Direction, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio Didona
- Rare Diseases Center, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Illana Gozes
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Adams Super Center for Brain Studies and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Gozes I. Tau, ADNP, and sex. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:16-23. [PMID: 37572043 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
With 50 years to the original discovery of Tau, I gave here my perspective, looking through the prism of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), and the influence of sex. My starting point was vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a regulator of ADNP. I then moved to the original discovery of ADNP and its active neuroprotective site, NAP, drug candidate, davunetide. Tau-ADNP-NAP interactions were then explained with emphasis on sex and future translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Illana Gozes
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Adams Super Center for Brain Studies and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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D'Incal CP, Van Rossem KE, De Man K, Konings A, Van Dijck A, Rizzuti L, Vitriolo A, Testa G, Gozes I, Vanden Berghe W, Kooy RF. Chromatin remodeler Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP) contributes to syndromic autism. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:45. [PMID: 36945042 PMCID: PMC10031977 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals affected with autism often suffer additional co-morbidities such as intellectual disability. The genes contributing to autism cluster on a relatively limited number of cellular pathways, including chromatin remodeling. However, limited information is available on how mutations in single genes can result in such pleiotropic clinical features in affected individuals. In this review, we summarize available information on one of the most frequently mutated genes in syndromic autism the Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP). RESULTS Heterozygous and predicted loss-of-function ADNP mutations in individuals inevitably result in the clinical presentation with the Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome, a frequent form of syndromic autism. ADNP, a zinc finger DNA-binding protein has a role in chromatin remodeling: The protein is associated with the pericentromeric protein HP1, the SWI/SNF core complex protein BRG1, and other members of this chromatin remodeling complex and, in murine stem cells, with the chromodomain helicase CHD4 in a ChAHP complex. ADNP has recently been shown to possess R-loop processing activity. In addition, many additional functions, for instance, in association with cytoskeletal proteins have been linked to ADNP. CONCLUSIONS We here present an integrated evaluation of all current aspects of gene function and evaluate how abnormalities in chromatin remodeling might relate to the pleiotropic clinical presentation in individual"s" with Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Peter D'Incal
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43/6, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Epigenetic Signaling Lab (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kirsten Esther Van Rossem
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43/6, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Kevin De Man
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Epigenetic Signaling Lab (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anthony Konings
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Epigenetic Signaling Lab (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anke Van Dijck
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43/6, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ludovico Rizzuti
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, V. Le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitriolo
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, V. Le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, V. Le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Illana Gozes
- Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Adams Super Center for Brain Studies and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, 727, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Epigenetic Signaling Lab (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - R Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43/6, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.
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Helsmoortel-Van der Aa Syndrome-Cardiothoracic and Ectodermal Manifestations in Two Patients as Further Support of a Previous Observation on Phenotypic Overlap with RASopathies. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122367. [PMID: 36553633 PMCID: PMC9778517 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ADNP-gene-related neurodevelopmental disorder Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome is a rare syndromic-intellectual disability-an autism spectrum disorder first described by Helsmoortel and Van der Aa in 2014. Recently, a large cohort including 78 patients and their detailed phenotypes were presented by Van Dijck et al., 2019, who reported developmental delay, speech delay and autism spectrum disorder as nearly constant findings with or without variable cardiological, gastroenterological, urogenital, endocrine and neurological manifestations. Among cardiac malformations, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, patent foramen ovale and mitral valve prolapse were the most common findings, but other unspecified defects, such as mild pulmonary valve stenosis, were also described. We present two patients with pathogenic ADNP variants and unusual cardiothoracic manifestations-Bland-White-Garland syndrome, pectus carinatum superiorly along the costochondral junctions and pectus excavatum inferiorly in one patient, and Kawasaki syndrome with pericardiac effusion, coronary artery dilatation and aneurysm in the other-who were successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid and aspirin. Both patients had ectodermal and/or skeletal features overlapping those seen in RASopathies, supporting the observations of Alkhunaizi et al. 2018. on the clinical overlap between Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome and Noonan syndrome. We observed a morphological overlap with the Noonan-like disorder with anagen hair in our patients.
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Longo F, Klann E. Reciprocal control of translation and transcription in autism spectrum disorder. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52110. [PMID: 33977633 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202052110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted patterns of interest and repetitive behaviors. ASD is genetically heterogeneous and is believed to be caused by both inheritable and de novo gene variations. Studies have revealed an extremely complex genetic landscape of ASD, favoring the idea that mutations in different clusters of genes interfere with interconnected downstream signaling pathways and circuitry, resulting in aberrant behavior. In this review, we describe a select group of candidate genes that represent both syndromic and non-syndromic forms of ASD and encode proteins that are important in transcriptional and translational regulation. We focus on the interplay between dysregulated translation and transcription in ASD with the hypothesis that dysregulation of each synthetic process triggers a feedback loop to act on the other, which ultimately exacerbates ASD pathophysiology. Finally, we summarize findings from interdisciplinary studies that pave the way for the investigation of the cooperative impact of different genes and pathways underlying the development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Ivashko-Pachima Y, Hadar A, Grigg I, Korenková V, Kapitansky O, Karmon G, Gershovits M, Sayas CL, Kooy RF, Attems J, Gurwitz D, Gozes I. Discovery of autism/intellectual disability somatic mutations in Alzheimer's brains: mutated ADNP cytoskeletal impairments and repair as a case study. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1619-1633. [PMID: 31664177 PMCID: PMC8159740 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0563-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibiting reduced ability of neural stem cell renewal, we hypothesized that de novo mutations controlling embryonic development, in the form of brain somatic mutations instigate the disease. A leading gene presenting heterozygous dominant de novo autism-intellectual disabilities (ID) causing mutations is activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), with intact ADNP protecting against AD-tauopathy. We discovered a genomic autism ADNP mutation (c.2188C>T) in postmortem AD olfactory bulbs and hippocampi. RNA-Seq of olfactory bulbs also identified a novel ADNP hotspot mutation, c.2187_2188insA. Altogether, 665 mutations in 596 genes with 441 mutations in AD patients (389 genes, 38% AD-exclusive mutations) and 104 genes presenting disease-causing mutations (OMIM) were discovered. OMIM AD mutated genes converged on cytoskeletal mechanisms, autism and ID causing mutations (about 40% each). The number and average frequencies of AD-related mutations per subject were higher in AD subjects compared to controls. RNA-seq datamining (hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, fusiform gyrus and superior frontal gyrus-583 subjects) yielded similar results. Overlapping all tested brain areas identified unique and shared mutations, with ADNP singled out as a gene associated with autism/ID/AD and presenting several unique aging/AD mutations. The large fusiform gyrus library (117 subjects) with high sequencing coverage correlated the c.2187_2188insA ADNP mutation frequency to Braak stage (tauopathy) and showed more ADNP mutations in AD specimens. In cell cultures, the ADNP-derived snippet NAP inhibited mutated-ADNP-microtubule (MT) toxicity and enhanced Tau-MT association. We propose a paradigm-shifting concept in the perception of AD whereby accumulating mosaic somatic mutations promote brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina Ivashko-Pachima
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Adva Hadar
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Iris Grigg
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Vlasta Korenková
- BIOCEV, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Oxana Kapitansky
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Gidon Karmon
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Michael Gershovits
- The Nancy & Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - C Laura Sayas
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain
| | - R Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johannes Attems
- Institute of Neuroscience and Newcastle University Institute of Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - David Gurwitz
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Illana Gozes
- The First Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors; The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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Gozes I. The ADNP Syndrome and CP201 (NAP) Potential and Hope. Front Neurol 2020; 11:608444. [PMID: 33329371 PMCID: PMC7732499 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.608444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) syndrome, also known as Helsmoortel-Van Der Aa syndrome, is a rare condition, which is diagnosed in children exhibiting signs of autism. Specifically, the disease is suspected when a child is suffering from developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. The syndrome occurs when one of the two copies of the ADNP gene carries a pathogenic sequence variant, mostly a de novo mutation resulting in loss of normal functions. Original data showed that Adnp+/− mice suffer from learning and memory deficiencies, muscle weakness, and communication problems. Further studies showed that the ADNP microtubule-interacting fragment NAP (called here CP201) resolves, in part, Adnp deficiencies and protects against ADNP pathogenic sequence variant abnormalities. With a clean toxicology and positive human adult experience, CP201 is planned for future clinical trials in the ADNP syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Illana Gozes
- The Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Karagoz K, Mehta GA, Khella CA, Khanna P, Gatza ML. Integrative proteogenomic analyses of human tumours identifies ADNP as a novel oncogenic mediator of cell cycle progression in high-grade serous ovarian cancer with poor prognosis. EBioMedicine 2019; 50:191-202. [PMID: 31767542 PMCID: PMC6921307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite toxic side effects and limited durable response, the current standard-of-care treatment for high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy. Given that the overall prognosis has not improved drastically over the past several decades, there is a critical need to understand the underlying mechanisms that lead to tumour development and progression. Methods We utilized an integrative proteogenomic analysis of HGSOC tumours applying a poor prognosis gene expression signature (PPS) as a conceptual framework to analyse orthogonal genomic and proteomic data from the TCGA (n = 488) and CPTAC (n = 169) studies. Genes identified through in silico analyses were assessed in vitro studies to demonstrate their impact on proliferation and cell cycle progression. Findings These analyses identified DNA amplification and overexpression of the transcription factor ADNP (Activity Dependent Neuroprotector Homeobox) in poorly prognostic tumours. Validation studies confirmed the prognostic capacity of ADNP and suggested an oncogenic role for this protein given the association between ADNP expression and pro-proliferative signalling. In vitro studies confirmed ADNP as a novel and essential mediator of cell proliferation through dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints. Interpretation We identified ADNP as being amplified and overexpressed in poor prognosis HGSOC in silico analyses and demonstrated that ADNP is a novel and essential oncogene in HGSOC which mediates proliferation through dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints in vitro. Funding The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the New Jersey Commission for Cancer Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kubra Karagoz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, United States; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick NJ, United States
| | - Gaurav A Mehta
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, United States; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick NJ, United States
| | - Christen A Khella
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, United States; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick NJ, United States
| | - Pooja Khanna
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, United States; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick NJ, United States
| | - Michael L Gatza
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, United States; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick NJ, United States.
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Barbiero I, De Rosa R, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Microtubules: A Key to Understand and Correct Neuronal Defects in CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4075. [PMID: 31438497 PMCID: PMC6747382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe neurodevelopmental encephalopathy caused by mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene that encodes a serine/threonine kinase. CDD is characterised by the early onset of seizures and impaired cognitive and motor skills. Loss of CDKL5 in vitro and in vivo affects neuronal morphology at early and late stages of maturation, suggesting a link between CDKL5 and the neuronal cytoskeleton. Recently, various microtubule (MT)-binding proteins have been identified as interactors of CDKL5, indicating that its roles converge on regulating MT functioning. MTs are dynamic structures that are important for neuronal morphology, migration and polarity. The delicate control of MT dynamics is fundamental for proper neuronal functions, as evidenced by the fact that aberrant MT dynamics are involved in various neurological disorders. In this review, we highlight the link between CDKL5 and MTs, discussing how CDKL5 deficiency may lead to deranged neuronal functions through aberrant MT dynamics. Finally, we discuss whether the regulation of MT dynamics through microtubule-targeting agents may represent a novel strategy for future pharmacological approaches in the CDD field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Barbiero
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via Manara 7, 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy
| | - Roberta De Rosa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via Manara 7, 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy
| | - Charlotte Kilstrup-Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via Manara 7, 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
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Bend EG, Aref-Eshghi E, Everman DB, Rogers RC, Cathey SS, Prijoles EJ, Lyons MJ, Davis H, Clarkson K, Gripp KW, Li D, Bhoj E, Zackai E, Mark P, Hakonarson H, Demmer LA, Levy MA, Kerkhof J, Stuart A, Rodenhiser D, Friez MJ, Stevenson RE, Schwartz CE, Sadikovic B. Gene domain-specific DNA methylation episignatures highlight distinct molecular entities of ADNP syndrome. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:64. [PMID: 31029150 PMCID: PMC6487024 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0658-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ADNP syndrome is a rare Mendelian disorder characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism. It is caused by truncating mutations in ADNP, which is involved in chromatin regulation. We hypothesized that the disruption of chromatin regulation might result in specific DNA methylation patterns that could be used in the molecular diagnosis of ADNP syndrome. RESULTS We identified two distinct and partially opposing genomic DNA methylation episignatures in the peripheral blood samples from 22 patients with ADNP syndrome. The "epi-ADNP-1" episignature included ~ 6000 mostly hypomethylated CpGs, and the "epi-ADNP-2" episignature included ~ 1000 predominantly hypermethylated CpGs. The two signatures correlated with the locations of the ADNP mutations. Epi-ADNP-1 mutations occupy the N- and C-terminus, and epi-ADNP-2 mutations are centered on the nuclear localization signal. The episignatures were enriched for genes involved in neuronal system development and function. A classifier trained on these profiles yielded full sensitivity and specificity in detecting patients with either of the two episignatures. Applying this model to seven patients with uncertain clinical diagnosis enabled reclassification of genetic variants of uncertain significance and assigned new diagnosis when the primary clinical suspicion was not correct. When applied to a large cohort of unresolved patients with developmental delay (N = 1150), the model predicted three additional previously undiagnosed patients to have ADNP syndrome. DNA sequencing of these subjects, wherever available, identified pathogenic mutations within the gene domains predicted by the model. CONCLUSIONS We describe the first Mendelian condition with two distinct episignatures caused by mutations in a single gene. These highly sensitive and specific DNA methylation episignatures enable diagnosis, screening, and genetic variant classifications in ADNP syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric G. Bend
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
- PreventionGenetics, Marshfield, WI USA
| | - Erfan Aref-Eshghi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, 800 Commissioner’s Road E, London, ON N6A 5W9 Canada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON Canada
| | - David B. Everman
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - R. Curtis Rogers
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Sara S. Cathey
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Eloise J. Prijoles
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Heather Davis
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Katie Clarkson
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | | | - Dong Li
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Elizabeth Bhoj
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Paul Mark
- Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI USA
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Laurie A. Demmer
- Levine Children’s Hospital, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC USA
| | - Michael A. Levy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, 800 Commissioner’s Road E, London, ON N6A 5W9 Canada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON Canada
| | - Jennifer Kerkhof
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, 800 Commissioner’s Road E, London, ON N6A 5W9 Canada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON Canada
| | - Alan Stuart
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, 800 Commissioner’s Road E, London, ON N6A 5W9 Canada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON Canada
| | - David Rodenhiser
- Department of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Oncology, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Michael J. Friez
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | - Roger E. Stevenson
- Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Cir, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
| | | | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, 800 Commissioner’s Road E, London, ON N6A 5W9 Canada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON Canada
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