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Iacomino M, Houerbi N, Fortuna S, Howe J, Li S, Scorrano G, Riva A, Cheng KW, Steiman M, Peltekova I, Yusuf A, Baldassari S, Tamburro S, Scudieri P, Musante I, Di Ludovico A, Guerrisi S, Balagura G, Corsello A, Efthymiou S, Murphy D, Uva P, Verrotti A, Fiorillo C, Delvecchio M, Accogli A, Elsabbagh M, Houlden H, Scherer SW, Striano P, Zara F, Chou TF, Salpietro V. Allelic heterogeneity and abnormal vesicle recycling in PLAA-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1268013. [PMID: 38650658 PMCID: PMC11033462 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1268013] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The human PLAA gene encodes Phospholipase-A2-Activating-Protein (PLAA) involved in trafficking of membrane proteins. Through its PUL domain (PLAP, Ufd3p, and Lub1p), PLAA interacts with p97/VCP modulating synaptic vesicles recycling. Although few families carrying biallelic PLAA variants were reported with progressive neurodegeneration, consequences of monoallelic PLAA variants have not been elucidated. Using exome or genome sequencing we identified PLAA de-novo missense variants, affecting conserved residues within the PUL domain, in children affected with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including psychomotor regression, intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Computational and in-vitro studies of the identified variants revealed abnormal chain arrangements at C-terminal and reduced PLAA-p97/VCP interaction, respectively. These findings expand both allelic and phenotypic heterogeneity associated to PLAA-related neurological disorders, highlighting perturbed vesicle recycling as a potential disease mechanism in NDDs due to genetic defects of PLAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nadia Houerbi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jennifer Howe
- Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shan Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, Sant'Annunziata Hospital, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Kai-Wen Cheng
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Mandy Steiman
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Iskra Peltekova
- McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Afiqah Yusuf
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Serena Tamburro
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Armando Di Ludovico
- Department of Pediatrics, Sant'Annunziata Hospital, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Sara Guerrisi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Murphy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Uva
- Clinical Bioinformatics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Delvecchio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mayada Elsabbagh
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tsui-Fen Chou
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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Sultan T, Scorrano G, Panciroli M, Christoforou M, Raza Alvi J, Di Ludovico A, Qureshi S, Efthymiou S, Salpietro V, Houlden H. Clinical and molecular heterogeneity of VPS13D-related neurodevelopmental and movement disorders. Gene 2024; 899:148119. [PMID: 38160741 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148119] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The VPS13 family of proteins has been implicated in lipid transport and trafficking between endoplasmic reticulum and organelles, to maintain homeostasis of subcellular membranes. Recently, pathogenic variants in each human VPS13S gene, have been linked to distinct human neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders. Within the VPS13 family of genes, VPS13D is known to be implicated in mitochondria homeostasis and function. METHODS We investigated a Pakistani sibship affected with neurodevelopmental impairment and severe hyperkinetic (choreoathetoid) movements. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify potential candidate variants segregating in the family. We described clinical phenotypes and natural history of the disease during a 3-year clinical follow-up and summarized literature data related to previously identified patients with VPS13D-related neurological disorders. RESULTS We identified by WES an homozygous non-synonymous variant in VPS13D (c.5723 T > C; p.Ile1908Thr) as the potential underlying cause of the disease in our family. Two young siblings developed an early-onset neurological impairment characterized by global developmental delay, with impaired speech and motor milestones, associated to hyperkinetic movement disorders as well as progressive and non-progressive neurological abnormalities. CONCLUSION In this study we delineated the heterogeneity of VPS13D-related clinical phenotypes and described a novel VPS13D homozygous variant associated with severe neurological impairment. Further studies will be pivotal to understand the exact VPS13D function and its impact on mitochondria homeostasis, brain development and regulation of movements, to further clarify genotype-phenotype correlations and provide crucial prognostic information and potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tipu Sultan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children Hospital Lahore, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Nishtar Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
| | | | - Marta Panciroli
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Marilena Christoforou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Javeria Raza Alvi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children Hospital Lahore, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Nishtar Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
| | | | - Sameen Qureshi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children Hospital Lahore, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Nishtar Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
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Boussetta A, Abida N, Jellouli M, Ziadi J, Gargah T. Delayed Graft Function in Pediatric Kidney Transplant: Risk Factors and Outcomes. EXP CLIN TRANSPLANT 2024; 22:110-117. [PMID: 38385384 DOI: 10.6002/ect.mesot2023.o20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify risk factors and outcomes of delayed graft function in pediatric kidney transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included all kidney transplant recipients ≤19 years old followed up in our department for a period of 34 years, from January 1989 to December 2022. RESULTS We included 113 kidney transplant recipients. Delayed graft function occurred in 17 cases (15%). Posttransplant red blood cell transfusion was strongly associated with delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio = 23.91; 95% CI, 2.889-197.915). Use of allografts with multiple arteries and cold ischemia time >20 hours were risk factors for delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio = 52.51 and 49.4; 95% CI, 2.576-1070.407 and 1.833-1334.204, respectively). Sex-matched transplants and living donors were protective factors for delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio = 0.043 and 0.027; 95% CI, 0.005-0.344 and 0.003-0.247, respectively). Total HLA mismatches <3 played a protective role for delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio = 0.114; 95% CI, 0.020-0.662), whereas transplant within compatible but different blood types increased the risk of delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio = 20.54; 95% CI, 1.960- 215.263). No significant correlation was shown between delayed graft function and allograft survival (P = .190). Our study suggested delayed graft function as a key factor in allograft rejection-free survival (adjusted odds ratio = 3.832; 95% CI, 1.186-12.377). Delayed graft function was a negative factor for early graft function; patients with delayed graft function had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at discharge (P = .024) and at 3 (P = .034), 6 (P = .019), and 12 months (P = .011) posttransplant. CONCLUSIONS Delayed graft function is a major determinant of early graft function and allograft rejection-free survival. Further research is required to establish proper preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abir Boussetta
- From the Pediatric Nephrology Department, Charles Nicolle Hospital and the University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
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Scorrano G, Battaglia L, Spiaggia R, Basile A, Palmucci S, Foti PV, David E, Marinangeli F, Mascilini I, Corsello A, Comisi F, Vittori A, Salpietro V. Neuroimaging in PRUNE1 syndrome: a mini-review of the literature. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1301147. [PMID: 38178891 PMCID: PMC10764560 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1301147] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Prune exopolyphosphatase 1 (PRUNE1) is a short-chain phosphatase that is part of the aspartic acid-histidine-histidine (DHH) family of proteins. PRUNE1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system and is crucially involved in neurodevelopment, cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell migration, and proliferation. Recently, biallelic PRUNE1 variants have been identified in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, hypotonia, microcephaly, variable cerebral anomalies, and other features. PRUNE1 hypomorphic mutations mainly affect the DHH1 domain, leading to an impactful decrease in enzymatic activity with a loss-of-function mechanism. In this review, we explored both the clinical and radiological spectrum related to PRUNE1 pathogenic variants described to date. Specifically, we focused on neuroradiological findings that, together with clinical phenotypes and genetic data, allow us to best characterize affected children with diagnostic and potential prognostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Battaglia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Rossana Spiaggia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Basile
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Valerio Foti
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele David
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", Catania, Italy
| | - Franco Marinangeli
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Therapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mascilini
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Vittori
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Battaglia L, Scorrano G, Spiaggia R, Basile A, Palmucci S, Foti PV, Spatola C, Iacomino M, Marinangeli F, Francia E, Comisi F, Corsello A, Salpietro V, Vittori A, David E. Neuroimaging features of WOREE syndrome: a mini-review of the literature. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1301166. [PMID: 38161429 PMCID: PMC10757851 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1301166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene encodes a 414-amino-acid protein composed of two N-terminal WW domains and a C-terminal short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) domain. WWOX protein is highly conserved among species and mainly expressed in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, brain stem, thyroid, hypophysis, and reproductive organs. It plays a crucial role in the biology of the central nervous system, and it is involved in neuronal development, migration, and proliferation. Biallelic pathogenic variants in WWOX have been associated with an early infantile epileptic encephalopathy known as WOREE syndrome. Both missense and null variants have been described in affected patients, leading to a reduction in protein function and stability. The most severe WOREE phenotypes have been related to biallelic null/null variants, associated with the complete loss of function of the protein. All affected patients showed brain anomalies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), suggesting the pivotal role of WWOX protein in brain homeostasis and developmental processes. We provided a literature review, exploring both the clinical and radiological spectrum related to WWOX pathogenic variants, described to date. We focused on neuroradiological findings to better delineate the WOREE phenotype with diagnostic and prognostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Battaglia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Rossana Spiaggia
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Basile
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Valerio Foti
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Corrado Spatola
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Instituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Franco Marinangeli
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Therapy, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Elisa Francia
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Vittori
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO ROMA, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele David
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinic “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
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May C, Reinehr S. The pathology behind glaucoma: what we already know using omics technologies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2701-2702. [PMID: 37449630 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline May
- Department Functional Proteomics, Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabrina Reinehr
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Scorrano G, D'Onofrio G, Accogli A, Severino M, Buchert R, Kotzaeridou U, Iapadre G, Farello G, Iacomino M, Dono F, Di Francesco L, Fiorile MF, La Bella S, Corsello A, Calì E, Di Rosa G, Gitto E, Verrotti A, Fortuna S, Soler MA, Chiarelli F, Oehl-Jaschkowitz B, Haack TB, Zara F, Striano P, Salpietro V. A PAK1 Mutational Hotspot Within the Regulatory CRIPaK Domain is Associated With Severe Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 149:84-92. [PMID: 37820543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND P-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are protein serine/threonine kinases, part of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. PAK1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system and crucially involved in neuronal migration and brain developmental processes. Recently, de novo heterozygous missense variants in PAK1 have been identified as an ultrarare cause of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS We report a series of children affected with postnatal macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental impairment, and drug-resistant epilepsy. Repeated electroencephalographic (EEG) and video-EEG evaluations were performed over a two- to 10-year period during follow-up to delineate electroclinical histories. Genetic sequencing studies and computational evaluation of the identified variants were performed in our patient cohort. RESULTS We identified by whole-exome sequencing three novel de novo variants in PAK1 (NM_001128620: c.427A>G, p.Met143Val; c.428T>C, p.Met143Thr; c.428T>A, p.Met143Lys) as the underlying cause of the disease in our families. The three variants affected the same highly conserved Met143 residue within the cysteine-rich inhibitor of PAK1 (CRIPaK) domain, which was identified before as a PAK1 inhibitor target. Computational studies suggested a defective autoinhibition presumably due to impaired PAK1 autoregulation as a result of the recurrent substitution. CONCLUSIONS We delineated the electroclinical phenotypes of PAK1-related neurological disorders and highlight a novel mutational hotspot that may involve defective autoinhibition of the PAK1 protein. The three novel variants affecting the same hotspot residue within the CRIPaK domain highlight potentially impaired PAK1-CRIPaK interaction as a novel disease mechanism. These findings shed light on possible future treatments targeted at the CRIPaK domain, to modulate PAK1 activity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Urania Kotzaeridou
- Division of Child Neurology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giulia Iapadre
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ludovica Di Francesco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Calì
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Eloisa Gitto
- Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Sara Fortuna
- Computational Modelling of Nanoscale and Biophysical Systems Laboratory (CONCEPT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Miguel A Soler
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | | | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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8
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Gambadauro A, Mangano GD, Galletta K, Granata F, Riva A, Massella L, Guzzo I, Farello G, Scorrano G, Di Francesco L, Di Donato G, Ianni C, Di Ludovico A, La Bella S, Striano P, Efthymiou S, Houlden H, Nardello R, Chimenz R. NUP85 as a Neurodevelopmental Gene: From Podocyte to Neuron. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2143. [PMID: 38136965 PMCID: PMC10743110 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122143] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic gene variants encoding nuclear pore complex (NPC) proteins were previously implicated in the pathogenesis of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). The NUP85 gene, encoding nucleoporin, is related to a very rare form of SRNS with limited genotype-phenotype information. We identified an Italian boy affected with an SRNS associated with severe neurodevelopmental impairment characterized by microcephaly, axial hypotonia, lack of achievement of motor milestones, and refractory seizures with an associated hypsarrhythmic pattern on electroencephalography. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and a simplified gyration of the cerebral cortex. Since the age of 3 years, the boy was followed up at our Pediatric Nephrology Department for an SRNS, with a focal segmental glomerulosclerosis at renal biopsy. The boy died 32 months after SRNS onset, and a Whole-Exome Sequencing analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygous variant in NUP85 (NM_024844.5): 611T>A (p.Val204Glu), c.1904T>G (p.Leu635Arg), inherited from the father and mother, respectively. We delineated the clinical phenotypes of NUP85-related disorders, reviewed the affected individuals so far reported in the literature, and overall expanded both the phenotypic and the molecular spectrum associated with this ultra-rare genetic condition. Our study suggests a potential occurrence of severe neurological phenotypes as part of the NUP85-related clinical spectrum and highlights an important involvement of nucleoporin in brain developmental processes and neurological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Gambadauro
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98124 Messina, Italy; (A.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Donato Mangano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Karol Galletta
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (K.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Francesca Granata
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (K.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Antonella Riva
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.R.); (P.S.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Massella
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Isabella Guzzo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Ludovica Di Francesco
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Giulio Di Donato
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Carolina Ianni
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Armando Di Ludovico
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.F.); (G.S.); (L.D.F.); (G.D.D.); (C.I.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (A.R.); (P.S.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (H.H.)
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (H.H.)
| | - Rosaria Nardello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Roberto Chimenz
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98124 Messina, Italy; (A.G.); (R.C.)
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9
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Scorrano G, David E, Calì E, Chimenz R, La Bella S, Di Ludovico A, Di Rosa G, Gitto E, Mankad K, Nardello R, Mangano GD, Leoni C, Ceravolo G. The Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome: From Genetics to Prognostic-Therapeutic Implications. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2111. [PMID: 38136934 PMCID: PMC10742720 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122111] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome is one of the rarest RASopathies characterized by multiple congenital ectodermal, cardiac and craniofacial abnormalities with a mild to severe ocular, gastrointestinal and neurological involvement. It is an autosomal dominant syndrome, with complete penetrance, caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in the genes BRAF, MAP2K1/MEK1, MAP2K2/MEK2, KRAS or, rarely, YWHAZ, all part of the RAS-MAPK pathway. This pathway is a signal transduction cascade that plays a crucial role in normal cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival, metabolism and migration. CFC syndrome overlaps with Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 and Legius syndrome, therefore making the diagnosis challenging. Neurological involvement in CFC is more severe than in other RASopathies. Phenotypic variability in CFC patients is related to the specific gene affected, without a recognized genotype-phenotype correlation for distinct pathogenic variants. Currently, there is no specific treatment for CFC syndrome. Encouraging zebrafish model system studies suggested that, in the future, MEK inhibitors could be a suitable treatment of progressive phenotypes of CFC in children. A multidisciplinary care is necessary for appropriate medical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.S.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Emanuele David
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Elisa Calì
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (E.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Roberto Chimenz
- Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University Hospital “G. Martino”, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.S.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Armando Di Ludovico
- Department of Pediatrics, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.S.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Eloisa Gitto
- Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Kshitij Mankad
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London WC1N 3JH, UK;
| | - Rosaria Nardello
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, “G. D’Alessandro” University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.N.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Donato Mangano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, “G. D’Alessandro” University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.N.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Chiara Leoni
- Center for Rare Diseases and Birth Defects, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ceravolo
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (E.C.); (G.C.)
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10
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Yang X, Mao Y, Wang XK, Ma DN, Xu Z, Gong N, Henning B, Zhang X, He G, Shi YY, Eichler EE, Li ZQ, Takahashi E, Li WD. Population genetics of marmosets in Asian primate research centers and loci associated with epileptic risk revealed by whole-genome sequencing. Zool Res 2023; 44:837-847. [PMID: 37501399 PMCID: PMC10559097 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.514] [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: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus) has emerged as a valuable nonhuman primate model in biomedical research with the recent release of high-quality reference genome assemblies. Epileptic marmosets have been independently reported in two Asian primate research centers. Nevertheless, the population genetics within these primate centers and the specific genetic variants associated with epilepsy in marmosets have not yet been elucidated. Here, we characterized the genetic relationships and risk variants for epilepsy in 41 samples from two epileptic marmoset pedigrees using whole-genome sequencing. We identified 14 558 184 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the 41 samples and found higher chimerism levels in blood samples than in fingernail samples. Genetic analysis showed fourth-degree of relatedness among marmosets at the primate centers. In addition, SNP and copy number variation (CNV) analyses suggested that the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase ( WWOX) and Tyrosine-protein phosphatase nonreceptor type 21 ( PTPN21) genes may be associated with epilepsy in marmosets. Notably, KCTD18-like gene deletion was more common in epileptic marmosets than control marmosets. This study provides valuable population genomic resources for marmosets in two Asian primate centers. Genetic analyses identified a reasonable breeding strategy for genetic diversity maintenance in the two centers, while the case-control study revealed potential risk genes/variants associated with epilepsy in marmosets.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiangYu Yang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - YaFei Mao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Xuan-Kai Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Dong-Ni Ma
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhen Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Neng Gong
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Barbara Henning
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guang He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yong-Yong Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University & Biomedical Sciences Institute of Qingdao University, Qingdao Branch of SJTU Bio-X Institutes, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Zhi-Qiang Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University & Biomedical Sciences Institute of Qingdao University, Qingdao Branch of SJTU Bio-X Institutes, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China. E-mail:
| | - Eiki Takahashi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Department of Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. E-mail:
| | - Wei-Dong Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai 201203, China
- Global Institute of Future Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. E-mail:
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11
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Oliver KL, Trivisano M, Mandelstam SA, De Dominicis A, Francis DI, Green TE, Muir AM, Chowdhary A, Hertzberg C, Goldhahn K, Metreau J, Prager C, Pinner J, Cardamone M, Myers KA, Leventer RJ, Lesca G, Bahlo M, Hildebrand MS, Mefford HC, Kaindl AM, Specchio N, Scheffer IE. WWOX developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: Understanding the epileptology and the mortality risk. Epilepsia 2023; 64:1351-1367. [PMID: 36779245 PMCID: PMC10952634 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE WWOX is an autosomal recessive cause of early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (WWOX-DEE), also known as WOREE (WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy). We analyzed the epileptology and imaging features of WWOX-DEE, and investigated genotype-phenotype correlations, particularly with regard to survival. METHODS We studied 13 patients from 12 families with WWOX-DEE. Information regarding seizure semiology, comorbidities, facial dysmorphisms, and disease outcome were collected. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were analyzed. Pathogenic WWOX variants from our cohort and the literature were coded as either null or missense, allowing individuals to be classified into one of three genotype classes: (1) null/null, (2) null/missense, (3) missense/missense. Differences in survival outcome were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS All patients experienced multiple seizure types (median onset = 5 weeks, range = 1 day-10 months), the most frequent being focal (85%), epileptic spasms (77%), and tonic seizures (69%). Ictal EEG recordings in six of 13 patients showed tonic (n = 5), myoclonic (n = 2), epileptic spasms (n = 2), focal (n = 1), and migrating focal (n = 1) seizures. Interictal EEGs demonstrated slow background activity with multifocal discharges, predominantly over frontal or temporo-occipital regions. Eleven of 13 patients had a movement disorder, most frequently dystonia. Brain MRIs revealed severe frontotemporal, hippocampal, and optic atrophy, thin corpus callosum, and white matter signal abnormalities. Pathogenic variants were located throughout WWOX and comprised both missense and null changes including five copy number variants (four deletions, one duplication). Survival analyses showed that patients with two null variants are at higher mortality risk (p-value = .0085, log-rank test). SIGNIFICANCE Biallelic WWOX pathogenic variants cause an early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome. The most common seizure types are focal seizures and epileptic spasms. Mortality risk is associated with mutation type; patients with biallelic null WWOX pathogenic variants have significantly lower survival probability compared to those carrying at least one presumed hypomorphic missense pathogenic variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Oliver
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Population Health and Immunity DivisionWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marina Trivisano
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
| | - Simone A. Mandelstam
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Radiology, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Angela De Dominicis
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome “Tor Vergata”RomeItaly
| | - David I. Francis
- Victorian Clinical Genetics ServicesMurdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Timothy E. Green
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alison M. Muir
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Apoorva Chowdhary
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Christoph Hertzberg
- Zentrum für Sozialpädiatrie und Neuropädiatrie (DBZ)Vivantes Hospital NeukoellnBerlinGermany
| | - Klaus Goldhahn
- Department of Pediatrics and Neuropediatrics, DRK Klinikum WestendBerlinGermany
| | - Julia Metreau
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyHôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de ParisLe Kremlin‐BicêtreFrance
| | - Christine Prager
- Center for Chronically Sick Children (SPZ)Charité‐Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Jason Pinner
- Sydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Cardamone
- Sydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Kenneth A. Myers
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of PediatricsMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontrealQuebecCanada
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Children's Hospital, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Richard J. Leventer
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Department of Medical Genetics, Lyon University HospitalUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, member of the European Reference Network EpiCARELyonFrance
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- Population Health and Immunity DivisionWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Michael S. Hildebrand
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Heather C. Mefford
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease ResearchSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Angela M. Kaindl
- Center for Chronically Sick Children (SPZ)Charité‐Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute of Cell Biology and NeurobiologyCharité–Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of NeuroscienceBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, full member of European Reference Network EpiCARERomeItaly
| | - Ingrid E. Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of MedicineUniversity of Melbourne, Austin HealthHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PaediatricsUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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12
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Accogli A, Lu S, Musante I, Scudieri P, Rosenfeld JA, Severino M, Baldassari S, Iacomino M, Riva A, Balagura G, Piccolo G, Minetti C, Roberto D, Xia F, Razak R, Lawrence E, Hussein M, Chang EYH, Holick M, Calì E, Aliberto E, De-Sarro R, Gambardella A, Network UD, Group SYNS, Emrick L, McCaffery PJA, Clagett-Dame M, Marcogliese PC, Bellen HJ, Lalani SR, Zara F, Striano P, Salpietro V. Loss of Neuron Navigator 2 Impairs Brain and Cerebellar Development. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:206-222. [PMID: 35218524 PMCID: PMC9985553 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01379-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellar hypoplasia and dysplasia encompass a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders frequently associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. The Neuron Navigator 2 (NAV2) gene (MIM: 607,026) encodes a member of the Neuron Navigator protein family, widely expressed within the central nervous system (CNS), and particularly abundant in the developing cerebellum. Evidence across different species supports a pivotal function of NAV2 in cytoskeletal dynamics and neurite outgrowth. Specifically, deficiency of Nav2 in mice leads to cerebellar hypoplasia with abnormal foliation due to impaired axonal outgrowth. However, little is known about the involvement of the NAV2 gene in human disease phenotypes. In this study, we identified a female affected with neurodevelopmental impairment and a complex brain and cardiac malformations in which clinical exome sequencing led to the identification of NAV2 biallelic truncating variants. Through protein expression analysis and cell migration assay in patient-derived fibroblasts, we provide evidence linking NAV2 deficiency to cellular migration deficits. In model organisms, the overall CNS histopathology of the Nav2 hypomorphic mouse revealed developmental anomalies including cerebellar hypoplasia and dysplasia, corpus callosum hypo-dysgenesis, and agenesis of the olfactory bulbs. Lastly, we show that the NAV2 ortholog in Drosophila, sickie (sick) is widely expressed in the fly brain, and sick mutants are mostly lethal with surviving escapers showing neurobehavioral phenotypes. In summary, our results unveil a novel human neurodevelopmental disorder due to genetic loss of NAV2, highlighting a critical conserved role of the NAV2 gene in brain and cerebellar development across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shenzhao Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Piccolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Minetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Denis Roberto
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, System Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Emily Lawrence
- Department of Cardiology, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, USA
| | - Mohamed Hussein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, USA
| | | | - Michelle Holick
- Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elisa Calì
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Rosalba De-Sarro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinic "G. Martino", University of Messina, 98100, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Universita' Degli Studi "Magna Graecia" Viale Europa, 88100, CATANZARO, Italy
| | | | | | - Lisa Emrick
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J A McCaffery
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Margaret Clagett-Dame
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Seema R Lalani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Childrens Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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13
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Smetanina MA, Korolenya VA, Kel AE, Sevostyanova KS, Gavrilov KA, Shevela AI, Filipenko ML. Epigenome-Wide Changes in the Cell Layers of the Vein Wall When Exposing the Venous Endothelium to Oscillatory Shear Stress. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:epigenomes7010008. [PMID: 36975604 PMCID: PMC10048778 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7010008] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenomic changes in the venous cells exerted by oscillatory shear stress towards the endothelium may result in consolidation of gene expression alterations upon vein wall remodeling during varicose transformation. We aimed to reveal such epigenome-wide methylation changes. Primary culture cells were obtained from non-varicose vein segments left after surgery of 3 patients by growing the cells in selective media after magnetic immunosorting. Endothelial cells were either exposed to oscillatory shear stress or left at the static condition. Then, other cell types were treated with preconditioned media from the adjacent layer's cells. DNA isolated from the harvested cells was subjected to epigenome-wide study using Illumina microarrays followed by data analysis with GenomeStudio (Illumina), Excel (Microsoft), and Genome Enhancer (geneXplain) software packages. Differential (hypo-/hyper-) methylation was revealed for each cell layer's DNA. The most targetable master regulators controlling the activity of certain transcription factors regulating the genes near the differentially methylated sites appeared to be the following: (1) HGS, PDGFB, and AR for endothelial cells; (2) HGS, CDH2, SPRY2, SMAD2, ZFYVE9, and P2RY1 for smooth muscle cells; and (3) WWOX, F8, IGF2R, NFKB1, RELA, SOCS1, and FXN for fibroblasts. Some of the identified master regulators may serve as promising druggable targets for treating varicose veins in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya A Smetanina
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Valeria A Korolenya
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexander E Kel
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Research & Development, GeneXplain GmbH, D-38302 Wolfenbüttel, Germany
| | - Ksenia S Sevostyanova
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Laboratory of Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Konstantin A Gavrilov
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Andrey I Shevela
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Laboratory of Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Maxim L Filipenko
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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14
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Lin YH, Shih YH, Yap YV, Chen YW, Kuo HL, Liu TY, Hsu LJ, Kuo YM, Chang NS. Zfra Inhibits the TRAPPC6AΔ-Initiated Pathway of Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314510. [PMID: 36498839 PMCID: PMC9739312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
When WWOX is downregulated in middle age, aggregation of a protein cascade, including TRAPPC6AΔ (TPC6AΔ), TIAF1, and SH3GLB2, may start to occur, and the event lasts more than 30 years, which results in amyloid precursor protein (APP) degradation, amyloid beta (Aβ) generation, and neurodegeneration, as shown in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, by treating neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells with neurotoxin MPP+, upregulation and aggregation of TPC6AΔ, along with aggregation of TIAF1, SH3GLB2, Aβ, and tau, occurred. MPP+ is an inducer of Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that TPC6AΔ is a common initiator for AD and PD pathogenesis. Zfra, a 31-amino-acid zinc finger-like WWOX-binding protein, is known to restore memory deficits in 9-month-old triple-transgenic (3xTg) mice by blocking the aggregation of TPC6AΔ, SH3GLB2, tau, and amyloid β, as well as inflammatory NF-κB activation. The Zfra4-10 peptide exerted a strong potency in preventing memory loss during the aging of 3-month-old 3xTg mice up to 9 months, as determined by a novel object recognition task (ORT) and Morris water maize analysis. Compared to age-matched wild type mice, 11-month-old Wwox heterozygous mice exhibited memory loss, and this correlates with pT12-WWOX aggregation in the cortex. Together, aggregation of pT12-WWOX may link to TPC6AΔ aggregation for AD progression, with TPC6AΔ aggregation being a common initiator for AD and PD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hao Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Hsiang Shih
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ye Vone Yap
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Wei Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Lin Kuo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Yun Liu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jin Hsu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Min Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-2353535 (ext. 5268)
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15
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Reinehr S, Safaei A, Grotegut P, Guntermann A, Tsai T, Hahn SA, Kösters S, Theiss C, Marcus K, Dick HB, May C, Joachim SC. Heat Shock Protein Upregulation Supplemental to Complex mRNA Alterations in Autoimmune Glaucoma. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101538. [PMID: 36291747 PMCID: PMC9599116 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is a common cause for blindness. An elevated intraocular pressure is the main risk factor, but also a contribution of the immune system seems likely. In the experimental autoimmune glaucoma model used here, systemic immunization with an optic nerve homogenate antigen (ONA) leads to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and optic nerve degeneration. We processed retinae for quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistology 28 days after immunization. Furthermore, we performed mRNA profiling in this model for the first time. We detected a significant RGC loss in the ONA retinae. This was accompanied by an upregulation of mRNA expression of genes belonging to the heat shock protein family. Furthermore, mRNA expression levels of the genes of the immune system, such as C1qa, C1qb, Il18, and Nfkb1, were upregulated in ONA animals. After laser microdissection, inner retinal layers were used for mRNA microarrays. Nine of these probes were significantly upregulated in ONA animals (p < 0.05), including Hba-a1 and Cxcl10, while fifteen probes were significantly downregulated in ONA animals (p < 0.05), such as Gdf15 and Wwox. Taken together, these findings provide further insights into the pivotal role of the immune response in glaucomatous optic neuropathy and could help to identify novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Reinehr
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Safaei
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Pia Grotegut
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Annika Guntermann
- Department Functional Proteomics, Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, ProDi E2.227, Gesundheitscampus 4, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Teresa Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephan A. Hahn
- Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Steffen Kösters
- Department Functional Proteomics, Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, ProDi E2.227, Gesundheitscampus 4, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Carsten Theiss
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Katrin Marcus
- Department Functional Proteomics, Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, ProDi E2.227, Gesundheitscampus 4, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - H. Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Caroline May
- Department Functional Proteomics, Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, ProDi E2.227, Gesundheitscampus 4, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (S.C.J.); Tel.: +49-234-24651 (C.M.); Tel.: +49-234-2993156 (S.C.J.)
| | - Stephanie C. Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (S.C.J.); Tel.: +49-234-24651 (C.M.); Tel.: +49-234-2993156 (S.C.J.)
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16
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Baryła I, Kośla K, Bednarek AK. WWOX and metabolic regulation in normal and pathological conditions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1691-1702. [PMID: 36271927 PMCID: PMC9691486 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) spans the common fragile site FRA16D. There is evidence that translocations and deletions affecting WWOX accompanied by loss of expression are frequent in many cancers and often correlate with a worse prognosis. Additionally, WWOX germline mutations were also found to be the cause of pathologies of brain development. Because WWOX binds to some transcription factors, it is a modulator of many cellular processes, including metabolic processes. Recently, studies have linked WWOX to familial dyslipidemias, osteopenia, metabolic syndrome, and gestational diabetes, confirming its role as a regulator of steroid, cholesterol, glucose, and normal bone metabolism. The WW domain of WWOX is directly engaged in the control of the activity of transcription factors such as HIF1α and RUNX2; therefore, WWOX gene alterations are associated with some metabolic abnormalities. Presently, most interest is devoted to the associations between WWOX and glucose and basic energy metabolism disturbances. In particular, its involvement in the initiation of the Warburg effect in cancer or gestational diabetes and type II diabetes is of interest. This review is aimed at systematically and comprehensively presenting the current state of knowledge about the participation of WWOX in the metabolism of healthy and diseased organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Baryła
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K. Bednarek
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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17
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Riva A, Nobile G, Giacomini T, Ognibene M, Scala M, Balagura G, Madia F, Accogli A, Romano F, Tortora D, Severino M, Scudieri P, Baldassari S, Musante I, Uva P, Salpietro V, Torella A, Nigro V, Capra V, Nobili L, Striano P, Mancardi MM, Zara F, Iacomino M. A Phenotypic-Driven Approach for the Diagnosis of WOREE Syndrome. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:847549. [PMID: 35573960 PMCID: PMC9100683 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.847549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WOREE syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder featuring drug-resistant epilepsy and global developmental delay. The disease, caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the WWOX gene, usually leads to severe disability or death within the first years of life. Clinicians have become more confident with the phenotypic picture of WOREE syndrome, allowing earlier clinical diagnosis. We report a boy with a peculiar clinic-radiological pattern supporting the diagnosis of WOREE syndrome. METHODS DNA was extracted from blood samples of the proband and his parents and subjected to Exome Sequencing (ES). Agarose gel electrophoresis, real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), and array-CGH 180K were also performed. RESULTS ES detected a pathogenic stop variant (c.790C > T, p.Arg264*) in one allele of WWOX in the proband and his unaffected mother. A 180K array-CGH analysis revealed a 84,828-bp (g.chr16:78,360,803-78,445,630) deletion encompassing exon 6. The Q-PCR product showed that the proband and his father harbored the same deleted fragment, fusing exons 5 and 7 of WWOX. CONCLUSIONS Genetic testing remains crucial in establishing the definitive diagnosis of WOREE syndrome and allows prenatal interventions/parental counseling. However, our findings suggest that targeted Next Generation Sequencing-based testing may occasionally show technical pitfalls, prompting further genetic investigation in selected cases with high clinical suspicion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Riva
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Nobile
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Thea Giacomini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, Epilepsy Centre, Department of Medical and Surgical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marzia Ognibene
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Madia
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ferruccio Romano
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Scudieri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Uva
- Bioinformatica Clinica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Valeria Capra
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lino Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, Epilepsy Centre, Department of Medical and Surgical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Margherita Mancardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Unit of Child Neuropsychiatry, Epilepsy Centre, Department of Medical and Surgical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.,Bioinformatica Clinica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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18
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Breton VL, Aquilino MS, Repudi S, Saleem A, Mylvaganam S, Abu-Swai S, Bardakjian BL, Aqeilan RI, Carlen PL. Altered neocortical oscillations and cellular excitability in an in vitro Wwox knockout mouse model of epileptic encephalopathy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 160:105529. [PMID: 34634460 PMCID: PMC8609180 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of function mutations of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene are associated with severe and fatal drug-resistant pediatric epileptic encephalopathy. Epileptic seizures are typically characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability; however, the specific contribution of WWOX to that hyperexcitability has yet to be investigated. Using a mouse model of neuronal Wwox-deletion that exhibit spontaneous seizures, in vitro whole-cell and field potential electrophysiological characterization identified spontaneous bursting activity in the neocortex, a marker of the underlying network hyperexcitability. Spectral analysis of the neocortical bursting events highlighted increased phase-amplitude coupling, and a propagation from layer II/III to layer V. These bursts were NMDAR and gap junction dependent. In layer II/III pyramidal neurons, Wwox knockout mice demonstrated elevated amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic currents, whereas the frequency and amplitude of inhibitory post-synaptic currents were reduced, as compared to heterozygote and wild-type littermate controls. Furthermore, these neurons were depolarized and demonstrated increased action potential frequency, sag current, and post-inhibitory rebound. These findings suggest WWOX plays an essential role in balancing neocortical excitability and provide insight towards developing therapeutics for those suffering from WWOX disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa L Breton
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.
| | - Mark S Aquilino
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada.
| | - Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Shanthini Mylvaganam
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Berj L Bardakjian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Medicine (Neurology), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
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19
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Steinberg DJ, Aqeilan RI. WWOX-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Models and Future Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113082. [PMID: 34831305 PMCID: PMC8623516 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113082] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was originally discovered as a putative tumor suppressor spanning the common fragile site FRA16D, but as time has progressed the extent of its pleiotropic function has become apparent. At present, WWOX is a major source of interest in the context of neurological disorders, and more specifically developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). This review article aims to introduce the many model systems used through the years to study its function and roles in neuropathies. Similarities and fundamental differences between rodent and human models are discussed. Finally, future perspectives and promising research avenues are suggested.
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Steinberg DJ, Repudi S, Saleem A, Kustanovich I, Viukov S, Abudiab B, Banne E, Mahajnah M, Hanna JH, Stern S, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Modeling genetic epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13610. [PMID: 34268881 PMCID: PMC8350905 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are a group of disorders associated with intractable seizures, brain development, and functional abnormalities, and in some cases, premature death. Pathogenic human germline biallelic mutations in tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) are associated with a relatively mild autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia-12 (SCAR12) and a more severe early infantile WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE). In this study, we generated an in vitro model for DEEs, using the devastating WOREE syndrome as a prototype, by establishing brain organoids from CRISPR-engineered human ES cells and from patient-derived iPSCs. Using these models, we discovered dramatic cellular and molecular CNS abnormalities, including neural population changes, cortical differentiation malfunctions, and Wnt pathway and DNA damage response impairment. Furthermore, we provide a proof of concept that ectopic WWOX expression could potentially rescue these phenotypes. Our findings underscore the utility of modeling childhood epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids and their use as a unique platform to test possible therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics InstituteKaplan Medical CenterHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolRehovotIsrael
- The Rina Mor Genetic InstituteWolfson Medical CenterHolonIsrael
| | - Muhammad Mahajnah
- Paediatric Neurology and Child Developmental CenterHillel Yaffe Medical CenterHaderaIsrael
- Rappaport Faculty of MedicineThe TechnionHaifaIsrael
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of NeurobiologyUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
- Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
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WWOX and Its Binding Proteins in Neurodegeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071781. [PMID: 34359949 PMCID: PMC8304785 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is known as one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease. WWOX binds Tau via its C-terminal SDR domain and interacts with Tau phosphorylating enzymes ERK, JNK, and GSK-3β, and thereby limits AD progression. Loss of WWOX in newborns leads to severe neural diseases and early death. Gradual loss of WWOX protein in the hippocampus and cortex starting from middle age may slowly induce aggregation of a protein cascade that ultimately causes accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular tau tangles, along with reduction in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, in AD patients over 70 years old. Age-related increases in pS14-WWOX accumulation in the brain promotes neuronal degeneration. Suppression of Ser14 phosphorylation by a small peptide Zfra leads to enhanced protein degradation, reduction in NF-κB-mediated inflammation, and restoration of memory loss in triple transgenic mice for AD. Intriguingly, tumor suppressors p53 and WWOX may counteract each other in vivo, which leads to upregulation of AD-related protein aggregation in the brain and lung. WWOX has numerous binding proteins. We reported that the stronger the binding between WWOX and its partners, the better the suppression of cancer growth and reduction in inflammation. In this regard, the stronger complex formation between WWOX and partners may provide a better blockade of AD progression. In this review, we describe whether and how WWOX and partner proteins control inflammatory response and protein aggregation and thereby limit AD progression.
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Banne E, Abudiab B, Abu-Swai S, Repudi SR, Steinberg DJ, Shatleh D, Alshammery S, Lisowski L, Gold W, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Neurological Disorders Associated with WWOX Germline Mutations-A Comprehensive Overview. Cells 2021; 10:824. [PMID: 33916893 PMCID: PMC8067556 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulator WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a key player in a number of cellular and biological processes including tumor suppression. Recent evidence has emerged associating WWOX with non-cancer disorders. Patients harboring pathogenic germline bi-allelic WWOX variants have been described with the rare devastating neurological syndromes autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 12 (SCAR12) (6 patients) and WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (DEE28 or WOREE syndrome) (56 patients). Individuals with these syndromes present with a highly heterogenous clinical spectrum, the most common clinical symptoms being severe epileptic encephalopathy and profound global developmental delay. Knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology of these syndromes, the range of variants of the WWOX gene and its genotype-phenotype correlations is limited, hampering therapeutic efforts. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify and consolidate all the reported variants in WWOX to distinguish between disease-causing alleles and their associated severity, and benign variants, with the aim of improving diagnosis and increasing therapeutic efforts. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on WWOX, and analyze the pathogenic variants from published and unpublished reports by collecting entries from the ClinVar, DECIPHER, VarSome, and PubMed databases to generate the largest dataset of WWOX pathogenic variants. We estimate the correlation between variant type and patient phenotype, and delineate the impact of each variant, and used GnomAD to cross reference these variants found in the general population. From these searches, we generated the largest published cohort of WWOX individuals. We conclude with a discussion on potential personalized medicine approaches to tackle the devastating disorders associated with WWOX mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehud Banne
- The Genetic Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
- The Rina Mor Genetic Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 58100, Israel
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Srinivasa Rao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniel J. Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Diala Shatleh
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sarah Alshammery
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia;
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wendy Gold
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead and The Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter L. Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network and Department of Medicine, Physiology and BME, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada;
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
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Aldaz CM, Hussain T. WWOX Loss of Function in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8922. [PMID: 33255508 PMCID: PMC7727818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene was initially discovered as a putative tumor suppressor. More recently, its association with multiple central nervous system (CNS) pathologies has been recognized. WWOX biallelic germline pathogenic variants have been implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12; MIM:614322) and in early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE28; MIM:616211). WWOX germline copy number variants have also been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All identified germline genomic variants lead to partial or complete loss of WWOX function. Importantly, large-scale genome-wide association studies have also identified WWOX as a risk gene for common neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, the spectrum of CNS disorders associated with WWOX is broad and heterogeneous, and there is little understanding of potential mechanisms at play. Exploration of gene expression databases indicates that WWOX expression is comparatively higher in the human cerebellar cortex than in other CNS structures. However, RNA in-situ hybridization data from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas show that specific regions of the basolateral amygdala (BLA), the medial entorhinal cortex (EC), and deep layers of the isocortex can be singled out as brain regions with specific higher levels of Wwox expression. These observations are in close agreement with single-cell RNA-seq data which indicate that neurons from the medial entorhinal cortex, Layer 5 from the frontal cortex as well as GABAergic basket cells and granule cells from cerebellar cortex are the specific neuronal subtypes that display the highest Wwox expression levels. Importantly, the brain regions and cell types in which WWOX is most abundantly expressed, such as the EC and BLA, are intimately linked to pathologies and syndromic conditions in turn associated with this gene, such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, ASD, and AD. Higher Wwox expression in interneurons and granule cells from cerebellum points to a direct link to the described cerebellar ataxia in cases of WWOX loss of function. We now know that total or partial impairment of WWOX function results in a wide and heterogeneous variety of neurodegenerative conditions for which the specific molecular mechanisms remain to be deciphered. Nevertheless, these observations indicate an important functional role for WWOX in normal development and function of the CNS. Evidence also indicates that disruption of WWOX expression at the gene or protein level in CNS has significant deleterious consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA;
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