1
|
Lai W, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Dai Z, Chen R, Niu Y, Chen X, Chen S, Huang G, Shan Z, Zheng J, Hu Y, Chen Q, Gong S, Kang S, Guo H, Ma X, Song Y, Xia K, Wang J, Zhou L, So KF, Wang K, Qiu S, Zhang L, Chen J, Shi L. Autism patient-derived SHANK2B Y29X mutation affects the development of ALDH1A1 negative dopamine neuron. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:3180-3194. [PMID: 38704506 PMCID: PMC11449796 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. Different mutations on a single ASD gene contribute to heterogeneity of disease phenotypes, possibly due to functional diversity of generated isoforms. SHANK2, a causative gene in ASD, demonstrates this phenomenon, but there is a scarcity of tools for studying endogenous SHANK2 proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Here, we report a point mutation on SHANK2, which is found in a patient with autism, located on exon of the SHANK2B transcript variant (NM_133266.5), hereby SHANK2BY29X. This mutation results in an early stop codon and an aberrant splicing event that impacts SHANK2 transcript variants distinctly. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying this mutation, from the patient or isogenic editing, fail to differentiate into functional dopamine (DA) neurons, which can be rescued by genetic correction. Available SMART-Seq single-cell data from human midbrain reveals the abundance of SHANK2B transcript in the ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons. We then show that SHANK2BY29X mutation primarily affects SHANK2B expression and ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons in vitro during early neuronal developmental stage. Mice knocked in with the identical mutation exhibit autistic-like behavior, decreased occupancy of ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons and decreased dopamine release in ventral tegmental area (VTA). Our study provides novel insights on a SHANK2 mutation derived from autism patient and highlights SHANK2B significance in ALDH1A1 negative DA neuron.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanjing Lai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingying Zhao
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yalan Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhenzhu Dai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ruhai Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yimei Niu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shuting Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Guanqun Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ziyun Shan
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiajun Zheng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Qingpei Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Siyi Gong
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sai Kang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Youqiang Song
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Libing Zhou
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Jiekai Chen
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Lingling Shi
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuro-regeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China.
- Department of Neurology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Bediwy EA, Elbeltagi R. Decoding the genetic landscape of autism: A comprehensive review. World J Clin Pediatr 2024; 13:98468. [PMID: 39350903 PMCID: PMC11438927 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i3.98468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by heterogeneous symptoms and genetic underpinnings. Recent advancements in genetic and epigenetic research have provided insights into the intricate mechanisms contributing to ASD, influencing both diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. AIM To explore the genetic architecture of ASD, elucidate mechanistic insights into genetic mutations, and examine gene-environment interactions. METHODS A comprehensive systematic review was conducted, integrating findings from studies on genetic variations, epigenetic mechanisms (such as DNA methylation and histone modifications), and emerging technologies [including Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 and single-cell RNA sequencing]. Relevant articles were identified through systematic searches of databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS Genetic studies have identified numerous risk genes and mutations associated with ASD, yet many cases remain unexplained by known factors, suggesting undiscovered genetic components. Mechanistic insights into how these genetic mutations impact neural development and brain connectivity are still evolving. Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, also play significant roles in ASD pathogenesis. Emerging technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 and advanced bioinformatics are advancing our understanding by enabling precise genetic editing and analysis of complex genomic data. CONCLUSION Continued research into the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of ASD is crucial for developing personalized and effective treatments. Collaborative efforts integrating multidisciplinary expertise and international collaborations are essential to address the complexity of ASD and translate genetic discoveries into clinical practice. Addressing unresolved questions and ethical considerations surrounding genetic research will pave the way for improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies, ultimately enhancing outcomes for individuals affected by ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Alghrabia, Tanta 31511, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Nermin Kamal Saeed
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Bahrain
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Muharraq, Busaiteen 15503, Bahrain
| | - Adel Salah Bediwy
- Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Alghrabia, Tanta 31527, Egypt
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Eman A Bediwy
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Algharbia, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Reem Elbeltagi
- Department of Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain, Muharraq, Busiateen 15503, Bahrain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abedini SS, Akhavantabasi S, Liang Y, Heng JIT, Alizadehsani R, Dehzangi I, Bauer DC, Alinejad-Rokny H. A critical review of the impact of candidate copy number variants on autism spectrum disorder. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2024; 794:108509. [PMID: 38977176 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2024.108509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Recent advancements in genomic analysis have shed light on numerous genes associated with ASD, highlighting the significant role of both common and rare genetic mutations, as well as copy number variations (CNVs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and unique de novo variants. These genetic variations disrupt neurodevelopmental pathways, contributing to the disorder's complexity. Notably, CNVs are present in 10 %-20 % of individuals with autism, with 3 %-7 % detectable through cytogenetic methods. While the role of submicroscopic CNVs in ASD has been recently studied, their association with genomic loci and genes has not been thoroughly explored. In this review, we focus on 47 CNV regions linked to ASD, encompassing 1632 genes, including protein-coding genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), of which 659 show significant brain expression. Using a list of ASD-associated genes from SFARI, we detect 17 regions harboring at least one known ASD-related protein-coding gene. Of the remaining 30 regions, we identify 24 regions containing at least one protein-coding gene with brain-enriched expression and a nervous system phenotype in mouse mutants, and one lncRNA with both brain-enriched expression and upregulation in iPSC to neuron differentiation. This review not only expands our understanding of the genetic diversity associated with ASD but also underscores the potential of lncRNAs in contributing to its etiology. Additionally, the discovered CNVs will be a valuable resource for future diagnostic, therapeutic, and research endeavors aimed at prioritizing genetic variations in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sedigheh Abedini
- UNSW BioMedical Machine Learning Lab (BML), The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shiva Akhavantabasi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Yeni Yuzyil University, Istanbul, Turkey; Ghiaseddin Jamshid Kashani University, Andisheh University Town, Danesh Blvd, 3441356611, Abyek, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Yuheng Liang
- UNSW BioMedical Machine Learning Lab (BML), The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Julian Ik-Tsen Heng
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley 6845, Australia
| | - Roohallah Alizadehsani
- Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI), Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iman Dehzangi
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA
| | - Denis C Bauer
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, Australia; Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia
| | - Hamid Alinejad-Rokny
- UNSW BioMedical Machine Learning Lab (BML), The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Tyree Institute of Health Engineering (IHealthE), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yang Q, Zhang Q, Yi S, Zhang S, Yi S, Zhou X, Qin Z, Chen B, Luo J. Novel germline variants in KMT2C in Chinese patients with Kleefstra syndrome-2. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1340458. [PMID: 38356881 PMCID: PMC10864639 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1340458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Kleefstra syndrome (KLEFS) refers to a rare inherited neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability (ID), language and motor delays, behavioral abnormalities, abnormal facial appearance, and other variable clinical features. KLEFS is subdivided into two subtypes: Kleefstra syndrome-1 (KLEFS1, OMIM: 610253), caused by a heterozygous microdeletion encompassing the Euchromatic Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) gene on chromosome 9q34.3 or pathogenic variants in the EHMT1 gene, and Kleefstra syndrome-2 (KLEFS2, OMIM: 617768), caused by pathogenic variants in the KMT2C gene. More than 100 cases of KLEFS1 have been reported with pathogenic variants in the EHMT1 gene. However, only 13 patients with KLEFS2 have been reported to date. In the present study, five unrelated Chinese patients were diagnosed with KLEFS2 caused by KMT2C variants through whole-exome sequencing (WES). We identified five different variants of the KMT2C gene in these patients: c.9166C>T (p.Gln3056*), c.9232_9247delCAGCGATCAGAACCGT (p.Gln3078fs*13), c.5068dupA (p.Arg1690fs*10), c.10815_10819delAAGAA (p.Lys3605fs*7), and c.6911_6912insA (p.Met2304fs*8). All five patients had a clinical profile similar to that of patients with KLEFS2. To analyze the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of KLEFS2, we examined 18 variants and their associated phenotypes in 18 patients with KLEFS2. Patients carrying KMT2C variants presented with a wide range of phenotypic defects and an extremely variable phenotype. We concluded that the core phenotypes associated with KMT2C variants were intellectual disability, facial dysmorphisms, language and motor delays, behavioral abnormalities, hypotonia, short stature, and weight loss. Additionally, sex may be one factor influencing the outcome. Our findings expand the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of KLEFS2 and help to clarify the genotype-phenotype correlation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Sheng Yi
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Shujie Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Shang Yi
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Xunzhao Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Zailong Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Biyan Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jingsi Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Birth Defects Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yip S, Calli K, Qiao Y, Trost B, Scherer SW, Lewis MES. Complex Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Patient with a Novel De Novo Heterozygous MYT1L Variant. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2122. [PMID: 38136944 PMCID: PMC10742566 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122122] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of complex neurodevelopmental features seen in many different forms due to variable causes. Highly impactful ASD-susceptibility genes are involved in pathways associated with brain development, chromatin remodeling, and transcription regulation. In this study, we investigate a proband with complex ASD. Whole genome sequencing revealed a novel de novo missense mutation of a highly conserved amino acid residue (NP_001289981.1:p.His516Gln; chr2:1917275; hg38) in the MYT1L neural transcription factor gene. In combination with in silico analysis on gene effect and pathogenicity, we described the proband's phenotype and made comparisons with previously reported cases to explore the spectrum of clinical features in MYT1L single nucleotide variant (SNV) cases. The phenotype-genotype correlation showed a high degree of clinical similarity with previously reported cases of missense variants in MYT1L, indicating MYT1L as the causal gene for the observed phenotype in our proband. The variant was also predicted to be damaging according to multiple in silico pathogenicity predicting tools. This study expands the clinical description of SNVs on the MYT1L gene and provides insight into its contribution to ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silas Yip
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (S.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.Q.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Kristina Calli
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (S.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.Q.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research (ASPIRE) Program, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Ying Qiao
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (S.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.Q.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research (ASPIRE) Program, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Brett Trost
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (B.T.); (S.W.S.)
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (B.T.); (S.W.S.)
- McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - M. E. Suzanne Lewis
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (S.Y.); (K.C.); (Y.Q.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research (ASPIRE) Program, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sheth F, Shah J, Jain D, Shah S, Patel H, Patel K, Solanki DI, Iyer AS, Menghani B, Mhatre P, Mehta S, Bajaj S, Patel V, Pandya M, Dhami D, Patel D, Sheth J, Sheth H. Comparative yield of molecular diagnostic algorithms for autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in India: evidence supporting whole exome sequencing as first tier test. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:292. [PMID: 37543562 PMCID: PMC10403833 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03341-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 100 children globally with a rapidly increasing prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, no data exists on the genetic architecture of ASD in India. This study aimed to identify the genetic architecture of ASD in India and to assess the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) as a first-tier test instead of chromosomal microarray (CMA) for genetic diagnosis. METHODS Between 2020 and 2022, 101 patient-parent trios of Indian origin diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition, were recruited. All probands underwent a sequential genetic testing pathway consisting of karyotyping, Fragile-X testing (in male probands only), CMA and WES. Candidate variant validation and parental segregation analysis was performed using orthogonal methods. RESULTS Of 101 trios, no probands were identified with a gross chromosomal anomaly or Fragile-X. Three (2.9%) and 30 (29.7%) trios received a confirmed genetic diagnosis from CMA and WES, respectively. Amongst diagnosis from WES, SNVs were detected in 27 cases (90%) and CNVs in 3 cases (10%), including the 3 CNVs detected from CMA. Segregation analysis showed 66.6% (n = 3 for CNVs and n = 17 for SNVs) and 16.6% (n = 5) of the cases had de novo and recessive variants respectively, which is in concordance with the distribution of variant types and mode of inheritance observed in ASD patients of non-Hispanic white/ European ethnicity. MECP2 gene was the most recurrently mutated gene (n = 6; 20%) in the present cohort. Majority of the affected genes identified in the study cohort are involved in synaptic formation, transcription and its regulation, ubiquitination and chromatin remodeling. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests de novo variants as a major cause of ASD in the Indian population, with Rett syndrome as the most commonly detected disorder. Furthermore, we provide evidence of a significant difference in the diagnostic yield between CMA (3%) and WES (30%) which supports the implementation of WES as a first-tier test for genetic diagnosis of ASD in India.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frenny Sheth
- FRIGE's Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India.
| | - Jhanvi Shah
- FRIGE's Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Deepika Jain
- Shishu Child Development and Early Intervention Centre, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Siddharth Shah
- Royal Institute of Child Neurosciences, Ahmedabad, India
| | | | - Ketan Patel
- Specialty Homeopathic Clinic, Ahmedabad, India
| | | | | | - Bhargavi Menghani
- Children's Institute for Development and Advancement Centre, Vadodara, India
| | - Priti Mhatre
- Tender Kinds Centre for Child Development, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Sanjiv Mehta
- Royal Institute of Child Neurosciences, Ahmedabad, India
| | | | - Vishal Patel
- Little Brain Pediatric Neurocare Centre, Vadodara, India
| | | | - Deepak Dhami
- Axon Child Neurology and Epilepsy Centre, Rajkot, India
| | - Darshan Patel
- Charotar Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa, India
| | - Jayesh Sheth
- FRIGE's Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Harsh Sheth
- FRIGE's Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Brauer B, Merino-Veliz N, Ahumada-Marchant C, Arriagada G, Bustos FJ. KMT2C knockout generates ASD-like behaviors in mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1227723. [PMID: 37538398 PMCID: PMC10394233 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1227723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders have been associated with genetic mutations that affect cellular function, including chromatin regulation and epigenetic modifications. Recent studies in humans have identified mutations in KMT2C, an enzyme responsible for modifying histone tails and depositing H3K4me1 and H3K4me3, as being associated with Kleefstra syndrome 2 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the precise role of KMT2C mutations in brain disorders remains poorly understood. Here we employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to analyze the effects of KMT2C brain specific knockout on animal behavior. Knocking out KMT2C expression in cortical neurons and the mouse brain resulted in decreased KMT2C levels. Importantly, KMT2C brain specific knockout animals exhibited repetitive behaviors, social deficits, and intellectual disability resembling ASD. Our findings shed light on the involvement of KMT2C in neurodevelopmental processes and establish a valuable model for elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying KMT2C mutations and their relationship to Kleefstra syndrome 2 and ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fernando J. Bustos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yoon E, Song JJ. Caf1 regulates the histone methyltransferase activity of Ash1 by sensing unmodified histone H3. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:15. [PMID: 37118845 PMCID: PMC10148413 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00487-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications are one of the many key mechanisms that regulate gene expression. Ash1 is a histone H3K36 methyltransferase and is involved in gene activation. Ash1 forms a large complex with Mrg15 and Caf1/p55/Nurf55/RbAp48 (AMC complex). The Ash1 subunit alone exhibits very low activity due to the autoinhibition, and the binding of Mrg15 releases the autoinhibition. Caf1 is a scaffolding protein commonly found in several chromatin modifying complexes and has two histone binding pockets: one for H3 and the other for H4. Caf1 has the ability to sense unmodified histone H3K4 residues using the H3 binding pocket. However, the role of Caf1 in the AMC complex has not been investigated. Here, we dissected the interaction among the AMC complex subunits, revealing that Caf1 uses the histone H4 binding pocket to interact with Ash1 near the histone binding module cluster. Furthermore, we showed that H3K4 methylation inhibits AMC HMTase activity via Caf1 sensing unmodified histone H3K4 to regulate the activity in an internucleosomal manner, suggesting that crosstalk between H3K4 and H3K36 methylation. Our work revealed a delicate mechanism by which the AMC histone H3K36 methyltransferase complex is regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eojin Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, KI for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Ji-Joon Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, KI for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Biallelic Loss of Function Mutation in Sodium Channel Gene SCN10A in an Autism Spectrum Disorder Trio from Pakistan. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091633. [PMID: 36140801 PMCID: PMC9498319 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic dissection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered the contribution of de novo mutations in many single genes as well as de novo copy number variants. More recent work also suggests a strong contribution from recessively inherited variants, particularly in populations in which consanguineous marriages are common. What is also becoming more apparent is the degree of pleiotropy, whereby mutations in the same gene may have quite different phenotypic and clinical consequences. We performed whole exome sequencing in a group of 115 trios from countries with a high level of consanguineous marriages. In this paper we report genetic and clinical findings on a proband with ASD, who inherited a biallelic truncating pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in the gene encoding voltage-gated sodium channel X alpha subunit, SCN10A (NM_006514.2:c.937G>T:(p.Gly313*)). The biallelic pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in this study have different clinical features than heterozygous mutations in the same gene. The study of consanguineous families for autism spectrum disorder is highly valuable.
Collapse
|
10
|
Lam UTF, Tan BKY, Poh JJX, Chen ES. Structural and functional specificity of H3K36 methylation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:17. [PMID: 35581654 PMCID: PMC9116022 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00446-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me) is essential for maintaining genomic stability. Indeed, this methylation mark is essential for proper transcription, recombination, and DNA damage response. Loss- and gain-of-function mutations in H3K36 methyltransferases are closely linked to human developmental disorders and various cancers. Structural analyses suggest that nucleosomal components such as the linker DNA and a hydrophobic patch constituted by histone H2A and H3 are likely determinants of H3K36 methylation in addition to the histone H3 tail, which encompasses H3K36 and the catalytic SET domain. Interaction of H3K36 methyltransferases with the nucleosome collaborates with regulation of their auto-inhibitory changes fine-tunes the precision of H3K36me in mediating dimethylation by NSD2 and NSD3 as well as trimethylation by Set2/SETD2. The identification of specific structural features and various cis-acting factors that bind to different forms of H3K36me, particularly the di-(H3K36me2) and tri-(H3K36me3) methylated forms of H3K36, have highlighted the intricacy of H3K36me functional significance. Here, we consolidate these findings and offer structural insight to the regulation of H3K36me2 to H3K36me3 conversion. We also discuss the mechanisms that underlie the cooperation between H3K36me and other chromatin modifications (in particular, H3K27me3, H3 acetylation, DNA methylation and N6-methyladenosine in RNAs) in the physiological regulation of the epigenomic functions of chromatin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulysses Tsz Fung Lam
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bryan Kok Yan Tan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - John Jia Xin Poh
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Sin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore.
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Integrative Sciences & Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Doddato G, Fabbiani A, Scandurra V, Canitano R, Mencarelli MA, Renieri A, Ariani F. Identification of a Novel SHANK2 Pathogenic Variant in a Patient with a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040688. [PMID: 35456494 PMCID: PMC9025881 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic defects in the SHANK2 gene, encoding for synaptic scaffolding protein, are associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorders and mild to moderate intellectual disability. Until now, limited patient clinical descriptions have been published. Only 13 unrelated patients with SHANK2 pathogenic variations or microdeletions have been reported worldwide. By Exome Sequencing, we identified a de novo stop-gain variant, c.334C>T, p.(Gln112*), in an Italian patient with a neurodevelopmental disorder. The patient (9 years old) presented the following facial features: a flat profile, thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, a bulbous nasal tip and a prominent columella, retracted ears, dental anomalies. The patient showed speech delay and mild neuromotor delay but not autism spectrum disorder. In conclusion, this patient with a novel pathogenic variant in SHANK2 enlarges the phenotypic spectrum of SHANK2-mutated patients and demonstrates that the severity of SHANK2-associated disorders is highly variable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Doddato
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabbiani
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Valeria Scandurra
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (V.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Canitano
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (V.S.); (R.C.)
| | | | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Francesca Ariani
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.); (A.R.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-233303
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Evans DR, Qiao Y, Trost B, Calli K, Martell S, Jones SJM, Scherer SW, Lewis MES. Complex Autism Spectrum Disorder with Epilepsy, Strabismus and Self-Injurious Behaviors in a Patient with a De Novo Heterozygous POLR2A Variant. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030470. [PMID: 35328024 PMCID: PMC8955435 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a complex and heterogenous group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Whole genome sequencing continues to shed light on the multifactorial etiology of ASD. Dysregulated transcriptional pathways have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that de novo POLR2A variants cause a newly described phenotype called ‘Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Hypotonia and Variable Intellectual and Behavioral Abnormalities’ (NEDHIB). The variable phenotype manifests with a spectrum of features; primarily early onset hypotonia and delay in developmental milestones. In this study, we investigate a patient with complex ASD involving epilepsy and strabismus. Whole genome sequencing of the proband−parent trio uncovered a novel de novo POLR2A variant (c.1367T>C, p. Val456Ala) in the proband. The variant appears deleterious according to in silico tools. We describe the phenotype in our patient, who is now 31 years old, draw connections between the previously reported phenotypes and further delineate this emerging neurodevelopmental phenotype. This study sheds new insights into this neurodevelopmental disorder, and more broadly, the genetic etiology of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Evans
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), Victoria, BC V8R 1J8, Canada;
| | - Ying Qiao
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (Y.Q.); (K.C.); (S.M.); (S.J.M.J.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- iTARGET Autism, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Brett Trost
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and McLaughlin Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (B.T.); (S.W.S.)
| | - Kristina Calli
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (Y.Q.); (K.C.); (S.M.); (S.J.M.J.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- iTARGET Autism, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Sally Martell
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (Y.Q.); (K.C.); (S.M.); (S.J.M.J.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- iTARGET Autism, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Steven J. M. Jones
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (Y.Q.); (K.C.); (S.M.); (S.J.M.J.)
- iTARGET Autism, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and McLaughlin Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (B.T.); (S.W.S.)
| | - M. E. Suzanne Lewis
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; (Y.Q.); (K.C.); (S.M.); (S.J.M.J.)
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- iTARGET Autism, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
New Strategies for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Based on Reelin Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031829. [PMID: 35163751 PMCID: PMC8836358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein that is mainly produced in Cajal-Retzius cells and controls neuronal migration, which is important for the proper formation of cortical layers in the developmental stage of the brain. In the adult brain, Reelin plays a crucial role in the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent synaptic function, and its expression decreases postnatally. Clinical studies showed reductions in Reelin protein and mRNA expression levels in patients with psychiatric disorders; however, the causal relationship remains unclear. Reelin-deficient mice exhibit an abnormal neuronal morphology and behavior, while Reelin supplementation ameliorates learning deficits, synaptic dysfunctions, and spine loss in animal models with Reelin deficiency. These findings suggest that the neuronal deficits and brain dysfunctions associated with the down-regulated expression of Reelin are attenuated by enhancements in its expression and functions in the brain. In this review, we summarize findings on the role of Reelin in neuropsychiatric disorders and discuss potential therapeutic approaches for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with Reelin dysfunctions.
Collapse
|