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Bossuyt SNV, Punt AM, de Graaf IJ, van den Burg J, Williams MG, Heussler H, Elgersma Y, Distel B. Loss of nuclear UBE3A activity is the predominant cause of Angelman syndrome in individuals carrying UBE3A missense mutations. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:430-442. [PMID: 33607653 PMCID: PMC8101352 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion (~75%) or mutation (~10%) of the ubiquitin E3 ligase A (UBE3A) gene, which encodes a HECT type E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. Although the critical substrates of UBE3A are unknown, previous studies have suggested a critical role of nuclear UBE3A in AS pathophysiology. Here, we investigated to what extent UBE3A missense mutations disrupt UBE3A subcellular localization as well as catalytic activity, stability and protein folding. Our functional screen of 31 UBE3A missense mutants revealed that UBE3A mislocalization is the predominant cause of UBE3A dysfunction, accounting for 55% of the UBE3A mutations tested. The second major cause (29%) is a loss of E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, as assessed in an Escherichia coli in vivo ubiquitination assay. Mutations affecting catalytic activity are found not only in the catalytic HECT domain, but also in the N-terminal half of UBE3A, suggesting an important contribution of this N-terminal region to its catalytic potential. Together, our results show that loss of nuclear UBE3A E3 ligase activity is the predominant cause of UBE3A-linked AS. Moreover, our functional analysis screen allows rapid assessment of the pathogenicity of novel UBE3A missense variants which will be of particular importance when treatments for AS become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn N V Bossuyt
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilona J de Graaf
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janny van den Burg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Williams
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Development Program, Queensland Children's Hospital, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, 4101, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, 3015, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Geerts‐Haages A, Bossuyt SNV, den Besten I, Bruggenwirth H, van der Burgt I, Yntema HG, Punt AM, Brooks A, Elgersma Y, Distel B, Valstar M. A novel UBE3A sequence variant identified in eight related individuals with neurodevelopmental delay, results in a phenotype which does not match the clinical criteria of Angelman syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1481. [PMID: 32889787 PMCID: PMC7667313 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of functional UBE3A, an E3 protein ubiquitin ligase, causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe developmental delay, speech impairment, epilepsy, movement or balance disorder, and a characteristic behavioral pattern. We identified a novel UBE3A sequence variant in a large family with eight affected individuals, who did not meet the clinical AS criteria. METHODS Detailed clinical examination and genetic analysis was performed to establish the phenotypic diversity and the genetic cause. The function of the mutant UBE3A protein was assessed with respect to its subcellular localization, stability, and E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. RESULTS All eight affected individuals showed the presence of a novel maternally inherited UBE3A sequence variant (NM_130838.4(UBE3A):c.1018-1020del, p.(Asn340del), which is in line with a genetic AS diagnosis. Although they presented with moderate to severe intellectual disability, the phenotype did not match the clinical criteria for AS. In line with this, functional analysis of the UBE3A p.Asn340del mutant protein revealed no major deficits in UBE3A protein localization, stability, or E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. CONCLUSION The p.(Asn340del) mutant protein behaves distinctly different from previously described AS-linked missense mutations in UBE3A, and causes a phenotype that is markedly different from AS. This study further extends the range of phenotypes that are associated with UBE3A loss, duplication, or mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Geerts‐Haages
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Stijn N. V. Bossuyt
- Department of Medical BiochemistryAmsterdam UMC, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Inge den Besten
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hennie Bruggenwirth
- Department of Clinical GeneticsErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ineke van der Burgt
- Department of Human GeneticsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Helger G. Yntema
- Department of Human GeneticsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - A. Mattijs Punt
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Alice Brooks
- Department of Clinical GeneticsErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical BiochemistryAmsterdam UMC, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of NeuroscienceErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marlies Valstar
- Intellectual Disability MedicineDepartment of General PracticeErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- ASVZ, Medical DepartmentCare and Service Centre for People with Intellectual DisabilitiesSliedrechtThe Netherlands
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Avagliano Trezza R, Sonzogni M, Bossuyt SNV, Zampeta FI, Punt AM, van den Berg M, Rotaru DC, Koene LMC, Munshi ST, Stedehouder J, Kros JM, Williams M, Heussler H, de Vrij FMS, Mientjes EJ, van Woerden GM, Kushner SA, Distel B, Elgersma Y. Loss of nuclear UBE3A causes electrophysiological and behavioral deficits in mice and is associated with Angelman syndrome. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1235-1247. [PMID: 31235931 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0425-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations affecting the gene encoding the ubiquitin ligase UBE3A cause Angelman syndrome. Although most studies focus on the synaptic function of UBE3A, we show that UBE3A is highly enriched in the nucleus of mouse and human neurons. We found that the two major isoforms of UBE3A exhibit highly distinct nuclear versus cytoplasmic subcellular localization. Both isoforms undergo nuclear import through direct binding to PSMD4 (also known as S5A or RPN10), but the amino terminus of the cytoplasmic isoform prevents nuclear retention. Mice lacking the nuclear UBE3A isoform recapitulate the behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes of Ube3am-/p+ mice, whereas mice harboring a targeted deletion of the cytosolic isoform are unaffected. Finally, we identified Angelman syndrome-associated UBE3A missense mutations that interfere with either nuclear targeting or nuclear retention of UBE3A. Taken together, our findings elucidate the mechanisms underlying the subcellular localization of UBE3A, and indicate that the nuclear UBE3A isoform is the most critical for the pathophysiology of Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Avagliano Trezza
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Sonzogni
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn N V Bossuyt
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F Isabella Zampeta
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marlene van den Berg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana C Rotaru
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda M C Koene
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shashini T Munshi
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Stedehouder
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan M Kros
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Williams
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Development Program, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Femke M S de Vrij
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin J Mientjes
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geeske M van Woerden
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steven A Kushner
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Distel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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