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Stacey D, Suppiah V, Benyamin B, Lee SH, Hyppönen E. In-silico functional analyses identify TMPRSS15-mediated intestinal absorption of lithium as a modulator of lithium response in bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2024:S0165-0327(24)00788-2. [PMID: 38735581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder is highly variable and has a polygenic basis. Genome-wide association studies investigating lithium response have identified several relevant loci, though the precise mechanisms driving these associations are poorly understood. We aimed to prioritise the most likely effector gene and determine the mechanisms underlying an intergenic lithium response locus on chromosome 21 identified by the International Consortium of Lithium Genetics (ConLi+Gen). METHODS We conducted in-silico functional analyses by integrating and synthesising information from several publicly available functional genetic datasets and databases including the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project and HaploReg. RESULTS The findings from this study highlighted TMPRSS15 as the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus. TMPRSS15 encodes enterokinase, a gastrointestinal enzyme responsible for converting trypsinogen into trypsin and thus aiding digestion. Convergent findings from gene-based lookups in human and mouse databases as well as co-expression network analyses of small intestinal RNA-seq data (GTEx) implicated TMPRSS15 in the regulation of intestinal nutrient absorption, including ions like sodium and potassium, which may extend to lithium. LIMITATIONS Although the findings from this study indicated that TMPRSS15 was the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus, the evidence was circumstantial. Thus, the conclusions from this study need to be validated in appropriately designed wet-lab studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study are consistent with a model whereby TMPRSS15 impacts the efficacy of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder by modulating intestinal lithium absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Stacey
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Vijayaprakash Suppiah
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Beben Benyamin
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Australia
| | - S Hong Lee
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Australia
| | - Elina Hyppönen
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Ehrhart F, Silva A, Amelsvoort TV, von Scheibler E, Evelo C, Linden DEJ. Copy number variant risk loci for schizophrenia converge on the BDNF pathway. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:222-232. [PMID: 38493363 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2024.2327027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia genetics is intricate, with common and rare variants' contributions not fully understood. Certain copy number variations (CNVs) elevate risk, pivotal for understanding mental disorder models. Despite CNVs' genome-wide distribution and variable gene and protein effects, we must explore beyond affected genes to interaction partners and molecular pathways. METHODS In this study, we developed machine-readable interactive pathways to enable analysis of functional effects of genes within CNV loci and identify ten common pathways across CNVs with high schizophrenia risk using the WikiPathways database, schizophrenia risk gene collections from GWAS studies, and a gene-disease association database. RESULTS For CNVs that are pathogenic for schizophrenia, we found overlapping pathways, including BDNF signalling, cytoskeleton, and inflammation. Common schizophrenia risk genes identified by different studies are found in all CNV pathways, but not enriched. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that specific pathways - BDNF signalling - are critical contributors to schizophrenia risk conferred by rare CNVs. Our approach highlights the importance of not only investigating deleted or duplicated genes within pathogenic CNV loci, but also study their direct interaction partners, which may explain pleiotropic effects of CNVs on schizophrenia risk and offer a broader field for interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Ehrhart
- Department of Bioinformatics, NUTRIM/MHeNS, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Silva
- Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, MHeNs, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Emma von Scheibler
- Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, MHeNs, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Advisium, 's Heeren Loo, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Evelo
- Department of Bioinformatics, NUTRIM/MHeNS, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - David E J Linden
- Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, MHeNs, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Meulebrouck S, Scherrer V, Boutry R, Toussaint B, Vaillant E, Dechaume A, Loiselle H, Balkau B, Charpentier G, Franc S, Marre M, Baron M, Vaxillaire M, Derhourhi M, Boissel M, Froguel P, Bonnefond A. Pathogenic monoallelic variants in GLIS3 increase type 2 diabetes risk and identify a subgroup of patients sensitive to sulfonylureas. Diabetologia 2024; 67:327-332. [PMID: 38051360 PMCID: PMC10789827 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-06035-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS GLIS3 encodes a transcription factor involved in pancreatic beta cell development and function. Rare pathogenic, bi-allelic mutations in GLIS3 cause syndromic neonatal diabetes whereas frequent SNPs at this locus associate with common type 2 diabetes risk. Because rare, functional variants located in other susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes have already been shown to strongly increase individual risk for common type 2 diabetes, we aimed to investigate the contribution of rare pathogenic GLIS3 variants to type 2 diabetes. METHODS GLIS3 was sequenced in 5471 individuals from the Rare Variants Involved in Diabetes and Obesity (RaDiO) study. Variant pathogenicity was assessed following the criteria established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). To address the pathogenic strong criterion number 3 (PS3), we conducted functional investigations of these variants using luciferase assays, focusing on capacity of GLIS family zinc finger 3 (GLIS3) to bind to and activate the INS promoter. The association between rare pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants and type 2 diabetes risk (and other metabolic traits) was then evaluated. A meta-analysis combining association results from RaDiO, the 52K study (43,125 individuals) and the TOPMed study (44,083 individuals) was finally performed. RESULTS Through targeted resequencing of GLIS3, we identified 105 rare variants that were carried by 395 participants from RaDiO. Among them, 49 variants decreased the activation of the INS promoter. Following ACMG criteria, 18 rare variants were classified as P/LP, showing an enrichment in the last two exons compared with the remaining exons (p<5×10-6; OR>3.5). The burden of these P/LP variants was strongly higher in individuals with type 2 diabetes (p=3.0×10-3; OR 3.9 [95% CI 1.4, 12]), whereas adiposity, age at type 2 diabetes diagnosis and cholesterol levels were similar between variant carriers and non-carriers with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, all carriers with type 2 diabetes were sensitive to oral sulfonylureas. A total of 7 P/LP variants were identified in both 52K and TOPMed studies. The meta-analysis of association studies obtained from RaDiO, 52K and TOPMed showed an enrichment of P/LP GLIS3 variants in individuals with type 2 diabetes (p=5.6×10-5; OR 2.1 [95% CI 1.4, 2.9]). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Rare P/LP GLIS3 variants do contribute to type 2 diabetes risk. The variants located in the distal part of the protein could have a direct effect on its functional activity by impacting its transactivation domain, by homology with the mouse GLIS3 protein. Furthermore, rare P/LP GLIS3 variants seem to have a direct clinical effect on beta cell function, which could be improved by increasing insulin secretion via the use of sulfonylureas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meulebrouck
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Victoria Scherrer
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Raphaël Boutry
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Bénédicte Toussaint
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuel Vaillant
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Aurélie Dechaume
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Hélène Loiselle
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Beverley Balkau
- Inserm U1018 Clinical Epidemiology, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Paris-Saclay University, Paris-Sud University, UVSQ, Villejuif, France
| | - Guillaume Charpentier
- CERITD (Centre d'Étude et de Recherche pour l'Intensification du Traitement du Diabète), Evry, France
| | - Sylvia Franc
- CERITD (Centre d'Étude et de Recherche pour l'Intensification du Traitement du Diabète), Evry, France
- Department of Diabetes, Sud-Francilien Hospital, Paris-Sud University, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Michel Marre
- Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Inserm, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Clinique Ambroise Paré, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
| | - Morgane Baron
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Martine Vaxillaire
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Mehdi Derhourhi
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Mathilde Boissel
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Froguel
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France.
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Amélie Bonnefond
- Inserm UMR1283, CNRS UMR8199, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France.
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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O'Neill MJ, Chen SN, Rumping L, Johnson R, van Slegtenhorst M, Glazer AM, Yang T, Solus JF, Laudeman J, Mitchell DW, Vanags LR, Kroncke BM, Anderson K, Gao S, Verdonschot JAJ, Brunner H, Hellebrekers D, Taylor MRG, Roden DM, Wessels MW, Lekanne Dit Deprez RH, Fatkin D, Mestroni L, Shoemaker MB. Multicenter clinical and functional evidence reclassifies a recurrent noncanonical filamin C splice-altering variant. Heart Rhythm 2023; 20:1158-1166. [PMID: 37164047 PMCID: PMC10530503 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Truncating variants in filamin C (FLNC) can cause arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) through haploinsufficiency. Noncanonical splice-altering variants may contribute to this phenotype. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and functional consequences of a recurrent FLNC intronic variant of uncertain significance (VUS), c.970-4A>G. METHODS Clinical data in 9 variant heterozygotes from 4 kindreds were obtained from 5 tertiary health care centers. We used in silico predictors and functional studies with peripheral blood and patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Isolated RNA was studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. iPSC-CMs were further characterized at baseline and after nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) inhibition, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), RNA-sequencing, and cellular electrophysiology. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria were used to adjudicate variant pathogenicity. RESULTS Variant heterozygotes displayed a spectrum of disease phenotypes, spanning from mild ventricular dysfunction with palpitations to severe ventricular arrhythmias requiring device shocks or progressive cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation. Consistent with in silico predictors, the c.970-4A>G FLNC variant activated a cryptic splice acceptor site, introducing a 3-bp insertion containing a premature termination codon. NMD inhibition upregulated aberrantly spliced transcripts by qPCR and RNA-sequencing. Patch clamp studies revealed irregular spontaneous action potentials, increased action potential duration, and increased sodium late current in proband-derived iPSC-CMs. These findings fulfilled multiple ACMG criteria for pathogenicity. CONCLUSION Clinical, in silico, and functional evidence support the prediction that the intronic c.970-4A>G VUS disrupts splicing and drives ACM, enabling reclassification from VUS to pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J O'Neill
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Suet Nee Chen
- Cardiovascular Institute and Adult Medical Genetics Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lynne Rumping
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renee Johnson
- Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Andrew M Glazer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joseph F Solus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Julie Laudeman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Devyn W Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Loren R Vanags
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Brett M Kroncke
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Katherine Anderson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Cardiovascular Institute and Adult Medical Genetics Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Job A J Verdonschot
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Han Brunner
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Debby Hellebrekers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dan M Roden
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Marja W Wessels
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Diane Fatkin
- Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Cardiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Luisa Mestroni
- Cardiovascular Institute and Adult Medical Genetics Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - M Benjamin Shoemaker
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
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Zerin T, Greb T, Wolf S. Inducible, Tissue-Specific Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Using GR-LhG4-Mediated Trans-Activation. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2698:13-25. [PMID: 37682466 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3354-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Inducible, tissue-specific gene expression is a potent tool to study gene regulatory networks as it allows spatially and temporally controlled genetic perturbations. To this end, we generated a toolkit that covers many cell types in the three main meristems: the root apical meristem, the shoot apical meristem, and the vascular cambium. The system is based on an extensive set of driver lines expressing a synthetic transcription factor under cell type-specific promoters. Induction leads to nuclear translocation of the transcription factor and expression of response elements under control of a cognate synthetic promoter. In addition, a fluorescent reporter incorporated in driver lines allows to monitor induction. All previously generated driver lines are available from the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Center. This protocol describes how users can create their own constructs compatible with the existing set of lines and as well as induction and imaging procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Zerin
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Greb
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wolf
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Wehmeyer AE, Schüle KM, Conrad A, Schröder CM, Probst S, Arnold SJ. Chimeric 3D gastruloids - a versatile tool for studies of mammalian peri-gastrulation development. Development 2022; 149:280536. [PMID: 36326003 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell-derived three-dimensional (3D) gastruloids show a remarkable capacity of self-organisation and recapitulate many aspects of gastrulation stage mammalian development. Gastruloids can be rapidly generated and offer several experimental advantages, such as scalability, observability and accessibility for manipulation. Here, we present approaches to further expand the experimental potency of murine 3D gastruloids by using functional genetics in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to generate chimeric gastruloids. In chimeric gastruloids, fluorescently labelled cells of different genotypes harbouring inducible gene expression or loss-of-function alleles are combined with wild-type cells. We showcase this experimental approach in chimeric gastruloids of mESCs carrying homozygous deletions of the Tbx transcription factor brachyury or inducible expression of Eomes. Resulting chimeric gastruloids recapitulate reported Eomes and brachyury functions, such as instructing cardiac fate and promoting posterior axial extension, respectively. Additionally, chimeric gastruloids revealed previously unrecognised phenotypes, such as the tissue sorting preference of brachyury deficient cells to endoderm and the cell non-autonomous effects of brachyury deficiency on Wnt3a patterning along the embryonic axis, demonstrating some of the advantages of chimeric gastruloids as an efficient tool for studies of mammalian gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Wehmeyer
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katrin M Schüle
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Conrad
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chiara M Schröder
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simone Probst
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Arnold
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Németh MZ, Li G, Seress D, Pintye A, Molnár O, Kovács GM, Kiss L, Gorfer M. What is the role of the nitrate reductase (euknr) gene in fungi that live in nitrate-free environments? A targeted gene knock-out study in Ampelomyces mycoparasites. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:905-13. [PMID: 34649677 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mycoparasitic fungi can be utilized as biocontrol agents (BCAs) of many plant pathogens. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of mycoparasitism may improve biocontrol efficiency. This work reports the first functional genetic studies in Ampelomyces, widespread mycoparasites and BCAs of powdery mildew fungi, and a molecular genetic toolbox for future works. The nitrate reductase (euknr) gene was targeted to reveal the biological function of nitrate assimilation in Ampelomyces. These mycoparasites live in an apparently nitrate-free environment, i.e. inside the hyphae of powdery mildew fungi that lack any nitrate uptake and assimilation system. Homologous recombination-based gene knock-out (KO) was applied to eliminate the euknr gene using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Efficient KO of euknr was confirmed by PCR, and visible phenotype caused by loss of euknr was detected on media with different nitrogen sources. Mycoparasitic ability was not affected by knocking out euknr as a tested transformant readily parasitized Blumeria graminis and Podosphaera xanthii colonies on barley and cucumber, respectively, and the rate of mycoparasitism did not differ from the wild type. These results indicate that euknr is not involved in mycoparasitism. Dissimilatory processes, involvement in nitric oxide metabolism, or other, yet undiscovered processes may explain why a functional euknr is maintained in Ampelomyces.
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Ding J, Frantzeskos A, Orozco G. Functional interrogation of autoimmune disease genetics using CRISPR/Cas9 technologies and massively parallel reporter assays. Semin Immunopathol 2021. [PMID: 34508276 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00887-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic studies, including genome-wide association studies, have identified many common variants that are associated with autoimmune diseases. Strikingly, in addition to being frequently observed in healthy individuals, a number of these variants are shared across diseases with diverse clinical presentations. This highlights the potential for improved autoimmune disease understanding which could be achieved by characterising the mechanism by which variants lead to increased risk of disease. Of particular interest is the potential for identifying novel drug targets or of repositioning drugs currently used in other diseases. The majority of autoimmune disease variants do not alter coding regions and it is often difficult to generate a plausible hypothetical mechanism by which variants affect disease-relevant genes and pathways. Given the interest in this area, considerable effort has been invested in developing and applying appropriate methodologies. Two of the most important technologies in this space include both low- and high-throughput genomic perturbation using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and massively parallel reporter assays. In this review, we introduce the field of autoimmune disease functional genomics and use numerous examples to demonstrate the recent and potential future impact of these technologies.
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Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes threaten food security in the developed and developing world. This review looks at the field through a wide lens, aiming to capture a breadth of recent landmark achievements that have changed our understanding of plant-nematode interactions in particular, and plant pathology in general. It recognises the importance of expanding existing paradigms in plant-pathology to encompass plant-nematode interactions and, at the same time, celebrates achievements that build on the uniqueness of the system. It highlights emerging areas of plant nematology. Finally, it argues that the accelerated progress of recent years is prophetic, and that cumulative advances in our understanding, coupled with technological advances in genetic engineering of plants and nematodes, promise to lift perennial constraints on the field and thereby further expedite progress.
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10
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So RWL, Chung SW, Lau HHC, Watts JJ, Gaudette E, Al-Azzawi ZAM, Bishay J, Lin LTW, Joung J, Wang X, Schmitt-Ulms G. Application of CRISPR genetic screens to investigate neurological diseases. Mol Neurodegener 2019; 14:41. [PMID: 31727120 PMCID: PMC6857349 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-019-0343-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoption of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for functional genetic screens has been a transformative advance. Due to its modular nature, this technology can be customized to address a myriad of questions. To date, pooled, genome-scale studies have uncovered genes responsible for survival, proliferation, drug resistance, viral susceptibility, and many other functions. The technology has even been applied to the functional interrogation of the non-coding genome. However, applications of this technology to neurological diseases remain scarce. This shortfall motivated the assembly of a review that will hopefully help researchers moving in this direction find their footing. The emphasis here will be on design considerations and concepts underlying this methodology. We will highlight groundbreaking studies in the CRISPR-Cas9 functional genetics field and discuss strengths and limitations of this technology for neurological disease applications. Finally, we will provide practical guidance on navigating the many choices that need to be made when implementing a CRISPR-Cas9 functional genetic screen for the study of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaella W L So
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Sai Wai Chung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Heather H C Lau
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Jeremy J Watts
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Erin Gaudette
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Zaid A M Al-Azzawi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jossana Bishay
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lilian Tsai-Wei Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Julia Joung
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Science, and McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Xinzhu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada. .,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
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11
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Duarte RR, Bachtel ND, Côtel MC, Lee SH, Selvackadunco S, Watson IA, Hovsepian GA, Troakes C, Breen GD, Nixon DF, Murray RM, Bray NJ, Eleftherianos I, Vernon AC, Powell TR, Srivastava DP. The Psychiatric Risk Gene NT5C2 Regulates Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling and Protein Translation in Human Neural Progenitor Cells. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:120-130. [PMID: 31097295 PMCID: PMC6614717 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 5'-nucleotidase, cytosolic II gene (NT5C2, cN-II) is associated with disorders characterized by psychiatric and psychomotor disturbances. Common psychiatric risk alleles at the NT5C2 locus reduce expression of this gene in the fetal and adult brain, but downstream biological risk mechanisms remain elusive. METHODS Distribution of the NT5C2 protein in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cortical human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) was determined using immunostaining, publicly available expression data, and reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Phosphorylation quantification of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha (Thr172) and ribosomal protein S6 (Ser235/Ser236) was performed using Western blotting to infer the degree of activation of AMPK signaling and the rate of protein translation. Knockdowns were induced in hNPCs and Drosophila melanogaster using RNA interference. Transcriptomic profiling of hNPCs was performed using microarrays, and motility behavior was assessed in flies using the climbing assay. RESULTS Expression of NT5C2 was higher during neurodevelopment and was neuronally enriched in the adult human cortex. Knockdown in hNPCs affected AMPK signaling, a major nutrient-sensing mechanism involved in energy homeostasis, and protein translation. Transcriptional changes implicated in protein translation were observed in knockdown hNPCs, and expression changes to genes related to AMPK signaling and protein translation were confirmed using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The knockdown in Drosophila was associated with drastic climbing impairment. CONCLUSIONS We provide an extensive neurobiological characterization of the psychiatric risk gene NT5C2, describing its previously unknown role in the regulation of AMPK signaling and protein translation in neural stem cells and its association with Drosophila melanogaster motility behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo R.R. Duarte
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathaniel D. Bachtel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Marie-Caroline Côtel
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sang H. Lee
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sashika Selvackadunco
- Medical Research Council London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iain A. Watson
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gary A. Hovsepian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Claire Troakes
- Medical Research Council London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerome D. Breen
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas F. Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Robin M. Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Bray
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Anthony C. Vernon
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy R. Powell
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Address correspondence to Deepak P. Srivastava, Ph.D., Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX, United Kingdom.
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) confers up to a 50-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and African Americans with SLE experience accelerated damage accrual and doubled cardiovascular risk when compared to their European American counterparts. RECENT FINDINGS Genome-wide association studies have identified a substantial signal at 22q13, now assigned to variation at apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), which has associated with progressive nondiabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and many immune-associated renal diseases, including lupus nephritis. We contend that alterations in crucial APOL1 intracellular pathways may underpin associated disease states based on structure-functional differences between variant and ancestral forms. While ancestral APOL1 may be a key driver of autophagy, nonconserved primary structure changes result in a toxic gain of function with attenuation of autophagy and an unsupervised pore-forming feature. Thus, the divergent intracellular biological pathways of ancestral and variant APOL1 may explain a worsened prognosis as demonstrated in SLE.
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13
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Park HR, Oh R, Wagner P, Panganiban R, Lu Q. New Insights Into Cellular Stress Responses to Environmental Metal Toxicants. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2016; 331:55-82. [PMID: 28325215 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Exposures to metal toxicants in the environment disrupt normal physiological functions and have been linked to the development of a myriad of human diseases. While the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metal toxicities remain to be fully understood, it is well appreciated that metal toxicants induce cellular stresses and that how cells respond to the stresses plays an important role in metal toxicity. In this review, we focus on how metal exposures induce stresses in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to elicit the unfolded protein response (UPR). We document the emerging evidence that induction of ER stress and UPR in the development of human diseases is associated with metal exposures. We also discuss the role of the interplay between ER stress and oxidative stress in metal toxicity. Finally, we review recent advances in functional genomics approaches and discuss how applications of these new tools could help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular stresses induced by environmental metal toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-R Park
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - R Oh
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - P Wagner
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - R Panganiban
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Q Lu
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
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14
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Estruch SB, Graham SA, Chinnappa SM, Deriziotis P, Fisher SE. Functional characterization of rare FOXP2 variants in neurodevelopmental disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:44. [PMID: 27933109 PMCID: PMC5126810 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous disruption of FOXP2 causes a rare form of speech and language impairment. Screens of the FOXP2 sequence in individuals with speech/language-related disorders have identified several rare protein-altering variants, but their phenotypic relevance is often unclear. FOXP2 encodes a transcription factor with a forkhead box DNA-binding domain, but little is known about the functions of protein regions outside this domain. Methods We performed detailed functional analyses of seven rare FOXP2 variants found in affected cases, including three which have not been previously characterized, testing intracellular localization, transcriptional regulation, dimerization, and interaction with other proteins. To shed further light on molecular functions of FOXP2, we characterized the interaction between this transcription factor and co-repressor proteins of the C-terminal binding protein (CTBP) family. Finally, we analysed the functional significance of the polyglutamine tracts in FOXP2, since tract length variations have been reported in cases of neurodevelopmental disorder. Results We confirmed etiological roles of multiple FOXP2 variants. Of three variants that have been suggested to cause speech/language disorder, but never before been characterized, only one showed functional effects. For the other two, we found no effects on protein function in any assays, suggesting that they are incidental to the phenotype. We identified a CTBP-binding region within the N-terminal portion of FOXP2. This region includes two amino acid substitutions that occurred on the human lineage following the split from chimpanzees. However, we did not observe any effects of these amino acid changes on CTBP binding or other core aspects of FOXP2 function. Finally, we found that FOXP2 variants with reduced polyglutamine tracts did not exhibit altered behaviour in cellular assays, indicating that such tracts are non-essential for core aspects of FOXP2 function, and that tract variation is unlikely to be a highly penetrant cause of speech/language disorder. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of functional characterization of novel rare variants in FOXP2 in assessing the contribution of such variants to speech/language disorder and provide further insights into the molecular function of the FOXP2 protein. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Estruch
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah A Graham
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Swathi M Chinnappa
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Pelagia Deriziotis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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15
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Panach L, Pineda B, Mifsut D, Tarín JJ, Cano A, García-Pérez MÁ. The role of CD40 and CD40L in bone mineral density and in osteoporosis risk: A genetic and functional study. Bone 2016; 83:94-103. [PMID: 26545336 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Compelling data are revealing that the CD40/CD40L system is involved in bone metabolism. Furthermore, we have previously demonstrated that polymorphisms in both genes are associated with bone phenotypes. The aim of this study is to further characterize this association and to identify the causal functional mechanism. We conducted an association study of BMD with 15 SNPs in CD40/CD40L genes in a population of 779 women. In addition, we assessed the functionality of this association through the study of the allele-dependent expression of CD40 and CD40L in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and in human osteoblasts (OBs) obtained from bone explants by qPCR and by sequencing. When an allelic imbalance (AI) was detected, studies on allele-dependent in vitro transcription rate and on CpG methylation in the gene promoter were also performed. Our results confirm the genetic association between SNP rs116535 (T>C) of CD40L gene with LS-BMD. Regarding CD40 gene, two SNPs showed nominal P-values<0.05 for FN- and LS-BMD (Z-scores), although the association was not significant after correcting for multiple testing. Homozygous TT women for SNP rs1883832 (C>T) of CD40 gene showed a trend to have lower levels of OPG (Q-value=0.059), especially when women of BMD-quartile ends were selected (P<0.05). Regarding functionality, we detected an AI for rs1883832 with the C allele the most expressed in OBs and in PBLs. Since the rs116535 of CD40L gene did not show AI, it was not further analyzed. Finally, we described a differential methylation of CpGs in the CD40 promoter among women of high in comparison to low BMD. Our results suggest that the CD40/CD40L system plays a role in regulating BMD. Effectively, our data suggest that a decreased production of OPG could be the cause of the lower BMD observed in TT women for rs1883832 of the CD40 gene and that the degree of methylation of CpGs in the CD40 promoter could contribute to the acquisition of BMD. One possibility that deserves further study is whether the degree of methylation of the CD40 gene affects the level of CD40 expression and, consequently, the level of OPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Panach
- Research Foundation, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Pineda
- Research Foundation, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Damián Mifsut
- Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinic Hospital, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J Tarín
- Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Antonio Cano
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel García-Pérez
- Research Foundation, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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16
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Abstract
Functional genomic screens using shRNA technology are a great tool in biomedical research. As more labs gain access to the necessary reagents and technology to perform such screens, some may lack in-depth knowledge on the difficulties often encountered. With this protocol, we aim to point out the most important caveats of performing shRNA based screens and provide a streamlined workflow that can be easily adapted to meet the specific needs of any particular screening project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Jastrzebski
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan Evers
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick L Beijersbergen
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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17
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Tajan M, de Rocca Serra A, Valet P, Edouard T, Yart A. SHP2 sails from physiology to pathology. Eur J Med Genet 2015; 58:509-25. [PMID: 26341048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the two past decades, mutations of the PTPN11 gene, encoding the ubiquitous protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 (SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2), have been identified as the causal factor of several developmental diseases (Noonan syndrome (NS), Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NS-ML), and metachondromatosis), and malignancies (juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia). SHP2 plays essential physiological functions in organism development and homeostasis maintenance by regulating fundamental intracellular signaling pathways in response to a wide range of growth factors and hormones, notably the pleiotropic Ras/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and the Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase (PI3K)/AKT cascades. Analysis of the biochemical impacts of PTPN11 mutations first identified both loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations, as well as more subtle defects, highlighting the major pathophysiological consequences of SHP2 dysregulation. Then, functional genetic studies provided insights into the molecular dysregulations that link SHP2 mutants to the development of specific traits of the diseases, paving the way for the design of specific therapies for affected patients. In this review, we first provide an overview of SHP2's structure and regulation, then describe its molecular roles, notably its functions in modulating the Ras/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and its physiological roles in organism development and homeostasis. In the second part, we describe the different PTPN11 mutation-associated pathologies and their clinical manifestations, with particular focus on the biochemical and signaling outcomes of NS and NS-ML-associated mutations, and on the recent advances regarding the pathophysiology of these diseases.
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18
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Recke A, Vidarsson G, Ludwig RJ, Freitag M, Möller S, Vonthein R, Schellenberger J, Haase O, Görg S, Nebel A, Flachsbart F, Schreiber S, Lieb W, Gläser R, Benoit S, Sárdy M, Eming R, Hertl M, Zillikens D, König IR, Schmidt E, Ibrahim S; German AIBD Genetic Study Group. Allelic and copy-number variations of FcγRs affect granulocyte function and susceptibility for autoimmune blistering diseases. J Autoimmun 2015; 61:36-44. [PMID: 26032265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Low-affinity Fcγ receptors (FcγR) bridge innate and adaptive immune responses. In many autoimmune diseases, these receptors act as key mediators of the pathogenic effects of autoantibodies. Genes encoding FcγR exhibit frequent variations in sequence and gene copy number that influence their functional properties. FcγR variations also affect the susceptibility to systemic autoimmunity, e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. This raises the question whether FcγR variations are also associated with organ-specific autoimmunity, particularly autoantibody-mediated diseases, such as subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD). A multitude of evidence suggests a pathogenic role of neutrophil granulocyte interaction with autoantibodies via FcγR. In a two-stage study, we analyzed whether the FcγR genotype affects neutrophil function and mRNA expression, and consequently, bullous pemphigoid (BP) disease risk. We compared this to findings in pemphigus vulgaris/foliaceus (PV/PF), two Fc-independent AIBDs. Our results indicate that both allele and copy number variation of FcγR genes affect FcγR mRNA expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release by granulocytes. Susceptibility of BP was associated with FcγR genotypes that led to a decreased ROS release by neutrophils, indicating an unexpected protective role for these cells. BP and PV/PF differed substantially regarding the FcγR genotype association patterns, pointing towards different disease etiologies.
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19
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Benton MA, Akam M, Pavlopoulos A. Cell and tissue dynamics during Tribolium embryogenesis revealed by versatile fluorescence labeling approaches. Development 2013; 140:3210-20. [PMID: 23861059 PMCID: PMC3930475 DOI: 10.1242/dev.096271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Studies on new arthropod models such as the beetle Tribolium castaneum are shifting our knowledge of embryonic patterning and morphogenesis beyond the Drosophila paradigm. In contrast to Drosophila, Tribolium embryos exhibit the short-germ type of development and become enveloped by extensive extra-embryonic membranes, the amnion and serosa. The genetic basis of these processes has been the focus of active research. Here, we complement genetic approaches with live fluorescence imaging of Tribolium embryos to make the link between gene function and morphogenetic cell behaviors during blastoderm formation and differentiation, germband condensation and elongation, and extra-embryonic development. We first show that transient labeling methods result in strong, homogeneous and persistent expression of fluorescent markers in Tribolium embryos, labeling the chromatin, membrane, cytoskeleton or combinations thereof. We then use co-injection of fluorescent markers with dsRNA for live imaging of embryos with disrupted caudal gene function caused by RNA interference. Using these approaches, we describe and compare cell and tissue dynamics in Tribolium embryos with wild-type and altered fate maps. We find that Tribolium germband condensation is effected by cell contraction and intercalation, with the latter being dependent on the anterior-posterior patterning system. We propose that germband condensation drives initiation of amnion folding, whereas expansion of the amniotic fold and closure of the amniotic cavity are likely driven by contraction of an actomyosin cable at the boundary between the amnion and serosa. Our methodology provides a comprehensive framework for testing quantitative models of patterning, growth and morphogenetic mechanisms in Tribolium and other arthropod species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Benton
- Laboratory for Development and Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
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20
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Coutinho MF, Bourbon M, Prata MJ, Alves S. Sortilin and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Rev Port Cardiol 2013; 32:793-9. [PMID: 23910371 DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are a key determinant of the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is why many studies have attempted to elucidate the pathways that regulate its metabolism. Novel latest-generation sequencing techniques have identified a strong association between the 1p13 locus and the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by changes in plasma LDL-C levels. As expected for a complex phenotype, the effects of variation in this locus are only moderate. Even so, knowledge of the association is of major importance, since it has unveiled a new metabolic pathway regulating plasma cholesterol levels. Crucial to this discovery was the work of three independent teams seeking to clarify the biological basis of this association, who succeeded in proving that SORT1, encoding sortilin, was the gene in the 1p13 locus involved in LDL metabolism. SORT1 was the first gene identified as determining plasma LDL levels to be mechanistically evaluated and, although the three teams used different, though appropriate, experimental methods, their results were in some ways contradictory. Here we review all the experiments that led to the identification of the new pathway connecting sortilin with plasma LDL levels and risk of myocardial infarction. The regulatory mechanism underlying this association remains unclear, but its discovery has paved the way for considering previously unsuspected therapeutic targets and approaches.
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