1
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Wang Y, Ke Z, Li Y, Qiu M, Liu J, Yang Z, Wen S, Liang M, Chen S. De novo variants of IRF2BPL result in developmental epileptic disorder. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:121. [PMID: 38481258 PMCID: PMC10938665 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic variants of the IRF2BPL gene have been reported to cause neurodevelopmental disorders; however, studies focused on IRF2BPL in zebrafish are limited. RESULTS We reported three probands diagnosed with developmental delay and epilepsy and investigated the role of IRF2BPL in neurodevelopmental disorders in zebrafish. The clinical and genetic characteristics of three patients with neurodevelopmental disorder with regression, abnormal movements, loss of speech and seizures (NEDAMSS) were collected. Three de novo variants (NM_024496.4: c.1171 C > T, p.Arg391Cys; c.1157 C > T, p.Thr386Met; and c.273_307del, p.Ala92Thrfs*29) were detected and classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to ACMG guidelines. Zebrafish crispants with disruption of the ortholog gene irf2bpl demonstrated a reduced body length and spontaneous ictal-like and interictal-like discharges in an electrophysiology study. After their spasms were controlled, they gain some development improvements. CONCLUSION We contribute two new pathogenic variants for IRF2BPL related developmental epileptic disorder which provided evidences for genetic counseling. In zebrafish model, we for the first time confirm that disruption of irf2bpl could introduce spontaneous electrographic seizures which mimics key phenotypes in human patients. Our follow-up results suggest that timely cessation of spasmodic seizures can improve the patient's neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, 350001, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Zhongling Ke
- Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, 350001, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yufen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, 276003, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Mingqi Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, 350001, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Cipher Gene LLC, 100089, Beijing, China
| | | | - Shu Wen
- Cipher Gene LLC, 100089, Beijing, China
| | | | - Shan Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, 350001, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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2
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Gardella E, Michelucci R, Christensen HM, Fenger CD, Reale C, Riguzzi P, Pasini E, Albini-Riccioli L, Papa V, Foschini MP, Cenacchi G, Furia F, Marjanovic D, Hammer TB, Møller RS, Rubboli G. IRF2BPL as a novel causative gene for progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:e170-e176. [PMID: 37114479 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
IRF2BPL has recently been described as a novel cause of neurodevelopmental disorders with multisystemic regression, epilepsy, cerebellar symptoms, dysphagia, dystonia, and pyramidal signs. We describe a novel IRF2BPL phenotype consistent with progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) in three novel subjects and review the features of the 31 subjects with IRF2BPL-related disorders previously reported. Our three probands, aged 28-40 years, harbored de novo nonsense variants in IRF2BPL (c.370C > T, p.[Gln124*] and c.364C > T; p.[Gln122*], respectively). From late childhood/adolescence, they presented with severe myoclonus epilepsy, stimulus-sensitive myoclonus, and progressive cognitive, speech, and cerebellar impairment, consistent with a typical PME syndrome. The skin biopsy revealed massive intracellular glycogen inclusions in one proband, suggesting a similar pathogenic pathway to other storage disorders. Whereas the two older probands were severely affected, the younger proband had a milder PME phenotype, partially overlapping with some of the previously reported IRF2BPL cases, suggesting that some of them might be unrecognized PME. Interestingly, all three patients harbored protein-truncating variants clustered in a proximal, highly conserved gene region around the "coiled-coil" domain. Our data show that PME can be an additional phenotype within the spectrum of IRF2BPL-related disorders and suggest IRF2BPL as a novel causative gene for PME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gardella
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- European Reference Network for Rare and Complex epilepsies (ERN) EpiCARE, University Hospitals of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Roberto Michelucci
- IRCCS-Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Christina D Fenger
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Chiara Reale
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Patrizia Riguzzi
- IRCCS-Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Pasini
- IRCCS-Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Albini-Riccioli
- IRCCS-Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neuroradiology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maria Pia Foschini
- Unit of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cenacchi
- DIBINEM, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Furia
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Trine B Hammer
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- European Reference Network for Rare and Complex epilepsies (ERN) EpiCARE, University Hospitals of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Guido Rubboli
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- European Reference Network for Rare and Complex epilepsies (ERN) EpiCARE, University Hospitals of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Neurology, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Wang C, Zhou W, Zhang L, Fu L, Shi W, Qing Y, Lu F, Tang J, Gao X, Zhang A, Jia Z, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Zheng B. Diagnostic yield and novel candidate genes for neurodevelopmental disorders by exome sequencing in an unselected cohort with microcephaly. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:422. [PMID: 37501076 PMCID: PMC10373276 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09505-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Microcephaly is caused by reduced brain volume and most usually associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). To provide an overview of the diagnostic yield of whole exome sequencing (WES) and promote novel candidates in genetically unsolved families, we studied the clinical and genetic landscape of an unselected Chinese cohort of patients with microcephaly. METHODS We performed WES in an unselected cohort of 103 NDDs patients with microcephaly as one of the features. Full evaluation of potential novel candidate genes was applied in genetically undiagnosed families. Functional validations of selected variants were conducted in cultured cells. To augment the discovery of novel candidates, we queried our genomic sequencing data repository for additional likely disease-causing variants in the identified candidate genes. RESULTS In 65 families (63.1%), causative sequence variants (SVs) and clinically relevant copy number variants (CNVs) with a pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) level were identified. By incorporating coverage analysis to WES, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV was detected in 15 families (16/103, 15.5%). In another eight families (8/103, 7.8%), we identified variants in newly reported gene (CCND2) and potential novel neurodevelopmental disorders /microcephaly candidate genes, which involved in cell cycle and division (PWP2, CCND2), CDC42/RAC signaling related actin cytoskeletal organization (DOCK9, RHOF), neurogenesis (ELAVL3, PPP1R9B, KCNH3) and transcription regulation (IRF2BP1). By looking into our data repository of 5066 families with NDDs, we identified additional two cases with variants in DOCK9 and PPP1R9B, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results expand the morbid genome of monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders and support the adoption of WES as a first-tier test for individuals with microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luyan Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luhan Fu
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Qing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fen Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiucheng Gao
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaoke Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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4
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Horovitz DDG, de Faria Domingues de Lima MA, Pires LDC, Campos Araujo ADQ, Vargas FR. Neurological Phenotypes of IRF2BPL Gene Variants: A Report of Four Novel Variants. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2023; 15:11795735231181467. [PMID: 37346291 PMCID: PMC10280516 DOI: 10.1177/11795735231181467] [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] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
IRF2BPL gene variants have recently been associated to developmental disability and epilepsy in children and movement disorders in adults. So far, only few cases have been reported; here we present four novel cases identified by exome sequencing, while investigating developmental delay, adult-onset cerebellar ataxia or regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Dain Gandelman Horovitz
- Medical Genetics Department, Instituto Nacional de Saúde da
Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira/FIOCRUZ, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Abelardo de Queiroz Campos Araujo
- Associated Professor Neurology, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Researcher, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro
Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Regla Vargas
- Medical Genetics, Gaffrée and Guinle University
Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Department, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Epidemiology of congenital malformations
laboratory, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica
Populacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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5
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Sinha Ray S, Dutta D, Dennys C, Powers S, Roussel F, Lisowski P, Glažar P, Zhang X, Biswas P, Caporale JR, Rajewsky N, Bickle M, Wein N, Bellen HJ, Likhite S, Marcogliese PC, Meyer KC. Mechanisms of IRF2BPL-related disorders and identification of a potential therapeutic strategy. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111751. [PMID: 36476864 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered neurological disorder NEDAMSS is caused by heterozygous truncations in the transcriptional regulator IRF2BPL. Here, we reprogram patient skin fibroblasts to astrocytes and neurons to study mechanisms of this newly described disease. While full-length IRF2BPL primarily localizes to the nucleus, truncated patient variants sequester the wild-type protein to the cytoplasm and cause aggregation. Moreover, patient astrocytes fail to support neuronal survival in coculture and exhibit aberrant mitochondria and respiratory dysfunction. Treatment with the small molecule copper ATSM (CuATSM) rescues neuronal survival and restores mitochondrial function. Importantly, the in vitro findings are recapitulated in vivo, where co-expression of full-length and truncated IRF2BPL in Drosophila results in cytoplasmic accumulation of full-length IRF2BPL. Moreover, flies harboring heterozygous truncations of the IRF2BPL ortholog (Pits) display progressive motor defects that are ameliorated by CuATSM treatment. Our findings provide insights into mechanisms involved in NEDAMSS and reveal a promising treatment for this severe disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrestha Sinha Ray
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Debdeep Dutta
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cassandra Dennys
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Samantha Powers
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Florence Roussel
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pawel Lisowski
- The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Petar Glažar
- The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pipasha Biswas
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joseph R Caporale
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Bickle
- Roche Institute for Translational Bioengineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Wein
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shibi Likhite
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kathrin C Meyer
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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6
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Pisano S, Melis M, Figorilli M, Polizzi L, Rocchi L, Giglio S, Defazio G, Muroni A. Neurological Phenomenology of the IRF2BPL Mutation Syndrome: Analysis of a New Case and Systematic Review of the Literature. Seizure 2022; 99:12-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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7
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Marcogliese PC, Dutta D, Ray SS, Dang NDP, Zuo Z, Wang Y, Lu D, Fazal F, Ravenscroft TA, Chung H, Kanca O, Wan J, Douine ED, Network UD, Pena LDM, Yamamoto S, Nelson SF, Might M, Meyer KC, Yeo NC, Bellen HJ. Loss of IRF2BPL impairs neuronal maintenance through excess Wnt signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl5613. [PMID: 35044823 PMCID: PMC8769555 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl5613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
De novo truncations in Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 Binding Protein Like (IRF2BPL) lead to severe childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. To determine how loss of IRF2BPL causes neural dysfunction, we examined its function in Drosophila and zebrafish. Overexpression of either IRF2BPL or Pits, the Drosophila ortholog, represses Wnt transcription in flies. In contrast, neuronal depletion of Pits leads to increased wingless (wg) levels in the brain and is associated with axonal loss, whereas inhibition of Wg signaling is neuroprotective. Moreover, increased neuronal expression of wg in flies is sufficient to cause age-dependent axonal loss, similar to reduction of Pits. Loss of irf2bpl in zebrafish also causes neurological defects with an associated increase in wnt1 transcription and downstream signaling. WNT1 is also increased in patient-derived astrocytes, and pharmacological inhibition of Wnt suppresses the neurological phenotypes. Last, IRF2BPL and the Wnt antagonist, CKIα, physically and genetically interact, showing that IRF2BPL and CkIα antagonize Wnt transcription and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Debdeep Dutta
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shrestha Sinha Ray
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Nghi D. P. Dang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuchun Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fatima Fazal
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas A. Ravenscroft
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hyunglok Chung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - JiJun Wan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Emilie D. Douine
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Undiagnosed Diseases Network
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Precision Medicine Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Loren D. M. Pena
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stanley F. Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew Might
- Precision Medicine Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kathrin C. Meyer
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Nan Cher Yeo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Precision Medicine Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Hugo J. Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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8
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Qian XH, Liu XY, Zhu ZY, Wang SG, Song XX, Chen G, Wu JY, Tang HD, Cao L. Neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a truncating de novo variant of IRF2BPL. Seizure 2020; 84:47-52. [PMID: 33278788 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the IRF2BPL gene can cause neurodevelopmental disorders. We describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of a Chinese patient with a novel abnormality in this gene, explore the potential pathogenic mechanism and summarize the clinical characteristics of 25 patients with IRF2BPL mutations. METHODS We identified the gene mutation sites by whole-exome and Sanger sequencing. The protein-protein interaction network of the IRF2BPL gene was constructed using bioinformatic techniques, and its function was enriched. We conducted a functional experiment to explore the potential pathogenicity of the identified IRF2BPL gene mutation. RESULTS An 8-year-old girl presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, including involuntary tremor and slurred speech. Electroencephalography and electromyography revealed no abnormalities. Structural cranial MRI was also normal, but genetic analysis identified a truncating de novo variant in IRF2BPL. Bioinformatics predicted that IRF2BPL would be associated with IRF2 and 10 other genes and involved in ubiquitin binding and other pathways. The cellular location of IRF2BPL was altered, and compared to control cells, the level of ubiquitinated proteins was significantly decreased in cells harbouring the mutation. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified a truncating de novo variant of IRF2BPL as a causative gene in the neurodevelopmental disorder of a Chinese girl. Impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway caused by this IRF2BPL mutation may play an important role in this neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hang Qian
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xiao-Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Ze-Yu Zhu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Shi-Ge Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xiao-Xuan Song
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Jing-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Hui-Dong Tang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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A novel IRF2BPL truncating variant is associated with endolysosomal storage. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:711-714. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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10
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Mancini A, Howard SR, Cabrera CP, Barnes MR, David A, Wehkalampi K, Heger S, Lomniczi A, Guasti L, Ojeda SR, Dunkel L. EAP1 regulation of GnRH promoter activity is important for human pubertal timing. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1357-1368. [PMID: 30608578 PMCID: PMC6452208 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The initiation of puberty is orchestrated by an augmentation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from a few thousand hypothalamic neurons. Recent findings have indicated that the neuroendocrine control of puberty may be regulated by a hierarchically organized network of transcriptional factors acting upstream of GnRH. These include enhanced at puberty 1 (EAP1), which contributes to the initiation of female puberty through transactivation of the GnRH promoter. However, no EAP1 mutations have been found in humans with disorders of pubertal timing. We performed whole-exome sequencing in 67 probands and 93 relatives from a large cohort of familial self-limited delayed puberty (DP). Variants were analyzed for rare, potentially pathogenic variants enriched in case versus controls and relevant to the biological control of puberty. We identified one in-frame deletion (Ala221del) and one rare missense variant (Asn770His) in EAP1 in two unrelated families; these variants were highly conserved and potentially pathogenic. Expression studies revealed Eap1 mRNA abundance in peri-pubertal mouse hypothalamus. EAP1 binding to the GnRH1 promoter increased in monkey hypothalamus at the onset of puberty as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Using a luciferase reporter assay, EAP1 mutants showed a reduced ability to trans-activate the GnRH promoter compared to wild-type EAP1, due to reduced protein levels caused by the Ala221del mutation and subcellular mislocation caused by the Asn770His mutation, as revealed by western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. In conclusion, we have identified the first EAP1 mutations leading to reduced GnRH transcriptional activity resulting in a phenotype of self-limited DP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mancini
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sasha R Howard
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Claudia P Cabrera
- Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michael R Barnes
- Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alessia David
- Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Karoliina Wehkalampi
- Children’s Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sabine Heger
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital Auf der Bult, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alejandro Lomniczi
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Leonardo Guasti
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sergio R Ojeda
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Leo Dunkel
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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11
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Marcogliese PC, Shashi V, Spillmann RC, Stong N, Rosenfeld JA, Koenig MK, Martínez-Agosto JA, Herzog M, Chen AH, Dickson PI, Lin HJ, Vera MU, Salamon N, Graham JM, Ortiz D, Infante E, Steyaert W, Dermaut B, Poppe B, Chung HL, Zuo Z, Lee PT, Kanca O, Xia F, Yang Y, Smith EC, Jasien J, Kansagra S, Spiridigliozzi G, El-Dairi M, Lark R, Riley K, Koeberl DD, Golden-Grant K, Yamamoto S, Wangler MF, Mirzaa G, Hemelsoet D, Lee B, Nelson SF, Goldstein DB, Bellen HJ, Pena LDM. IRF2BPL Is Associated with Neurological Phenotypes. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:245-260. [PMID: 30057031 PMCID: PMC6081494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 2 binding protein-like (IRF2BPL) encodes a member of the IRF2BP family of transcriptional regulators. Currently the biological function of this gene is obscure, and the gene has not been associated with a Mendelian disease. Here we describe seven individuals who carry damaging heterozygous variants in IRF2BPL and are affected with neurological symptoms. Five individuals who carry IRF2BPL nonsense variants resulting in a premature stop codon display severe neurodevelopmental regression, hypotonia, progressive ataxia, seizures, and a lack of coordination. Two additional individuals, both with missense variants, display global developmental delay and seizures and a relatively milder phenotype than those with nonsense alleles. The IRF2BPL bioinformatics signature based on population genomics is consistent with a gene that is intolerant to variation. We show that the fruit-fly IRF2BPL ortholog, called pits (protein interacting with Ttk69 and Sin3A), is broadly detected, including in the nervous system. Complete loss of pits is lethal early in development, whereas partial knockdown with RNA interference in neurons leads to neurodegeneration, revealing a requirement for this gene in proper neuronal function and maintenance. The identified IRF2BPL nonsense variants behave as severe loss-of-function alleles in this model organism, and ectopic expression of the missense variants leads to a range of phenotypes. Taken together, our results show that IRF2BPL and pits are required in the nervous system in humans and flies, and their loss leads to a range of neurological phenotypes in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vandana Shashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rebecca C Spillmann
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nicholas Stong
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary Kay Koenig
- Division of Child & Adolescent Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Julián A Martínez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew Herzog
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Agnes H Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Patricia I Dickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Henry J Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Moin U Vera
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Noriko Salamon
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - John M Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Damara Ortiz
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Elena Infante
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Wouter Steyaert
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Dermaut
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruce Poppe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hyung-Lok Chung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pei-Tseng Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yaping Yang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Edward C Smith
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joan Jasien
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sujay Kansagra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gail Spiridigliozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mays El-Dairi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert Lark
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kacie Riley
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dwight D Koeberl
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Katie Golden-Grant
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ghayda Mirzaa
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Dimitri Hemelsoet
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Loren D M Pena
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Jorquera R, Ortiz R, Ossandon F, Cárdenas JP, Sepúlveda R, González C, Holmes DS. SinEx DB: a database for single exon coding sequences in mammalian genomes. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2016; 2016:baw095. [PMID: 27278816 PMCID: PMC4897596 DOI: 10.1093/database/baw095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genes are typically interrupted by intragenic, noncoding sequences termed introns. However, some genes lack introns in their coding sequence (CDS) and are generally known as 'single exon genes' (SEGs). In this work, a SEG is defined as a nuclear, protein-coding gene that lacks introns in its CDS. Whereas, many public databases of Eukaryotic multi-exon genes are available, there are only two specialized databases for SEGs. The present work addresses the need for a more extensive and diverse database by creating SinEx DB, a publicly available, searchable database of predicted SEGs from 10 completely sequenced mammalian genomes including human. SinEx DB houses the DNA and protein sequence information of these SEGs and includes their functional predictions (KOG) and the relative distribution of these functions within species. The information is stored in a relational database built with My SQL Server 5.1.33 and the complete dataset of SEG sequences and their functional predictions are available for downloading. SinEx DB can be interrogated by: (i) a browsable phylogenetic schema, (ii) carrying out BLAST searches to the in-house SinEx DB of SEGs and (iii) via an advanced search mode in which the database can be searched by key words and any combination of searches by species and predicted functions. SinEx DB provides a rich source of information for advancing our understanding of the evolution and function of SEGs.Database URL: www.sinex.cl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roddy Jorquera
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Ortiz
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - F Ossandon
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Cárdenas
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rene Sepúlveda
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina González
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
| | - David S Holmes
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundacion Ciencia & Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Avda Zañartu 1482, Santiago, Chile
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13
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Cukier P, Wright H, Rulfs T, Silveira LFG, Teles MG, Mendonca BB, Arnhold IJP, Heger S, Latronico AC, Ojeda SR, Brito VN. Molecular and gene network analysis of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) and enhanced at puberty (EAP1) genes in patients with GnRH-dependent pubertal disorders. Horm Res Paediatr 2014; 80:257-66. [PMID: 24051510 DOI: 10.1159/000354643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM TTF1 and EAP1 are transcription factors that modulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone expression. We investigated the contribution of TTF1 and EAP1 genes to central pubertal disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS 133 patients with central pubertal disorders were studied: 86 with central precocious puberty and 47 with normosmic isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The coding region of TTF1 and EAP1 were sequenced. Variations of polyglutamine and polyalanine repeats in EAP1 were analyzed by GeneScan software. Association of TTF1 and EAP1 to genes implicated in timing of puberty was investigated by meta-network framework GeneMANIA and Cytoscape software. RESULTS Direct sequencing of the TTF1 did not reveal any mutation or polymorphisms. Four EAP1 synonymous variants were identified with similar frequencies among groups. The most common EAP1 5'-distal polyalanine genotype was the homozygous 12/12, but the genotype 12/9 was identified in 2 central precocious puberty sisters without functional alteration in EAP1 transcriptional activity. TTF1 and EAP1 were connected, via genetic networks, to genes implicated in the control of menarche. CONCLUSION No TTF1 or EAP1 germline mutations were associated with central pubertal disorders. TTF1 and EAP1 may affect puberty by changing expression in response to other members of puberty-associated gene networks, or by differentially affecting the expression of gene components of these networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Cukier
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Disciplina de Endocrinologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo e Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Lomniczi A, Wright H, Castellano JM, Sonmez K, Ojeda SR. A system biology approach to identify regulatory pathways underlying the neuroendocrine control of female puberty in rats and nonhuman primates. Horm Behav 2013; 64:175-86. [PMID: 23998662 PMCID: PMC3933372 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Puberty is a major developmental milestone controlled by the interaction of genetic factors and environmental cues of mostly metabolic and circadian nature. An increased pulsatile release of the decapeptide gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons is required for both the initiation and progression of the pubertal process. This increase is brought about by coordinated changes that occur in neuronal and glial networks associated with GnRH neurons. These changes ultimately result in increased neuronal and glial stimulatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network and a reduction of transsynaptic inhibitory influences. While some of the major players controlling pubertal GnRH secretion have been identified using gene-centric approaches, much less is known about the system-wide control of the overall process. Because the pubertal activation of GnRH release involves a diversity of cellular phenotypes, and a myriad of intracellular and cell-to-cell signaling molecules, it appears that the overall process is controlled by a highly coordinated and interactive regulatory system involving hundreds, if not thousands, of gene products. In this article we will discuss emerging evidence suggesting that these genes are arranged as functionally connected networks organized, both internally and across sub-networks, in a hierarchical fashion. According to this concept, the core of these networks is composed of transcriptional regulators that, by directing expression of downstream subordinate genes, provide both stability and coordination to the cellular networks involved in initiating the pubertal process. The integrative response of these gene networks to external inputs is postulated to be coordinated by epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lomniczi
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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15
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Characterization of the hamster genomic fragment cloned by TAR cloning technology with interspecific sequence information. Genes Genomics 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-012-0084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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Mueller JK, Koch I, Lomniczi A, Loche A, Rulfs T, Castellano JM, Kiess W, Ojeda S, Heger S. Transcription of the human EAP1 gene is regulated by upstream components of a puberty-controlling Tumor Suppressor Gene network. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 351:184-98. [PMID: 22209758 PMCID: PMC3288847 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian puberty is initiated by an increased pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from specialized neurons located in the hypothalamus. GnRH secretion is controlled by neuronal and glial networks, whose activity appears to be coordinated via transcriptional regulation. One of the transcription factors involved in this process is thought to be the recently described gene Enhanced at Puberty 1 (EAP1), which encodes a protein with dual transcriptional activity. In this study we used gene reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to examine the hypothesis that EAP1 expression is controlled by transcriptional regulators earlier postulated to serve as central nodes of a gene network involved in the neuroendocrine control of puberty. These regulators include Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 (TTF1), Yin Yang 1 (YY1), and CUX1, in addition to EAP1 itself. While TTF1 has been shown to facilitate the advent of puberty, YY1 (a zinc finger protein component of the Polycomb silencing complex) may play a repressive role. The precise role of CUX1 in this context is not known, but like EAP1, CUX1 can either activate or repress gene transcription. We observed that DNA segments of two different lengths (998 and 2744bp) derived from the 5'-flanking region of the human EAP1 gene display similar transcriptional activity. TTF1 stimulates transcription from both DNA segments with equal potency, whereas YY1, CUX1, and EAP1 itself, behave as transcriptional repressors. All four proteins are recruited in vivo to the EAP1 5'-flanking region. These observations suggest that EAP1 gene expression is under dual transcriptional regulation imposed by a trans-activator (TTF1) and two repressors (YY1 and CUX1) previously postulated to be upstream components of a puberty-controlling gene network. In addition, EAP1 itself appears to control its own expression via a negative auto-feedback loop mechanism. Further studies are needed to determine if the occupancy of the EAP1 promoter by these regulatory factors changes at the time of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K. Mueller
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ines Koch
- University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alejandro Lomniczi
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Sciences University, Oregon, USA
| | - Alberto Loche
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Sciences University, Oregon, USA
| | - Tomke Rulfs
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Juan M. Castellano
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Sciences University, Oregon, USA
| | - Wieland Kiess
- University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sergio Ojeda
- Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Sciences University, Oregon, USA
| | - Sabine Heger
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Children’s Hospital “Auf der Bult”, Hanover, Germany
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17
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Lomniczi A, Garcia-Rudaz C, Ramakrishnan R, Wilmot B, Khouangsathiene S, Ferguson B, Dissen GA, Ojeda SR. A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the EAP1 gene is associated with amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea in nonhuman primates. Endocrinology 2012; 153:339-49. [PMID: 22128021 PMCID: PMC3249686 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that the acquisition of female reproductive capacity and the maintenance of mature reproductive function are related processes transcriptionally regulated by gene networks operating within the neuroendocrine brain. One of these genes, termed enhanced at puberty 1 (EAP1), encodes an upstream regulator of these processes. Selective inhibition of EAP1 expression in discrete regions of the rat and nonhuman primate (NHP) hypothalamus, via targeted delivery of RNA interference, either disrupts (rats) or abolishes (monkeys) reproductive cycles. The striking loss of menstrual cyclicity resulting from knocking down hypothalamic EAP1 expression suggests that diminished EAP1 function may contribute to disorders of the menstrual cycle of neuroendocrine origin. Here we show that a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of EAP1 gene is associated with increased incidence of amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea in NHP. In the presence of the risk allele, binding of the transcription factor mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) to its recognition site contained within the polymorphic sequence in the monkey EAP1 promoter is reduced. The risk allele also diminishes the increase in EAP1 promoter activity elicited by TGFβ1, a peptide that activates a SMAD3/4-mediated signaling pathway to regulate gene transcription. These findings indicate that common genetic variation in the EAP1 locus increases the susceptibility of NHP to loss/disruption of menstrual cyclicity. They also raise the possibility that polymorphisms in EAP1 may increase the risk of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lomniczi
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Neuroscience, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA.
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18
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Ojeda SR, Lomniczi A, Loche A, Matagne V, Kaidar G, Sandau US, Dissen GA. The transcriptional control of female puberty. Brain Res 2010; 1364:164-74. [PMID: 20851111 PMCID: PMC2992593 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The initiation of mammalian puberty requires a sustained increase in pulsatile release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. This increase is brought about by coordinated changes in transsynaptic and glial-neuronal communication, consisting of an increase in neuronal and glial stimulatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network and the loss of transsynaptic inhibitory influences. GnRH secretion is stimulated by transsynaptic inputs provided by excitatory amino acids (glutamate) and at least one peptide (kisspeptin), and by glial inputs provided by growth factors and small bioactive molecules. The inhibitory input to GnRH neurons is mostly transsynaptic and provided by GABAergic and opiatergic neurons; however, GABA has also been shown to directly excite GnRH neurons. There are many genes involved in the control of these cellular networks, and hence in the control of the pubertal process as a whole. Our laboratory has proposed the concept that these genes are arranged in overlapping networks internally organized in a hierarchical fashion. According to this concept, the highest level of intra-network control is provided by transcriptional regulators that, by directing expression of key subordinate genes, impose genetic coordination to the neuronal and glial subsets involved in initiating the pubertal process. More recently, we have begun to explore the concept that a more dynamic and encompassing level of integrative coordination is provided by epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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Ojeda SR, Dubay C, Lomniczi A, Kaidar G, Matagne V, Sandau US, Dissen GA. Gene networks and the neuroendocrine regulation of puberty. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 324:3-11. [PMID: 20005919 PMCID: PMC2888991 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Revised: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A sustained increase in pulsatile release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus is an essential, final event that defines the initiation of mammalian puberty. This increase depends on coordinated changes in transsynaptic and glial-neuronal communication, consisting of activating neuronal and glial excitatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network and the loss of transsynaptic inhibitory tone. It is now clear that the prevalent excitatory systems stimulating GnRH secretion involve a neuronal component consisting of excitatory amino acids (glutamate) and at least one peptide (kisspeptin), and a glial component that uses growth factors and small molecules for cell-cell signaling. GABAergic and opiatergic neurons provide transsynaptic inhibitory control to the system, but GABA neurons also exert direct excitatory effects on GnRH neurons. The molecular mechanisms that provide encompassing coordination to this cellular network are not known, but they appear to involve a host of functionally related genes hierarchically arranged. We envision that, as observed in other gene networks, the highest level of control in this network is provided by transcriptional regulators that, by directing expression of key subordinate genes, impose an integrative level of coordination to the neuronal and glial subsets involved in initiating the pubertal process. The use of high-throughput and gene manipulation approaches coupled to systems biology strategies should provide not only the experimental bases supporting this concept, but also unveil the existence of crucial components of network control not yet identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon, Health & Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, USA.
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Matagne V, Mastronardi C, Shapiro RA, Dorsa DM, Ojeda SR. Hypothalamic expression of Eap1 is not directly controlled by ovarian steroids. Endocrinology 2009; 150:1870-8. [PMID: 19022886 PMCID: PMC2659281 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A gene termed EAP1 (enhanced at puberty 1) was recently identified as a transcriptional regulator of female neuroendocrine reproductive function. We have now used in vivo and in vitro assays, and the female rat as an animal model, to determine whether Eap1 gene expression is regulated by ovarian steroids. Eap1 mRNA abundance decreases in both the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex during the infantile-juvenile phases of development, but it increases selectively in the hypothalamus at puberty, suggesting that in contrast to the general decline in expression observed in immature animals, the region-specific increase in Eap1 mRNA levels that occurs at puberty might be elicited by ovarian steroids. This is, however, not the case, because hypothalamic Eap1 mRNA levels increase at the expected time of puberty in rats ovariectomized at the beginning of the juvenile period. Although a subpopulation of EAP1-containing cells in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic area express estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), the 5'-flanking region of the rat Eap1 (rEap1) gene does not contain a complete estrogen-responsive element, and no such estrogen-responsive element is detected within 100 kb of the rEap1 locus. Functional promoter assays showed that neither estradiol (E(2)) alone nor a combination of E(2) plus progesterone increases rEap1 gene transcription. Likewise, E(2) administered to ovariectomized immature rats elicited a robust surge of LH but increased neither preoptic area nor MBH Eap1 mRNA levels. E(2)/progesterone-treated rats showed a massive elevation in plasma LH but only a modest increase in Eap1 mRNA levels, limited to the MBH. These results indicate that hypothalamic Eap1 expression is not directly controlled by ovarian steroids and suggest that Eap1 expression increases at puberty driven by ovary-independent, centrally initiated events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Matagne
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA
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21
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Abstract
Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, catalyzing acetyl-CoA-dependent N- and O-acetylation reactions. All NATs have a conserved cysteine protease-like Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad inside their active site cleft. Other residues determine substrate specificity, while the C-terminus may control hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA during acetyltransfer. Prokaryotic NAT-like coding sequences are found in >30 bacterial genomes, including representatives of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Of special interest are the nat genes of TB-causing Mycobacteria, since their protein products inactivate the anti-tubercular drug isoniazid. Targeted inactivation of mycobacterial nat leads to impaired mycolic acid synthesis, cell wall damage and growth retardation. In eukaryotes, genes for NAT are found in the genomes of certain fungi and all examined vertebrates, with the exception of canids. Humans have two NAT isoenzymes, encoded by highly polymorphic genes on chromosome 8p22. Syntenic regions in rodent genomes harbour two Nat loci, which are functionally equivalent to the human NAT genes, as well as an adjacent third locus with no known function. Vertebrate genes for NAT invariably have a complex structure, with one or more non-coding exons located upstream of a single, intronless coding region. Ubiquitously expressed transcripts of human NAT1 and its orthologue, murine Nat2, are initiated from promoters with conserved Sp1 elements. However, in humans, additional tissue-specific NAT transcripts may be expressed from alternative promoters and subjected to differential splicing. Laboratory animals have been widely used as models to study the effects of NAT polymorphism. Recently generated knockout mice have normal phenotypes, suggesting no crucial endogenous role for NAT. However, these strains will be useful for understanding the involvement of NAT in carcinogenesis, an area extensively investigated by epidemiologists, often with ambiguous results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Boukouvala
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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Heger S, Mastronardi C, Dissen GA, Lomniczi A, Cabrera R, Roth CL, Jung H, Galimi F, Sippell W, Ojeda SR. Enhanced at puberty 1 (EAP1) is a new transcriptional regulator of the female neuroendocrine reproductive axis. J Clin Invest 2007; 117:2145-54. [PMID: 17627301 PMCID: PMC1906733 DOI: 10.1172/jci31752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2007] [Accepted: 04/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The initiation of mammalian puberty and the maintenance of female reproductive cycles are events controlled by hypothalamic neurons that secrete the decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH secretion is, in turn, controlled by changes in neuronal and glial inputs to GnRH-producing neurons. The hierarchical control of the process is unknown, but it requires coordinated regulation of these cell-cell interactions. Here we report the functional characterization of a gene (termed enhanced at puberty 1 [EAP1]) that appears to act as an upstream transcriptional regulator of neuronal networks controlling female reproductive function. EAP1 expression increased selectively at puberty in both the nonhuman primate and rodent hypothalamus. EAP1 encoded a nuclear protein expressed in neurons involved in the inhibitory and facilitatory control of reproduction. EAP1 transactivated genes required for reproductive function, such as GNRH1, and repressed inhibitory genes, such as preproenkephalin. It contained a RING finger domain of the C3HC4 subclass required for this dual transcriptional activity. Inhibition of EAP1 expression, targeted to the rodent hypothalamus via lentivirus-mediated delivery of EAP1 siRNAs, delayed puberty, disrupted estrous cyclicity, and resulted in ovarian abnormalities. These results suggest that EAP1 is a transcriptional regulator that, acting within the neuroendocrine brain, contributes to controlling female reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Heger
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Claudio Mastronardi
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gregory A. Dissen
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alejandro Lomniczi
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ricardo Cabrera
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian L. Roth
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Heike Jung
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Francesco Galimi
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippell
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sergio R. Ojeda
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Department of Biomedical Sciences/Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy.
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
Division of Pediatric Endrocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Scior T, Luna F, Koch W, Sánchez-Ruiz J. In silico analysis identifies a C3HC4-RING finger domain of a putative E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase located at the C-terminus of a polyglutamine-containing protein. Braz J Med Biol Res 2007. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2006005000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T. Scior
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, México
| | - F. Luna
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, México
| | - W. Koch
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores, México
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Ojeda SR, Roth C, Mungenast A, Heger S, Mastronardi C, Parent AS, Lomniczi A, Jung H. Neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling female puberty: new approaches, new concepts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 29:256-63; discussion 286-90. [PMID: 16466547 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00619.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sexual development and mature reproductive function are controlled by a handful of neurones that, located in the basal forebrain, produce the decapeptide luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). LHRH is released into the portal system that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland and act on the latter to stimulate the synthesis and release of gonadotrophin hormones. The pubertal activation of LHRH release requires coordinated changes in excitatory and inhibitory inputs to LHRH-secreting neurones. These inputs are provided by both transsynaptic and glia-to-neurone communication pathways. Using cellular and molecular approaches, in combination with transgenic animal models and high-throughput procedures for gene discovery, we are gaining new insight into the basic mechanisms underlying this dual control of LHRH secretion and, hence, the initiation of mammalian puberty. Our results suggest that the initiation of puberty requires reciprocal neurone-glia communication involving excitatory amino acids and growth factors, and the coordinated actions of a group of transcriptional regulators that appear to represent a higher level of control governing the pubertal process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon, Health & Science University, Beaverton, 97006, USA.
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25
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Ojeda SR, Lomniczi A, Mastronardi C, Heger S, Roth C, Parent AS, Matagne V, Mungenast AE. Minireview: the neuroendocrine regulation of puberty: is the time ripe for a systems biology approach? Endocrinology 2006; 147:1166-74. [PMID: 16373420 DOI: 10.1210/en.2005-1136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The initiation of mammalian puberty requires an increase in pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. This increase is brought about by coordinated changes in transsynaptic and glial-neuronal communication. As the neuronal and glial excitatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network increase, the transsynaptic inhibitory tone decreases, leading to the pubertal activation of GnRH secretion. The excitatory neuronal systems most prevalently involved in this process use glutamate and the peptide kisspeptin for neurotransmission/neuromodulation, whereas the most important inhibitory inputs are provided by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and opiatergic neurons. Glial cells, on the other hand, facilitate GnRH secretion via growth factor-dependent cell-cell signaling. Coordination of this regulatory neuronal-glial network may require a hierarchical arrangement. One level of coordination appears to be provided by a host of unrelated genes encoding proteins required for cell-cell communication. A second, but overlapping, level might be provided by a second tier of genes engaged in specific cell functions required for productive cell-cell interaction. A third and higher level of control involves the transcriptional regulation of these subordinate genes by a handful of upper echelon genes that, operating within the different neuronal and glial subsets required for the initiation of the pubertal process, sustain the functional integration of the network. The existence of functionally connected genes controlling the pubertal process is consistent with the concept that puberty is under genetic control and that the genetic underpinnings of both normal and deranged puberty are polygenic rather than specified by a single gene. The availability of improved high-throughput techniques and computational methods for global analysis of mRNAs and proteins will allow us to not only initiate the systematic identification of the different components of this neuroendocrine network but also to define their functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health and Science University, 505 Northwest 185th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA.
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26
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Sakharkar KR, Sakharkar MK, Culiat CT, Chow VTK, Pervaiz S. Functional and evolutionary analyses on expressed intronless genes in the mouse genome. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:1472-8. [PMID: 16469316 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.01.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2005] [Revised: 01/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/23/2006] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Using computational approaches we have identified 2017 expressed intronless genes in the mouse genome. Evolutionary analysis reveals that 56 intronless genes are conserved among the three domains of life--bacteria, archea and eukaryotes. These highly conserved intronless genes were found to be involved in essential housekeeping functions. About 80% of expressed mouse intronless genes have orthologs in eukaryotic genomes only, and thus are specific to eukaryotic organisms. 608 of these genes have intronless human orthologs and 302 of these orthologs have a match in OMIM database. Investigation into these mouse genes will be important in generating mouse models for understanding human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishore Ramaji Sakharkar
- National University Medical Institutes, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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27
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Drögemüller C, Kuiper H, Spötter A, Williams JL, Distl O. Mapping of the bovine homologue of the human chromosome 14 open reading frame 4 (C14orf4) gene to BTA10q36. Anim Genet 2005; 35:498-9. [PMID: 15566486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2004.01211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Drögemüller
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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28
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Boukouvala S, Price N, Plant KE, Sim E. Structure and transcriptional regulation of the Nat2 gene encoding for the drug-metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase type 2 in mice. Biochem J 2003; 375:593-602. [PMID: 12904181 PMCID: PMC1223723 DOI: 10.1042/bj20030812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2003] [Accepted: 08/06/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are polymorphic enzymes, well-known for their role in the metabolism of drugs and carcinogens. Mice have three NAT isoenzymes, of which NAT2 is postulated to be involved in endogenous, as well as xenobiotic, metabolism. To understand expression of the murine Nat2 gene, we have analysed its structure and transcriptional regulation. We have accurately mapped the transcription initiation site 6.5 kb upstream of the coding region of the gene, adjacent to a recently described non-coding exon. Transcription was demonstrated to start from this region in embryonic and adult liver, spleen, submaxillary gland, kidney, brain, thymus, lung and placenta, but not in the heart. Database searches and analyses of cDNA by PCR suggested alternative splicing of the single 6.2 kb intron of Nat2, and determined the position of the polyadenylation signal at 0.44 kb downstream of the coding region of the gene. Examination of the 13 kb sequence flanking the coding and non-coding exons of Nat2 revealed a single promoter, located close to the transcription-initiation site, and indicated regions likely to harbour control elements. The Nat2 promoter consists of an atypical TATA box and a Sp1 [SV40 (simian virus 40) protein 1] box identical with that found in many housekeeping gene promoters. Activity of the Nat2 promoter was severely reduced by deletion or mutation of either of these two elements, whereas the region of the Sp1 box bound cellular protein and resisted DNase I digestion. Finally, the ability of the promoter region to bind cellular protein was reduced by competition with oligonucleotides bearing the Sp1 consensus sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Boukouvala
- University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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29
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Childs KS, Goodbourn S. Identification of novel co-repressor molecules for Interferon Regulatory Factor-2. Nucleic Acids Res 2003; 31:3016-26. [PMID: 12799427 PMCID: PMC162335 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have identified two novel proteins that interact specifically with the C-terminal repression domain of Interferon Regulatory Factor-2 (IRF-2). These proteins, which we term IRF-2 binding proteins 1 and 2 (IRF-2BP1 and IRF-2BP2, the latter having two splicing isoforms, A and B), are nuclear proteins, and have the properties of IRF-2-dependent transcriptional co-repressors that can inhibit both enhancer-activated and basal transcription in a manner that is not dependent upon histone deacetylation. IRF-2BP1 and IRF-2BP2A/B contain an N-terminal zinc finger and a C-terminal RING finger domain of the C3HC4 subclass, but show no homology to other known transcriptional regulators; they therefore define a new family of co- repressor proteins. An alternatively spliced form of IRF-2 that lacks two amino acids (valines 177 and 178) in the central portion of the protein (IRF-2[S]) cannot bind to these co-repressors and cannot mediate repression despite having the same C- terminal repression domain as IRF-2, suggesting that the relative conformation of the DNA binding domain and the C-terminal region of IRF-2 is crucial for transcriptional repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay S Childs
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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30
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Rampazzo A, Beffagna G, Nava A, Occhi G, Bauce B, Noiato M, Basso C, Frigo G, Thiene G, Towbin J, Danieli GA. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 1 (ARVD1): confirmation of locus assignment and mutation screening of four candidate genes. Eur J Hum Genet 2003; 11:69-76. [PMID: 12529708 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2002] [Revised: 07/10/2002] [Accepted: 10/10/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 1 (ARVD1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by progressive degeneration of right ventricular myocardium, arrhythmias and risk of sudden death. By linkage analysis, we previously mapped the involved gene to chromosome 14q24.3. In the present study we report on linkage analysis of one additional and unrelated family, which enabled to confirm previous locus assignment. Another family is reported, in which genetic and clinical data suggest linkage to the same locus. Direct sequencing of DNA from individuals belonging to established ARVD1 families failed to detect causative mutations in exonic sequences of four genes (POMT2, TGFbeta3, KIAAA1036 and KIAA0759) expressed in the heart and which defects could possibly induce plasma membrane instability or apoptosis, key features of ARVD pathogenesis.
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31
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Abstract
Recent advances in molecular genetics of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVD) are reviewed. In particular, the finding of mutations in the gene coding for cardiac ryanodine receptor (hRYR2), both in patients affected with ARVD2 and in patients affected with catecholaminergic ventricular arrhythmias or with familial ventricular tachyarrhythmia, is discussed. Novel data support the hypothesis that apoptosis may be a key step in molecular pathogenesis of ARVDs. A series of studies on drugs with apparent protective effect against apoptosis in myocardial cells might open new perspectives in the therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Antonio Danieli
- Human Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy.
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32
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Marks AR, Priori S, Memmi M, Kontula K, Laitinen PJ. Involvement of the cardiac ryanodine receptor/calcium release channel in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. J Cell Physiol 2002; 190:1-6. [PMID: 11807805 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.10031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), the major calcium release channel on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in cardiomyocytes, has recently been shown to be involved in at least two forms of sudden cardiac death (SCD): (1) Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) or familial polymorphic VT (FPVT); and (2) Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia type 2 (ARVD2). Eleven RyR2 missense mutations have been linked to these diseases. All eleven RyR2 mutations cluster into 3 regions of RyR2 that are homologous to the three malignant hyperthermia (MH)/central core disease (CCD) mutation regions of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor/calcium release channel RyR1. MH/CCD RyR1 mutations have been shown to alter calcium-induced calcium release. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation leads to phosphorylation of RyR2 by protein kinase A (PKA). PKA phosphorylation of RyR2 activates the channel. In conditions associated with high rates of SCD such as heart failure RyR2 is PKA hyperphosphorylated resulting in "leaky" channels. SR calcium leak during diastole can generate "delayed after depolarizations" that can trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., VT). We propose that RyR2 mutations linked to genetic forms of catecholaminergic-induced SCD may alter the regulation of the channel resulting in increased SR calcium leak during sympathetic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Marks
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, Department of Pharmacology, Box 65, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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