1
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Baltasar-Marchueta M, Llona L, M-Alicante S, Barbolla I, Ibarluzea MG, Ramis R, Salomon AM, Fundora B, Araujo A, Muguruza-Montero A, Nuñez E, Pérez-Olea S, Villanueva C, Leonardo A, Arrasate S, Sotomayor N, Villarroel A, Bergara A, Lete E, González-Díaz H. Identification of Riluzole derivatives as novel calmodulin inhibitors with neuroprotective activity by a joint synthesis, biosensor, and computational guided strategy. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116602. [PMID: 38636396 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116602] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of new molecules for the treatment of calmodulin related cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases is an interesting goal. In this work, we introduce a novel strategy with four main steps: (1) chemical synthesis of target molecules, (2) Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensor development and in vitro biological assay of new derivatives, (3) Cheminformatics models development and in vivo activity prediction, and (4) Docking studies. This strategy is illustrated with a case study. Firstly, a series of 4-substituted Riluzole derivatives 1-3 were synthetized through a strategy that involves the construction of the 4-bromoriluzole framework and its further functionalization via palladium catalysis or organolithium chemistry. Next, a FRET biosensor for monitoring Ca2+-dependent CaM-ligands interactions has been developed and used for the in vitro assay of Riluzole derivatives. In particular, the best inhibition (80%) was observed for 4-methoxyphenylriluzole 2b. Besides, we trained and validated a new Networks Invariant, Information Fusion, Perturbation Theory, and Machine Learning (NIFPTML) model for predicting probability profiles of in vivo biological activity parameters in different regions of the brain. Next, we used this model to predict the in vivo activity of the compounds experimentally studied in vitro. Last, docking study conducted on Riluzole and its derivatives has provided valuable insights into their binding conformations with the target protein, involving calmodulin and the SK4 channel. This new combined strategy may be useful to reduce assay costs (animals, materials, time, and human resources) in the drug discovery process of calmodulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Baltasar-Marchueta
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Leire Llona
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | | | - Iratxe Barbolla
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Markel Garcia Ibarluzea
- Donostia International Physics Center, Donostia, Spain; Departament of Physics, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Rafael Ramis
- Donostia International Physics Center, Donostia, Spain; Departament of Physics, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ane Miren Salomon
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Brenda Fundora
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Ariane Araujo
- Biofisika Institute, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | | | - Eider Nuñez
- Biofisika Institute, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Scarlett Pérez-Olea
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Christian Villanueva
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Aritz Leonardo
- Donostia International Physics Center, Donostia, Spain; Departament of Physics, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Sonia Arrasate
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Nuria Sotomayor
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | | | - Aitor Bergara
- Donostia International Physics Center, Donostia, Spain; Departament of Physics, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
| | - Esther Lete
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain.
| | - Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain; Biofisika Institute, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48011, Spain.
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2
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Abstract
The scientific landscape surrounding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has shifted immensely with a number of well-defined ALS disease-causing genes, each with related phenotypical and cellular motor neuron processes that have come to light. Yet in spite of decades of research and clinical investigation, there is still no etiology for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and treatment options even for those with well-defined familial syndromes are still limited. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the genetic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, highlighting factors that contribute to its heritability and phenotypic manifestations, and an overview of past, present, and upcoming therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Younger
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Neuroscience, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Neurology, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, United States.
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Neurosciences and Director in Neurotherapeutics, Worcester, MA, United States
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3
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Litak J, Mazurek M, Kulesza B, Szmygin P, Litak J, Kamieniak P, Grochowski C. Cerebral Small Vessel Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249729. [PMID: 33419271 PMCID: PMC7766314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) represents a cluster of various vascular disorders with different pathological backgrounds. The advanced vasculature net of cerebral vessels, including small arteries, capillaries, arterioles and venules, is usually affected. Processes of oxidation underlie the pathology of CSVD, promoting the degenerative status of the epithelial layer. There are several classifications of cerebral small vessel diseases; some of them include diseases such as Binswanger’s disease, leukoaraiosis, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and lacunar strokes. This paper presents the characteristics of CSVD and the impact of the current knowledge of this topic on the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Litak
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.K.); (P.S.); (P.K.)
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Marek Mazurek
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.K.); (P.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Bartłomiej Kulesza
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.K.); (P.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Paweł Szmygin
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.K.); (P.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Joanna Litak
- St. John’s Cancer Center in Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Piotr Kamieniak
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.K.); (P.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Cezary Grochowski
- Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
- Laboratory of Virtual Man, Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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4
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ALS Genetics: Gains, Losses, and Implications for Future Therapies. Neuron 2020; 108:822-842. [PMID: 32931756 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of motor neurons from the brain and spinal cord. The ALS community has made remarkable strides over three decades by identifying novel familial mutations, generating animal models, elucidating molecular mechanisms, and ultimately developing promising new therapeutic approaches. Some of these approaches reduce the expression of mutant genes and are in human clinical trials, highlighting the need to carefully consider the normal functions of these genes and potential contribution of gene loss-of-function to ALS. Here, we highlight known loss-of-function mechanisms underlying ALS, potential consequences of lowering levels of gene products, and the need to consider both gain and loss of function to develop safe and effective therapeutic strategies.
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5
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van Vliet EA, Iyer AM, Mesarosova L, Çolakoglu H, Anink JJ, van Tellingen O, Maragakis NJ, Shefner J, Bunt T, Aronica E. Expression and Cellular Distribution of P-Glycoprotein and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2020; 79:266-276. [PMID: 31999342 PMCID: PMC7036662 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), achieving and maintaining effective drug levels in the brain is challenging due to the activity of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters which efflux drugs that affect drug exposure and response in the brain. We investigated the expression and cellular distribution of the ABC transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) using immunohistochemistry in spinal cord (SC), motor cortex, and cerebellum from a large cohort of genetically well characterized ALS patients (n = 25) and controls (n = 14). The ALS group included 17 sporadic (sALS) and 8 familial (fALS) patients. Strong P-gp expression was observed in endothelial cells in both control and ALS specimens. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher P-gp expression in reactive astroglial cells in both gray (ventral horn) and white matter of the SC, as well as in the motor cortex of all ALS patients, as compared with controls. BCRP expression was higher in glia in the SC and in blood vessels and glia in the motor cortex of ALS patients, as compared with controls. P-gp and BCRP immunoreactivity did not differ between sALS and fALS cases. The upregulation of both ABC transporters in the brain may explain multidrug resistance in ALS patients and has implications for the use of both approved and experimental therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin A van Vliet
- From the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience.,Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam
| | - Anand M Iyer
- From the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Lucia Mesarosova
- From the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Hilal Çolakoglu
- Division of Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute (HÇ, OvT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper J Anink
- From the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Olaf van Tellingen
- Division of Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute (HÇ, OvT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas J Maragakis
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeremy Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Ton Bunt
- Izumi Biosciences, Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- From the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience
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6
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Qu L, Pan C, He SM, Lang B, Gao GD, Wang XL, Wang Y. The Ras Superfamily of Small GTPases in Non-neoplastic Cerebral Diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:121. [PMID: 31213978 PMCID: PMC6555388 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPases from the Ras superfamily play crucial roles in basic cellular processes during practically the entire process of neurodevelopment, including neurogenesis, differentiation, gene expression, membrane and protein traffic, vesicular trafficking, and synaptic plasticity. Small GTPases are key signal transducing enzymes that link extracellular cues to the neuronal responses required for the construction of neuronal networks, as well as for synaptic function and plasticity. Different subfamilies of small GTPases have been linked to a number of non-neoplastic cerebral diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), intellectual disability, epilepsy, drug addiction, Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and a large number of idiopathic cerebral diseases. Here, we attempted to make a clearer illustration of the relationship between Ras superfamily GTPases and non-neoplastic cerebral diseases, as well as their roles in the neural system. In future studies, potential treatments for non-neoplastic cerebral diseases which are based on small GTPase related signaling pathways should be explored further. In this paper, we review all the available literature in support of this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Ming He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Xi'an International Medical Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Bing Lang
- The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Dong Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue-Lian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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7
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Goutman SA, Chen KS, Paez-Colasante X, Feldman EL. Emerging understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 148:603-623. [PMID: 29478603 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64076-5.00039-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, noncurable neurodegenerative disorder of the upper and lower motor neurons causing weakness and death within a few years of symptom onset. About 10% of patients with ALS have a family history of the disease; however, ALS-associated genetic mutations are also found in sporadic cases. There are over 100 ALS-associated mutations, and importantly, several genetic mutations, including C9ORF72, SOD1, and TARDBP, have led to mechanistic insight into this complex disease. In the clinical realm, knowledge of ALS genetics can also help explain phenotypic heterogeneity, aid in genetic counseling, and in the future may help direct treatment efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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8
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Chitramuthu BP, Bennett HPJ, Bateman A. Progranulin: a new avenue towards the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Brain 2017; 140:3081-3104. [PMID: 29053785 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin, a secreted glycoprotein, is encoded in humans by the single GRN gene. Progranulin consists of seven and a half, tandemly repeated, non-identical copies of the 12 cysteine granulin motif. Many cellular processes and diseases are associated with this unique pleiotropic factor that include, but are not limited to, embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, inflammation, wound repair, neurodegeneration and lysosome function. Haploinsufficiency caused by autosomal dominant mutations within the GRN gene leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a progressive neuronal atrophy that presents in patients as frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is an early onset form of dementia, distinct from Alzheimer's disease. The GRN-related form of frontotemporal lobar dementia is a proteinopathy characterized by the appearance of neuronal inclusions containing ubiquitinated and fragmented TDP-43 (encoded by TARDBP). The neurotrophic and neuro-immunomodulatory properties of progranulin have recently been reported but are still not well understood. Gene delivery of GRN in experimental models of Alzheimer's- and Parkinson's-like diseases inhibits phenotype progression. Here we review what is currently known concerning the molecular function and mechanism of action of progranulin in normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions in both in vitro and in vivo models. The potential therapeutic applications of progranulin in treating neurodegenerative diseases are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babykumari P Chitramuthu
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Hugh P J Bennett
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Andrew Bateman
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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9
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Jimenez-Pacheco A, Franco JM, Lopez S, Gomez-Zumaquero JM, Magdalena Leal-Lasarte M, Caballero-Hernandez DE, Cejudo-Guillén M, Pozo D. Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 978:255-275. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53889-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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10
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Riva N, Clarelli F, Domi T, Cerri F, Gallia F, Trimarco A, Brambilla P, Lunetta C, Lazzerini A, Lauria G, Taveggia C, Iannaccone S, Nobile-Orazio E, Comi G, D’Antonio M, Martinelli-Boneschi F, Quattrini A. Unraveling gene expression profiles in peripheral motor nerve from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: insights into pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39297. [PMID: 27982123 PMCID: PMC5159906 DOI: 10.1038/srep39297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to investigate the molecular pathways underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis within the peripheral nervous system. We analyzed gene expression changes in human motor nerve diagnostic biopsies obtained from eight ALS patients and seven patients affected by motor neuropathy as controls. An integrated transcriptomics and system biology approach was employed. We identified alterations in the expression of 815 genes, with 529 up-regulated and 286 down-regulated in ALS patients. Up-regulated genes clustered around biological process involving RNA processing and protein metabolisms. We observed a significant enrichment of up-regulated small nucleolar RNA transcripts (p = 2.68*10-11) and genes related to endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response and chaperone activity. We found a significant down-regulation in ALS of genes related to the glutamate metabolism. Interestingly, a network analysis highlighted HDAC2, belonging to the histone deacetylase family, as the most interacting node. While so far gene expression studies in human ALS have been performed in postmortem tissues, here specimens were obtained from biopsy at an early phase of the disease, making these results new in the field of ALS research and therefore appealing for gene discovery studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilo Riva
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Clarelli
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Teuta Domi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cerri
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Gallia
- 2Neurology, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milano University, Milan, Italy
| | - Amelia Trimarco
- Axo-glia interactions Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Brambilla
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Niguarda Ca Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Lazzerini
- Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation “Carlo Besta” Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Taveggia
- Axo-glia interactions Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Iannaccone
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giancarlo Comi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Universita` Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio D’Antonio
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Martinelli-Boneschi
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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11
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Ni L, Liu R, Yin Z, Zhao H, Nedelska Z, Hort J, Zhou F, Wu W, Zhang X, Li M, Yu H, Zhu B, Xu Y, Zhang B. Aberrant Spontaneous Brain Activity in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and concomitant Lacunar Infarction: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 50:1243-54. [PMID: 26836013 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lacunar infarctions (LI) have been associated with a cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia. Whether and how the pattern of spontaneous brain activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) differs in subjects with and without concomitant LI remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To compare the pattern of spontaneous brain activity in MCI patients with versus those without LI using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS Forty-eight MCI patients, including 22 with LI [MCI-LI] and 26 without LI [MCI-no LI], and 28 cognitive normal subjects underwent rs-fMRI post-processed using regional homogeneity (ReHo) and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) methods. RESULTS Compared with cognitively normal subjects, the MCI-LI patients had decreased ReHo in the precuneus/cuneus (Pcu/CU) and insula; decreased ALFF in the Pcu/CU and frontal lobe; and increased ALFF and ReHo in the temporal lobe. While the MCI-no LI group had increased ReHo and ALFF in the bilateral hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, frontal lobe, and decreased ALFF and ReHo in the temporal lobe. Compared with the MCI-no LI patients, those with MCI-LI had decreased ALFF in the frontal lobe; decreased ReHo in the Pcu/CU and insula; and increased ALFF and ReHo in the temporal lobe (p < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). In MCI-LI patients, the MOCA scores showed a relatively weak correlation with ALFF values in the medial frontal gyrus (r = 0.432, p = 0.045) (of borderline significance after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSIONS The spontaneous brain activities in MCI-LI were distinct from MCI-no LI. The probable compensatory mechanism observed in MCI-no LI might be disrupted in MCI with LI due to vascular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ni
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Renyuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenyu Yin
- Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zuzana Nedelska
- Memory Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2ndFaculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2ndFaculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Fei Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenbo Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiping Yu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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12
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Romero-Durán FJ, Alonso N, Yañez M, Caamaño O, García-Mera X, González-Díaz H. Brain-inspired cheminformatics of drug-target brain interactome, synthesis, and assay of TVP1022 derivatives. Neuropharmacology 2016; 103:270-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Eftekharzadeh B, Hyman BT, Wegmann S. Structural studies on the mechanism of protein aggregation in age related neurodegenerative diseases. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 156:1-13. [PMID: 27005270 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The progression of many neurodegenerative diseases is assumed to be caused by misfolding of specific characteristic diseases related proteins, resulting in aggregation and fibril formation of these proteins. Protein misfolding associated age related diseases, although different in disease manifestations, share striking similarities. In all cases, one disease protein aggregates and loses its function or additionally shows a toxic gain of function. However, the clear link between these individual amyloid-like protein aggregates and cellular toxicity is often still uncertain. The similar features of protein misfolding and aggregation in this group of proteins, all involved in age related neurodegenerative diseases, results in high interest in characterization of their structural properties. We review here recent findings on structural properties of some age related disease proteins, in the context of their biological importance in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Eftekharzadeh
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Susanne Wegmann
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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Correia AS, Patel P, Dutta K, Julien JP. Inflammation Induces TDP-43 Mislocalization and Aggregation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140248. [PMID: 26444430 PMCID: PMC4596857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a major component in aggregates of ubiquitinated proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Here we report that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation can promote TDP-43 mislocalization and aggregation. In culture, microglia and astrocytes exhibited TDP-43 mislocalization after exposure to LPS. Likewise, treatment of the motoneuron-like NSC-34 cells with TNF-alpha (TNF-α) increased the cytoplasmic levels of TDP-43. In addition, the chronic intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 1mg/kg in TDP-43A315T transgenic mice exacerbated the pathological TDP-43 accumulation in the cytoplasm of spinal motor neurons and it enhanced the levels of TDP-43 aggregation. These results suggest that inflammation may contribute to development or exacerbation of TDP-43 proteinopathies in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Correia
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Priyanka Patel
- Research Centre of Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kallol Dutta
- Research Centre of Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- Research Centre of Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
- * E-mail:
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15
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Deng J, Yang M, Chen Y, Chen X, Liu J, Sun S, Cheng H, Li Y, Bigio EH, Mesulam M, Xu Q, Du S, Fushimi K, Zhu L, Wu JY. FUS Interacts with HSP60 to Promote Mitochondrial Damage. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005357. [PMID: 26335776 PMCID: PMC4559378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
FUS-proteinopathies, a group of heterogeneous disorders including ALS-FUS and FTLD-FUS, are characterized by the formation of inclusion bodies containing the nuclear protein FUS in the affected patients. However, the underlying molecular and cellular defects remain unclear. Here we provide evidence for mitochondrial localization of FUS and its induction of mitochondrial damage. Remarkably, FTLD-FUS brain samples show increased FUS expression and mitochondrial defects. Biochemical and genetic data demonstrate that FUS interacts with a mitochondrial chaperonin, HSP60, and that FUS translocation to mitochondria is, at least in part, mediated by HSP60. Down-regulating HSP60 reduces mitochondrially localized FUS and partially rescues mitochondrial defects and neurodegenerative phenotypes caused by FUS expression in transgenic flies. This is the first report of direct mitochondrial targeting by a nuclear protein associated with neurodegeneration, suggesting that mitochondrial impairment may represent a critical event in different forms of FUS-proteinopathies and a common pathological feature for both ALS-FUS and FTLD-FUS. Our study offers a potential explanation for the highly heterogeneous nature and complex genetic presentation of different forms of FUS-proteinopathies. Our data also suggest that mitochondrial damage may be a target in future development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for FUS-proteinopathies, a group of devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are two groups of common and devastating neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by losses of selected groups of neurons. Mutations in the FUS gene have been associated with ALS, whereas inclusion bodies containing the FUS protein have been discovered in both ALS and FTLD patients. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of FUS in these diseases remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that wild-type or ALS-associated mutant FUS can interact with mitochondrial chaperonin HSP60 and that HSP60 mediates FUS localization to mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial damage. Mitochondrial impairment may be an early event in FUS proteinopathies and represent a potential therapeutic target for treating these fatal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwen Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yanbo Chen
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jianghong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shufeng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haipeng Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Eileen H. Bigio
- Department of Pathology & Neurology, The Cognitive Neurology& Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Marsel Mesulam
- Department of Pathology & Neurology, The Cognitive Neurology& Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Qi Xu
- National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sidan Du
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kazuo Fushimi
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (LZ); (JYW)
| | - Jane Y. Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LZ); (JYW)
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Drosha inclusions are new components of dipeptide-repeat protein aggregates in FTLD-TDP and ALS C9orf72 expansion cases. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2015; 74:380-7. [PMID: 25756586 PMCID: PMC4362478 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0000000000000182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are 2 neurodegenerative disorders that share clinical, genetic, and neuropathologic features. The presence of abnormal expansions of GGGGCC repeats (G4C2 repeats) in a noncoding region of the Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene is the major genetic cause of both FTLD and ALS. Transcribed G4C2 repeats can form nuclear RNA foci and recruit RNA-binding proteins, thereby inhibiting their normal function. Moreover, through a repeat-associated non-ATG translation mechanism, G4C2 repeats translation leads to dipeptide-repeat protein aggregation in the cytoplasm of neurons. Here, we identify Drosha protein as a new component of these dipeptide-repeat aggregates. In C9orf72 mutation cases of FTLD-TDP (c9FTLD-TDP) and ALS (c9ALS), but not in FTLD or ALS cases without C9orf72 mutation, Drosha is mislocalized to form neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum. Further characterization of Drosha-positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum revealed colocalization with p62 and ubiquilin-2, 2 pathognomonic signatures of c9FTLD-TDP and c9ALS cases; however, Drosha inclusions rarely colocalized with TDP-43 pathology. We conclude that Drosha may play a unique pathogenic role in the onset or progression of FTLD-TDP/ALS in patients with the C9orf72 mutation.
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Paez-Colasante X, Figueroa-Romero C, Sakowski SA, Goutman SA, Feldman EL. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: mechanisms and therapeutics in the epigenomic era. Nat Rev Neurol 2015; 11:266-79. [PMID: 25896087 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2015.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the motor neurons, which results in weakness and atrophy of voluntary skeletal muscles. Treatments do not modify the disease trajectory effectively, and only modestly improve survival. A complex interaction between genes, environmental exposure and impaired molecular pathways contributes to pathology in patients with ALS. Epigenetic mechanisms control the hereditary and reversible regulation of gene expression without altering the basic genetic code. Aberrant epigenetic patterns-including abnormal microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and function, DNA modifications, histone remodeling, and RNA editing-are acquired throughout life and are influenced by environmental factors. Thus, understanding the molecular processes that lead to epigenetic dysregulation in patients with ALS might facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers that could reduce diagnostic delay. These achievements could prove crucial for successful disease modification in patients with ALS. We review the latest findings regarding the role of miRNA modifications and other epigenetic mechanisms in ALS, and discuss their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Paez-Colasante
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Centre Drive, 1914 Taubman Centre SPC 5316, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Claudia Figueroa-Romero
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Centre Drive, 1914 Taubman Centre SPC 5316, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- The A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, 5017 A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Centre Drive, 1914 Taubman Centre SPC 5316, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Centre Drive, 1914 Taubman Centre SPC 5316, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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18
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Motor neuron dysfunctions in the frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum: a clinical and neurophysiological study. J Neurol Sci 2015; 351:72-77. [PMID: 25770877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although only a few frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients develop frank amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), motor neuron dysfunctions (MNDys) occur in a larger proportion of patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate MNDys and ALS in a sample of consecutively enrolled sporadic FTLD patients. METHODS Clinical and neurophysiological evaluations (i.e. needle electromyography) assessed lower (LMN) and upper (UMN) motor neuron function at the baseline in 70 probable FTLD patients (i.e., 26 behavioural variant-bvFTD, 20 primary progressive aphasias-PPAs and 24 corticobasal syndrome-CBS). To obtain a more accurate estimation, quantitative scales were also applied (i.e. ALSFRS-r and UMN scale). Patients were screened for MAPT, GRN and C9orf72 mutations. A mean clinical follow-up of 27.8±22.4 months assessed MNDys progression and the clinical presentation of ALS. RESULTS Five genetic cases were identified. Within the sample of sporadic patients, a relative low rate of FTLD patients was diagnosed as probable ALS (5%), while a higher proportion of patients (17%) showed clinical and neurophysiological MNDys. Thirteen patients (20%) presented with isolated clinical signs of LMN and/or UMN dysfunction, and 8 patients (12%) showed neurogenic changes at the electromyography. No differences in FTLD phenotype and disease duration were found between MNDys positive and negative patients. Clinical MNDys were highly associated with positive electromyographic findings. At follow-up, no MNDys positive patient developed ALS. CONCLUSION Neurophysiological and clinical examinations revealed mild MNDys in FTLD patients not fulfilling criteria for ALS. This condition did not evolve at a mean follow-up of two years. These results, indicating a subclinical degeneration of corticospinal tracts and lower motor neurons, suggest that FTLD patients may be more at risk of MNDys than the general population.
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19
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Couthouis J, Raphael AR, Daneshjou R, Gitler AD. Targeted exon capture and sequencing in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004704. [PMID: 25299611 PMCID: PMC4191946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive degeneration of motor neurons, ultimately leading to paralysis and death. Approximately 10% of ALS cases are familial, with the remaining 90% of cases being sporadic. Genetic studies in familial cases of ALS have been extremely informative in determining the causative mutations behind ALS, especially as the same mutations identified in familial ALS can also cause sporadic disease. However, the cause of ALS in approximately 30% of familial cases and in the majority of sporadic cases remains unknown. Sporadic ALS cases represent an underutilized resource for genetic information about ALS; therefore, we undertook a targeted sequencing approach of 169 known and candidate ALS disease genes in 242 sporadic ALS cases and 129 matched controls to try to identify novel variants linked to ALS. We found a significant enrichment in novel and rare variants in cases versus controls, indicating that we are likely identifying disease associated mutations. This study highlights the utility of next generation sequencing techniques combined with functional studies and rare variant analysis tools to provide insight into the genetic etiology of a heterogeneous sporadic disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Charcot disease or Lou Gehrig's disease, is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide. This disease is characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to patient death within a few years after onset. Despite the fact that most ALS cases are sporadic, most of the ALS genetic studies have focused on familial forms, leading to the genetic determination of cause for 70% of cases of familial ALS but for only 10% of sporadic ALS cases. This, coupled with the dearth of families available for study, suggests that researchers should begin tapping into the relatively untouched reservoir of available sporadic samples to identify novel genetic causes of sporadic ALS. Here we take advantage of high-throughput target sequencing techniques to test four different hypotheses about the genetic causes of ALS in sporadic ALS and uncover new candidate genes and pathways implicated in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Couthouis
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Alya R. Raphael
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Roxana Daneshjou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Aaron D. Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Prediction of multi-target networks of neuroprotective compounds with entropy indices and synthesis, assay, and theoretical study of new asymmetric 1,2-rasagiline carbamates. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:17035-64. [PMID: 25255029 PMCID: PMC4200850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150917035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In a multi-target complex network, the links (Lij) represent the interactions between the drug (di) and the target (tj), characterized by different experimental measures (Ki, Km, IC50, etc.) obtained in pharmacological assays under diverse boundary conditions (cj). In this work, we handle Shannon entropy measures for developing a model encompassing a multi-target network of neuroprotective/neurotoxic compounds reported in the CHEMBL database. The model predicts correctly >8300 experimental outcomes with Accuracy, Specificity, and Sensitivity above 80%–90% on training and external validation series. Indeed, the model can calculate different outcomes for >30 experimental measures in >400 different experimental protocolsin relation with >150 molecular and cellular targets on 11 different organisms (including human). Hereafter, we reported by the first time the synthesis, characterization, and experimental assays of a new series of chiral 1,2-rasagiline carbamate derivatives not reported in previous works. The experimental tests included: (1) assay in absence of neurotoxic agents; (2) in the presence of glutamate; and (3) in the presence of H2O2. Lastly, we used the new Assessing Links with Moving Averages (ALMA)-entropy model to predict possible outcomes for the new compounds in a high number of pharmacological tests not carried out experimentally.
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21
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Siuda J, Lewicka T, Bujak M, Opala G, Golenia A, Slowik A, van Blitterswijk M, Baker M, Ertekin-Taner N, Wszolek ZK, Rademakers R. ALS-FTD complex disorder due to C9ORF72 gene mutation: description of first Polish family. Eur Neurol 2014; 72:64-71. [PMID: 24861139 DOI: 10.1159/000362267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are complex neurodegenerative disorders that can be either sporadic or familial and can overlap clinically and pathologically. We present the first Central-Eastern European family with ALS-FTD syndrome due to a C9ORF72 repeat expansion. METHODS We studied a family consisting of 37 family members, 6 of whom were genetically evaluated for C9ORF72 expansions. Family members were evaluated clinically, by history, and by chart review. RESULTS Overall, 5 generations of the family were studied, and 6 affected family members were identified. All affected members were females and had a different clinical presentation, which was ALS, FTD or both. Among the genetically evaluated subjects, 5 carried a C9ORF72 expansion; 4 of these individuals remain clinically unaffected. CONCLUSION Our report reveals that the hexanucleotide repeat expansion of C9ORF72, which is the most common genetic cause of ALS-FTD complex disorder, is also present in Central-Eastern Europe. Further studies are needed to assess the frequency of this expansion in the Polish population with familial as well as sporadic ALS, FTD and the ALS-FTD complex disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Siuda
- Department of Neurology, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
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22
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Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for the treatment of C9ORF72 ALS/FTD diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:721-32. [PMID: 24809691 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Motor neuron disorders, and particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are fatal diseases that are due to the loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, with progressive paralysis and premature death. It has been recently shown that the most frequent genetic cause of ALS, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and other neurological diseases is the expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) in the non-coding region of the C9ORF72 gene. The pathogenic mechanisms that produce cell death in the presence of this expansion are still unclear. One of the most likely hypotheses seems to be the gain-of-function that is achieved through the production of toxic RNA (able to sequester RNA-binding protein) and/or toxic proteins. In recent works, different authors have reported that antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the C9ORF72 RNA transcript sequence were able to significantly reduce RNA foci generated by the expanded RNA, in affected cells. Here, we summarize the recent findings that support the idea that the buildup of "toxic" RNA containing the GGGGCC repeat contributes to the death of motor neurons in ALS and also suggest that the use of antisense oligonucleotides targeting this transcript is a promising strategy for treating ALS/frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTLD) patients with the C9ORF72 repeat expansion. These data are particularly important, given the state of the art antisense technology, and they allow researchers to believe that a clinical application of these discoveries will be possible soon.
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23
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Therrien M, Parker JA. Worming forward: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis toxicity mechanisms and genetic interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Genet 2014; 5:85. [PMID: 24860590 PMCID: PMC4029022 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases share pathogenic mechanisms at the cellular level including protein misfolding, excitotoxicity and altered RNA homeostasis among others. Recent advances have shown that the genetic causes underlying these pathologies overlap, hinting at the existence of a genetic network for neurodegeneration. This is perhaps best illustrated by the recent discoveries of causative mutations for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). Once thought to be distinct entities, it is now recognized that these diseases exist along a genetic spectrum. With this wealth of discoveries comes the need to develop new genetic models of ALS and FTD to investigate not only pathogenic mechanisms linked to causative mutations, but to uncover potential genetic interactions that may point to new therapeutic targets. Given the conservation of many disease genes across evolution, Caenorhabditis elegans is an ideal system to investigate genetic interactions amongst these genes. Here we review the use of C. elegans to model ALS and investigate a putative genetic network for ALS/FTD that may extend to other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Therrien
- Départment de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, CRCHUM-Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - J Alex Parker
- Départment de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Départment de Neurosciences, CRCHUM-Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
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24
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Dumurgier J, Laplanche JL, Mouton-Liger F, Lapalus P, Indart S, Prévot M, Peoc'h K, Hugon J, Paquet C. The screening of Alzheimer's patients with CSF biomarkers, modulates the distribution of APOE genotype: impact on clinical trials. J Neurol 2014; 261:1187-95. [PMID: 24728335 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-014-7335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) plays a role in the level of neuropathological lesions and in drug response in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the selection of AD patients based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers assessment may be biased by their APOE distribution. We studied the relationships between APOE genotype and CSF biomarkers levels in a total of 432 patients (AD, n = 244; non-AD, n = 188) explored for cognitive disorders. We studied the distribution of APOE genotypes among AD patient subgroups selected by various cut-offs of CSF biomarkers. Strategies of screening based on CSF Aβ1-42 lead to overselection of ε4/ε4 patients in the AD group. Screening based on tau levels did not change Apoe4 distribution in the AD group. CSF Aβ1-42 discriminated better AD patients with at least one ε4 than AD patients with no ε4. A strong allele-effect relationship was detected between APOE genotype and CSF amyloid-β (Aβ1-42) in AD patients. Selecting AD patients on CSF amyloid levels only may create an overselection of ε4/ε4 carriers, and might potentially bias the population of patients included in clinical trial studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Dumurgier
- Memory Clinical Center CMRR Paris Nord Ile-de-France, Saint Louis-Lariboisiere, Fernand Widal Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris 7-Denis Diderot, Paris, France,
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25
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Psychosis and hallucinations in frontotemporal dementia with the C9ORF72 mutation: a detailed clinical cohort. Cogn Behav Neurol 2014; 26:146-54. [PMID: 24077574 DOI: 10.1097/wnn.0000000000000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To specify the presenting symptoms and clinical course of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) repeat expansion. BACKGROUND The 2011 discovery of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion causing familial FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has permitted retrospective evaluation of potential defining clinical characteristics that may distinguish carriers of the C9ORF72 mutation from other patients with FTD. Prior reports identified a subset of patients with FTD who had an unusually high prevalence of psychosis, although their specific symptoms had not yet been fully described. METHODS From a cohort of 62 patients with FTD, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 7 patients who had C9ORF72 mutations on genetic testing, and 1 untested sibling of a C9ORF72 carrier. RESULTS Detailed histories revealed a higher prevalence of psychosis, including visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions, in the 8 C9ORF72 carriers than in our patients with sporadic FTD. CONCLUSIONS This cohort confirms and adds clinical details to the reports of a high prevalence of psychotic phenomena in patients who have C9ORF72 mutations as well as FTD or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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26
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Hensman Moss DJ, Poulter M, Beck J, Hehir J, Polke JM, Campbell T, Adamson G, Mudanohwo E, McColgan P, Haworth A, Wild EJ, Sweeney MG, Houlden H, Mead S, Tabrizi SJ. C9orf72 expansions are the most common genetic cause of Huntington disease phenocopies. Neurology 2014; 82:292-9. [PMID: 24363131 PMCID: PMC3929197 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000000061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In many cases where Huntington disease (HD) is suspected, the genetic test for HD is negative: these are known as HD phenocopies. A repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene has recently been identified as a major cause of familial and sporadic frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our objective was to determine whether this mutation causes HD phenocopies. METHODS A cohort of 514 HD phenocopy patients were analyzed for the C9orf72 expansion using repeat primed PCR. In cases where the expansion was found, Southern hybridization was performed to determine expansion size. Clinical case notes were reviewed to determine the phenotype of expansion-positive cases. RESULTS Ten subjects (1.95%) had the expansion, making it the most common identified genetic cause of HD phenocopy presentations. The size of expansion was not significantly different from that associated with other clinical presentations of C9orf72 expanded cases. The C9orf72 expansion-positive subjects were characterized by the presence of movement disorders, including dystonia, chorea, myoclonus, tremor, and rigidity. Furthermore, the age at onset in this cohort was lower than previously reported for subjects with the C9orf72 expansion and included one case with pediatric onset. DISCUSSION This study extends the known phenotype of the C9orf72 expansion in both age at onset and movement disorder symptoms. We propose a revised clinico-genetic algorithm for the investigation of HD phenocopy patients based on these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davina J Hensman Moss
- From the Departments of Neurodegenerative Disease (D.J.H.M., P.M., E.J.W., S.M., S.J.T.) and Molecular Neuroscience (H.H.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London; MRC Prion Unit (M.P., J.B., T.C., G.A.), London; and Neurogenetics Unit (J.H., J.M.P., E.M., A.H., M.G.S., H.H.), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, UK
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The clinical and pathological phenotypes of frontotemporal dementia with C9ORF72 mutations. J Neurol Sci 2013; 335:26-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Fernandes SA, Douglas AGL, Varela MA, Wood MJA, Aoki Y. Oligonucleotide-Based Therapy for FTD/ALS Caused by the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion: A Perspective. J Nucleic Acids 2013; 2013:208245. [PMID: 24349764 PMCID: PMC3855979 DOI: 10.1155/2013/208245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and lethal disease of motor neuron degeneration, leading to paralysis of voluntary muscles and death by respiratory failure within five years of onset. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterised by degeneration of frontal and temporal lobes, leading to changes in personality, behaviour, and language, culminating in death within 5-10 years. Both of these diseases form a clinical, pathological, and genetic continuum of diseases, and this link has become clearer recently with the discovery of a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene that causes the FTD/ALS spectrum, that is, c9FTD/ALS. Two basic mechanisms have been proposed as being potentially responsible for c9FTD/ALS: loss-of-function of the protein encoded by this gene (associated with aberrant DNA methylation) and gain of function through the formation of RNA foci or protein aggregates. These diseases currently lack any cure or effective treatment. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are modified nucleic acids that are able to silence targeted mRNAs or perform splice modulation, and the fact that they have proved efficient in repeat expansion diseases including myotonic dystrophy type 1 makes them ideal candidates for c9FTD/ALS therapy. Here, we discuss potential mechanisms and challenges for developing oligonucleotide-based therapy for c9FTD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Fernandes
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
- Institute of Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Rua do Matao, 05508-090 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrew G. L. Douglas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Miguel A. Varela
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Matthew J. A. Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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Schmid B, Haass C. Genomic editing opens new avenues for zebrafish as a model for neurodegeneration. J Neurochem 2013; 127:461-70. [PMID: 24117801 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish has become a popular model organism to study human diseases. We will highlight the advantages and limitations of zebrafish as a model organism to study neurodegenerative diseases and introduce zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and the recently established clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated system for genome editing. The efficiency of the novel genome editing tools now greatly facilitates knock-out and, importantly, also makes knock-in approaches feasible in zebrafish. Genome editing in zebrafish avoids unspecific phenotypes caused by off-target effects and toxicity as frequently seen in conventional knock-down approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Schmid
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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Martin LJ, Wong M. Aberrant regulation of DNA methylation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a new target of disease mechanisms. Neurotherapeutics 2013; 10:722-33. [PMID: 23900692 PMCID: PMC3805862 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-013-0205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most common adult-onset neurodegenerative disease. A diagnosis is fatal owing to degeneration of motor neurons in brain and spinal cord that control swallowing, breathing, and movement. ALS can be inherited, but most cases are not associated with a family history of the disease. The mechanisms causing motor neuron death in ALS are still unknown. Given the suspected complex interplay between multiple genes, the environment, metabolism, and lifestyle in the pathogenesis of ALS, we have hypothesized that the mechanisms of disease in ALS involve epigenetic contributions that can drive motor neuron degeneration. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism for gene regulation engaged by DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt)-catalyzed methyl group transfer to carbon-5 in cytosine residues in gene regulatory promoter and nonpromoter regions. Recent genome-wide analyses have found differential gene methylation in human ALS. Neuropathologic assessments have revealed that motor neurons in human ALS show significant abnormalities in Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and 5-methylcytosine. Similar changes are seen in mice with motor neuron degeneration, and Dnmt3a was found abundantly at synapses and in mitochondria. During apoptosis of cultured motor neuron-like cells, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a protein levels increase, and 5-methylcytosine accumulates. Enforced expression of Dnmt3a, but not Dnmt1, induces degeneration of cultured neurons. Truncation mutation of the Dnmt3a catalytic domain and Dnmt3a RNAi blocks apoptosis of cultured neurons. Inhibition of Dnmt catalytic activity with small molecules RG108 and procainamide protects motor neurons from excessive DNA methylation and apoptosis in cell culture and in a mouse model of ALS. Thus, motor neurons can engage epigenetic mechanisms to cause their degeneration, involving Dnmts and increased DNA methylation. Aberrant DNA methylation in vulnerable cells is a new direction for discovering mechanisms of ALS pathogenesis that could be relevant to new disease target identification and therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee J Martin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 558 Ross Building, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2196, USA,
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Neumann M. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Molecular similarities and differences. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 169:793-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Schmidt M, Finley D. Regulation of proteasome activity in health and disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1843:13-25. [PMID: 23994620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the primary selective degradation system in the nuclei and cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, required for the turnover of myriad soluble proteins. The hundreds of factors that comprise the UPS include an enzymatic cascade that tags proteins for degradation via the covalent attachment of a poly-ubiquitin chain, and a large multimeric enzyme that degrades ubiquitinated proteins, the proteasome. Protein degradation by the UPS regulates many pathways and is a crucial component of the cellular proteostasis network. Dysfunction of the ubiquitination machinery or the proteolytic activity of the proteasome is associated with numerous human diseases. In this review we discuss the contributions of the proteasome to human pathology, describe mechanisms that regulate the proteolytic capacity of the proteasome, and discuss strategies to modulate proteasome function as a therapeutic approach to ameliorate diseases associated with altered UPS function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Schmidt
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is not a major cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among Iranian patients. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 35:267.e1-7. [PMID: 23962495 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease in populations of European descent. It was recently found that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is its most common cause in these populations. The contribution of C9ORF72 to ALS is notably lower in the Far East, but its role in other populations is unknown. Results of C9ORF72 screening in 78 unrelated Iranian ALS patients are reported here. The repeat expansion was observed in only 1 (5.9%) of the familial and 1 (1.6%) of the sporadic cases. These figures are to be compared, respectively, with 30% and 6.9% among patients of European ethnicity. Screenings of C9ORF72 in other Middle East countries will reveal whether the low contribution of C9ORF72 to ALS is a feature of the entire region. During the screenings, it was noted that in a single family, 3 individuals affected with ALS, Parkinson's disease, or frontotemporal dementia all carried the repeat expansion. The finding suggests the mutation does rarely contribute to the etiology of Parkinson's disease.
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C9ORF72 mutations in neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2013; 49:386-98. [PMID: 23934648 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8528-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent works have demonstrated an expansion of the GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in the first intron of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72), encoding an unknown C9ORF72 protein, which was responsible for an unprecedented large proportion of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases of European ancestry. C9ORF72 is expressed in most tissues including the brain. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that C9ORF72 mutations could reduce the level of C9ORF72 variant 1, which may influence protein expression and the formation of nuclear RNA foci. The spectrum of mutations is broad and provides new insight into neurological diseases. Clinical manifestations of diseases related with C9ORF72 mutations can vary from FTD, ALS, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), Huntington disease-like syndrome (HDL syndrome), to Alzheimer's disease. In this article, we will review the brief characterizations of the C9ORF72 gene, the expansion mutations, the related disorders, and their features, followed by a discussion of the deficiency knowledge of C9ORF72 mutations. Based on the possible pathological mechanisms of C9ORF72 mutations in ALS and FTD, we can find new targets for the treatment of C9ORF72 mutation-related diseases. Future studies into the mechanisms, taking into consideration the discovery of those disorders, will significantly accelerate new discoveries in this field, including targeting identification of new therapy.
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Current insights into the C9orf72 repeat expansion diseases of the FTLD/ALS spectrum. Trends Neurosci 2013; 36:450-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2013.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Field NC, Metcalf JS, Caller TA, Banack SA, Cox PA, Stommel EW. Linking β-methylamino-L-alanine exposure to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Annapolis, MD. Toxicon 2013; 70:179-83. [PMID: 23660330 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases occur sporadically. Some environmental triggers have been implicated, including beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a cyanobacteria produced neurotoxin. This study aimed to identify environmental risk factors common to three sporadic ALS patients who lived in Annapolis, Maryland, USA and developed the disease within a relatively short time and within close proximity to each other. A questionnaire was used to identify potential risk factors for ALS among the cohort of patients. One common factor among the ALS patients was the frequent consumption of blue crab. Samples of blue crab from the patients' local fish market were tested for BMAA using LC-MS/MS. BMAA was identified in these Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. We conclude that the presence of BMAA in the Chesapeake Bay food web and the lifetime consumption of blue crab contaminated with BMAA may be a common risk factor for sporadic ALS in all three patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Field
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Roberts JS, Uhlmann WR. Genetic susceptibility testing for neurodegenerative diseases: ethical and practice issues. Prog Neurobiol 2013; 110:89-101. [PMID: 23583530 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As the genetics of neurodegenerative disease become better understood, opportunities for genetic susceptibility testing for at-risk individuals will increase. Such testing raises important ethical and practice issues related to test access, informed consent, risk estimation and communication, return of results, and policies to prevent genetic discrimination. The advent of direct-to-consumer genetic susceptibility testing for various neurodegenerative disorders (including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and certain prion diseases) means that ethical and practical challenges must be faced not only in traditional research and clinical settings, but also in broader society. This review addresses several topics relevant to the development and implementation of genetic susceptibility tests across research, clinical, and consumer settings; these include appropriate indications for testing, the implications of different methods for disclosing test results, clinical versus personal utility of risk information, psychological and behavioral responses to test results, testing of minors, genetic discrimination, and ethical dilemmas posed by whole-genome sequencing. We also identify future areas of likely growth in the field, including pharmacogenomics and genetic screening for individuals considering or engaged in activities that pose elevated risk of brain injury (e.g., football players, military personnel). APOE gene testing for risk of Alzheimer's disease is used throughout as an instructive case example, drawing upon the authors' experience as investigators in a series of multisite randomized clinical trials that have examined the impact of disclosing APOE genotype status to interested individuals (e.g., first-degree relatives of AD patients, persons with mild cognitive impairment).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Scott Roberts
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, SPH I Building, Room 3854, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Cassel JA, Reitz AB. Ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) binds with high affinity to the C-terminal region of TDP-43 and modulates TDP-43 levels in H4 cells: characterization of inhibition by nucleic acids and 4-aminoquinolines. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:964-71. [PMID: 23541532 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recently, it was reported that mutations in the ubiquitin-like protein ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) are associated with X-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and that both wild-type and mutant UBQLN2 can co-localize with aggregates of C-terminal fragments of TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43). Here, we describe a high affinity interaction between UBQLN2 and TDP-43 and demonstrate that overexpression of both UBQLN2 and TDP-43 reduces levels of both exogenous and endogenous TDP-43 in human H4 cells. UBQLN2 bound with high affinity to both full length TDP-43 and a C-terminal TDP-43 fragment (261-414 aa) with KD values of 6.2nM and 8.7nM, respectively. Both DNA oligonucleotides and 4-aminoquinolines, which bind to TDP-43, also inhibited UBQLN2 binding to TDP-43 with similar rank order affinities compared to inhibition of oligonucleotide binding to TDP-43. Inhibitor characterization experiments demonstrated that the DNA oligonucleotides noncompetitively inhibited UBQLN2 binding to TDP-43, which is consistent with UBQLN2 binding to the C-terminal region of TDP-43. Interestingly, the 4-aminoquinolines were competitive inhibitors of UBQLN2 binding to TDP-43, suggesting that these compounds also bind to the C-terminal region of TDP-43. In support of the biochemical data, co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that both TDP-43 and UBQLN2 interact in human neuroglioma H4 cells. Finally, overexpression of UBQLN2 in the presence of overexpressed full length TDP-43 or C-terminal TDP-43 (170-414) dramatically lowered levels of both full length TDP-43 and C-terminal TDP-43 fragments (CTFs). Consequently, these data suggest that UBQLN2 enhances the clearance of TDP-43 and TDP-43 CTFs and therefore may play a role in the development of TDP-43 associated neurotoxicity.
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Levine TP, Daniels RD, Wong LH, Gatta AT, Gerondopoulos A, Barr FA. Discovery of new Longin and Roadblock domains that form platforms for small GTPases in Ragulator and TRAPP-II. Small GTPases 2013; 4:62-9. [PMID: 23511850 PMCID: PMC3747258 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.24262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) control the site and extent of GTPase activity. Longin domains (LDs) are found in many Rab-GEFs, including DENNs, MON1/CCZ1, BLOC-3 and the TRAPP complex. Other GEFs, including Ragulator, contain roadblock domains (RDs), the structure of which is closely related to LDs. Other GTPase regulators, including mglB, SRX and Rags, use LDs or RDs as platforms for GTPases. Here, we review the conserved relationship between GTPases and LD/RDs, showing how LD/RD dimers act as adaptable platforms for GTPases. To extend our knowledge of GEFs, we used a highly sensitive sequence alignment tool to predict the existence of new LD/RDs. We discovered two yeast Ragulator subunits, and also a new LD in TRAPPC10 that may explain the Rab11-GEF activity ascribed to TRAPP-II.
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Edwards JD, Jacova C, Sepehry AA, Pratt B, Benavente OR. A quantitative systematic review of domain-specific cognitive impairment in lacunar stroke. Neurology 2013; 80:315-22. [PMID: 23319476 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e31827deb85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantitatively characterize domain-specific cognition in individuals with symptomatic lacunar stroke in a systematic review. METHODS Systematic searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE were conducted. Inclusion criteria were all articles published prior to December 2011 evaluating domain-specific cognitive status in individuals with a symptomatic lacunar infarct. Data extraction identified cognitive domains with reported impairment and effect size calculations and heterogeneity analyses were completed to assess the magnitude of this impairment for all studies with control group data. RESULTS Results of the search yielded 12 cross-sectional and 5 longitudinal studies that met inclusion criteria. Effect size calculations revealed small to medium effect sizes (ES) estimations for impairment after stroke in the domains of executive function (ES -0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.83, -0.50), memory (ES -0.55, 95% CI -0.96, -0.13), language (ES -0.63, 95% CI -0.92, -0.33), attention (ES -0.37, 95% CI -0.67, -0.07), and visuospatial abilities (ES -0.61, 95% CI -1.03, 0.19), and large effect sizes for global cognition (ES -0.90, 95% CI -1.48, -0.31) and information processing speed (ES -0.93, 95% CI -1.63, -0.23). Heterogeneity analyses revealed that a subset of these domains were heterogeneous and identified moderating factors accounting for this heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Results of this systematic review are consistent with previous characterizations of cognitive impairment associated with lacunar strokes. However, impaired cognition in this stroke subtype appears less selective than previously thought, involving all major cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi D Edwards
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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41
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Holmes BB, Diamond MI. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and organ donation: is there risk of disease transmission? Ann Neurol 2013; 72:832-6. [PMID: 23280834 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A new protocol suggests that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are a viable source of tissue for organ transplantation. However, multiple lines of evidence suggest that many neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, might progress due to transcellular propagation of protein aggregation among neurons. Transmission of the disease state from donor to host thus may be possible under the permissive circumstances of graft transplantation. We argue for careful patient selection and close longitudinal follow-up of recipients when harvesting organs from individuals with neurodegenerative disease, especially dominantly inherited forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon B Holmes
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St Louis, School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Levine TP, Daniels RD, Gatta AT, Wong LH, Hayes MJ. The product of C9orf72, a gene strongly implicated in neurodegeneration, is structurally related to DENN Rab-GEFs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 29:499-503. [PMID: 23329412 PMCID: PMC3570213 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bts725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Motivation: Fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called motor neuron disease, MND) are severe neurodegenerative diseases that show considerable overlap at the clinical and cellular level. The most common single mutation in families with FTD or ALS has recently been mapped to a non-coding repeat expansion in the uncharacterized gene C9ORF72. Although a plausible mechanism for disease is that aberrant C9ORF72 mRNA poisons splicing, it is important to determine the cellular function of C9ORF72, about which nothing is known. Results: Sensitive homology searches showed that C9ORF72 is a full-length distant homologue of proteins related to Differentially Expressed in Normal and Neoplasia (DENN), which is a GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) that activates Rab-GTPases. Our results suggest that C9ORF72 is likely to regulate membrane traffic in conjunction with Rab-GTPase switches, and we propose to name the gene and its product DENN-like 72 (DENNL72). Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact:tim.levine@ucl.ac.uk
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P Levine
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Bath St, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
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Saris CGJ, Groen EJN, Koekkoek JAF, Veldink JH, Van Den Berg LH. Meta-analysis of gene expression profiling in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comparison between transgenic mouse models and human patients. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2013; 14:177-89. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2012.729842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan G. J. Saris
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht
| | - Ewout J. N. Groen
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht
| | - Johan A. F. Koekkoek
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht
| | - Jan H. Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht
| | - Leonard H. Van Den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht
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Jacova C, Pearce LA, Costello R, McClure LA, Holliday SL, Hart RG, Benavente OR. Cognitive impairment in lacunar strokes: the SPS3 trial. Ann Neurol 2012; 72:351-62. [PMID: 23034910 PMCID: PMC4198173 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lacunar strokes are a leading cause of cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. However, adequate characterization of cognitive impairment is lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characterize the neuropsychological impairment in lacunar stroke patients. METHODS All English-speaking participants in the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) trial (National Clinical Trial 00059306) underwent neuropsychological testing at baseline. Raw scores were converted to z scores using published norms. Those with impairment (z ≤ -1.5) in memory and/or nonmemory domains were classified as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI). RESULTS Among the 1,636 participants, average z scores on all tests were < 0, with the largest deficits seen on tests of episodic memory (range of means, -0.65 to -0.92), verbal fluency (mean, -0.89), and motor dexterity (mean, -2.5). Forty-seven percent were classified as having MCI (36% amnestic, 37% amnestic multidomain, 28% nonamnestic). Of those with modified Rankin score 0-1 and Barthel score = 100, 41% had MCI. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] per 10-year increase, 0.87), male sex (OR, 1.3), less education (OR, 0.13-0.66 for higher education levels compared to 0-4 years education), poststroke disability (OR, 1.4), and impaired activities of daily living (OR, 1.8) were independently associated with MCI. INTERPRETATION In this large, well-characterized cohort of lacunar stroke patients, MCI was present in nearly half, including many with minimal or no physical disabilities. Cognitive dysfunction in lacunar stroke patients may commonly be overlooked in clinical practice but may be as important as motor and sensory sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Jacova
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Brain Research Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lesly A Pearce
- Biostatistical Consultant, 2509 Bel Air Court, Minot, ND, USA
| | - Raymond Costello
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephen L Holliday
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Robert G Hart
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Oscar R Benavente
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Brain Research Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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