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Privitera F, Calonaci A, Doddato G, Papa FT, Baldassarri M, Pinto AM, Mari F, Longo I, Caini M, Galimberti D, Hadjistilianou T, De Francesco S, Renieri A, Ariani F. 13q Deletion Syndrome Involving RB1: Characterization of a New Minimal Critical Region for Psychomotor Delay. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091318. [PMID: 34573300 PMCID: PMC8471443 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is an ocular tumor of the pediatric age caused by biallelic inactivation of the RB1 gene (13q14). About 10% of cases are due to gross-sized molecular deletions. The deletions can involve the surrounding genes delineating a contiguous gene syndrome characterized by RB, developmental anomalies, and peculiar facial dysmorphisms. Overlapping deletions previously found by traditional and/or molecular cytogenetic analysis allowed to define some critical regions for intellectual disability (ID) and multiple congenital anomalies, with key candidate genes. In the present study, using array-CGH, we characterized seven new patients with interstitial 13q deletion involving RB1. Among these cases, three patients with medium or large 13q deletions did not present psychomotor delay. This allowed defining a minimal critical region for ID that excludes the previously suggested candidate genes (HTR2A, NUFIP1, PCDH8, and PCDH17). The region contains 36 genes including NBEA, which emerged as the candidate gene associated with developmental delay. In addition, MAB21L1, DCLK1, EXOSC8, and SPART haploinsufficiency might contribute to the observed impaired neurodevelopmental phenotype. In conclusion, this study adds important novelties to the 13q deletion syndrome, although further studies are needed to better characterize the contribution of different genes and to understand how the haploinsufficiency of this region can determine ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Privitera
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Arianna Calonaci
- Unit of Pediatrics, Department of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Gabriella Doddato
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Filomena Tiziana Papa
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Baldassarri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.P.); (I.L.)
| | - Francesca Mari
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.P.); (I.L.)
| | - Ilaria Longo
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.P.); (I.L.)
| | - Mauro Caini
- Unit of Pediatrics, Department of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Unit of Pediatrics, Department of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Theodora Hadjistilianou
- Unit of Ophthalmology and Retinoblastoma Referral Center, Department of Surgery, University of Siena, Policlinico ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, 53100 Siena, Italy; (T.H.); (S.D.F.)
| | - Sonia De Francesco
- Unit of Ophthalmology and Retinoblastoma Referral Center, Department of Surgery, University of Siena, Policlinico ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, 53100 Siena, Italy; (T.H.); (S.D.F.)
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.P.); (I.L.)
| | - Francesca Ariani
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (G.D.); (F.T.P.); (M.B.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.P.); (I.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-057-723-3303
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2
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Mulhern MS, Stumpel C, Stong N, Brunner HG, Bier L, Lippa N, Riviello J, Rouhl RPW, Kempers M, Pfundt R, Stegmann APA, Kukolich MK, Telegrafi A, Lehman A, Lopez-Rangel E, Houcinat N, Barth M, den Hollander N, Hoffer MJV, Weckhuysen S, Roovers J, Djemie T, Barca D, Ceulemans B, Craiu D, Lemke JR, Korff C, Mefford HC, Meyers CT, Siegler Z, Hiatt SM, Cooper GM, Bebin EM, Snijders Blok L, Veenstra-Knol HE, Baugh EH, Brilstra EH, Volker-Touw CML, van Binsbergen E, Revah-Politi A, Pereira E, McBrian D, Pacault M, Isidor B, Le Caignec C, Gilbert-Dussardier B, Bilan F, Heinzen EL, Goldstein DB, Stevens SJC, Sands TT. NBEA: Developmental disease gene with early generalized epilepsy phenotypes. Ann Neurol 2018; 84:788-795. [PMID: 30269351 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
NBEA is a candidate gene for autism, and de novo variants have been reported in neurodevelopmental disease (NDD) cohorts. However, NBEA has not been rigorously evaluated as a disease gene, and associated phenotypes have not been delineated. We identified 24 de novo NBEA variants in patients with NDD, establishing NBEA as an NDD gene. Most patients had epilepsy with onset in the first few years of life, often characterized by generalized seizure types, including myoclonic and atonic seizures. Our data show a broader phenotypic spectrum than previously described, including a myoclonic-astatic epilepsy-like phenotype in a subset of patients. Ann Neurol 2018;84:796-803.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen S Mulhern
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Constance Stumpel
- Department of Clinical Genetics and School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas Stong
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Han G Brunner
- Department of Clinical Genetics and School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Louise Bier
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Natalie Lippa
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - James Riviello
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Department of Neurology, New York, NY
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Center for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marlies Kempers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rolph Pfundt
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander P A Stegmann
- Department of Clinical Genetics and School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Anna Lehman
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Elena Lopez-Rangel
- Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nada Houcinat
- University of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, UMR1231 GAD, INSERM, Dijon, France.,Dijon Bourgogne University Hospital Center, Rare Diseases Reference Center "Developmental Anomalies and Informational Syndromes," Genetic Center, FHU-TRANSLAD, Dijon, France
| | - Magalie Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Angers University Hospital Center, Angers, France
| | | | - Mariette J V Hoffer
- Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah Weckhuysen
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Neurogenetics Group, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Jolien Roovers
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Neurogenetics Group, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tania Djemie
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Neurogenetics Group, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Diana Barca
- Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Al Obregia Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Berten Ceulemans
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dana Craiu
- Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Al Obregia Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Johannes R Lemke
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Hospitals and Clinics, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Korff
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Child and Adolescent Department, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Zsuzsanna Siegler
- Bethesda Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Susan M Hiatt
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL
| | | | - E Martina Bebin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Lot Snijders Blok
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hermine E Veenstra-Knol
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Evan H Baugh
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Eva H Brilstra
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Genetics, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ellen van Binsbergen
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Genetics, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anya Revah-Politi
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Elaine Pereira
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Danielle McBrian
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Department of Neurology, New York, NY
| | - Mathilde Pacault
- Genetics Service, Nantes University Hospital Center, Nantes, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Genetics Service, Nantes University Hospital Center, Nantes, France
| | | | - Brigitte Gilbert-Dussardier
- Genetics Service, Poitiers University Hospital Center, Poitiers, France.,University of Poitiers, EA3808 NEUVACOD, Poitiers, France
| | - Frederic Bilan
- Genetics Service, Poitiers University Hospital Center, Poitiers, France.,University of Poitiers, EA3808 NEUVACOD, Poitiers, France
| | - Erin L Heinzen
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - David B Goldstein
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Servi J C Stevens
- Department of Clinical Genetics and School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tristan T Sands
- Columbia University Medical Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Department of Neurology, New York, NY
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Truong DT, Shriberg LD, Smith SD, Chapman KL, Scheer-Cohen AR, DeMille MMC, Adams AK, Nato AQ, Wijsman EM, Eicher JD, Gruen JR. Multipoint genome-wide linkage scan for nonword repetition in a multigenerational family further supports chromosome 13q as a locus for verbal trait disorders. Hum Genet 2016; 135:1329-1341. [PMID: 27535846 PMCID: PMC5065602 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-016-1717-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Verbal trait disorders encompass a wide range of conditions and are marked by deficits in five domains that impair a person's ability to communicate: speech, language, reading, spelling, and writing. Nonword repetition is a robust endophenotype for verbal trait disorders that is sensitive to cognitive processes critical to verbal development, including auditory processing, phonological working memory, and motor planning and programming. In the present study, we present a six-generation extended pedigree with a history of verbal trait disorders. Using genome-wide multipoint variance component linkage analysis of nonword repetition, we identified a region spanning chromosome 13q14-q21 with LOD = 4.45 between 52 and 55 cM, spanning approximately 5.5 Mb on chromosome 13. This region overlaps with SLI3, a locus implicated in reading disability in families with a history of specific language impairment. Our study of a large multigenerational family with verbal trait disorders further implicates the SLI3 region in verbal trait disorders. Future studies will further refine the specific causal genetic factors in this locus on chromosome 13q that contribute to language traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T Truong
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - L D Shriberg
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - S D Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA
| | - K L Chapman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - A R Scheer-Cohen
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, California State University, San Marcos, CA, 92096, USA
| | - M M C DeMille
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - A K Adams
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - A Q Nato
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - E M Wijsman
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - J D Eicher
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - J R Gruen
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Investigative Medicine Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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4
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Bartlett CW, Hou L, Flax JF, Hare A, Cheong SY, Fermano Z, Zimmerman-Bier B, Cartwright C, Azaro MA, Buyske S, Brzustowicz LM. A genome scan for loci shared by autism spectrum disorder and language impairment. Am J Psychiatry 2014; 171:72-81. [PMID: 24170272 PMCID: PMC4431698 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12081103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a genetic linkage study of families that have both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and language-impaired probands to find common communication impairment loci. The hypothesis was that these families have a high genetic loading for impairments in language ability, thus influencing the language and communication deficits of the family members with ASD. Comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of the families also enabled linkage analysis of quantitative measures, including normal, subclinical, and disordered variation in all family members for the three general autism symptom domains: social, communication, and compulsive behaviors. METHOD The primary linkage analysis coded persons with either ASD or specific language impairment as "affected." The secondary linkage analysis consisted of quantitative metrics of autism-associated behaviors capturing normal to clinically severe variation, measured in all family members. RESULTS Linkage to language phenotypes was established at two novel chromosomal loci, 15q23-26 and 16p12. The secondary analysis of normal and disordered quantitative variation in social and compulsive behaviors established linkage to two loci for social behaviors (at 14q and 15q) and one locus for repetitive behaviors (at 13q). CONCLUSION These data indicate shared etiology of ASD and specific language impairment at two novel loci. Additionally, nonlanguage phenotypes based on social aloofness and rigid personality traits showed compelling evidence for linkage in this study group. Further genetic mapping is warranted at these loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Bartlett
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Liping Hou
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Judy F. Flax
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Abby Hare
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Soo Yeon Cheong
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Zena Fermano
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Barbie Zimmerman-Bier
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Department of Pediatrics, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Charles Cartwright
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Marco A. Azaro
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Department of Statistics and Biostatistics, Rutgers University, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Linda M. Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Corresponding Author:
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Niesmann K, Breuer D, Brockhaus J, Born G, Wolff I, Reissner C, Kilimann MW, Rohlmann A, Missler M. Dendritic spine formation and synaptic function require neurobeachin. Nat Commun 2011; 2:557. [PMID: 22109531 PMCID: PMC3482631 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A challenge in neuroscience is to understand the mechanisms underlying synapse
formation. Most excitatory synapses in the brain are built on spines, which are
actin-rich protrusions from dendrites. Spines are a major substrate of brain
plasticity, and spine pathologies are observed in various mental illnesses. Here we
investigate the role of neurobeachin (Nbea), a multidomain protein previously linked
to cases of autism, in synaptogenesis. We show that deletion of Nbea leads to
reduced numbers of spinous synapses in cultured neurons from complete knockouts and
in cortical tissue from heterozygous mice, accompanied by altered miniature
postsynaptic currents. In addition, excitatory synapses terminate mostly at
dendritic shafts instead of spine heads in Nbea mutants, and actin becomes less
enriched synaptically. As actin and synaptopodin, a spine-associated protein with
actin-bundling activity, accumulate ectopically near the Golgi apparatus of mutant
neurons, a role emerges for Nbea in trafficking important cargo to pre- and
postsynaptic compartments. Most excitatory synapses in the brain are found on dendritic
spines, but the mechanisms underlying synapse formation are poorly understood. Niesmann
et al. investigate the role of neurobeachin in synaptogenesis, and find that
its deletion leads to fewer spinous synapses and altered postsynaptic
currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Niesmann
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster 48149, Germany
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Vorstman JA, van Daalen E, Jalali GR, Schmidt ER, Pasterkamp RJ, de Jonge M, Hennekam EA, Janson E, Staal WG, van der Zwaag B, Burbach JP, Kahn RS, Emanuel BS, van Engeland H, Ophoff RA. A double hit implicates DIAPH3 as an autism risk gene. Mol Psychiatry 2011; 16:442-51. [PMID: 20308993 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2010.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that more than 10% of autism cases are caused by de novo structural genomic rearrangements. Given that some heritable copy number variants (CNVs) have been observed in patients as well as in healthy controls, to date little attention has been paid to the potential function of these non-de novo CNVs in causing autism. A normally intelligent patient with autism, with non-affected parents, was identified with a maternally inherited 10 Mb deletion at 13q21.2. Sequencing of the genes within the deletion identified a paternally inherited nonsynonymous amino-acid substitution at position 614 of diaphanous homolog 3 (DIAPH3) (proline to threonine; Pro614Thr). This variant, present in a highly conserved domain, was not found in 328 healthy subjects. Experiments showed a transient expression of Diaph3 in the developing murine cerebral cortex, indicating it has a function in brain development. Transfection of Pro614Thr in murine fibroblasts showed a significant reduction in the number of induced filopodia in comparison to the wild-type gene. DIAPH3 is involved in cell migration, axon guidance and neuritogenesis, and is suggested to function downstream of SHANK3. Our findings strongly suggest DIAPH3 as a novel autism susceptibility gene. Moreover, this report of a 'double-hit' compound heterozygote for a large, maternally inherited, genomic deletion and a paternally inherited rare missense mutation shows that not only de novo genomic variants in patients should be taken seriously in further study but that inherited CNVs may also provide valuable information.
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Qiu Z, Cheng J. The Role of Calcium-Dependent Gene Expression in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Lessons from MeCP2, Ube3a and Beyond. Neurosignals 2010; 18:72-81. [DOI: 10.1159/000320970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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Medrihan L, Rohlmann A, Fairless R, Andrae J, Döring M, Missler M, Zhang W, Kilimann MW. Neurobeachin, a protein implicated in membrane protein traffic and autism, is required for the formation and functioning of central synapses. J Physiol 2009; 587:5095-106. [PMID: 19723784 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.178236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of neuronal networks in the brain requires the differentiation of functional synapses. Neurobeachin (Nbea) was identified as a putative regulator of membrane protein trafficking associated with tubulovesicular endomembranes and postsynaptic plasma membranes. Nbea is essential for evoked transmission at neuromuscular junctions, but its role in the central nervous system has not been characterized. Here, we have studied central synapses of a newly generated gene-trap knockout (KO) mouse line at embryonic day 18, because null-mutant mice are paralysed and die perinatally. Although the overall brain architecture was normal, we identified major abnormalities of synaptic function in mutant animals. In acute slices from the brainstem, both spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents were clearly reduced and failure rates of evoked inhibitory responses were markedly increased. In addition, the frequency of miniature excitatory and both the frequency and amplitudes of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were severely diminished in KO mice, indicating a perturbation of both action potential-dependent and -independent transmitter release. Moreover, Nbea appears to be important for the formation and composition of central synapses because the area density of mature asymmetric contacts in the fetal brainstem was reduced to 30% of wild-type levels, and the expression levels of a subset of synaptic marker proteins were smaller than in littermate controls. Our data demonstrate for the first time a function of Nbea at central synapses that may be based on its presumed role in targeting membrane proteins to synaptic contacts, and are consistent with the 'excitatory-inhibitory imbalance' model of autism where Nbea gene rearrangements have been detected in some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucian Medrihan
- Center for Physiology, Georg-August University and DFG-Research Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
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Abstract
Autism is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a variety of different etiologies, but with a heritability estimate of more than 90%. Although the strong correlation between autism and genetic factors has been long established, the exact genetic background of autism is still unclear. This review refers to all the genetic syndromes that have been described in children with pervasive developmental disorders (tuberous sclerosis, fragile X, Down, neurofibromatosis, Angelman, Prader-Willi, Gilles de la Tourette, Williams, etc.). Issues covered include prevalence and main characteristics of each syndrome, as well as the possible base of its association with autism in terms of contribution to the current knowledge on the etiology and genetic base of pervasive developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios I Zafeiriou
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Egnatia St. 106, 54622 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Bartlett CW, Gharani N, Millonig JH, Brzustowicz LM. Three autism candidate genes: a synthesis of human genetic analysis with other disciplines. Int J Dev Neurosci 2004; 23:221-34. [PMID: 15749247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2004.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2004] [Revised: 10/20/2004] [Accepted: 10/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a particularly complex disorder when considered from virtually any methodological framework, including the perspective of human genetics. We first present a review of the genetic analysis principles relevant for discussing autism genetics research. From this body of work we highlight results from three candidate genes, REELIN (RELN), SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER (5HTT), and ENGRAILED 2 (EN2) and discuss the relevant neuroscience, molecular genetics, and statistical results that suggest involvement of these genes in autism susceptibility. As will be shown, the statistical results from genetic analysis, when considered alone, are in apparent conflict across research groups. We use these three candidate genes to illustrate different problems in synthesizing results from non-overlapping research groups examining the same problem. However, when basic genetic principles and results from other scientific disciplines are incorporated into a unified theoretical framework, at least some of the difficulties with interpreting results can be understood and potentially overcome as more data becomes available to the field of autism research. Integrating results from several scientific frameworks provides new hypotheses and alternative data collection strategies for future work.
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Abstract
Autism is one of the most heritable complex disorders, with compelling evidence for genetic factors and little or no support for environmental influence. The estimated prevalence of autism has increased since molecular genetic studies began, owing to loosening of diagnostic criteria and, more importantly, to more complete ascertainment strategies. This has led to a reduction in the sibling relative risk, but strong heritability estimates remain. It is essential to recognize that genetics is the only current approach to understanding the pathophysiology of autism in which there is not the usual concern about whether one is studying a consequence rather than a cause. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of patients with autism spectrum disorder with documented single-gene mutations or chromosomal abnormalities. Autism may be one of the most complex, yet strongly genetic, disorders in which chromosomal disorders, relatively rare highly penetrant mutations, and multiplicative effects of common variants all have support in different cases and families. The field of complex genetics is replete with many researchers and reviewers who want to promote their overly focused interest in one method at the exclusion of others. However, it is essential that the restricted interests of patients with autism not be reflected in overly restrictive genetic approaches if we are to better understand the genetics of autism in the most expeditious and thorough manner.
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Bartlett CW, Flax JF, Logue MW, Smith BJ, Vieland VJ, Tallal P, Brzustowicz LM. Examination of potential overlap in autism and language loci on chromosomes 2, 7, and 13 in two independent samples ascertained for specific language impairment. Hum Hered 2004; 57:10-20. [PMID: 15133308 PMCID: PMC2976973 DOI: 10.1159/000077385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2003] [Accepted: 08/25/2003] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific language impairment is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments essentially restricted to the domain of language and language learning skills. This contrasts with autism, which is a pervasive developmental disorder defined by multiple impairments in language, social reciprocity, narrow interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Genetic linkage studies and family data suggest that the two disorders may have genetic components in common. Two samples, from Canada and the US, selected for specific language impairment were genotyped at loci where such common genes are likely to reside. Significant evidence for linkage was previously observed at chromosome 13q21 in our Canadian sample (HLOD 3.56) and was confirmed in our US sample (HLOD 2.61). Using the posterior probability of linkage (PPL) to combine evidence for linkage across the two samples yielded a PPL over 92%. Two additional loci on chromosome 2 and 7 showed weak evidence for linkage. However, a marker in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (7q31) showed evidence for association to SLI, confirming results from another group (O'Brien et al. 2003). Our results indicate that using samples selected for components of the autism phenotype may be a useful adjunct to autism genetics.
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