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Forsberg KM, Graffmo KS, Stenvall E, Tabikh N, Marklund SL, Brännström T, Andersen PM. Widespread CNS pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis homozygous for the D90A SOD1 mutation. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:13-28. [PMID: 36385230 PMCID: PMC9807479 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding the ubiquitously expressed free radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) are found in 2-6% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. The most frequent SOD1 mutation worldwide is D90A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by this mutation has some unusual features: the heredity is usually recessive, the phenotype is stereotypic with slowly evolving motor symptoms beginning in the legs and may also include sensory, autonomic, and urinary bladder involvement. Furthermore, the mutant protein resembles the wild type, with normal content and enzymatic activity in the central nervous system. Here, we report neuropathological findings in nine patients homozygous for the D90A mutation. All nine had numerous small granular inclusions immunoreactive for misfolded SOD1 in motor neurons and glial nuclei in the spinal cord and brainstem. In addition to degeneration of the corticospinal tracts, all patients had degeneration of the dorsal columns. We also found intense gliosis in circumscribed cortical areas of the frontal and temporal lobes and in the insula. In these areas and in adjacent white matter, there were SOD1 staining neuropil threads. A few SOD1-immunopositive cytoplasmic neuronal inclusions were observed in cortical areas, as were glial nuclear inclusions. As suggested by the symptoms and signs and earlier neurophysiological and imaging investigations, the histopathology in patients homozygous for the D90A SOD1 extends beyond the motor system to include cognitive and sensory cortical areas. However, even in the patients that had a symptomatic disease duration of more than 2 or 3 decades and lived into their 70s or 80s, there were no SOD1-inclusion pathology and no typical dysfunction (apart from the musculature) in non-nervous organs. Thus, only specific parts of the CNS seem to be vulnerable to toxicity provoked by homozygously expressed mutant SOD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Forsberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karin S Graffmo
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erica Stenvall
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Naima Tabikh
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefan L Marklund
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Brännström
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.
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2
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Gentile G, Perrone B, Morello G, Simone IL, Andò S, Cavallaro S, Conforti FL. Individual Oligogenic Background in p.D91A- SOD1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121843. [PMID: 34946792 PMCID: PMC8701978 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The p.D91A is one of the most common ALS-causing SOD1 mutations and is known to be either recessive or dominant. The homozygous phenotype is characterized by prolonged survival and slow progression of disease, whereas the affected heterozygous phenotypes can vary. To date, no genetic protective factors located close to SOD1 have been associated with the mild progressive homozygous phenotype. Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), we characterized a small cohort of sporadic and familial p.D91A-SOD1 heterozygous (n = 2) or homozygous (n = 5) ALS patients, to reveal any additional contributing variant in 39 ALS-related genes. We detected unique sets of non-synonymous variants, four of which were of uncertain significance and several in untranslated regions of ALS-related genes. Our results supported an individual oligogenic background underlying both sporadic and familial p.D91A cases irrespective of their p.D91A mutant alleles. We suggest that a comprehensive genomic view of p.D91A-SOD1 ALS patients may be useful in identifying emerging variants and improving disease diagnosis as well as guiding precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gentile
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (G.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Benedetta Perrone
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (B.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (G.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (B.P.); (S.A.)
- Centro Sanitario, Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (G.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Francesca Luisa Conforti
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (B.P.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence:
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3
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Dong SQ, Liu XN, Yang WB, Zhou YN, Wang JC, Chen XJ. An exon 5 mutation (c.425G>C, p.Gly141Ala) in the SOD1 gene in a Chinese family associated with incomplete penetrance. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:473-476. [PMID: 32174179 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1738496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Qi Dong
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ni Liu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Neurology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Bo Yang
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ni Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiu-Cun Wang
- Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Neurology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Alavi A, Nafissi S, Rohani M, Zamani B, Sedighi B, Shamshiri H, Fan JB, Ronaghi M, Elahi E. Genetic analysis and SOD1 mutation screening in Iranian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 34:1516.e1-8. [PMID: 23062701 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2012] [Revised: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease, and the most common in European populations. Results of genetic analysis and mutation screening of SOD1 in a cohort of 60 Iranian ALS patients are here reported. Initially, linkage analysis in 4 families identified a disease-linked locus that included the known ALS gene, SOD1. Screening of SOD1 identified homozygous p.Asp90Ala causing mutations in all the linked families. Haplotype analysis suggests that the p.Asp90Ala alleles in the Iranian patients might share a common founder with the renowned Scandinavian recessive p.Asp90Ala allele. Subsequent screening in all the patients resulted in identification of 3 other mutations in SOD1, including p.Leu84Phe in the homozygous state. Phenotypic features of the mutation-bearing patients are presented. SOD1 mutations were found in 11.7% of the cohort, 38.5% of the familial ALS probands, and 4.25% of the sporadic ALS cases. SOD1 mutations contribute significantly to ALS among Iranians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afagh Alavi
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Wuolikainen A, Andersen PM, Moritz T, Marklund SL, Antti H. ALS patients with mutations in the SOD1 gene have an unique metabolomic profile in the cerebrospinal fluid compared with ALS patients without mutations. Mol Genet Metab 2012; 105:472-8. [PMID: 22264771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.11.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A specific biochemical marker for early diagnosing and for monitoring disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will have important clinical applications. ALS is a heterogeneous syndrome with multiple subtypes with ill-defined borders. A minority of patients carries mutations in the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene but the disease mechanism remains unknown for all types of ALS. Using a GC-TOFMS platform we studied the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolome in 16 ALS patients with six different mutations in the SOD1 gene and compared with ALS-patients without such mutations. OPLS-DA was used for classification modeling. We find that patients with a SOD1 mutation have a distinct metabolic profile in the CSF. In particular, the eight patients homozygous for the D90A SOD1 mutation showed a distinctively different signature when modeled against ALS patients with other SOD1 mutations and sporadic and familial ALS patients without a SOD1 gene mutation. This was found irrespective of medication with riluzole and survival time. Among the metabolites that contributed most to the CSF signature were arginine, lysine, ornithine, serine, threonine and pyroglutamic acid, all found to be reduced in patients carrying a D90A SOD1 mutation. ALS-patients with a SOD1 gene mutation appear as a distinct metabolic entity in the CSF, in particular in patients with the D90A mutation, the most frequently identified cause of ALS. The findings suggest that metabolomic profiling using GC-TOFMS and multivariate data analysis may be a future tool for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression, and may cast light on the disease mechanisms in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wuolikainen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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6
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Vela A, Galán L, Valencia C, de la Torre P, Cuadrado L, Esteban J, Guerrero A, García-Redondo A, Matías-Guiu J. SOD1-N196 mutation in a family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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7
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Shelkovnikova TA, Ustyugov AA, Smirnov AP, Skvortsova VI, Buchman VL, Bachurin SO, Ninkina NN. FUS gene mutations associated with familiar forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affect cellular localization and aggregation properties of the encoded protein. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2011; 438:123-6. [PMID: 21725888 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672911030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T A Shelkovnikova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Substances, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow oblast, 142432, Russia
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8
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Vela A, Galán L, Valencia C, Torre PDL, Cuadrado ML, Esteban J, Guerrero A, García-Redondo A, Matías-Guiu J. [SOD1-N196 mutation in a family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. Neurologia 2011; 27:11-5. [PMID: 21549454 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2011.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION N19S mutation is produced by substitution in the 139 position of SOD1 and was described by Mayeux in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He suggested that it did not have a causal effect as it was found in asymptomatic and sporadic cases. Other authors in later articles did not agree. MATERIAL AND METHODS We describe a family with 4 members with ALS patients and attempt to find the carrier of the N19S mutation of the propositus. Molecular studies were performed on 15 members of the family of a different order. RESULTS The ALS cases were found in the maternal line of the propositus. The presence of the mutation was detected in 3 people, the other two were asymptomatic. One of patients with ALS in the family, who died previously, did not have the mutation. Two of the sons of this case and another of the other case did not show it. On the other hand, N19S mutation was only present in paternal branch of the propositus, where there were no cases. CONCLUSION The described family supports the hypothesis by Mayeux and against that mutation N19S has pathological consequences, since mutation is only in the family line where there are no cases with ALS. In consequence, although the described case is included as a familiar form, it cannot be attributed to the mutation, and its relationship with N19S should be considered as casual.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vela
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
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9
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D90A-SOD1 mutation in ALS: The first report of heterozygous Italian patients and unusual findings. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 11:216-9. [PMID: 20184519 DOI: 10.3109/17482960902721642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Among the 140 Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) gene mutations associated with ALS, only D90A, the most prevalent mutation in Europe, has been clearly shown to cause recessive and dominant ALS. Here we first describe two, apparently sporadic, Italian ALS patients heterozygous for the D90A mutation. One patient experienced early sensory involvement, confirmed by nerve biopsy. We review sensory symptoms in SOD1 ALS and discuss its possible origin in D90A heterozygous patients.
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10
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Sabel CE, Boyle P, Raab G, Löytönen M, Maasilta P. Modelling individual space–time exposure opportunities: A novel approach to unravelling the genetic or environment disease causation debate. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2009; 1:85-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2009.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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11
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Broom WJ, Johnson DV, Garber M, Andersen PM, Lennon N, Landers J, Nusbaum C, Russ C, Brown RH. DNA sequence analysis of the conserved region around the SOD1 gene locus in recessively inherited ALS. Neurosci Lett 2009; 463:64-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2009] [Revised: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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12
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Eisen A, Mezei MM, Stewart HG, Fabros M, Gibson G, Andersen PM. SOD1 gene mutations in ALS patients from British Columbia, Canada: Clinical features, neurophysiology and ethical issues in management. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 9:108-19. [DOI: 10.1080/17482960801900073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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13
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Jonsson PA, Graffmo KS, Brännström T, Nilsson P, Andersen PM, Marklund SL. Motor neuron disease in mice expressing the wild type-like D90A mutant superoxide dismutase-1. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2007; 65:1126-36. [PMID: 17146286 DOI: 10.1097/01.jnen.0000248545.36046.3c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutant human CuZn-superoxide dismutases (hSOD1s) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most common mutation is the wild type-like D90A and to explore its properties, transgenic mice were generated and compared with mice expressing wild-type hSOD1. D90A hSOD1 was both in vivo in mice and in vitro under denaturing conditions nearly as stable as the wild-type human enzyme. It appeared less toxic than other tested mutants, but mice homozygous for the transgene insertion developed a fatal motor neuron disease. In these mice, the disease progression was slow and there were bladder disturbances similar to what is found in human ALS cases homozygous for the D90A mutation. The homozygous D90A mice accumulated detergent-resistant hSOD1 aggregates in spinal cords, and abundant hSOD1 inclusions and vacuoles were seen in the ventral horns. Mice expressing wild-type hSOD1 at a comparable rate showed similar pathologic changes but less and later. Hemizygous D90A mice showed even milder alterations. At 600 days, the wild-type hSOD1 transgenic mice had lost more ventral horn neurons than hemizygous D90A mice (38% vs 31% p < 0.01). Thus, wild-type hSOD1 shows a significant neurotoxicity in the spinal cord, that is less than equal but more than half as large as that of D90A mutant enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Andreas Jonsson
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University Hospital, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
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14
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Shaw CE, Arechavala-Gomeza V, Al-Chalabi A. Chapter 14 Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2007; 82:279-300. [PMID: 18808899 DOI: 10.1016/s0072-9752(07)80017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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15
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Zherebtsova AL, Shadrina MI, Semenova EV, Levitsky GN, Alekhin AV, Slominsky PA, Skvortsova VI, Limborska SA. Analysis of the possible involvement of the glutamate transporter gene EAAT2 and the glutamate receptor genes GRIA1 and GRIA2 in the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease in the Russian population. RUSS J GENET+ 2006. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795406010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Broom WJ, Russ C, Sapp PC, McKenna-Yasek D, Hosler BA, Andersen PM, Brown RH. Variants in candidate ALS modifier genes linked to Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase do not explain divergent survival phenotypes. Neurosci Lett 2005; 392:52-7. [PMID: 16174551 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Revised: 08/25/2005] [Accepted: 08/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) accounts for 10% of all ALS cases; approximately 25% are due to mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1). In North America, SOD1(A4V) is the most common SOD1 mutation. A4V ALS cases typically have a very short survival (1-1.5 years versus 3-5 years for other dominant SOD1 mutations). A recent study of A4V carriers identified a common haplotype around the SOD1 locus, suggesting the hypothesis that genetic variations within the haplotypic region might accelerate the course of A4V cases. By contrast, SOD1(D90A/D90A) ALS cases have a very slow progression (>10 years), raising the reciprocal hypothesis that modifier genes linked to SOD1 ameliorate the phenotype of recessively inherited SOD1(D90A/D90A) mutations. In the present study, DNA sequencing of four genes within the haplotypic region shared in A4V and D90A ALS patients revealed 15 novel variants, but none result in changes in amino acid sequences specifically associated with SOD1(D90A/D90A) or SOD1(A4V) ALS. We conclude that mutations within coding regions of genes around the SOD1 locus are not responsible for the more aggressive and more benign natures of the SOD1(A4V) and SOD1(D90A/D90A) mutations, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J Broom
- Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, 114 16th Street, Navy Yard, Charlestown, 02129, USA.
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17
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Skvortsova V, Shadrina M, Slominsky P, Levitsky G, Kondratieva E, Zherebtsova A, Levitskaya N, Alekhin A, Serdyuk A, Limborska S. Analysis of heavy neurofilament subunit gene polymorphism in Russian patients with sporadic motor neuron disease (MND). Eur J Hum Genet 2004; 12:241-4. [PMID: 14722583 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) results in the selective degeneration of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. The most common form of MND is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MND is complex and many genetic systems may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Pathological and animal studies implicate neurofilament involvement in MND. The heavy subunit (NEFH) tail domain contains a repeated motif. In humans, there are two common variants: the 45 motif repeats long allele (L) and 44 motif repeats short allele (S). Previous studies have shown that the NEFH tail may be involved in the pathogenesis of MND. To investigate whether the L/S genotypes of the NEFH gene are associated with MND, we studied the frequency of L and S alleles in sporadic MND patients and a control population from Moscow. We observed a difference in SS genotype frequency between the control population and sporadic MND patients from Moscow. It was established that the SS genotype is sufficiently higher in sporadic MND patients. Moreover, we determined that patients with the SS genotype have the highest value of loss of the total clinical score. In summary, we conclude that the NEFH gene is involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic MND. The SS genotype represents a risk factor for the development and progression of sporadic MND in the Moscow population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Skvortsova
- Department of Fundamental and Clinical Neurology, Russian State Medical University, Lenskay str.15, block 3, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Chapter 8 Genetic Aspects of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s1877-3419(09)70109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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19
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Jonsson PA, Bäckstrand A, Andersen PM, Jacobsson J, Parton M, Shaw C, Swingler R, Shaw PJ, Robberecht W, Ludolph AC, Siddique T, Skvortsova VI, Marklund SL. CuZn-Superoxide Dismutase in D90A Heterozygotes from Recessive and Dominant ALS Pedigrees. Neurobiol Dis 2002; 10:327-33. [PMID: 12270693 DOI: 10.1006/nbdi.2002.0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) have been linked to ALS. In most cases ALS is inherited as a dominant trait and there is marked reduction in CuZn-SOD activity in samples from the patients. The D90A mutation, however, mostly causes ALS as a recessive trait and shows near normal CuZn-SOD activity. A few familial and sporadic ALS cases heterozygous for the D90A mutation have also been found. Haplotype analysis of both types of D90A families has suggested that all recessive cases share a common founder and may carry a protective factor located close to the D90A mutant CuZn-SOD locus. To search for effects of a putative protective factor we analysed erythrocytes from D90A heterozygous individuals for SOD activity by a direct assay, subunit composition by immunoblotting, and zymogram pattern formed by isoelectric focusing and SOD staining. Included were heterozygotes from 17 recessive families, and from 2 dominant families and 4 apparently sporadic cases. The CuZn-SOD activity in the recessive and dominant groups was found to be equal, and 95% of controls. The ratio between mutant and wildtype subunits was likewise equal and 0.8:1 in both groups. The zymograms revealed multiple bands representing homo- and heterodimers. There were, however, no differences between the groups in patterns or in ratios between the molecular forms. In conclusion we find no evidence from analyses in erythrocytes that the putative protective factor in recessive families acts by simply downregulating the synthesis or altering the molecular structure or turnover of the mutant enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Andreas Jonsson
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
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20
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Bergomi M, Vinceti M, Nacci G, Pietrini V, Brätter P, Alber D, Ferrari A, Vescovi L, Guidetti D, Sola P, Malagu S, Aramini C, Vivoli G. Environmental exposure to trace elements and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population-based case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2002; 89:116-123. [PMID: 12123644 DOI: 10.1006/enrs.2002.4361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed the association between the environmental exposure to trace elements and the risk of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a population-based case-control study in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. We evaluated exposure to selected trace elements by measuring toenail concentrations of the same by means of inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis. The final number enrolled in the study was 22 patients and 40 controls. Disease progression, assessed through a clinical score, was generally unassociated with toenail trace element levels, with the exception of an inverse relation with zinc and selenium content and a direct correlation with copper concentration. In logistic regression analysis, we found no evidence of an association between ALS risk and toenail content of cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, chromium, cobalt, iron, and aluminum. This investigation does not suggest a major role in sporadic ALS etiology of environmental exposure to these trace elements, though results for zinc, selenium, and copper should be evaluated with caution due to the potential limitations of toenails as biomarkers of chronic exposure in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bergomi
- Dipartmento di Scienze Igienistiche, Microbiologiche e Biostatistiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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