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Zhang Y, Liu X, Li Z, Li H, Miao Z, Wan B, Xu X. Advances on the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies in Non-coding CGG Repeat Expansion Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04239-9. [PMID: 38780719 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Non-coding CGG repeat expansions within the 5' untranslated region are implicated in a range of neurological disorders, including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukodystrophy, and oculopharyngodistal myopathy. This review outlined the general characteristics of diseases associated with non-coding CGG repeat expansions, detailing their clinical manifestations and neuroimaging patterns, which often overlap and indicate shared pathophysiological traits. We summarized the underlying molecular mechanisms of these disorders, providing new insights into the roles that DNA, RNA, and toxic proteins play. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. These strategies include a range of approaches, such as antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, genomic DNA editing, small molecule interventions, and other treatments aimed at correcting the dysregulated processes inherent in these disorders. A deeper understanding of the shared mechanisms among non-coding CGG repeat expansion disorders may hold the potential to catalyze the development of innovative therapies, ultimately offering relief to individuals grappling with these debilitating neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhang
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Zeheng Li
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Hao Li
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215124, China
| | - Zhigang Miao
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Bo Wan
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Xingshun Xu
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China.
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China.
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
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D'Antoni S, Spatuzza M, Bonaccorso CM, Catania MV. Role of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 in the pathophysiology of brain disorders: a glia perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105731. [PMID: 38763180 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP) is a widely expressed RNA binding protein involved in several steps of mRNA metabolism. Mutations in the FMR1 gene encoding FMRP are responsible for fragile X syndrome (FXS), a leading genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, and fragile X-associated tremor-ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder in aging men. Although FMRP is mainly expressed in neurons, it is also present in glial cells and its deficiency or altered expression can affect functions of glial cells with implications for the pathophysiology of brain disorders. The present review focuses on recent advances on the role of glial subtypes, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia, in the pathophysiology of FXS and FXTAS, and describes how the absence or reduced expression of FMRP in these cells can impact on glial and neuronal functions. We will also briefly address the role of FMRP in radial glial cells and its effects on neural development, and gliomas and will speculate on the role of glial FMRP in other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D'Antoni
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - M Spatuzza
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - C M Bonaccorso
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, via Conte Ruggero 73, Troina 94018, Italy
| | - M V Catania
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy.
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Elias-Mas A, Wang JY, Rodríguez-Revenga L, Kim K, Tassone F, Hessl D, Rivera SM, Hagerman R. Enlarged perivascular spaces and their association with motor, cognition, MRI markers and cerebrovascular risk factors in male fragile X premutation carriers. J Neurol Sci 2024; 461:123056. [PMID: 38772058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
FMR1 premutation carriers (55-200 CGG repeats) are at risk of developing fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with motor and cognitive impairment. Bilateral hyperintensities of the middle cerebellar peduncles (MCP sign) are the major radiological hallmarks of FXTAS. In the general population, enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS) are biomarkers of small vessel disease and glymphatic dysfunction and are associated with cognitive decline. Our aim was to determine if premutation carriers show higher ratings of PVS than controls and whether enlarged PVS are associated with motor and cognitive impairment, MRI features of neurodegeneration, cerebrovascular risk factors and CGG repeat length. We evaluated 655 MRIs (1-10 visits/participant) from 229 carriers (164 with FXTAS and 65 without FXTAS) and 133 controls. PVS in the basal ganglia (BG-EPVS), centrum semiovale, and midbrain were evaluated with a semiquantitative scale. Mixed-effects models were used for statistical analysis adjusting for age. In carriers with FXTAS, we revealed that (1) BG-PVS ratings were higher than those of controls and carriers without FXTAS; (2) BG-PVS severity was associated with brain atrophy, white matter hyperintensities, enlarged ventricles, FXTAS stage and abnormal gait; (3) age-related increase in BG-PVS was associated with cognitive dysfunction; and (4) PVS ratings of all three regions showed robust associations with CGG repeat length and were higher in carriers with the MCP sign than carriers without the sign. This study demonstrates clinical relevance of PVS in FXTAS especially in the basal ganglia region and suggests microangiopathy and dysfunctional cerebrospinal fluid circulation in FXTAS physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Elias-Mas
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Research and Innovation Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain; Genetics Doctorate Program, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Laia Rodríguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain; Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Kyoungmi Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - Flora Tassone
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - Susan M Rivera
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, CA, United States; MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States.
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Lakhani DA, Agarwal AK, Middlebrooks EH. Ultra-high-field 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Neuroradiol J 2024:19714009241247464. [PMID: 38644331 DOI: 10.1177/19714009241247464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by premutation expansion of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. It is a common single-gene cause of tremor, ataxia, and cognitive decline in adults. FXTAS affects the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, leading to a range of neurological symptoms from dementia to dysautonomia. A characteristic imaging feature of FXTAS is symmetric T2 hyperintensity in the deep white matter of the cerebellar hemispheres and middle cerebral peduncle. However, recent studies have reported additional findings on diffusion weighted images (DWI), such as a symmetric high-intensity band-like signal at the cerebral corticomedullary junction. These findings, along with the characteristic cerebellar signal alterations, overlap with imaging findings seen in adult-onset neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). Importantly, recent pathology studies have shown that both FXTAS and NIID can manifest intranuclear inclusion bodies, posing a diagnostic challenge and potential for misdiagnosis. We describe a 58-year-old man with FXTAS who received an erroneous diagnosis based on imaging and histopathology results. We emphasize the potential pitfalls in distinguishing NIID from FXTAS and stress the importance of genetic analysis in all cases with suspected NIID and FXTAS for confirmation. Additionally, we present the 7T MRI brain findings of FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhairya A Lakhani
- Division of Neuroradiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, USA
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Tak Y, Schneider A, Santos E, Randol JL, Tassone F, Hagerman P, Hagerman RJ. Unmethylated Mosaic Full Mutation Males without Fragile X Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:331. [PMID: 38540390 PMCID: PMC10970065 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability (ID) and single gene cause of autism. Although most patients with FXS and the full mutation (FM) have complete methylation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene, some have mosaicism in methylation and/or CGG repeat size, and few have completely unmethylated FM alleles. Those with a complete lack of methylation are rare, with little literature about the cognitive and behavioral phenotypes of these individuals. A review of past literature was conducted regarding individuals with unmethylated and mosaic FMR1 FM. We report three patients with an unmethylated FM FMR1 alleles without any behavioral or cognitive deficits. This is an unusual presentation for men with FM as most patients with an unmethylated FM and no behavioral phenotypes do not receive fragile X DNA testing or a diagnosis of FXS. Our cases showed that mosaic males with unmethylated FMR1 FM alleles may lack behavioral phenotypes due to the presence of smaller alleles producing the FMR1 protein (FMRP). However, these individuals could be at a higher risk of developing fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) due to the increased expression of mRNA, similar to those who only have a premutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- YeEun Tak
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (Y.T.); (E.S.); (F.T.); (P.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Ellery Santos
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (Y.T.); (E.S.); (F.T.); (P.H.)
| | - Jamie Leah Randol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (Y.T.); (E.S.); (F.T.); (P.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Paul Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (Y.T.); (E.S.); (F.T.); (P.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA; (Y.T.); (E.S.); (F.T.); (P.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
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Dufour BD, Bartley T, McBride E, Allen E, McLennan YA, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. FXTAS Neuropathology Includes Widespread Reactive Astrogliosis and White Matter Specific Astrocyte Degeneration. Ann Neurol 2024; 95:558-575. [PMID: 38069470 PMCID: PMC10922917 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset progressive genetic neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in FMR1 premutation carriers. The temporal, spatial, and cell-type specific patterns of neurodegeneration in the FXTAS brain remain incompletely characterized. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are the neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS, which are largest and occur most frequently in astrocytes, glial cells that maintain brain homeostasis. Here, we characterized neuropathological alterations in astrocytes in multiple regions of the FXTAS brain. METHODS Striatal and cerebellar sections from FXTAS cases (n = 12) and controls (n = 12) were stained for the astrocyte markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1L1 (ALDH1L1) using immunohistochemistry. Reactive astrogliosis severity, the prevalence of GFAP+ fragments, and astrocyte density were scored. Double label immunofluorescence was utilized to detect co-localization of GFAP and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS FXTAS cases showed widespread reactive gliosis in both grey and white matter. GFAP staining also revealed remarkably severe astrocyte pathology in FXTAS white matter - characterized by a significant and visible reduction in astrocyte density (-38.7% in striatum and - 32.2% in cerebellum) and the widespread presence of GFAP+ fragments reminiscent of apoptotic bodies. White matter specific reductions in astrocyte density were confirmed with ALDH1L1 staining. GFAP+ astrocytes and fragments in white matter were positive for cleaved caspase-3, suggesting that apoptosis-mediated degeneration is responsible for reduced astrocyte counts. INTERPRETATION We have established that FXTAS neuropathology includes robust degeneration of astrocytes, which is specific to white matter. Because astrocytes are essential for maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system, a loss of astrocytes likely further exacerbates neuropathological progression of other cell types in the FXTAS brain. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:558-575.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D. Dufour
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Trevor Bartley
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Erin McBride
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Erik Allen
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Yingratana A. McLennan
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), Shriner’s Hospital for Children and UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Tak Y, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Case Series: Vestibular Migraines in Fragile X Premutation Carriers. J Clin Med 2024; 13:504. [PMID: 38256638 PMCID: PMC10816080 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vestibular migraine (VM) is one of the most common causes of recurrent vertigo and presents with a history of spontaneous or positional vertigo with a history of migraine headaches. While research has identified a high prevalence of migraine headaches and vestibular deficits among fragile X premutation carriers, there has been no discussion about VM within this population. OBJECTIVE This case series and review seeks to describe the clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of VM among individuals with the fragile X premutation. We also seek to discuss treatment and future steps in addressing VM in this population. METHODS A review of the literature regarding vestibular migraine and presentation of migraine headaches and vestibular deficits among premutation carriers was performed. A detailed clinical history of migraine headaches and vertigo was obtained from three patients with the fragile X premutation seen by the senior author (RJH). RESULTS All three cases first developed symptoms of migraine headaches earlier in life, with the development of VM near menopause. Two of the three cases developed progressive balance issues following the development of VM. All three cases found that their VM episodes were improved or resolved with pharmacological and/or lifestyle interventions. CONCLUSIONS It is important to recognize VM among premutation carriers because beneficial treatments are available. Future studies are needed regarding the prevalence of VM and the relationship to subsequent FXTAS. The pathophysiology of VM remains uncertain but possibilities include mitochondrial abnormalities, cranial nerve VIII toxicity secondary to neurotoxic protein accumulation, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling dysfunction due to altered levels of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP).
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Affiliation(s)
- YeEun Tak
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Campus, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.T.); (F.T.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Kargar M, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Neurodegeneration of White and Gray Matter in the Hippocampus with FXTAS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17266. [PMID: 38139097 PMCID: PMC10743470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects older premutation carriers (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X gene. Despite the high prevalence of the FXTAS disorder, neuropathology studies of individuals affected by FXTAS are limited. We performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in the hippocampus of 26 FXTAS cases and analyzed the tissue microscopically. The major neuropathological characteristics were white matter disease, intranuclear inclusions in neurons and astrocytes, and neuron loss. Astrocytes contained more and larger inclusions than neurons. There was a negative correlation between age of death and CGG repeat length in cases over the age of 60. The number of astroglial inclusions (CA3 and dentate gyrus) and the number of CA3 neuronal inclusions increased with elevated CGG repeat length. In the two cases with a CGG repeat size less than 65, FXTAS intranuclear inclusions were not present in the hippocampus, while in the two cases with less than 70 (65-70) CGG repeat expansion, neurons and astrocytes with inclusions were occasionally identified in the CA1 sub-region. These findings add hippocampus neuropathology to the previously reported changes in other areas of the brain in FXTAS patients, with implications for understanding FXTAS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kargar
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
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Fielding-Gebhardt H, Kelly SE, Unruh KE, Schmitt LM, Pulver SL, Khemani P, Mosconi MW. Sensorimotor and inhibitory control in aging FMR1 premutation carriers. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1271158. [PMID: 38034068 PMCID: PMC10687573 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1271158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging FMR1 premutation carriers are at risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders, including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and there is a need to identify biomarkers that can aid in identification and treatment of these disorders. While FXTAS is more common in males than females, females can develop the disease, and some evidence suggests that patterns of impairment may differ across sexes. Few studies include females with symptoms of FXTAS, and as a result, little information is available on key phenotypes for tracking disease risk and progression in female premutation carriers. Our aim was to examine quantitative motor and cognitive traits in aging premutation carriers. We administered oculomotor tests of visually guided/reactive saccades (motor) and antisaccades (cognitive control) in 22 premutation carriers (73% female) and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Neither reactive saccade latency nor accuracy differed between groups. FMR1 premutation carriers showed increased antisaccade latencies relative to controls, both when considering males and females together and when analyzing females separately. Reduced saccade accuracy and increased antisaccade latency each were associated with more severe clinically rated neuromotor impairments. Findings indicate that together male and female premutation carriers show a reduced ability to rapidly exert volitional control over prepotent responses and that quantitative differences in oculomotor behavior, including control of visually guided and antisaccades, may track with FXTAS - related degeneration in male and female premutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kathryn E. Unruh
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Lauren M. Schmitt
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Stormi L. Pulver
- Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Pravin Khemani
- Movement Disorders Program, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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Liu M, Gao Y, Yuan Y, Liu X, Wang Y, Li L, Zhang X, Jiang C, Wang Q, Wang Y, Shi C, Xu Y, Yang J. A comprehensive study of clinicopathological and genetic features of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3545-3556. [PMID: 37184590 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06845-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of skin intranuclear inclusions and GGC repeat expansion of NOTCH2NLC has greatly promoted the diagnosis of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). With highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations, NIID patients tend to be underdiagnosed at early stages. METHODS This study comprehensively studied clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and peripheral nerve conduction in 24 NIID and 166 other neurodegenerative disease (ND) subjects. The nomogram was plotted using the "rms" package, and the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm was performed. Associations between skin intranuclear inclusions and NOTCH2NLC GGC repeats were further analyzed. RESULTS The clinical, MRI, and peripheral nerve conduction features seriously overlapped in NIID and ND patients; they were assigned variables according to their frequency and specificity in NIID patients. A nomogram that could distinguish NIID from ND was constructed according to the assigned variables and cutoff values of the above features. The occurrence of skin intranuclear inclusions and NOTCH2NLC GGC repeats ≥ 60 showed 100% consistency, and intranuclear inclusion frequency positively correlated with NOTCH2NLC GGC repeats. A hierarchical diagnostic flowchart for definite NIID was further established. CONCLUSION We provide a novel nomogram with the potential to realize early identification and update the diagnostic flowchart for definitive diagnosis. Moreover, this is the first study to define the association between skin pathology and NOTCH2NLC genetics in NIID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanpeng Yuan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lanjun Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Chenyang Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingzhi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yanlin Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Changhe Shi
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Yuming Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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11
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Alvarez-Mora MI, Garrabou G, Molina-Porcel L, Grillo-Risco R, Garcia-Garcia F, Barcos T, Cantó-Santos J, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Exploration of SUMO2/3 Expression Levels and Autophagy Process in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome: Addressing Study Limitations and Insights for Future Research. Cells 2023; 12:2364. [PMID: 37830578 PMCID: PMC10571773 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192364] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that appears in adult FMR1 premutation carriers. The neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS is an intranuclear inclusion in neurons and astrocytes. Nearly 200 different proteins have been identified in FXTAS inclusions, being the small ubiquitin-related modifier 2 (SUMO2), ubiquitin and p62 the most highly abundant. These proteins are components of the protein degradation machinery. This study aimed to characterize SUMO2/3 expression levels and autophagy process in human postmortem brain samples and skin fibroblast cultures from FXTAS patients. Results revealed that FXTAS postmortem brain samples are positive for SUMO2/3 conjugates and supported the idea that SUMO2/3 accumulation is involved in inclusion formation. Insights from RNA-sequencing data indicated that SUMOylation processes are significantly upregulated in FXTAS samples. In addition, the analysis of the autophagy flux showed the accumulation of p62 protein levels and autophagosomes in skin fibroblasts from FXTAS patients. Similarly, gene set analysis evidenced a significant downregulation in gene ontology terms related to autophagy in FXTAS samples. Overall, this study provides new evidence supporting the role of SUMOylation and autophagic processes in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Alvarez-Mora
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.I.A.-M.); (T.B.)
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.)
- Fundacio de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Glòria Garrabou
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.)
- Inherited Metabolic Diseases and Muscle Disorders’ Research Laboratory (U722), Cellex-IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Internal Medicine Department––Hospital Clínic Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Molina-Porcel
- Fundacio de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clinic-FCRB-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruben Grillo-Risco
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012 Valencia, Spain; (R.G.-R.); (F.G.-G.)
| | - Francisco Garcia-Garcia
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012 Valencia, Spain; (R.G.-R.); (F.G.-G.)
| | - Tamara Barcos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.I.A.-M.); (T.B.)
| | - Judith Cantó-Santos
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.)
- Inherited Metabolic Diseases and Muscle Disorders’ Research Laboratory (U722), Cellex-IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Internal Medicine Department––Hospital Clínic Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Rodriguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.I.A.-M.); (T.B.)
- CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.G.)
- Fundacio de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
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12
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Tassone F, Protic D, Allen EG, Archibald AD, Baud A, Brown TW, Budimirovic DB, Cohen J, Dufour B, Eiges R, Elvassore N, Gabis LV, Grudzien SJ, Hall DA, Hessl D, Hogan A, Hunter JE, Jin P, Jiraanont P, Klusek J, Kooy RF, Kraan CM, Laterza C, Lee A, Lipworth K, Losh M, Loesch D, Lozano R, Mailick MR, Manolopoulos A, Martinez-Cerdeno V, McLennan Y, Miller RM, Montanaro FAM, Mosconi MW, Potter SN, Raspa M, Rivera SM, Shelly K, Todd PK, Tutak K, Wang JY, Wheeler A, Winarni TI, Zafarullah M, Hagerman RJ. Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on FMR1 Premutation. Cells 2023; 12:2330. [PMID: 37759552 PMCID: PMC10529056 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of FMR1 mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, FMR1 mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death. Clinically, premutation carriers may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and phenotypes. Any of the problems associated with the premutation can appropriately be called FXPAC. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) can fall under FXPAC. Understanding the molecular and clinical aspects of the premutation of the FMR1 gene is crucial for the accurate diagnosis, genetic counseling, and appropriate management of affected individuals and families. This paper summarizes all the known problems associated with the premutation and documents the presentations and discussions that occurred at the International Premutation Conference, which took place in New Zealand in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emily Graves Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Alison D. Archibald
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Genomics in Society Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Ted W. Brown
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Melbourne, VIC 3161, Australia;
| | - Brett Dufour
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lidia V. Gabis
- Keshet Autism Center Maccabi Wolfson, Holon 5822012, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Abigail Hogan
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jessica Ezzell Hunter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Claudine M. Kraan
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Diagnosis and Development, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lee
- Fragile X New Zealand, Nelson 7040, New Zealand;
| | - Karen Lipworth
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA;
| | - Danuta Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Marsha R. Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Apostolos Manolopoulos
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Yingratana McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | | | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson Potter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Katharine Shelly
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA;
| | - Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 502754, Central Java, Indonesia;
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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13
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Friedman L, Lauber M, Behroozmand R, Fogerty D, Kunecki D, Berry-Kravis E, Klusek J. Atypical vocal quality in women with the FMR1 premutation: an indicator of impaired sensorimotor control. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1975-1987. [PMID: 37347418 PMCID: PMC10863608 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Women with the FMR1 premutation are susceptible to motor involvement related to atypical cerebellar function, including risk for developing fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome. Vocal quality analyses are sensitive to subtle differences in motor skills but have not yet been applied to the FMR1 premutation. This study examined whether women with the FMR1 premutation demonstrate differences in vocal quality, and whether such differences relate to FMR1 genetic, executive, motor, or health features of the FMR1 premutation. Participants included 35 women with the FMR1 premutation and 45 age-matched women without the FMR1 premutation who served as a comparison group. Three sustained /a/ vowels were analyzed for pitch (mean F0), variability of pitch (standard deviation of F0), and overall vocal quality (jitter, shimmer, and harmonics-to-noise ratio). Executive, motor, and health indices were obtained from direct and self-report measures and genetic samples were analyzed for FMR1 CGG repeat length and activation ratio. Women with the FMR1 premutation had a lower pitch, larger pitch variability, and poorer vocal quality than the comparison group. Working memory was related to harmonics-to-noise ratio and shimmer in women with the FMR1 premutation. Vocal quality abnormalities differentiated women with the FMR1 premutation from the comparison group and were evident even in the absence of other clinically evident motor deficits. This study supports vocal quality analyses as a tool that may prove useful in the detection of early signs of motor involvement in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Friedman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Meagan Lauber
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Roozbeh Behroozmand
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel Fogerty
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA
| | - Dariusz Kunecki
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
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14
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Malik I, Tseng YJ, Wieland CM, Green KM, Zheng K, Calleja K, Todd PK. Dissecting the roles of EIF4G homologs reveals DAP5 as a modifier of CGG repeat-associated toxicity in a Drosophila model of FXTAS. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 184:106212. [PMID: 37352983 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration in Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is caused by a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5' UTR of FMR1. Expanded CGG repeat RNAs form stable secondary structures, which in turn support repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation to produce toxic peptides. The parameters that impact RAN translation initiation efficiency are not well understood. Here we used a Drosophila melanogaster model of FXTAS to evaluate the role of the eIF4G family of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (EIF4G1, EIF4GII and EIF4G2/DAP5) in modulating RAN translation and CGG repeat-associated toxicity. DAP5 knockdown robustly suppressed CGG repeat-associated toxicity and inhibited RAN translation. Furthermore, knockdown of initiation factors that preferentially associate with DAP5 (such as EIF2β, EIF3F and EIF3G) also selectively suppressed CGG repeat-induced eye degeneration. In mammalian cellular reporter assays, DAP5 knockdown exhibited modest and cell-type specific effects on RAN translation. Taken together, these data support a role for DAP5 in CGG repeat associated toxicity possibly through modulation of RAN translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Malik
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Tseng
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Clare M Wieland
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katelyn M Green
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristina Zheng
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katyanne Calleja
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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15
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Wang JY, Sonico GJ, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Hagerman RJ, Martinez-Cerdeno V. A Postmortem MRI Study of Cerebrovascular Disease and Iron Content at End-Stage of Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Cells 2023; 12:1898. [PMID: 37508562 PMCID: PMC10377990 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain changes at the end-stage of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) are largely unknown due to mobility impairment. We conducted a postmortem MRI study of FXTAS to quantify cerebrovascular disease, brain atrophy and iron content, and examined their relationships using principal component analysis (PCA). Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was observed in 4/17 FXTAS cases, among which one was confirmed by histologic staining. Compared with seven control brains, FXTAS cases showed higher ratings of T2-hyperintensities (indicating cerebral small vessel disease) in the cerebellum, globus pallidus and frontoparietal white matter, and significant atrophy in the cerebellar white matter, red nucleus and dentate nucleus. PCA of FXTAS cases revealed negative associations of T2-hyperintensity ratings with anatomic volumes and iron content in the white matter, hippocampus and amygdala, that were independent from a highly correlated number of regions with ICH and iron content in subcortical nuclei. Post-hoc analysis confirmed PCA findings and further revealed increased iron content in the white matter, hippocampus and amygdala in FXTAS cases compared to controls, after adjusting for T2-hyperintensity ratings. These findings indicate that both ischemic and hemorrhagic brain damage may occur in FXTAS, with the former being marked by demyelination/iron depletion and atrophy, and the latter by ICH and iron accumulation in basal ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Gerard J. Sonico
- Imaging Research Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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16
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Dias CM, Issac B, Sun L, Lukowicz A, Talukdar M, Akula SK, Miller MB, Walsh K, Rockowitz S, Walsh CA. Glial dysregulation in the human brain in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300052120. [PMID: 37252957 PMCID: PMC10265985 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300052120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Short trinucleotide expansions at the FMR1 locus are associated with the late-onset condition fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), which shows very different clinical and pathological features from fragile X syndrome (associated with longer expansions), with no clear molecular explanation for these marked differences. One prevailing theory posits that the shorter, premutation expansion uniquely causes extreme neurotoxic increases in FMR1 mRNA (i.e., four to eightfold increases), but evidence to support this hypothesis is largely derived from analysis of peripheral blood. We applied single-nucleus RNA sequencing to postmortem frontal cortex and cerebellum from 7 individuals with premutation and matched controls (n = 6) to assess cell type-specific molecular neuropathology. We found only modest upregulation (~1.3-fold) of FMR1 in some glial populations associated with premutation expansions. In premutation cases, we also identified decreased astrocyte proportions in the cortex. Differential expression and gene ontology analysis demonstrated altered neuroregulatory roles of glia. Using network analyses, we identified cell type-specific and region-specific patterns of FMR1 protein target gene dysregulation unique to premutation cases, with notable network dysregulation in the cortical oligodendrocyte lineage. We used pseudotime trajectory analysis to determine how oligodendrocyte development was altered and identified differences in early gene expression in oligodendrocyte trajectories in premutation cases specifically, implicating early cortical glial developmental perturbations. These findings challenge dogma regarding extremely elevated FMR1 increases in FXTAS and implicate glial dysregulation as a critical facet of premutation pathophysiology, representing potential unique therapeutic targets directly derived from the human condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Dias
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Metabolism, and Denver Fragile X Clinic and Research Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Biju Issac
- Research Computing, Department of Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Liang Sun
- Research Computing, Department of Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Abigail Lukowicz
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Metabolism, and Denver Fragile X Clinic and Research Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Maya Talukdar
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology MD/PhD Program, Program in Bioinformatics & Integrative Genomics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Shyam K. Akula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology MD/PhD Program, Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Michael B. Miller
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Katherine Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Shira Rockowitz
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Research Computing, Department of Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Christopher A. Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- HHMI, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
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17
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Reyes CJF, Asano K. Between Order and Chaos: Understanding the Mechanism and Pathology of RAN Translation. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:139-146. [PMID: 36724941 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation is a pathogenic mechanism in which repetitive sequences are translated into aggregation-prone proteins from multiple reading frames, even without a canonical AUG start codon. Since its discovery in spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), RAN translation is now known to occur in the context of 12 disease-linked repeat expansions. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the regulatory mechanisms controlling RAN translation and its contribution to the pathophysiology of repeat expansion diseases. We discuss the key findings in the context of Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CGG repeat expansion in the 5' untranslated region of FMR1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katsura Asano
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University.,Laboratory of Translational Control Study, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University.,Hiroshima Research Center for Healthy Aging, Hiroshima University
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18
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Wang JY, Sonico GJ, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. A postmortem MRI study of cerebrovascular disease and iron content at end-stage of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2440612. [PMID: 36711694 PMCID: PMC9882645 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2440612/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Brain changes at end-stage of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) are largely unknown due to mobility impairment. We conducted a postmortem MRI study of FXTAS to quantify cerebrovascular disease, brain atrophy, and iron content and examined their relationships using principal component analysis (PCA). Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was observed in 4/17 FXTAS cases among which one was confirmed by histologic staining. Compared with seven control brains, FXTAS cases showed higher ratings of T2-hyperintensities (indicating cerebral small vessel disease) in the cerebellum, globus pallidus, and frontoparietal white matter and significant atrophy in cerebellar white matter, red nucleus, and dentate nucleus. PCA of FXTAS cases revealed negative associations of T2-hyperintensity ratings with anatomic volumes and iron content in the white matter, hippocampus, and amygdala, that were independent from highly correlated number of regions with ICH and iron content in subcortical nuclei. Post hoc analysis confirmed PCA findings and further revealed increased iron content in the white matter, hippocampus, and amygdala in FXTAS cases than controls after adjusting for T2-hyperintensity ratings. These findings indicate that both ischemic and hemorrhagic brain damage may occur in FXTAS, with the former marked by demyelination/iron depletion and atrophy and the latter, ICH and iron accumulation in basal ganglia.
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19
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Giulivi C, Wang JY, Hagerman RJ. Artificial neural network applied to fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome stage diagnosis based on peripheral mitochondrial bioenergetics and brain imaging outcomes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21382. [PMID: 36496525 PMCID: PMC9741636 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25615-2] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
No proven prognosis is available for the neurodegenerative disorder fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Artificial neural network analyses (ANN) were used to predict FXTAS progression using data from 127 adults (noncarriers and FMR1 premutation carriers with and without FXTAS) with five outcomes from brain MRI imaging and 22 peripheral bioenergetic outcomes from two cell types. Diagnosis accuracy by ANN predictions ranged from 41.7 to 86.3% (depending on the algorithm used), and those misclassified usually presented a higher FXTAS stage. ANN prediction of FXTAS stages was based on a combination of two imaging findings (white matter hyperintensity and whole-brain volumes adjusted for intracranial volume) and four bioenergetic outcomes. Those at Stage 3 vs. 0-2 showed lower mitochondrial mass, higher oxidative stress, and an altered electron transfer consistent with mitochondrial unfolded protein response activation. Those at Stages 4-5 vs. 3 had higher oxidative stress and glycerol-3-phosphate-linked ATP production, suggesting that targeting mGPDH activity may prevent a worse prognosis. This was confirmed by the bioenergetic improvement of inhibiting mGPDH with metformin in affected fibroblasts. ANN supports the prospect of an unbiased molecular definition in diagnosing FXTAS stages while identifying potential targets for personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Giulivi
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549MIND Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA ,grid.413079.80000 0000 9752 8549Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA USA
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20
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Cipriani C, Giudice M, Petrone V, Fanelli M, Minutolo A, Miele MT, Toschi N, Maracchioni C, Siracusano M, Benvenuto A, Coniglio A, Curatolo P, Mazzone L, Sandro G, Garaci E, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Matteucci C, Balestrieri E. Modulation of human endogenous retroviruses and cytokines expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from autistic children and their parents. Retrovirology 2022; 19:26. [PMID: 36451209 PMCID: PMC9709758 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-022-00603-6] [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: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Putative pathogenic effects mediated by human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in neurological and psychiatric disorders in humans have been extensively described. HERVs may alter the development of the brain by means of several mechanisms, including modulation of gene expression, alteration of DNA stability, and activation of immune system. We recently demonstrated that autistic children and their mothers share high expression levels of some HERVs and cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) ex vivo, suggesting a close mother-child association in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). RESULTS In the present study, PBMCs from autistic children and their parents were exposed to stimulating factors (Interleukin-2/Phytohaemagglutinin) or drugs, as Valproic acid and Efavirenz. The results show that HERVs and cytokines expression can be modulated in vitro by different stimuli in PBMCs from autistic children and their mothers, while no significant changes were found in PBMCs ASD fathers or in controls individuals. In particular, in vitro exposure to interleukin-2/Phytohaemagglutinin or valproic acid induces the expression of several HERVs and cytokines while Efavirenz inhibits them. CONCLUSION Herein we show that autistic children and their mothers share an intrinsic responsiveness to in vitro microenvironmental changes in expressing HERVs and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Remarkably, the antiretroviral drug Efavirenz restores the expression of specific HERV families to values similar to those of the controls, also reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines but keeping the regulatory ones high. Our findings open new perspectives to study the role of HERVs in the biological mechanisms underlying Autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cipriani
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Giudice
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Vita Petrone
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Fanelli
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martino T. Miele
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Toschi
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMartinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Christian Maracchioni
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Siracusano
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Benvenuto
- grid.413009.fChild Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, System Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Coniglio
- grid.413009.fChild Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, System Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Curatolo
- grid.413009.fChild Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, System Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Mazzone
- grid.413009.fChild Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, System Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Grelli Sandro
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy ,Virology Unit, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- University San Raffaele, Rome, Italy ,grid.18887.3e0000000417581884IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy ,grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Matteucci
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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21
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Filley CM. White matter dementia then… and now. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1043583. [PMID: 36479053 PMCID: PMC9721363 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1043583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
White matter dementia (WMD) is a concept introduced in 1988 to highlight the importance of white matter pathology in producing cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Whereas gray matter, particularly the cerebral cortex, has been primarily investigated in the dementias, subcortical pathology has long been correlated with cognitive loss, and a corticocentric perspective cannot account for the full range of neurobehavioral disorders. Within the subcortical regions, white matter is prominent, accounting for about half the volume of the adult brain, and many white matter diseases, injuries, and intoxications can produce cognitive dysfunction so severe as to justify the term dementia. Recognition of this novel syndrome relied heavily on the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that permitted in vivo visualization of white matter lesions. Neuropsychological studies clarified the clinical presentation of WMD by identifying a profile dominated by cognitive slowing and executive dysfunction, and a precursor syndrome of mild cognitive dysfunction was proposed to identify early cognitive impairment that may later evolve to WMD. As knowledge advanced, the role of white matter in structural connectivity within distributed neural networks was elucidated. In addition, highlighting the frequent commingling of gray and white matter involvement, white matter pathology was associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with potentially transformative clinical implications. In particular, preventive measures and treatments exploiting white matter restoration and plasticity are gaining much attention. Today, WMD has matured into a concept that not only integrates knowledge from across the spectrum of clinical neuroscience, but also informs new investigations into many perplexing disorders and enables a more complete understanding of brain-behavior relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Filley
- Behavioral Neurology Section, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Aurora, CO, United States
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22
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Chen Y, Guo L, Han M, Zhang S, Chen Y, Zou J, Bai S, Cheng G, Zeng Y. Cerebellum Neuropathology and Motor Skill Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:557-568. [DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐shan Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Liu Guo
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Man Han
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Si‐ming Zhang
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Yi‐qi Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Jia Zou
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Shu‐yuan Bai
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Gui‐rong Cheng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, School of Medicine Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
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23
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Baud A, Derbis M, Tutak K, Sobczak K. Partners in crime: Proteins implicated in
RNA
repeat expansion diseases. WIRES RNA 2022; 13:e1709. [PMID: 35229468 PMCID: PMC9539487 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Magdalena Derbis
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
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24
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Boivin M, Charlet-Berguerand N. Trinucleotide CGG Repeat Diseases: An Expanding Field of Polyglycine Proteins? Front Genet 2022; 13:843014. [PMID: 35295941 PMCID: PMC8918734 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.843014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellites are repeated DNA sequences of 3–6 nucleotides highly variable in length and sequence and that have important roles in genomes regulation and evolution. However, expansion of a subset of these microsatellites over a threshold size is responsible of more than 50 human genetic diseases. Interestingly, some of these disorders are caused by expansions of similar sequences, sizes and localizations and present striking similarities in clinical manifestations and histopathological features, which suggest a common mechanism of disease. Notably, five identical CGG repeat expansions, but located in different genes, are the causes of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID), oculopharyngodistal myopathy type 1 to 3 (OPDM1-3) and oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukoencephalopathy (OPML), which are neuromuscular and neurodegenerative syndromes with overlapping symptoms and similar histopathological features, notably the presence of characteristic eosinophilic ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions. In this review we summarize recent finding in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease and FXTAS, where the causing CGG expansions were found to be embedded within small upstream ORFs (uORFs), resulting in their translation into novel proteins containing a stretch of polyglycine (polyG). Importantly, expression of these polyG proteins is toxic in animal models and is sufficient to reproduce the formation of ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions. These data suggest the existence of a novel class of human genetic pathology, the polyG diseases, and question whether a similar mechanism may exist in other diseases, notably in OPDM and OPML.
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25
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Zhang Y, Glineburg MR, Basrur V, Conlon K, Wright SE, Krans A, Hall DA, Todd PK. Mechanistic convergence across initiation sites for RAN translation in fragile X associated tremor ataxia syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:2317-2332. [PMID: 35137065 PMCID: PMC9307318 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of CGG repeats in the 5'UTR of FMR1 produces toxic proteins that contribute to fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) pathogenesis. The most abundant RAN product, FMRpolyG, initiates predominantly at an ACG upstream of the repeat. Accurate FMRpolyG measurements in FXTAS patients are lacking. We used data-dependent acquisition and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry coupled with stable isotope labeled standard peptides to identify signature FMRpolyG fragments in patient samples. Following immunoprecipitation, PRM detected FMRpolyG signature peptides in transfected cells, and FXTAS tissues and cells, but not in controls. We identified two amino-terminal peptides: an ACG-initiated Ac-MEAPLPGGVR and a GUG-initiated Ac-TEAPLPGGVR, as well as evidence for RAN translation initiation within the CGG repeat itself in two reading frames. Initiation at all sites increased following cellular stress, decreased following eIF1 overexpression and was eIF4A and M7G cap-dependent. These data demonstrate that FMRpolyG is quantifiable in human samples and FMR1 RAN translation initiates via similar mechanisms for near-cognate codons and within the repeat through processes dependent on available initiation factors and cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - M Rebecca Glineburg
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Todd Lab (ATTN: Drs Glineburg and Todd), 4005 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA. Tel: +1 7346155632; Fax: +1 7346479777; ;
| | | | - Kevin Conlon
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shannon E Wright
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amy Krans
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Deborah A Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Peter K Todd
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Todd Lab (ATTN: Drs Glineburg and Todd), 4005 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA. Tel: +1 7346155632; Fax: +1 7346479777; ;
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26
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Neurodegenerative diseases associated with non-coding CGG tandem repeat expansions. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:145-157. [PMID: 35022573 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00612-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding CGG repeat expansions cause multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease, oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukodystrophy, and oculopharyngodistal myopathy. The underlying genetic causes of several of these diseases have been identified only in the past 2-3 years. These expansion disorders have substantial overlapping clinical, neuroimaging and histopathological features. The shared features suggest common mechanisms that could have implications for the development of therapies for this group of diseases - similar therapeutic strategies or drugs may be effective for various neurodegenerative disorders induced by non-coding CGG expansions. In this Review, we provide an overview of clinical and pathological features of these CGG repeat expansion diseases and consider the likely pathological mechanisms, including RNA toxicity, CGG repeat-associated non-AUG-initiated translation, protein aggregation and mitochondrial impairment. We then discuss future research needed to improve the identification and diagnosis of CGG repeat expansion diseases, to improve modelling of these diseases and to understand their pathogenesis. We also consider possible therapeutic strategies. Finally, we propose that CGG repeat expansion diseases may represent manifestations of a single underlying neuromyodegenerative syndrome in which different organs are affected to different extents depending on the gene location of the repeat expansion.
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27
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Neurogenetic disorders across the lifespan: from aberrant development to degeneration. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:117-124. [PMID: 34987232 PMCID: PMC10132523 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00595-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common, and genetic testing is increasingly performed in individuals with these diagnoses to inform prognosis, refine management and provide information about recurrence risk in the family. For neurogenetic conditions associated with intellectual disability and ASD, data on natural history in adults are scarce; however, as older adults with these disorders are identified, it is becoming clear that some conditions are associated with both neurodevelopmental problems and neurodegeneration. Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that some neurogenetic conditions associated primarily with neurodegeneration also affect neurodevelopment. In this Perspective, we discuss examples of diseases that have developmental and degenerative overlap. We propose that neurogenetic disorders should be studied continually across the lifespan to understand the roles of the affected genes in brain development and maintenance, and to inform strategies for treatment.
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28
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Hagerman RJ. Recent research in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:155-159. [PMID: 34890957 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a cytosine-guanine-guanine repeat expansion neurological disease that occurs in a subset of aging carriers of the premutation (55-200 cytosine-guanine-guanine repeats) in the FMR1 gene located on the X chromosome. The clinical core involves intention tremor and gait ataxia. Current research seeks to clarify the pathophysiology and neuropathology of FXTAS, as well as the development of useful biomarkers to track the progression of FXTAS. Efforts to implement quantitative measures of clinical features, such as kinematics and cognitive measures, are of special interest, in addition to characterize the differences in progression in males compared with females and the efficacy of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Hall DA, Leehey MA, Hagerman RJ, Pelak VS. Eye Movements in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol 2021; 41:e661-e664. [PMID: 33110011 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000001082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia, tremor, and parkinsonism. Eye motility abnormalities on the clinical examination of FXTAS patients have not been formally studied. METHODS A case-control study with fragile X gene mutation carriers with and without FXTAS and normal controls was conducted and included a videotaping of ocular items of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). A neuro-ophthalmologist blinded to gene status rated nystagmus, ocular pursuit, and saccades. RESULTS Forty-four cases and controls were recruited, with an average age of 55.2 years (±7.4) and 57% women. Gaze-evoked nystagmus was increased in fragile X gene carriers (odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.33-7.36) but was not statistically significant. There was no difference in ocular pursuit nor saccade dysmetria between cases and controls. CONCLUSION The results show that clinical examination findings of ocular abnormalities, using the ICARS oculomotor disorders movement subscale, are not more common in FXTAS or FMR1 premutation carriers than normal controls on examination in the clinic. Examining a larger cohort of patients with FXTAS would be an ideal next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences (DAH), Rush University, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Neurology (MAL, VSP), University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; and MIND Institute (RJH), University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
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30
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Malik I, Tseng Y, Wright SE, Zheng K, Ramaiyer P, Green KM, Todd PK. SRSF protein kinase 1 modulates RAN translation and suppresses CGG repeat toxicity. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14163. [PMID: 34542927 PMCID: PMC8573603 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcribed CGG repeat expansions cause neurodegeneration in Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). CGG repeat RNAs sequester RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) into nuclear foci and undergo repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation into toxic peptides. To identify proteins involved in these processes, we employed a CGG repeat RNA-tagging system to capture repeat-associated RBPs by mass spectrometry in mammalian cells. We identified several SR (serine/arginine-rich) proteins that interact selectively with CGG repeats basally and under cellular stress. These proteins modify toxicity in a Drosophila model of FXTAS. Pharmacologic inhibition of serine/arginine protein kinases (SRPKs), which alter SRSF protein phosphorylation, localization, and activity, directly inhibits RAN translation of CGG and GGGGCC repeats (associated with C9orf72 ALS/FTD) and triggers repeat RNA retention in the nucleus. Lowering SRPK expression suppressed toxicity in both FXTAS and C9orf72 ALS/FTD model flies, and SRPK inhibitors suppressed CGG repeat toxicity in rodent neurons. Together, these findings demonstrate roles for CGG repeat RNA binding proteins in RAN translation and repeat toxicity and support further evaluation of SRPK inhibitors in modulating RAN translation associated with repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Malik
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Yi‐Ju Tseng
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate ProgramUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Shannon E Wright
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Kristina Zheng
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | | | - Katelyn M Green
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate ProgramUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration HealthcareAnn ArborMIUSA
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31
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Clinicopathological features of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease diagnosed by skin biopsy. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:1809-1815. [PMID: 34386886 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with complex and diverse of clinical manifestations characterized by eosinophilic hyaline inclusions in neurons and somatic cells. Due to the improvement in diagnostic methods, NIID is being increasingly diagnosed. METHODS Herein, we reported three NIID cases, which were diagnosed by skin biopsy and FMR1 gene, after DWI showed the characteristic corticomedullary junction hyperintensity. Then we reviewed all the published cases of NIID in PubMed, which were diagnosed by the same method. RESULTS We discussed 15 NIID cases, including three cases diagnosed by us. The average age was 63.4 ± 14.0 years. The average time from onset of symptom to diagnosis was 5.4 ± 7.9 years. Nine cases had dementia or cognitive impairment. Three cases presented with encephalitis. Three cases showed bladder dysfunction and two cases only presented with dizziness and headache. Two cases showed acute neurological deficit mimicking stroke. All cases were diagnosed by skin biopsy, after DWI showed abnormal corticomedullary junction hyperintensity. Ten cases showed inclusions in sweat gland cells, and seven cases in adipocytes, sweat gland cells, and fibroblasts. EMG was performed in five cases, four of whom had abnormal results, showing simultaneous involvement of motor and sensory nerves. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that inclusions were more easily detected in sweat gland cells in skin biopsy. The early stage of NIID could only characterized by autonomic nerve function involvement. Combined autonomic nerve dysfunction might be another relatively common manifestation in NIID.
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Konieczny P, Mukherjee S, Stepniak-Konieczna E, Taylor K, Niewiadomska D, Piasecka A, Walczak A, Baud A, Dohno C, Nakatani K, Sobczak K. Cyclic mismatch binding ligands interact with disease-associated CGG trinucleotide repeats in RNA and suppress their translation. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9479-9495. [PMID: 34358321 PMCID: PMC8450082 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a limited expansion of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene. Degeneration of neurons in FXTAS cell models can be triggered by accumulation of polyglycine protein (FMRpolyG), a by-product of translation initiated upstream to the repeats. Specific aims of our work included testing if naphthyridine-based molecules could (i) block FMRpolyG synthesis by binding to CGG repeats in RNA, (ii) reverse pathological alterations in affected cells and (iii) preserve the content of FMRP, translated from the same FMR1 mRNA. We demonstrate that cyclic mismatch binding ligand CMBL4c binds to RNA structure formed by CGG repeats and attenuates translation of FMRpolyG and formation of nuclear inclusions in cells transfected with vectors expressing RNA with expanded CGG repeats. Moreover, our results indicate that CMBL4c delivery can reduce FMRpolyG-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Importantly, its therapeutic potential is also observed once the inclusions are already formed. We also show that CMBL4c-driven FMRpolyG loss is accompanied by partial FMRP reduction. As complete loss of FMRP induces FXS in children, future experiments should aim at evaluation of CMBL4c therapeutic intervention in differentiated tissues, in which FMRpolyG translation inhibition might outweigh adverse effects related to FMRP depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Konieczny
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Sanjukta Mukherjee
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan.,National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Ewa Stepniak-Konieczna
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Taylor
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Daria Niewiadomska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piasecka
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Walczak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Chikara Dohno
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakatani
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Wang JY, McLennan YA, Doan M, Cabal-Herrera AM, Jimenez S, Wolf-Ochoa MW, Sanchez D, Juarez P, Tassone F, Durbin-Johnson B, Hagerman RJ, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Cerebral Microbleeds in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Mov Disord 2021; 36:1935-1943. [PMID: 33760253 PMCID: PMC10929604 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease of late onset developed by carriers of the premutation in the fragile x mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Pathological features of neurodegeneration in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome include toxic levels of FMR1 mRNA, ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions, white matter disease, iron accumulation, and a proinflammatory state. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of cerebral microbleeds in the brains of patients with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and investigate plausible causes for cerebral microbleeds in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. METHODS We collected cerebral and cerebellar tissue from 15 fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome cases and 15 control cases carrying FMR1 normal alleles. We performed hematoxylin and eosin, Perls and Congo red stains, ubiquitin, and amyloid β protein immunostaining. We quantified the number of cerebral microbleeds, amount of iron, presence of amyloid β within the capillaries, and number of endothelial cells containing intranuclear inclusions. We evaluated the relationships between pathological findings using correlation analysis. RESULTS We found intranuclear inclusions in the endothelial cells of capillaries and an increased number of cerebral microbleeds in the brains of those with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, both of which are indicators of cerebrovascular dysfunction. We also found a suggestive association between the amount of capillaries that contain amyloid β in the cerebral cortex and the rate of disease progression. CONCLUSION We propose microangiopathy as a pathologic feature of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yingratana A McLennan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Mai Doan
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ana Maria Cabal-Herrera
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle (MACOS), Cali, Colombia
| | - Sara Jimenez
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Marisol W Wolf-Ochoa
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Desiree Sanchez
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Pablo Juarez
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Sugiyama A, Takeda T, Koide M, Yokota H, Mukai H, Kitayama Y, Shibuya K, Araki N, Ishikawa A, Isose S, Ito K, Honda K, Yamanaka Y, Sano T, Saito Y, Arai K, Kuwabara S. Coexistence of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an autopsy case. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:273. [PMID: 34243731 PMCID: PMC8268606 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02306-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a rare neurodegenerative disease. Pathologically, it is characterized by eosinophilic hyaline intranuclear inclusions in the cells of the visceral organs as well as central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous system cells. Recently, a GGC repeat expansion in the NOTCH2NLC gene has been identified as the etiopathological agent of NIID. Interestingly, this GGC repeat expansion was also reported in some patients with a clinical diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, there are no autopsy-confirmed cases of concurrent NIID and ALS. Case presentation A 60-year-old Taiwanese woman reported a four-month history of progressive weakness beginning in the right foot that spread to all four extremities. She was diagnosed with ALS because she met the revised El Escorial diagnostic criteria for definite ALS with upper and lower motor neuron involvement in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions. She died of respiratory failure at 22 months from ALS onset, at the age of 62 years. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lesions in the medial part of the cerebellar hemisphere, right beside the vermis (paravermal lesions). The subclinical neuropathy, indicated by a nerve conduction study (NCS), prompted a potential diagnosis of NIID. Antemortem skin biopsy and autopsy confirmed the coexistence of pathology consistent with both ALS and NIID. We observed neither eccentric distribution of p62-positive intranuclear inclusions in the areas with abundant large motor neurons nor cytopathological coexistence of ALS and NIID pathology in motor neurons. This finding suggested that ALS and NIID developed independently in this patient. Conclusions We describe a case of concurrent NIID and ALS discovered during an autopsy. Abnormal brain MRI findings, including paravermal lesions, could indicate the coexistence of NIID even in patients with ALS showing characteristic clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuhiko Sugiyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Takeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mizuho Koide
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hajime Yokota
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroki Mukai
- Department of Radiology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Kitayama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Shibuya
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Araki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Ai Ishikawa
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sagiri Isose
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kimiko Ito
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Honda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Yamanaka
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan.,Urayasu Rehabilitation Education Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Terunori Sano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Saito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimihito Arai
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
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35
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Haify SN, Buijsen RAM, Verwegen L, Severijnen LAWFM, de Boer H, Boumeester V, Monshouwer R, Yang WY, Cameron MD, Willemsen R, Disney MD, Hukema RK. Small molecule 1a reduces FMRpolyG-mediated toxicity in in vitro and in vivo models for FMR1 premutation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1632-1648. [PMID: 34077515 PMCID: PMC8369842 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor and ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, ataxia and neuropsychological problems. This disease is quite common in the general population with approximately 20 million carriers worldwide. The risk of developing FXTAS increases dramatically with age, with about 45% of male carriers over the age of 50 being affected. FXTAS is caused by a CGG-repeat expansion (CGGexp) in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. CGGexp RNA is translated into the FMRpolyG protein by a mechanism called RAN translation. Although both gene and pathogenic trigger are known, no therapeutic interventions are available at this moment. Here, we present, for the first time, primary hippocampal neurons derived from the ubiquitous inducible mouse model which is used as a screening tool for targeted interventions. A promising candidate is the repeat binding, RAN translation blocking, small molecule 1a. Small molecule 1a shields the disease-causing CGGexp from being translated into the toxic FMRpolyG protein. Primary hippocampal neurons formed FMRpolyG-positive inclusions, and upon treatment with 1a, the numbers of FMRpolyG-positive inclusions are reduced. We also describe for the first time the formation of FMRpolyG-positive inclusions in the liver of this mouse model. Treatment with 1a reduced the insoluble FMRpolyG protein fraction in the liver but not the number of inclusions. Moreover, 1a treatment had a reducing effect on the number of Rad23b-positive inclusions and insoluble Rad23b protein levels. These data suggest that targeted small molecule therapy is effective in an FXTAS mouse model and has the potential to treat CGGexp-mediated diseases, including FXTAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif N Haify
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lucas Verwegen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Helen de Boer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Roos Monshouwer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wong Y Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, Florida, the United States
| | - Michael D Cameron
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, Florida, the United States
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, Florida, the United States
| | - Renate K Hukema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Health Care Studies, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this paper is to review the prevalence, pathophysiology, and management of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). RECENT FINDINGS The pathophysiology of FXTAS involves ribonucleic acid (RNA) toxicity due to elevated levels of the premutation-expanded CGG (eoxycytidylate-deoxyguanylate-deoxyguanylate)-repeat FMR1 mRNA, which can sequester a variety of proteins important for neuronal function. A recent analysis of the inclusions in FXTAS demonstrates elevated levels of several proteins, including small ubiquitin-related modifiers 1/2 (SUMO1/2), that target molecules for the proteasome, suggesting that some aspect(s) of proteasomal function may be altered in FXTAS. Recent neuropathological studies show that Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease can sometimes co-occur with FXTAS. Lewy bodies can be found in 10% of the brains of patients with FXTAS. Microbleeds and iron deposition are also common in the neuropathology, in addition to white matter disease (WMD) and atrophy. SUMMARY The premutation occurs in 1:200 females and 1:400 males. Penetrance for FXTAS increases with age, though lower in females (16%) compared to over 60% of males by age 70. To diagnose FXTAS, an MRI is essential to document the presence of WMD, a primary component of the diagnostic criteria. Pain can be a significant feature of FXTAS and is seen in approximately 50% of patients.
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Xu K, Li Y, Allen EG, Jin P. Therapeutic Development for CGG Repeat Expansion-Associated Neurodegeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:655568. [PMID: 34054431 PMCID: PMC8149615 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.655568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding repeat expansions, such as CGG, GGC, CUG, CCUG, and GGGGCC, have been shown to be involved in many human diseases, particularly neurological disorders. Of the diverse pathogenic mechanisms proposed in these neurodegenerative diseases, dysregulated RNA metabolism has emerged as an important contributor. Expanded repeat RNAs that form particular structures aggregate to form RNA foci, sequestering various RNA binding proteins and consequently altering RNA splicing, transport, and other downstream biological processes. One of these repeat expansion-associated diseases, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), is caused by a CGG repeat expansion in the 5'UTR region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Moreover, recent studies have revealed abnormal GGC repeat expansion within the 5'UTR region of the NOTCH2NLC gene in both essential tremor (ET) and neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). These CGG repeat expansion-associated diseases share genetic, pathological, and clinical features. Identification of the similarities at the molecular level could lead to a better understanding of the disease mechanisms as well as developing novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we highlight our current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of CGG repeat expansion-associated diseases and discuss potential therapeutic interventions for these neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keqin Xu
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujing Li
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Emily G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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38
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Tokumaru AM, Saito Y, Murayma S. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging is Key to Diagnosing Specific Diseases. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2021; 29:163-183. [PMID: 33902901 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews diseases for which persistent signal abnormalities on diffusion-weighted imaging are the key to their diagnosis. Specifically, updated knowledge regarding the neuroimaging patterns of the following diseases is summarized: sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease, and hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids-colony-stimulating factor receptors/adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia. In addition, their differential diagnoses; clinical manifestations; and pathologic, genetic, and imaging correlates are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Midori Tokumaru
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
| | - Yuko Saito
- Brain Bank for Aging Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayma
- Brain Bank for Aging Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan; Brain Bank for Neurodevelopmental, Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka-fu 565-0871, Japan
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Bhat SA, Yousuf A, Mushtaq Z, Kumar V, Qurashi A. Fragile X Premutation rCGG Repeats Impair Synaptic Growth and Synaptic Transmission at Drosophila larval Neuromuscular Junction. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1677-1692. [PMID: 33772546 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease that develops in some premutation (PM) carriers of the FMR1 gene with alleles bearing 55-200 CGG repeats. The discovery of a broad spectrum of clinical and cell developmental abnormalities among PM carriers with or without FXTAS and in model systems suggests that neurodegeneration seen in FXTAS could be the inevitable end-result of pathophysiological processes set during early development. Hence, it is imperative to trace early PM-induced pathological abnormalities. Previous studies have shown that transgenic Drosophila carrying PM-length CGG repeats are sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. Here, we used the same transgenic model to understand the effect of CGG repeats on the structure and function of the developing nervous system. We show that presynaptic expression of CGG repeats restricts synaptic growth, reduces the number of synaptic boutons, leads to aberrant presynaptic varicosities, and impairs synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junctions. The postsynaptic analysis shows that both glutamate receptors and subsynaptic reticulum proteins were normal. However, a high percentage of boutons show a reduced density of Bruchpilot protein, a key component of presynaptic active zones required for vesicle release. The electrophysiological analysis shows a significant reduction in quantal content, a measure of total synaptic vesicles released per excitation potential. Together, these findings suggest that synapse perturbation caused by rCGG repeats mediates presynaptically during larval NMJ development. We also suggest that the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase protein Basket and CIDE-N protein Drep-2 positively mediate Bruchpilot active zone defects caused by rCGG repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad A Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Aadil Yousuf
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
| | - Zeeshan Mushtaq
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Vimlesh Kumar
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
| | - Abrar Qurashi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, JK, 190006, India
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Ravi K, Paidas MJ, Saad A, Jayakumar AR. Astrocytes in rare neurological conditions: Morphological and functional considerations. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2676-2705. [PMID: 33496339 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are a population of central nervous system (CNS) cells with distinctive morphological and functional characteristics that differ within specific areas of the brain and are widely distributed throughout the CNS. There are mainly two types of astrocytes, protoplasmic and fibrous, which differ in morphologic appearance and location. Astrocytes are important cells of the CNS that not only provide structural support, but also modulate synaptic activity, regulate neuroinflammatory responses, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and supply energy to neurons. As a result, astrocytic disruption can lead to widespread detrimental effects and can contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurological conditions. The characteristics of astrocytes in more common neuropathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have significantly been described and continue to be widely studied. However, there still exist numerous rare neurological conditions in which astrocytic involvement is unknown and needs to be explored. Accordingly, this review will summarize functional and morphological changes of astrocytes in various rare neurological conditions based on current knowledge thus far and highlight remaining neuropathologies where astrocytic involvement has yet to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Ravi
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael J Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ali Saad
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Arumugam R Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education Inc, Miami, Florida, USA.,General Medical Research Neuropathology Section, R&D Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, Miami, Florida, USA
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41
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Finsterer
- Klinik Landstrasse, Messerli Institute, Vienna, Austria
- *Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Fúlvio Alexandre Scorza
- Disciplina de Neurociencia. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Carla Alessandra Scorza
- Disciplina de Neurociencia. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Ana Claudia Fiorini
- Programa de Estudos Pos-Graduacao em Fonoaudiologia, Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo (PUC-SP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
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42
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Holm KN, Herren AW, Taylor SL, Randol JL, Kim K, Espinal G, Martiínez-Cerdeño V, Pessah IN, Hagerman RJ, Hagerman PJ. Human Cerebral Cortex Proteome of Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:600840. [PMID: 33585555 PMCID: PMC7879451 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.600840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder associated with premutation CGG-repeat expansions (55–200 repeats) in the 5′ non-coding portion of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Core features of FXTAS include progressive tremor/ataxia, cognitive decline, variable brain volume loss, and white matter disease. The principal histopathological feature of FXTAS is the presence of central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS intranuclear inclusions. Objective: To further elucidate the molecular underpinnings of FXTAS through the proteomic characterization of human FXTAS cortexes. Results: Proteomic analysis of FXTAS brain cortical tissue (n = 8) identified minor differences in protein abundance compared to control brains (n = 6). Significant differences in FXTAS relative to control brain predominantly involved decreased abundance of proteins, with the greatest decreases observed for tenascin-C (TNC), cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38), and phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1); proteins typically increased in other neurodegenerative diseases. Proteins with the greatest increased abundance include potentially novel neurodegeneration-related proteins and small ubiquitin-like modifier 1/2 (SUMO1/2). The FMRpolyG peptide, proposed in models of FXTAS pathogenesis but only identified in trace amounts in the earlier study of FXTAS inclusions, was not identified in any of the FXTAS or control brains in the current study. Discussion: The observed proteomic shifts, while generally relatively modest, do show a bias toward decreased protein abundance with FXTAS. Such shifts in protein abundance also suggest altered RNA binding as well as loss of cell–cell adhesion/structural integrity. Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, the proteome of end-stage FXTAS does not suggest a strong inflammation-mediated degenerative response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Nichole Holm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Anthony W Herren
- Mass Spectrometry Research Core, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sandra L Taylor
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jamie L Randol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Kyoungmi Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.,Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Glenda Espinal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martiínez-Cerdeño
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Isaac N Pessah
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Paul J Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.,Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
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Dijkstra AA, Haify SN, Verwey NA, Prins ND, van der Toorn EC, Rozemuller AJM, Bugiani M, den Dunnen WFA, Todd PK, Charlet-Berguerand N, Willemsen R, Hukema RK, Hoozemans JJM. Neuropathology of FMR1-premutation carriers presenting with dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab007. [PMID: 33709078 PMCID: PMC7936660 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CGG repeat expansions within the premutation range (55–200) of the FMR1 gene can lead to Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders. These CGG repeats are translated into a toxic polyglycine-containing protein, FMRpolyG. Pathology of Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders comprises FMRpolyG- and p62-positive intranuclear inclusions. Diagnosing a FMR1-premutation carrier remains challenging, as the clinical features overlap with other neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe two male cases with Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders-related symptoms and mild movement disturbances and novel pathological features that can attribute to the variable phenotype. Macroscopically, both donors did not show characteristic white matter lesions on MRI; however, vascular infarcts in cortical- and sub-cortical regions were identified. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed a high number of FMRpolyG intranuclear inclusions throughout the brain, which were also positive for p62. Importantly, we identified a novel pathological vascular phenotype with inclusions present in pericytes and endothelial cells. Although these results need to be confirmed in more cases, we propose that these vascular lesions in the brain could contribute to the complex symptomology of FMR1-premutation carriers. Overall, our report suggests that Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders may present diverse clinical involvements resembling other types of dementia, and in the absence of genetic testing, FMRpolyG can be used post-mortem to identify premutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke A Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saif N Haify
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Niek A Verwey
- Department of Neurology, Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Niels D Prins
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, The Netherlands.,Brain Research Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Annemieke J M Rozemuller
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred F A den Dunnen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicolas Charlet-Berguerand
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renate K Hukema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Care Studies, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J M Hoozemans
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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44
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Elias-Mas A, Alvarez-Mora MI, Caro-Benito C, Rodriguez-Revenga L. Neuroimaging Insight Into Fragile X-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Literature Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:728952. [PMID: 34721105 PMCID: PMC8554234 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.728952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
FMR1 premutation is defined by 55-200 CGG repeats in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. FMR1 premutation carriers are at risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease called fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in adulthood. In the last years an increasingly board spectrum of clinical manifestations including psychiatric disorders have been described as occurring at a greater frequency among FMR1 premutation carriers. Herein, we reviewed the neuroimaging findings reported in relation with psychiatric symptomatology in adult FMR1 premutation carriers. A structured electronic literature search was conducted on FMR1 premutation and neuroimaging yielding a total of 3,229 articles examined. Of these, 7 articles were analyzed and are included in this review. The results showed that the main radiological findings among adult FMR1 premutation carriers presenting neuropsychiatric disorders were found on the amygdala and hippocampus, being the functional abnormalities more consistent and the volumetric changes more inconsistent among studies. From a molecular perspective, CGG repeat size, FMR1 mRNA and FMRP levels have been investigated in relation with the neuroimaging findings. Based on the published results, FMRP might play a key role in the pathophysiology of the psychiatric symptoms described among FMR1 premutation carriers. However, additional studies including further probes of brain function and a broader scope of psychiatric symptom measurement are required in order to obtain a comprehensive landscape of the neuropsychiatric phenotype associated with the FMR1 premutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Elias-Mas
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain.,Institute for Research and Innovation Parc Taulí (I3PT), Sabadell, Spain.,Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Alvarez-Mora
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Laia Rodriguez-Revenga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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45
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Johnson D, Santos E, Kim K, Ponzini MD, McLennan YA, Schneider A, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Increased Pain Symptomatology Among Females vs. Males With Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:762915. [PMID: 35126193 PMCID: PMC8811376 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.762915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with the fragile X premutation report symptoms of chronic pain from multiple systems, have increased incidence of comorbid conditions where pain is a prominent feature, and pathophysiology that supports disrupted pain regulation, inflammation, and energy imbalance. Less is known about how pain manifests for the subpopulation of carriers that develop the motor and cognitive changes of fragile X-associated tremor and ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and how pain may differ between men and women. We gathered data collected from 104 males and females with FXTAS related to chronic pain, comorbid conditions related to pain, and medications used for pain control to further explore the types of pain experienced and to better characterize how individuals with the fragile X premutation experience pain sensation across genders. We found that women experience significantly more pain symptoms than men, particularly allodynia (20 vs. 2.0%, p = 0.008), peripheral neuropathy pain (43.9 vs. 25.4%, p = 0.0488), migraine (43.9 vs. 14.5%, p = 0.0008), fibromyalgia (26.8 vs. 0%, p = 0.0071) and back pain (48.5 vs. 23.4%, p = 0.008). We found onset of peripheral neuropathy predicts the onset of ataxia (β = 0.63 ± 0.25, p = 0.019) and tremor (β = 0.56 ± 0.17, p = 0.004) across gender. Women also report significantly more anxiety (82.9 vs. 39.7%, p < 0.001), which has implications for ideal pain treatment. These pain symptoms need to be recognized in the medical history and treated appropriately, with consideration for overlapping comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Johnson
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ellery Santos
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Kyoungmi Kim
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Division of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Matthew D Ponzini
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Division of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yingratana A McLennan
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Schneider
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Flora Tassone
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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46
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Asamitsu S, Yabuki Y, Ikenoshita S, Kawakubo K, Kawasaki M, Usuki S, Nakayama Y, Adachi K, Kugoh H, Ishii K, Matsuura T, Nanba E, Sugiyama H, Fukunaga K, Shioda N. CGG repeat RNA G-quadruplexes interact with FMRpolyG to cause neuronal dysfunction in fragile X-related tremor/ataxia syndrome. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/3/eabd9440. [PMID: 33523882 PMCID: PMC7806243 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X-related tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by CGG triplet repeat expansions in FMR1, which elicit repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation and produce the toxic protein FMRpolyG. We show that FMRpolyG interacts with pathogenic CGG repeat-derived RNA G-quadruplexes (CGG-G4RNA), propagates cell to cell, and induces neuronal dysfunction. The FMRpolyG polyglycine domain has a prion-like property, preferentially binding to CGG-G4RNA. Treatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX, inhibited RAN translation of FMRpolyG and CGG-G4RNA-induced FMRpolyG aggregation, ameliorating aberrant synaptic plasticity and behavior in FXTAS model mice. Thus, we present a novel therapeutic strategy to target G4RNA prionoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefan Asamitsu
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yabuki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Ikenoshita
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kawakubo
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Moe Kawasaki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakayama
- Division of Radioisotope Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kaori Adachi
- Division of Genomic Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kugoh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ishii
- Department of the Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tohru Matsuura
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimono, Japan
| | - Eiji Nanba
- Office for Research Strategy, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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47
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Haify SN, Mankoe RSD, Boumeester V, van der Toorn EC, Verhagen RFM, Willemsen R, Hukema RK, Bosman LWJ. Lack of a Clear Behavioral Phenotype in an Inducible FXTAS Mouse Model Despite the Presence of Neuronal FMRpolyG-Positive Aggregates. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:599101. [PMID: 33381520 PMCID: PMC7768028 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.599101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by a 55–200 CGG repeat expansion in the 5′ untranslated region of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. FXTAS is characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, intention tremors and cognitive decline. The main neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS is the presence of ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions in neurons and astrocytes throughout the brain. The molecular pathology of FXTAS involves the presence of 2 to 8-fold elevated levels of FMR1 mRNA, and of a repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translated polyglycine peptide (FMRpolyG). Increased levels of FMR1 mRNA containing an expanded CGG repeat can result in cellular toxicity by an RNA gain-of-function mechanism. The increased levels of CGG repeat-expanded FMR1 transcripts may create RNA foci that sequester important cellular proteins, including RNA-binding proteins and FMRpolyG, in intranuclear inclusions. To date, it is unclear whether the FMRpolyG-positive intranuclear inclusions are a cause or a consequence of FXTAS disease pathology. In this report we studied the relation between the presence of neuronal intranuclear inclusions and behavioral deficits using an inducible mouse model for FXTAS. Neuronal intranuclear inclusions were observed 4 weeks after dox-induction. After 12 weeks, high numbers of FMRpolyG-positive intranuclear inclusions could be detected in the hippocampus and striatum, but no clear signs of behavioral deficits related to these specific brain regions were found. In conclusion, the observations in our inducible mouse model for FXTAS suggest a lack of correlation between the presence of intranuclear FMRpolyG-positive aggregates in brain regions and specific behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif N Haify
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ruchira S D Mankoe
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rob F M Verhagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Renate K Hukema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Health Care Studies, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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48
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Dufour BD, Amina S, Martinez-Cerdeno V. FXTAS presents with upregulation of the cytokines IL12 and TNFα. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020; 82:117-120. [PMID: 33285358 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fragile X Tremor and Ataxia Syndrome is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that develops in some FMR1 premutation carriers. The objective of this study is to characterize how cytokine levels are altered in the FXTAS brain. METHODS Fresh frozen cerebellar tissue from FXTAS cases and controls was homogenized and analyzed for 12 different cytokines using a commercially available ELISA panel. RESULTS Relative to controls, FXTAS cases showed large and significant increases in the cytokines IL-12 and TNFα. There were large but non-significant increases in the levels of IL-2, IL-8, and IL-10 in FXTAS cases. The cytokines IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-4 IL-6, IL-17A, IFNγ, and GM-CSF were not different between FXTAS and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we demonstrate an increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-12 in the FXTAS brain, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis, another neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly consists of white matter disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D Dufour
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Sarwat Amina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA; Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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49
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Gebauer F, Schwarzl T, Valcárcel J, Hentze MW. RNA-binding proteins in human genetic disease. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 22:185-198. [PMID: 33235359 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-020-00302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical effectors of gene expression, and as such their malfunction underlies the origin of many diseases. RBPs can recognize hundreds of transcripts and form extensive regulatory networks that help to maintain cell homeostasis. System-wide unbiased identification of RBPs has increased the number of recognized RBPs into the four-digit range and revealed new paradigms: from the prevalence of structurally disordered RNA-binding regions with roles in the formation of membraneless organelles to unsuspected and potentially pervasive connections between intermediary metabolism and RNA regulation. Together with an increasingly detailed understanding of molecular mechanisms of RBP function, these insights are facilitating the development of new therapies to treat malignancies. Here, we provide an overview of RBPs involved in human genetic disorders, both Mendelian and somatic, and discuss emerging aspects in the field with emphasis on molecular mechanisms of disease and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Gebauer
- Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Program, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain. .,University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Thomas Schwarzl
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juan Valcárcel
- Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Program, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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50
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Tassanakijpanich N, Cohen J, Cohen R, Srivatsa UN, Hagerman RJ. Cardiovascular Problems in the Fragile X Premutation. Front Genet 2020; 11:586910. [PMID: 33133171 PMCID: PMC7578382 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.586910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a dearth of information about cardiovascular problems in fragile X premutation carriers who have 55–200 CGG repeats in fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The FMR1 expansion in the premutation range leads to toxic RNA gain-of-function resulting in cellular dysregulation. The mechanism of RNA toxicity underlies all of the premutation disorders including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency, and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorder. Cardiovascular problems particularly autonomic dysfunction, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias are not uncommon in premutation carriers. Some arterial problems and valvular heart diseases have also been reported. This article reviews cardiovascular problems in premutation carriers and discusses possible contributing mechanisms including RNA toxicity and mild fragile X mental retardation protein deficiency. Further research studies are needed in order to prove a direct association of the cardiovascular problems in fragile X premutation carriers because such knowledge will lead to better preventative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattaporn Tassanakijpanich
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Genetic Clinics Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rashelle Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Genetic Clinics Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Uma N Srivatsa
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- UC Davis MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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