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Wu K, Bu F, Wu Y, Zhang G, Wang X, He S, Liu MF, Chen R, Yuan H. Exploring noncoding variants in genetic diseases: from detection to functional insights. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:111-132. [PMID: 38181897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.01.001] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies on genetic diseases predominantly focused on protein-coding variations, overlooking the vast noncoding regions in the human genome. The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and functional genomics tools has enabled the systematic identification of functional noncoding variants. These variants can impact gene expression, regulation, and chromatin conformation, thereby contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the impact of noncoding variants on genetic diseases is indispensable for the development of precisely targeted therapies and the implementation of personalized medicine strategies. The intricacies of noncoding regions introduce a multitude of challenges and research opportunities. In this review, we introduce a spectrum of noncoding variants involved in genetic diseases, along with research strategies and advanced technologies for their precise identification and in-depth understanding of the complexity of the noncoding genome. We will delve into the research challenges and propose potential solutions for unraveling the genetic basis of rare and complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wu
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Fengxiao Bu
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Gen Zhang
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Shunmin He
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Big Data Research in Health, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Runsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Big Data Research in Health, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Huijun Yuan
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
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Yamamoto S, Kanca O, Wangler MF, Bellen HJ. Integrating non-mammalian model organisms in the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases in humans. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:46-60. [PMID: 37491400 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00633-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing technology has rapidly accelerated the discovery of genetic variants of interest in individuals with rare diseases. However, showing that these variants are causative of the disease in question is complex and may require functional studies. Use of non-mammalian model organisms - mainly fruitflies (Drosophila melanogaster), nematode worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) - enables the rapid and cost-effective assessment of the effects of gene variants, which can then be validated in mammalian model organisms such as mice and in human cells. By probing mechanisms of gene action and identifying interacting genes and proteins in vivo, recent studies in these non-mammalian model organisms have facilitated the diagnosis of numerous genetic diseases and have enabled the screening and identification of therapeutic options for patients. Studies in non-mammalian model organisms have also shown that the biological processes underlying rare diseases can provide insight into more common mechanisms of disease and the biological functions of genes. Here, we discuss the opportunities afforded by non-mammalian model organisms, focusing on flies, worms and fish, and provide examples of their use in the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Cui Y, Qi Y, Ding L, Ding S, Han Z, Wang Y, Du P. miRNA dosage control in development and human disease. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:31-47. [PMID: 37419737 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, miRNAs recognize target mRNAs via base pairing, which leads to a complex 'multiple-to-multiple' regulatory network. Previous studies have focused on the regulatory mechanisms and functions of individual miRNAs, but alterations of many individual miRNAs do not strongly disturb the miRNA regulatory network. Recent studies revealed the important roles of global miRNA dosage control events in physiological processes and pathogenesis, suggesting that miRNAs can be considered as a 'cellular buffer' that controls cell fate. Here, we review the current state of research on how global miRNA dosage is tightly controlled to regulate development, tumorigenesis, neurophysiology, and immunity. We propose that methods of controlling global miRNA dosage may serve as effective therapeutic tools to cure human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzi Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ye Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Li Ding
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shuangjin Ding
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zonglin Han
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yangming Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Peng Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Shelash Al-Hawary SI, Yahya Ali A, Mustafa YF, Margiana R, Maksuda Ilyasovna S, Ramadan MF, Almalki SG, Alwave M, Alkhayyat S, Alsalamy A. The microRNAs (miRs) overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in neurological disorders; hope or hype. Biotechnol Prog 2023; 39:e3383. [PMID: 37642165 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3383] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Altered expression of multiple miRNAs was found to be extensively involved in the pathogenesis of different neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. One of the biggest concerns within gene-based therapy is the delivery of the therapeutic microRNAs to the intended place, which is obligated to surpass the biological barriers without undergoing degradation in the bloodstream or renal excretion. Hence, the delivery of modified and unmodified miRNA molecules using excellent vehicles is required. In this light, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted increasing attention. The MSCs can be genetically modified to express or overexpress a particular microRNA aimed with promote neurogenesis and neuroprotection. The current review has focused on the therapeutic capabilities of microRNAs-overexpressing MSCs to ameliorate functional deficits in neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anas Yahya Ali
- Department of Nursing, Al-maarif University College, Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq
| | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Ria Margiana
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Master's Programme Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Andrology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Sami G Almalki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marim Alwave
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Safa Alkhayyat
- College of Pharmacy, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Ali Alsalamy
- College of Technical Engineering, Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, Al-Muthanna, Iraq
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Spillmann RC, Tan QKG, Reuter C, Schoch K, Kohler J, Bonner D, Zastrow D, Alkelai A, Baugh E, Cope H, Marwaha S, Wheeler MT, Bernstein JA, Shashi V. A concurrent dual analysis of genomic data augments diagnoses: Experiences of 2 clinical sites in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network. Genet Med 2023; 25:100353. [PMID: 36481303 PMCID: PMC10506157 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2022.12.001] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the diagnostic process for rare/ultrarare conditions. However, diagnosis rates differ between analytical pipelines. In the National Institutes of Health-Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) study, each individual's NGS data are concurrently analyzed by the UDN sequencing core laboratory and the clinical sites. We examined the outcomes of this practice. METHODS A retrospective review was performed at 2 UDN clinical sites to compare the variants and diagnoses/candidate genes identified with the dual analyses of the NGS data. RESULTS In total, 95 individuals had 100 diagnoses/candidate genes. There was 59% concordance between the UDN sequencing core laboratories and the clinical sites in identifying diagnoses/candidate genes. The core laboratory provided more diagnoses, whereas the clinical sites prioritized more research variants/candidate genes (P < .001). The clinical sites solely identified 15% of the diagnoses/candidate genes. The differences between the 2 pipelines were more often because of variant prioritization disparities than variant detection. CONCLUSION The unique dual analysis of NGS data in the UDN synergistically enhances outcomes. The core laboratory provided a clinical analysis with more diagnoses and the clinical sites prioritized more research variants/candidate genes. Implementing such concurrent dual analyses in other genomic research studies and clinical settings can improve both variant detection and prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Spillmann
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Queenie K-G Tan
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Chloe Reuter
- Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Kelly Schoch
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Jennefer Kohler
- Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Devon Bonner
- Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Diane Zastrow
- Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Anna Alkelai
- Institute for Genome Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Evan Baugh
- Institute for Genome Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Heidi Cope
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Shruti Marwaha
- Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Matthew T Wheeler
- Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Jonathan A Bernstein
- Stanford Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, Stanford University, and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Vandana Shashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.
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